Apprenticeship Training Program for Custodial Employees

Purpose:

The Augusta County Schools apprenticeship training program for custodial employees is coordinated through the Maintenance Department. The purpose of the program is to ensure professional development of current employees by providing relevant educational and on the job training opportunities. Employees participating in the program may earn a 5 to 15 percent pay increase for apprenticeship program completion.

Benefits:

Employees will benefit by having the ability to perform the duties of their job description in a more knowledgeable and efficient manner, and by being compensated salary wise in accordance with the additional training and certification they have received and demonstrated. It is anticipated that these employees will also achieve an enhanced professional image with the school community at large. Employees participating in the program will also receive formal recognition by the Virginia Department of Labor (VA DOLI) for professional achievement. This certification by VA DOLI is recognized by industry nationwide for employee achievement.

The employer will benefit by having a more highly trained and qualified staff of custodial personnel which will be more efficient in maintaining and cleaning the school system’s buildings and grounds.

Eligibility:

Any contracted employee currently on staff is eligible to enroll. Participation in the program is voluntary. Employees who choose not to participate in the program will continue to work and progress on the adopted pay scale for custodial staff. Employees who wish to participate will be required to complete a prescribed course of study and a work process that is determined by the Virginia Department of Labor and the employer.

Enrollment:

Employees wishing to participate in the custodial apprenticeship program must sign-up during the open enrollment period from May 1st through September 30th. Employees wishing to sign-up must complete an Apprenticeship Action Form available from on-site supervisory personnel or the Maintenance Department at Central Office. Copies will then be forwarded to Virginia Department of Labor representatives (Mr. Todd Cook) for processing.

Prior Coursework and/or Prior Work Experience (Processes):

Where appropriate, credit will be given for coursework already completed, and for work experience (processes) already completed. Documentation is required for credited coursework and/or work processes. Completed coursework will be reviewed and subject to the approval of employer and/or a representative of VVTC. A course description, outline, or syllabus, along with evidence of completion of the course with a passing grade of “C” or better is required as a minimum before credit is given for prior coursework.

Completed work experience and/or processes will be reviewed and subject to the approval of employer and representative of Va. DOLI. The custodial apprenticeship program requires 6 years or 1200 hours of direct on the job work experience. Employees are eligible to receive credit for 2 years or 4000 hours of properly documented direct work experience based upon approval of employer and Va DOLI representatives. Four (4) years of direct work experience are mandated and required to reach the highest level of participation in the program.

Program Coursework Requirement:

Required coursework for the apprenticeship program has been established based upon the written job description for Augusta County Schools custodial employees. Coursework is divided into three levels or certifications, which are corresponding to three levels of potential salary advancement for employees. All coursework is to be completed through Valley Vocational Technical Center(VVTC), except in instances where courses are not offered, or where a course mores specifically related to the employer’s needs is offered by another institution. Typically, 4 courses are required for each of the three levels of apprenticeship certification. Each course can involve from 20 to 36 hours of instructional contact time. Apprentices may take more than 1 class per semester and in any order.

Tuition Reimbursement:

Tuition reimbursement for coursework completed is available to apprentices in the program. Currently, tuition costs for coursework completed are reimbursable up to a maximum of $500.00 per course – with books and supply costs not reimbursable. In order to be eligible for tuition reimbursement, a “Request for Reimbursement for Continuing Education Courses” form must be completed by apprentices and submitted to Central Office prior to taking a course. After successful completion of the coursework, employee apprentice will need to submit the “Reimbursement Claim Form for Continuing Education Courses Completed”. Forms are available online at www.augusta.k12.va.us/employeeinfo. Requests for tuition reimbursement must be submitted within 30 days of course completion.

Available Apprenticeship Certifications:

The custodial apprenticeship program has three levels of certification and corresponding indexed pay raises associated with completing coursework and required work processes:

Level 1 - Custodial Technician - (5% indexed pay increase)

Level 2 – Custodial Journeyman - (10% indexed pay increase)

Level 3 – Master Custodian - (15% indexed pay increase)

A synopsis of each level follows indicating required coursework and amount of work processes required.

Requirements Per Level of Completion

Level I - Custodial Technician - Requirements

Required Coursework	Cleaning/Sanitizing Facilities (Level 1)	Cleaning/Refinishing Floors (Level 1)	Industrial Safety (Level I)	Beginning Computers/Intro to Windows XP (Level 1)
Other Requirements	2 years of on-the-job training (1 year may be waived)	Recommendation of Supervisor	Satisfactory Performance Evaluation

Completion: 5% Salary increase and Custodial Technician Certification

Level II - Custodial Journeyman - Requirements

Required Coursework	Outdoor Power Equip. - Operation & Maintenance (Level 2)	Communication (Level 2)	Maintaining and Servicing HVAC equipment (Level 2)	Behaviors of Successful People (Level 2)	First Aid / CPR (Level 2)
Other Requirements	2 years of on-the-job training (1 year may be waived)	Recommendation of Supervisor	Satisfactory Performance Evaluation

Completion: 10% Salary increase and Custodial Journeyman Certification

Level III - Master Custodian - Requirements

Required Coursework	Basic Electrical Wiring (Level 3)	Industrial/Institutional Cleaning & Products (Level 3)	General Building Maintenance Procedures (Level 3)	Basic Supervision (Level 3)
Other Requirements	2 years of on-the-job training (no waivers available)	Recommendation of Supervisor	Satisfactory Performance Evaluation

Completion: 15% Salary increase per year and Master Custodian Certification

Other Information

Total time to complete program	4 to 6 years (including mandated OJT requirements)
Costs to Employee	Cost of Course Material Tuition Costs (less reimbursement)
Costs to Employer	$75/Course Tuition Reimbursement

Dates of Importance: