What is the Apprenticeship Program?

The apprenticeship program combines valuable on-the-job training with related classroom instruction. Apprentices emerge from the program as skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen with the credentials and qualifications necessary to obtain employment in their chosen field or to continue their studies and obtain a college degree.

 

Who is Eligible to Participate?

The program is open to all RIBA and Rhode Island Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) members who would like to sponsor an apprentice at the Rhode Island Construction Training Academy (RICTA). Outside enrollees welcome.

 

The Rhode Island Construction Training Academy

RICTA is owned and operated by the Rhode Island Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. Established in 1992, the Academy offers two semesters per year in various trade disciplines including (but not limited to) the following:

  • Carpentry
  • Craft Laborer
  • Electrical
  • Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
  • Painting
  • Pipefitting
  • Roofing
  • Sheet Metal
  • Sprinkler Fitting

RICTA is fully accredited by the NCCER as one of the nation’s leading construction skills training organizations. Instructors are certified by NCCER and use the state-approved Contren® curriculum. All courses comply with federal and state apprenticeship guidelines.

For more information, contact:

RICTA
249 Rooservelt Avenue
Pawtucket, RI  02860

Email: kristen@ricta.org

 

Cooperative Agreements

RIBA and ABC have cooperative agreements with the following learning institutions and industry affiliates:

 

The Construction Career Cluster Advisory Board (via the RI Department of Education)

Most of Rhode Island’s vocational/technical schools, and many comprehensive high schools, offer NCCER curriculum. This means students who successfully complete NCCER coursework can transfer their credits into the apprenticeship program at no charge, and with no time lost for re-instruction. Apprenticeship students are also eligible to attend RICTA after their secondary school experience with either a high school diploma or a Graduation Equivalency Diploma, and an approved industry sponsor. Students will start with basic construction skills and safety training before advancing to trade-specific education.

 

New England Institute of Technology

NEIT accepts NCCER apprenticeship training credits as partial fulfillment of the requirements for an Associate degree. Students emerge from a typical apprenticeship program with up to 24 core course credits in NEIT’s Building Construction/Cabinetmaking Technology Program.

 

The Community College of Rhode Island

A similar articulation agreement is in process whereby CCRI will accept NCCER apprenticeship training credits as partial fulfillment of the requirements for an Associate degree in Applied Science in Technical Studies. Students completing a typical apprenticeship program may accumulate approximately half of the 71 credits needed to complete this degree. CCRI also offers several advanced articulation agreements with New England Institute of Technology, Roger Williams University, and the University of Rhode Island should a student choose to move on to higher education in Construction Technology, Construction Management, Engineering, or Architecture.

 

Trade Source

Trade Source is the country’s leading provider of construction staffing solutions. They provide flexible employment opportunities for apprenticeship trainees that are not sponsored by an individual construction firm. Trade Source places these apprentices on an as-needed basis to RIBA and ABC member companies that do not have full-time openings but have project-specific needs.

 

Tuition Rates

Apprentices affiliated with members of RIBA receive 10% off the non ABC member tuition rate. Payment for tuition and books must be received 2 weeks prior to the commencement of classes. A late payment fee will be assessed to each apprentice who submits his or her payments after the due date. For application materials and additional information, contact RIBA.

 

Scholarships/Tuition Assistance

Sponsoring member companies may choose to pay some or all of the tuition for their registered apprentices as a human resource benefit. Companies doing so will receive a 10% discount on overall tuition costs. After one year with Trade Source, unassigned apprentices will be eligible for the Trade Source corporate tuition reimbursement program. Affiliate educational institutions may offer need-based tuition assistance, including federal Workforce Investment Act grants, to cover some to nearly all of the institutional tuition costs.

From time to time, RIBA or ABC may also announce special scholarship programs and/or awards, as well as assistance partnerships with various foundations. Apprentices deployed in the field will immediately be paid wages according to market and skill level; this income will be considered in balance with all tuition assistance.