You asked for a summary of the state regulations relating to apprenticeship training for an oil burner servicer/installer journeyperson’s license and information on how to sign up for such an apprenticeship. You also asked for a copy of the state’s apprenticeship regulations.

SUMMARY

The oil burner servicer/installer apprenticeship requires a minimum of two years of on-the-job training (i. e. at least 4,000 hours) broken down as follows:

1. orientation and safety (100 hours);

2. pipe/tube work installation, maintenance, and repair (600 hours);

3. oil burner hours installation, maintenance, and repair (3,000 hours);  

4. basic knowledge of associated trades (300 hours); and

5. related instruction (288 hours).

The oil burner servicer/installer apprenticeship does not include gas fired burners, but the 8,000-hour limited heating mechanic apprenticeship covers both oil and gas-fired burners.

In order to contact an employer or labor-management committee that sponsors an apprenticeship, contact the state Department of Labor (DOL). For more information see DOL’s apprenticeship web site: ctapprenticeship. com.

See attachment A for a copy of the state regulations (the regulations are also available through the web site).

APPRENTICE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

DOL oversees a number of state-registered and approved apprenticeships where individuals can get on-the-job-training to learn a licensed trade or craft. In Connecticut there are about 1,700 employers and labor-management committees employing more than 5,000 apprentices in approved apprentice programs.

State registered apprentice programs must meet state standards including providing (1) skill training under a written agreement with the apprentice, (2) wage progression as the apprentice completes various training stages, (3) specific hours of various training processes, and (4) hours and courses of school instruction (these count toward on-the-job training). Individual apprentices must also register with the state.

Before an apprenticeship program can begin the employer or labor-management committee acting as the sponsor must get the program approved and register it with the state. A person wishing to participate must sign an apprentice agreement with the sponsor indicating the type of apprenticeship, the number of hours dedicated to each necessary skill, and the number of classroom hours required. The individual is paid on a progressive scale with his wages increasing with the completion of each phase. Once he has completed the apprenticeship, the individual must take and pass the licensing exam before attaining the grade of journeyperson.

The state has established a number of mechanisms to oversee the apprenticeship process. The Connecticut Apprenticeship Council advises the labor commissioner on apprenticeship policy including recommending the type and number of hours of training for each of more

than 70 trades and crafts. State regulations outline the procedure to approve an apprenticeship program, the standards for such programs, the required elements of the apprenticeship agreement with the trainee, steps for deregistering a program, and a complaint process.

JM: dw