ABA Policy & Procedures

Students and apprentices enrolled in the Arizona Builders’ Alliance (ABA) Apprenticeship and Craft Training Programs that are based at a local community college are subject to the policies of the local community college (Gateway College or Pima College). Additional student and apprenticeship policies and responsibilities specific to the ABA Apprenticeship and Craft Training Programs are listed in the below or in ABA Student Handbook. The Gateway Student Handbook serves as the governing policies for student rights, privileges and responsibilities for students enrolled at the Gateway Training Unit. 

The ABA Apprenticeship Committee will be the final authority in any matters that conflict with the Gateway or Pima Student Handbooks.
The ABA Apprenticeship Committee
The primary responsibility of the ABA Apprenticeship Committee (Committee) is to enforce the student policies set forth in this handbook. Monthly Committee activities include; indenturement interviews, addressing absentee problems, individual apprentice concerns, grade and performance issues, program quality control, instructor issues, curriculum review, compliance requirements, graduations, termination, suspensions, and grievance procedures. It is also the duty of this committee to establish policies, procedures and standards within the respective guidelines of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) the Department of Economic Security (DES) Apprenticeship Services and the National Center for Construction, Education and Research (NCCER).
ADA and EEO/Affirmative Action
The ABA Apprenticeship and Craft Training Program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or disability, or any other legally protected status.
Student Grievance Policy
A student who feels that he or she has been treated unfairly or unjustly by a faculty member with regard to an academic process as grading, testing, or assignments has the right to appeal according to the approved procedures found in the Gateway Community College Student Handbook.

A student or indentured apprentice who feels that he or she has been treated unfairly or unjustly by a faculty member with regard to a NCCER standardized written test or performance evaluation has the right to appeal directly to the ABA Apprenticeship Committee.

Grievances must be in writing and submitted to the ABA office within 60 days from the time the student knew or reasonably should have known about the unfair or unjust treatment. Such notice will be included as an agenda item in the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee. If the grievance is not resolved for the student at this level, the Committee will forward it to the NCCER for final resolution. If the grievance is not resolved for the indentured apprentice, at this level, the Committee will forward it to the Department of Economic Security (DES), Apprenticeship Services, State of Arizona, for final resolution.
Attendance
Students are required to attend all scheduled classes and field trips, seminars, and special training programs or sessions as assigned by the Committee or classroom instructor. Students who miss class are required to notify their instructor to obtain the course work missed. Make-up work is expected to be done prior to the next scheduled class date.

After missing 2 days of instruction per semester - The student/apprentice and their employer will be notified of the attendance problem.

After missing 3 days of instruction per semester - The student/apprentice and their employer will be notified that he/she has been placed on a probationary status for the remainder of the semester. Any further absence from class may result in suspension from the program.

After missing 4 days of instruction per semester - The student/apprentice will be required to appear at the next regularly scheduled meeting or special Committee meeting for disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include re-taking an instructional class or module, continued probation, or termination from the program.

Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner so as to not disturb the educational process, or affect the safety and well being of themselves, fellow students or instructors. Academic misconduct includes misconduct associated with the classroom, laboratory or clinical learning process. Academic misconduct policies are found in the Gateway Student Handbook. The Committee may terminate apprentices from the program for any academic misconduct.

Substance Abuse/Misuse
As an education providing institution, Gateway is responsible to provide knowledge and guidelines about prevention, control and treatment of the abuse/misuse of alcohol, illegal and legal drug uses and misuses. Substance abuse policies are found in the Gateway Student Handbook. The Committee may terminate apprentices from the program for any substance abuse/misuse

Care and Use of Tools and Equipment
All students are expected to properly use tools, machinery, materials or supplies issued. Lost, damaged, or broken tools, machinery, materials or supplies will be replaced or repaired at student expense.

Grades
Instructors set the grading policy according to their course syllabus, within the standards established by the NCCER and Gateway Community College. Tests, quizzes, homework, class attendance and performance tests are some factors for final grade determination. All apprentices are required to maintain a minimum score of 70 percent in all course work. Re-taking of a final NCCER standardized written or performance exam is permitted (see your instructor). Students having significant difficulty in completing course work may seek assistance through the Gateway Learning Center.

On the Job Training (O.J.T)
Apprentices are required to submit monthly O.J.T reports to the ABA Training Division by the 10th of each month. It is the apprentice’s responsibility to insure accuracy of the reported O.J.T hours for each work process category. It is important that the employer and the apprentice work together to assure that the apprentice gets the necessary exposure to the required O.J.T categories. Failure to fulfill the broad range of O.J.T is detrimental to the apprentice and the employer.

Layoffs—Terminations
If an apprentice is laid off or terminated from employment, he/she is to notify the ABA Craft Training Division immediately for possible re-assignment to another employer. During this time, the apprentice should continue to attend classes.

Indenturement
Attending Classes does not make one an apprentice
To become an apprentice, you must become indentured (registered with the State of Arizona) There are several requirements for indenturement that must be submitted to the ABA Training Division:

  1. A copy of your birth certificate (must be at least 18 years of age).
  2. A copy of your Arizona driver’s license (apprentices must maintain a valid driver’s license while in the program)
  3. A copy of your High School Diploma and transcripts or your GED and test scores
  4. Three character reference letters from friends or family members
  5. Three letters from former or present employers

"Testing Out" Procedures-Cost for the testing out will be the responsibility of the student. Any cost for optional college credit will be the responsibility of the student.
Testing out of the CORE Program
Students may test out of the Wheels of Learning CORE modules if they present documentation to the ABA verifying a minimum of 2,000  hours of employment in a related or reasonably similar vocation or trades area.

Procedure:
     Students must request in writing to the ABA their desire to test out of CORE modules and must submit, on company letterhead, proof of employment of 2,000 hours or more in a related or similar vocation or trades area.
     Upon receipt of this written request and receipt of employment letters, the ABA will notify students of acceptance or denial of testing out of CORE modules. Testing out of CORE modules will be done by CD-ROM (where available) or by a comprehensive written exam for each module. A testing score of 80% is required for the purpose of testing out. A NCCER certified instructor will administer performance testing for CORE modules.
Note: There may be additional CORE courses required by the local training unit, such as OSHA/SSTA Safety Training, First Aid/CPR Training, and Technical Math. These courses will not be available for testing out. The local training unit representative will evaluate for credit any submittals of proof of completion of similar courses.

Testing out of the Level One Program:
Students may test out of Wheels of Learning Level One modules after they have completed the requirements of the CORE program as determined by the local training unit representative.

Procedure:
Students must request in writing to the local training unit representative a desire to test out of Level One modules. Testing out of Level One modules will be done by CD-ROM (where available) or by a comprehensive written exam for Level One. A testing score of 80% is required the purpose of testing out. Performance testing for Level One modules will be administered by an NCCER certified instructor.
Note: There may be additional Level One courses required by the local training unit, such as OSHA/SSTA Safety Training, First Aid/ CPR Training, and Technical Math. These courses will not be available for testing out. ABA will evaluate submittal of proof of completion of similar courses for credit.

Testing out of the Level Two Program:
Testing out of Level Two modules will be done by CD-ROM (where available) or by a comprehensive written exam. A written test score of 80% is required for the purpose of testing out. A NCCER certified instructor will administer performance testing for Level Two modules.
Students will be allowed to test out of level two if:

1) They present documentation to the local training unit representative verifying 4,000 hours of employment in a related or reasonably similar vocation or trades area and have completed the requirements of the CORE Program and the Level One Program.

Or

2) Students having obtained an Associates Degree or higher from an accredited college or university (in a related vocational program), or have completed two years of a state or federally approved apprenticeship program.

Testing out of the Level Three or Level Four Program:
Testing out of Level Three or Level Four modules is not permitted. ABA will evaluate students transferring from another state or federal approved apprenticeship program for credit on an individual basis.