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APPRENTICESHIP COMMITTEE

Apprenticeship Committee Charter

The Apprenticeship Committee’s mission is to develop Firestopping into a recognized construction discipline for union and non-union companies. FCIA’s Firestop / Containment Documents, Apprenticeship Standards, and Education Programs provide a basis for a professional firestopping workforce.

FCIA’s Apprenticeship Committee provides tools for instructors, workers and contractor companies.  Tools include an O-Net Classification, which helps with local prevailing wage rate calculations and jurisdictional issues. See FCIA Members Only section for more info.

Committee Update

FCIA’s Apprenticeship/Education Committee launched the Firestop Containment Worker Education Program in November 2012 at FCIA’s Firestop Industry Conference and Trade Show. The program consists of:

  • Firestop Containment Worker Manual (FSCW) – Both PDF and a Hard Copy
  • Instructor DVD with 22 Powerpoint Presentations, based on the FSCW Manual
  • 22 Quizzes based on the Presentations.
  • 22 Instruction Guides
  • Step by Step Installation Videos, with real workers installing.

This program is geared for the contractor to educate their workforce. It can also be used to educate staff, consultants and anyone else that wants to be a student of the Firestopping Trade.

Committee News April & November 2011

FCIA’s Apprenticeship Committee has accomplished a lot this year. So far, the committee has produced 4 1-hour videos on the installation of firestop systems, developed a format for expansion of the FCIA Firestop Manual of Practice, while working on important new resources for members to start apprenticeship programs in their own states.

Look for introductions of these pieces on FCIA.org in early 2012.

Committee News February 28, 2010

FCIA’s Apprenticeship Committee has been working with contractors, manufacturers and associates at FCIA to gather pictures for the technical teaching materials to be used for the FCIA Apprenticeship Education Program. Manufacturers such as Specified Technologies, Inc., have furnished many images, as has the Apprenticeship Committee. 

FCIA’s Chair Bob Hasting, and Co-Chair Don Donnelly work with the Committee

Committee News January 10, 2009

FCIA’s Apprenticeship Committee traveled to Washington DC twice during 2008 to visit with the US Department of Labor. FCIA’s Bill Hoos, Mike Dominguez, Don Donnelly, Gary Hamilton and Bill McHugh visited with DOL’s Staff and the Director of Apprenticeship to move the FCIA Standards of Apprenticeship forward at the national level. FCIA’s Chair, Bob Hasting was successful establishing the first State Apprenticeship Committee in Washington, and is working on Oregon. The committee is going to be establishing other State Apprenticeship Programs in 2009.

Information updated on Feb 15, 2008

Bob Hasting and Bill McHugh have been working with the US Department of Labor to establish Standards of Apprenticeship for Firestop/Containment Workers. The goal is to get the apprenticeship standards approved by the US Department of Labor. 

The purpose of this program is to “Create a Trade for Firestopping”. Additionally, it’s to move the industry and have general contractors, building owners, other trades, craftspeople, say “That’s Firestop/Containment workers trade, hire a firestop / containment worker for that”.

Below is a summary of activities the past 3 years.

US Department of Labor Status

Bob LeClair & Bill McHugh met with the US Department of Labor, in 2005 to start conversations about establishing the trade of apprenticeship. After reviewing the FCIA Manual of Practice, DVD’s, Powerpoint Education Programs, we were told we had significant education material for establishing the trade apprenticeship program. There are several other components to add to the education program as soon as the standards are approved. 

Bob Hasting & Bill McHugh provided additional information for new DOL Staff Ken Lemberg, in 2006 and 2007. An O-Net Classification was established for Firestop/Containment Workers under the classification of Insulation Worker (see report from 2007 below). 

The FCIA / US Department Standards of Apprenticeship for Firestop Containment Workers were sent for public comment twice, and it is complete at this point.

Bill Hoos and Bill McHugh met with the leadership of the Department of Labor, the Director, Deputy Director, and staff who make the determination of apprenticeability. The meeting went well in October, 2007.

The completed FCIA Apprenticeship Standards Package were presented to the Director of Apprenticeship the week of Dec. 30, 2007. The only objection we understand was that the occupation needs to be established with a new O-Net Classification for Firestop/Containment Worker, rather than in insulation worker. We understand that this will be completed in 2008. 

State DOL Status

Washington state’s Firestop / Containment Worker program is up and running in Washington, and has been submitted in Oregon as well. There has been discussion in Wisconsin as well.

FCIA Education Program

The FCIA Firestop Containment Worker Education Program Components are being assembled from various internal and external sources.

To join this group, contact Bob Hasting, Chair, Apprenticeship.

Information updated on Feb 15, 2007

FCIA Apprenticeship Subcommittee – Bob Hasting, Chair

FCIA’s Bob Hasting has worked with the state of Washington to establish a State Apprenticeship Committee (SAC). This committee is operating and fully functional. Bob Hasting, Bob LeClair and Bill McHugh worked together with the US Department of Labor.

In 2006 the committee worked with the US Department of Labor to establish a new worker classification. The US Department of Labor created with O-Net, the classification code 47-2131.00, Firestop/Contianment Worker, under the “Insulation Worker” classification, establishing the Firestopping Trade formally. This category gives local authorities a basis from which to set wage rates on projects where Davis-Bacon wage rates are mandated.

The Apprenticeship Subcommittee in 2007 is working with the US Department of Labor to complete the program, and provide educational materials to instructors and students of our trade, the workers. FCIA is pleased to provide this classification, creating a trade for our workers to progress through a career path, while generating pride in our trade.