ABC-NM currently offers formal apprenticeship training in four trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing and Sheet Metal (and is considering additional training programs). These programs conform to Office of Apprenticeship Training (OAT) standards and have been approved by the New Mexico State Apprenticeship Council (SAC). As such, they are qualified programs for purposes of the training requirements imposed by New Mexico’s Public Works (Little Davis-Bacon) Act. ABC-NM's training programs are accreditated by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).
ABC-NM’s Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing and Sheet Metal Programs are 4-year programs. In order to complete the program in the allotted time, Apprentices must successfully complete 144 hours of classroom training (“related instruction”) and must perform 2,000 hours of on-the-job training (ojt) each year.
ABC-NM’s Programs rely upon the nationally-accredited NCCER curriculum. Employers and Instructors are encouraged to recommend the inclusion of additional teaching materials to ensure the most complete training for all Apprentices. All ABC-NM Instructors are experienced craftspeople in their trade and all are required to be NCCER-certified Craft Instructors.
Each of ABC-NM’s Apprenticeship Programs has an articulation agreement with Albuquerque TVI under which TVI confers substantial college credit toward its Construction Technology Associate’s Degree to all Apprentices that complete an ABC Program. ABC is willing to pursue similar arrangements with other institutions.
The costs of ABC’s Apprenticeship Programs are paid in the form of “tuition assessments” by those companies that are training Apprentices. The assessments vary from program to program and are re-evaluated every year. Currently, the semester assesments are: Carpentry – $950, Electrical – $1000, Ironworking – N/A, Plumbing – $850 and Sheet Metal – $800. Employers receive credits against the amount they owe based on funding from the State Department of Education under the Apprenticeship Assistance Act (roughly $200 per semester), on the cents-per-hour training contributions they make to the Program under the Public Works Act and on their pro rata share of funds distributed from the Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Training Fund.
ABC-NM is a strong believer in “win-win” and prides itself on its flexibility in meeting member needs. It is always open to talking with members and prospective members about expanding its training programs and improving its services. We’d be delighted to hear from you.