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What are the qualifications for becoming a Gunsmith Apprentice?
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Minimum Qualifications for Apprentice Applicants
Age: 16 years or older.
Education: High school diploma, GED, if enrolled in High school at time of acceptance into the apprenticeship program they must maintain a C average.
Physical: Physically must be able to work in the trade.
Criminal History: Must be able to legally own or posses a firearm pursuant to State & Federal laws. Except for the trades of Barrel & Stock making.
Complete Application for apprenticeship in the Gunsmith Program:
Each apprentice applicant: (and, if under 18 years of age, the parent or guardian) will sign an apprenticeship agreement with the sponsor, who will then register the agreement with The Association of Gunsmiths and Related Trades (TAOGART)
Each apprentice applicant: must be able to read, write, and speak the English Language. Exceptions can be made for the Deaf or Mute.
Student Apprentices: Student apprenticeships are available to high school and collage students.
All apprenticeship requirements and restrictions described in the Standards shall apply to student apprentices, except the following: For high school students, a letter of permission from their principal or guidance counselor is required. Student status must be maintained. If a student leaves school prior to graduation his/her apprenticeship can be canceled: Hardship exceptions can be made with the approval of the Apprenticeship Committee., but before completion of the apprenticeship and certification the education requirement must be met. Credit will be given under the Related Supplemental Instruction Requirements for classes that pertain to the Apprenticeships guidelines
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What are the Certificate Requirments?
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Gunsmith Certificate Requirements Certificate Name: Terms of apprenticeships:
Firearm Repair Specialist: 4000 hrs. + Related instruction.
Journeyman Gunsmith: 8000 hrs. + Related instruction.
journeyman Pistol Smith: 8000 hrs. + Related instruction.
Journeyman Shotgun Smith: 8000 hrs. + Related instruction.
Journeyman Classic Firearms Smith: 8000 hrs. + Related instruction.
Firearms Restorer: 4000 hrs. + Related instruction
Master Gunsmith: 16,000 hrs. + Related instruction. includes 8,000 hrs. of journeyman training
Barrel Maker: 8000 hrs. + Related instruction.
Stock Maker: 4000 hrs. + Related instruction.
Firearms Engraver: 8000 hrs. + Related instruction
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What does a Journeyman Gunsmith do, and what are the requirements for the certificate?
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Journeyman Gunsmith: (general gunsmithing) 8,000 hrs. + Related instruction. Works on all types of firearms, Cleans repairs, diagnoses problems, replaces broken or worn parts, qualified to work with machine tools (lathe, mills, etc...), action blue printing, barrel replacement for handguns and rifle, chambering, stock fitting, sight work, metal coating, handgun timing and set up.
1. Work experience in the safe use of tools 350 hrs.
2. Bench time 2,500 hrs.
3. Machine tool operations 1,500 hrs.
4. Fixture making 250 hrs.
5. Stock work & fitting 750 hrs.
6. Action work 750 hrs.
7. Firearms theory 1,000 hrs.
8. Metal coating 400 hrs.
9. Barrel work 500 hrs. Total Hours: 8,000 hrs.
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What does a Journeyman Rifle Smith do, and what are the requirements for the certificate?
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Journeyman Rifle Smith: 8,000 hrs. Works on all types of rifles: single shot, bolt, pump, lever, semi auto, NFA when licensed. Cleans repairs, diagnoses problems, replaces broken or worn parts, qualified to work with machine tools (lathe, mills, etc...), action blue printing, barrel replacement, chambering, stock fitting, sight work, metal coating, heat treating.
1. Work experience in the safe use of tools 350 hrs.
2. Bench time 2,500 hrs.
3. Machine tool Operations 1,500 hrs.
4. Fixture making 250 hrs.
5. Stock work & fitting 750 hrs.
6. Action work 750 hrs.
7. Firearms theory 1,000 hrs.
8. Metal coating 400 hrs.
9. Barrel work 500 hrs. Total Hours: 8,000 hrs.
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What does a Journeyman Pistol Smith do, and what are the requirements for the certificate?
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Journeyman Pistol Smith: 8,000 hrs. + Related instruction. Works on all types of hand guns: Cleans repairs, diagnoses problems, replaces broken or worn parts, qualified to work with machine tools (lathe, mills, etc...), action blue printing, barrel replacement, chambering & forcing cone work, sight work, metal coating.
1. Work experience in the safe use of tools 350 hrs.
2. Bench time 2,500 hrs.
3. Machine tool Operations 1,500 hrs.
4. Fixture making 250 hrs.
5. Stock work & fitting 750 hrs.
6. Action work 750 hrs.
7. Firearms theory 1,000 hrs.
8. Metal coating 400 hrs.
9. Barrel work 500 hrs. Total Hours: 8,000 hrs.
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What does a Journeyman Shotgun Smith do, and what are the requirements for the certificate?
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Journeyman Shotgun Smith: 8,000 hrs. + Related instruction. Works on all types of shotguns: single shot, side by side, over & under, pump, & semi auto. Cleans repairs, diagnoses problems, replaces broken or worn parts, qualified to work with machine tools (lathe, mills, etc...), action blue printing, barrel replacement, chambering & forcing cone work, sight work, metal coating, install ribs, stock fitting.
1. Work experience in the safe use of tools 350 hrs.
2. Bench time 2,500 hrs.
3. Machine Tool Operations 1,500 hrs.
4. Fixture making 250 hrs.
5. Stock work & fitting 800 hrs.
6. Action work 1,000 hrs.
7. Firearms theory 1,000 hrs.
8. Metal coating 400 hrs.
9. Barrel work 200 hrs. Total Hours: 8,000 hrs.
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What does a Journeyman Classic Firearms Smith do, and what are the requirements for the certificate?
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Journeyman Classic Firearms Smith: 8,000 hrs. + Related instruction. Works on Classic firearms: flint lock, percussion cap pre 20th century black powder firearms, replaces broken or worn parts, qualified to operate machine tools (lathe, mills, etc...), barrel replacement, chambering, stock fitting, sight work, metal coating, parts casting, stock fitting 1. Work experience in the safe use of tools 350 hrs. 2. Bench time 2,500 hrs. 3. machine operations 1,500 hrs 4. Fixture making 250 hrs. 5. Stock work & fitting 1,000 hrs. 6. Action work 1,000 hrs. 7. Firearms theory 750 hrs. 8 Metal coating 400 hrs. 9. Barrel work 250 hrs. Total Hours: 8,000 hrs.
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What does a Journeyman Firearms Restorer Smith do, and what are the requirements for the certificate?
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Journeyman Firearms Restorer: 4,000 hrs. + Related instruction Restores all types of firearms to original condition: Cleans repairs, diagnoses problems, replaces broken or worn parts, does mill and lathe work barrel replacement for handguns and rifle, chambering, stock fitting, sight work, metal coating, The worker in this field must have a reasonable understanding of the differences between refinishing, restoration and conservation--which have very different meanings and hence very different consequences for the finished antique or classic arm. 1. Work experience in the safe use of tools 350 hrs. 2. Bench time 2,500 hrs. 3. qualified to operate machine tools (lathe, mills, etc...)1,500 hrs. 4. Fixture making 250 hrs. 5. Stock work & fitting 500 hrs. 6. Action work 1,000 hrs. 7. Firearms theory 1,000 hrs. 8. Metal coating 600 hrs. 9. Barrel work 300 hrs. Total Hours: 8,000 hrs.
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What does a Barrel Maker do, and what are the requirements for the certificate?
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Barrel Maker: 8,000 hrs. + Related instruction. Makes barrels for all types of firearms. Drills, reams, rifles, laps, grinds barrels and tools, 1. Work experience in the safe use of tools: 350 hrs. 2. Drilling Operations: 600 hrs. 3. Reaming Barrels: 500 hrs. 4. Lapping barrels: 500 hrs. 5. Button Rifling: 600 hrs. 6. Cut Rifling: 850 hrs. 7. qualified to operate machine tools (lathe, mills, etc...)800 hrs. 8. Fixture making: 500 hrs. 9. Welding & Brazing: 500 hrs. 10. Tool Grinding: 1,000 hrs. 11. Chambering: 300 hrs. 12. Heat Treating: 750 hrs. 13. Barrel Geometry: 750 hrs. Total Hours: 8,000 hrs.
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How do I gain a Master Certificates?
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The requirements are 8,000 hrs. in addition to 8,000 hrs for journeyman's certificate ( total 16,000 hrs) + Related instruction. This classification can be as a general gunsmith or any of the other classifications other then firearms repair specialist. In order to receive the master Gunsmith Certificate you must have a journeyman’s certificate recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, The Master Certificate is an acknowledgment of exceptional workmanship in one or more of the gunsmith classifications.
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What are the Minimum Requirements for Sponsors?
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Minimum Requirements of Sponsors: 1) Minimum Qualifications for Sponsors: a) Sponsor must be *1)Legally engaged in the business of Firearms repair, Gunsmithing, Firearm Manufacturing, Barrel Making, Gunstock Making, or Firearms Engraving in the state the Apprenticeship is located in. b) Have a FFL covering Gunsmithing or Manufacturing, Except for the trades of Barrel making, Gunstock making, unless other wise stated by Federal or State law. *1)Legally engaged in the business: means licensed in the state the apprenticeship is taking place, to perform all aspects of the trade, having all required licenses from the state and federal agencies governing the trade. Including but not limited to, state business licenses, FFL, Tax Number.
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What are the Benefits for the Sponsor?
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Sponsoring an apprentice provides an opportunity to train someone to meet the specific needs of your company. It also creates a perfect environment for the apprentice to develop the skills he will need to work on your behalf.
Studies have shown that apprenticeships provide the employer with employees who provide *higher productivity, quality of work, with the added benefits of higher staff retention. Apprentices are highly motivated people who are keen to learn. They usually work harder and more effectively for your business than non-apprentices. This may seem like a small point, but a qualified apprentice can free your time for vacations and out-of-town business events that would otherwise have been impossible to attend. Starting wages for apprentices generally are one-third of the standard employment rate in the trade. Many states offer L&I tax credits, funds for training, as well as partial wage reimbursement for qualifying applicants.
*(apprentices generate a 7.5% higher rate of productivity than non-apprentices),with an apprentice back log can be reduced and with the larger number of completed work comes increased profit, another benefit is less stress for the sponsor when dealing with customers upset over completion delays.
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What can TAOGART do for the Sponsor?
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TAOGART administers the program, fulfills the Apprenticeship Committee's duties, acts as intermediary between U.S. Department of Labor, State Apprenticeship authorities and the sponsors and apprentices.
Provides assistance to the sponsors in setting up the apprentice program and provides guidance in the day to day operation of the program.
TAOGART provides a standardized program with flexibility to train the apprentice in the sponsors work methods and within the sponsors work schedule. TAOGART helps the sponsor identify State and Federal funds to help with training, tax credits and in some cases wage reimbursement programs.
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What are the Benefits for the Apprentices?
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An apprenticeship provides young and inexperienced workers with access to the experience of seasoned professionals. It gives them the opportunity to develop the skills they need to be competent in the trade, while earning a wage. Apprentices are usually viewed as long-term employees, the company will have time and money invested in the apprentice's training and will they want to see a return on their investment. an apprenticeship may also set you on a career fast track because the skills you learn are important to the company,
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What does TAOGART do for the Apprentice?
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TAOGART helps Apprentices with reduced tuition , identifying State and Federal funds for training, tools and financial assistance.
TAOGART provides work books and competency tests and maintains the apprenticeship records.
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What are TAOGART's Responsibilities?
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TAOGART along with sponsors are responsible for establishing a set of skills to be learned and mastered by the Apprentice, these skills will be referred to as competencies..
TAOGART is responsible for ensuring trainees and apprentices fully understand the implications of entering into a contract of training including their rights and obligations.
TAOGART is responsible for developing a contract as to the mutual goals and needs of the apprentice and sponsor, such as required shop hours, related study training, learned skills and the availability of the sponsor to provide adequate training and supervision.
TAOGART is responsible to provide a free mediation and dispute resolution service for apprentices and sponsors when conflicts arise.
TAOGART is responsible for working closely with the U.S. Department of Labor and State Apprenticeship commissions to ensure apprentices receive the right training both at work, trade school, or through other training organizations.
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Can an Apprentice receive Credit for Prior Experience?
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An apprentice who shows an advanced proficiency on the job due to training received prior to entrance into the apprenticeship program may be eligible for re-evaluation after serving his/her probationary period.
The request for re-evaluation must be presented to the Apprenticeship Committee before the 12th month of his/her apprenticeship is completed.
It shall be the responsibility of the apprentice to prove past experience or training and the apprentice must be recommended for re-evaluation by his/her employer/sponsor with approval of the Apprenticeship Committee.
The amount of credit granted for previous work experience shall be determined by the sponsor and Apprenticeship Committee after careful review of the merits of each individual case.
Proof of Experience:
1) Copy of certificate of completion from a recognized and accredited Gunsmith School, credit will be given as OJT, (month for month.)
2) Copy of completion from Factory Certified courses
3) Copy of completion for courses in the related studies requirements
4) Copy of certificate of completion from Technical/Vocational school
5) Letters of reference from previous employers showing time employed preforming applicable tasks.
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Am I able to Receive a Journeyman's Certificate Through Prior Experience?
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Persons with four (4) years experience as a licensed member of the trade can apply to the Apprenticeship Committee for a journeyman Certificate. The Apprenticeship Committee may award the appropriate certificate, request further information, or deny the certificate.
Proof of Experience:
1) Copy of FFL types 1, 2, 7, or 10 (not required for Barrel and Stock makers)
2) Copy of Business license, or notarized letter from licensing authority stating you have been in continuous business as a gunsmith, Barrel or Stock maker, or Firearms Engraver for minimum of Four (4) years
3) Letters of reference from other members of the trade, or customers. Letters should include name of applicant, name of writer, writers phone number, address, comments on personal observation of applicants work procedures, finished product, and personal remarks on applicants abilities to preform at the Journeyman's level.
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