Fifth Year Hints and FAQ
Watch the videos linked above.
We will be discussing ibewhourpower website, check it out.
Your "license" or more properly your training certificate is a legal necessity. DO NOT LET IT LAPSE. This is critically important. You cannot legally work without a valid training certificate, you and the employer are subject to fine if you do so.
You have 60 days after the completion of your apprenticeship to get your state license. As soon as you have the hours you should sit for your Washington exam, whether you are done with school or not. You will be eligible to sit for the Oregon exam upon release from the program, all our graduates should get both licenses.
Stewards class will be held one of your weeks of school, plan on attending and representing your local with pride.
Call or come in for help prior to your week of school if needed. Putting "don't know" or other nonsense in the blank in hopes we will see something written and skip it will hurt you. REALLY DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK.
Homework
Here are some guidelines on homework, especially those workbooks with math components like DC Theory and Code Calculations:
- Problem write-ups are your permanent record of your understanding of the material covered. You do not get any tests to keep but you do get your lesson materials for future reference
- Solutions should be clearly and logically presented. This means that:
• Your method should always be clear. It should be easy to figure out what you're doing and why.
• Use a lot of space.
• Equations should usually be accompanied by prose. Before plunging into algebra, state what it is you're solving for. If there are any non-obvious steps in a calculation, explain them.
• Write equations in a logical order.
• Remember: Formula, Substitute, Solve, Label
• Use pencil, rarely do apprentices get 100% of the lesson questions correct first try
- Solutions should stand on their own and should be understandable to someone who hasn't read the problem. This means at times that you should paraphrase the question before writing your response. Use pencil.
- We will not give numerical grades on HW assignments. Instead, we will check for an honest effort at completion. I'm mainly interested in seeing that you thoughtfully attacked the problem and wrote it up in a clear and coherent way.
- Finally, a few minor requests:
• Use Pencil
• Limit the amount of loose paper you turn in
• Put your name on all your books
• Do your homework a little at a time rather than cramming it all in to the weekend before school
Week 1
Test 5-1 covers Union Benefit History, on the job training and NLRB. Read the information sheets. The text is the J200 book, do lessons 17 - 23, not lessons 1 - 7! Test 5-1 also includes lesson 7 in the J285 Test Instruments book, which has the wrong color code. The syllabus is correct, the color coding is incorrect.
Instrumentation I and II, follow local syllabus-we are attacking this subject from a slightly different angle this year, watch the homework videos linked above for more info on the local syllabus.
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Week 2
Testing on fire alarms, know your definitions and FOLLOW MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. We are using the NJATC lab manual. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS IN THE LOCAL SYLLABUS. This is a major portion of your hands on performance evaluation this year AND proficiency in fire alarms makes you more marketable. LABS ARE HOMEWORK, LAB EXERCISES ARE NOT.
Week 3
Structured cabling, using AMP ACT I, this is a useful certification on some jobs and great training in any case. NEC regarding Health Care, and some brush up on the specials- start early. In syllabus section 12 (local test #8) skip the lessons on code changes. Code lesson practice exams are done as IN CLASS PARTICIPATION
Week 4
Power Quality, Solar photovoltaics from NJATC syllabus. If you get your JW license early let us know because some of what we cover in class can count as CEU's for your JW license. Test 11 and 12 will be developed from locally produced materials.
Saturday(s)
You will have at least two Saturdays scheduled this year. The first will be for rigging class, with another for Steward's training. There is a possibility that NECA effective supervision will be presented on a Saturday as well.