The J.T.A.C. Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is a system of learning while earning, and "learning by doing." It combines training on the job with related and supplemental instruction at school.

Today, it is utilized chiefly in the skilled crafts. Each program operates under apprenticeship training standards agreed to by labor and/or management in accordance with Provincial and Federal laws, under which a person works with a skilled worker and gains on the job skills and "know-how" and in turn becomes an important part of the occupation and industry.

In those crafts in which management and labor organizations exist, each selects an equal number of members to serve on the joint training apprenticeship committee (J.T.A.C.). The joint training apprenticeship committee (J.T.A.C.) determines the standards for training of its occupation and supervises the training of apprentices.

The J.T.A.C. apprenticeship program involves three distinct stages of in-school training - Basic, Intermediate and Advance.    This apprenticeship was developed for the Industrial, Commercial, Institutional ( ICI ) sector.  This sector is the J.T.A.C. apprenticeship training program's primary focus.

TRAINING PROGRAMS

The J.T.A.C.'s primary role is to provide instructional excellence in developing and delivering apprenticeship training programs for the (ICI). sector of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. This is a compulsory construction and maintenance trade governed by Ontario's Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act.  

To work as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic in Ontario, you must have a license. The industry preferred way to obtain a license is through a J.T.A.C. apprenticeship.  The five-year apprenticeship requires 960 hours of in-school plus 240 hours of night school and 8,040 hours of on-the-job training with a licensed journey person. To meet the needs of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, the J.T.A.C. offers additional training courses.  These include:

Ozone Depletion Protection
Certificate Training

The Ozone Depletion Protection Certificate for environmental awareness and handling of refrigerants is required in order to work on any air conditioning or refrigeration system. In addition to passing their provincial exam to obtain their Certificate of Qualification, apprentices must have the Ozone Depletion Protection Certificate.  

The J.T.A.C. provides the training necessary to obtain that certificate during the apprenticeship program.

Energy and Fuels Training

Contractors signatory to Local 787 also work on gas-fired equipment and heating systems. To work on these systems, you must become a certified Gas Technician.  This C of Q (Certificate of Qualification) from the Ontario Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is a multi-level certification requiring achievement of 75% proficiency at the 3, 2  and 1 levels. 

TSSA regulates fuel suppliers, storage facilities, transport trucks, pipelines, contractors and equipment or appliances that use fuels.  It also works to protect the public, the environment and property from fuel-related hazards such as spills, fires and explosions. 

J.T.A.C. training is structured to ensure that the requirements of the Gas Technician Certification can be met by apprentices during their five-year apprenticeship program, or as a new journey person with the organization.

Advance Journeyperson Training Programs

The J.T.A.C. provides advanced training programs for journeypersons on weekends, in night school and through distance learning programs.  

This training may be applied to many new and advanced technologies such as HVACR building automation systems, high-tech manufacturing plants, aerospace development, refrigeration units for biological research labs and clean rooms and many more specialized applications.