Re: Nicet Training

["Michael Baker" <mbbaker@xxxxxxxxx>]

I was trained on the dark side in merit shops where the same 4 + 4
program is used as at IBEW.  The journeyman winds up a well rounded
electrician (pun intended) with additional training in fire alarm,
cctv, access control, data/voice, amplified paging, FO, and so on.
These "electives" are covered in the 2nd and 3rd year. Each elective is
10 weeks long.  By attending a couple of additional core-division
classes, journeymen wind up with an associates degree in industrial
technology.

I realize now that Oregon is the exception to the rule.  The rule being
technicians not necessarily having the training, nor required to.
Because of state's autonomy, there is no straightforward solution to
this, except maybe to use the bully pulpit :)

Nomen Nescio wrote:
> Mike Baker said:
>
> >This has been a contentious issue, nationwide.  I agree with you and it
> >seems that the best method is an apprenticeship program where 4 years
> >of OJT is augmented with 4 years of classroom training.
>
> That's the IBEW model, apprenticeship with work experience and classroom
> training.  Unfortunately, the electricians figure that a week or two of
> fire alarm training means they're qualified to do fire.  By the way, are
> electricians exempt from NICET certification requirements?
>
> I'm not sure you could build a curriculum of four years just on fire
> alarms, though, so your 4+4 plan might not be workable.
>
> NICET is supposed to have work experience requirements as part of the
> certification process.  I gather you don't think this has been a success.
> :-)
>
> - badenov