We have received approval to conduct residential training classes in an online format. This will allow enrollment for anyone that needs classes to advance in classification. The information below was contained in an email to all residential trainees, explaining the new course structure.
Big Changes to Residential Training
In an effort to help you progress through the Residential Trainee Program the JATC is changing the way we offer residential classes. Because of new advances in curriculum provided by the Electrical Training Alliance we are now able to enroll you in online courses to replace the majority of the residential classes we offered at night. In-person DC Theory, Basic Circuitry, NEC, Blueprints, and Math courses will no longer be offered. Instead you will register for Computer Mediated Learning (CML) classes. You will complete these classes at your own pace and then report to a training center for a final test on each topic. You will not be able to test and complete a course until you have successfully completed the online content.
Do I Need to Retake Courses Which Replace the Courses I Have Already Completed?
The new CML course structure does not require a Residential Trainee to repeat a course if they have already completed a course covering the same topic. As an example, if you completed Residential Blueprints you do not need CML Construction Drawings. Only take new CML courses for corresponding old in-person courses you have not completed. Use the table below to match up old course names with new course names. If you have completed an old in-person residential course you do not need to take the new CML course which replaces it.
How do I Know Which Courses I Still Need to Take?
Each time you successfully complete a residential course you receive a certification of completion. It is easy to see your certifications in your TradeSchool account. Login to your account and select the My Account tab, then select Certifications. You will see a list of all your certifications. These certifications correspond to the courses you have completed. Compare the certifications you have to the courses listed in the table below. Using the table, you will be able to identify the courses you still need to complete.
What Do I Need to Do?
As of Dec. 1st. 2023, you no longer need to register or pay for individual CML class content using your TradeSchool account. The CML courses you need will be made accessible to you when you pay a subscription fee of $150 for 12 months of access to the PTSI system. No need to select individual CML courses, this will be done for you. Pay your 12 month subscription fee by enrolling in class #4161, “Residential CML/PTSI 12 Months of Access”. The JATC will process your registration at the end of the month. When your registration is processed, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your online CML courses. Please see the table below which compares the old fee structure to the new residential (CML) fee structure. We have worked hard to keep current registration fees similar to the old (CML) fees, so the new classes are not a financial burden. Remember you must individually register for any course that is conducted in-person at a JATC facility.
Table Shows Old Class Structure and The Class Structure Starting in 2024
Note: You should be able to finish all the CML courses in one year, so paying for another 12 months of access will only be necessary if you are delayed. Some residential classes have not changed. You will still register for First Aid, CPR, OSHA 10, and Applications classes as you did in the past.
What is it like to work in a CML course?
The content of a CML course is very structured and the user must participate in each lesson before a lesson evaluation is given. In most cases, CML courses do not allow the user to skip to the end of the course and take a final test. The CML course will not allow you to advance through the course unless you have viewed all required content, completed any exercises, and correctly responded to the questions asked; thereby demonstrating proficiency in the current lesson. If you are unable to complete the lessons, the CML may require you to repeat the material until proficient. The JATC will be able to see your advancement through the course and, when you have successfully completed the course, you will be automatically enrolled for an in-person testing session and will take a final test on the topic. The testing session will appear as a class in your TradeSchool account. When you see the testing class listed, you are eligible to attend the next available testing session and your name will remain on the roster for testing until you attend and pass the in-person test. This is how the JATC will assure the identity of the person taking the course. You will not be given credit for the course until you successfully pass the final in-person exam.
Testing After Completing a CML Course
The JATC will monitor your progress in the CML courses you are assigned. We will know when you complete a course. At that time you will be eligible to take your final in-person exam. You will receive an email with information about available testing sessions. You will attend the testing session of your choosing. You will not need to pay for this testing session. Your name will remain on the testing session roster until you attend and pass your test. If you fail the test, you will not be able to test again for several weeks so you can review the material you missed. You must bring government issued photo ID to your testing session.
Why Did We Make This Change?
We hope this transition to the new CML classes will be easy for you. CML classes will be very different from previously offered classes, but it was certainly necessary to make a change. Over the years Residential Trainee numbers have increased. We know that some of you have not been able to take classes as fast as you want to, and because your classification is tied to class completion we needed to act and make training more available throughout the year. Here are some advantages to the new system.
- You take classes at home without driving to school, saving time and money
- You get to take classes year round
- We have unlimited enrollment capacity in CML classes
- The required in-person classes can be larger because of extra classroom space
- You have more opportunities to get your reclassification and raises on time
How Can I Get Help?
We know that working with computers is not easy for everyone, and maybe you don’t want to work on CML using your phone. If you need help connecting to your CML lessons, or want to use one of our computers, we have scheduled Residential tutoring available in Lanham and Manassas. For information on tutoring session dates, register for a session using the TradeSchool class scheduling tab. When you register for tutoring we make sure an instructor is available. When you attend a tutoring session we will loan you a textbook for the course you are working on.
Get to a Residential Electrician!
You can now complete the Residential Trainee Program and be reclassified to Residential Electrician if you have over 10,000 on the job training hours AND have completed all your classes. This modification to the Residential Program was just approved and it will help some trainees who have not been taking classes on time. This new rule only applies to the trainee’s last reclassification to RE status. All other advances will follow the step increments in the Residential Statement of Policies.
Things to Remember
Although the delivery system for residential classes has changed, the core program remains the same. Here are a few points to help you move forward and make the transition.
- Register for subscription access using your TradeSchool account under the class schedule tab
- After you register for your 12 months of access to PTSI you will receive an email at the end of the month with your login instructions
- After you complete a CML course you will be automatically registered for in-person testing
- If you need help, you can attend a tutoring session at the Lanham or Manassas Training Centers
- Some classes have not changed: First Aid, CPR, OSHA 10 and Applications
- One class has been cancelled. Basic Circuitry is now part of CML Electrical Theory 1 which is a second-year class needed to get to R7
- You only need a computer with browsing capabilities to work on CML (no software requirements)
OSHA 10, First Aid and Basic Life Support (CPR)
The JATC will accept these certifications from outside the organization if they have not expired and meet or exceed the standards of the classes offered by the JATC. The JATC will accept OSHA 10 Construction Safety and Health cards from another certified OSHA trainer. The JATC will accept First Aid and Basic Life Support CPR cards from trainers who require hands on skills testing for certification.
OSHA First Aid Standard 29 CFR 1910.151 requires First Aid trained workers on the job site. Although CPR is not expressly mentioned in the standard, it is recommended by OSHA that First Aid contain a CPR requirement. An interpretation of 1910.151 requires First Aid and CPR training to have a hands on component. It cannot be based solely on online training. The JATC will accept First Aid and CPR training from other organizations as long as they are reputable and provide hands on training. The JATC will accept American Red Cross, American Heart Association and National Safety Council training cards. If you are aware of other training options which meet the requirements above, please contact mmiller@jatc26.org for approval.