This guide provides operational guidance for implementation of the U.S. Department of Labor Gunsmith Apprenticeship Program. Culminating in a certificate or certificates for Firearms repair, Gunsmithing, Firearm Manufacturing, Barrel Making, Gunstock Making, or Firearms Engraving.
Purpose:
To provide guidance to Sponsors and Apprentice Applicants on the U.S. Department of Labors Gunsmith Apprenticeship program.
Contents:
Section: 1 Minimum Requirements of Sponsors & Applicants:
1) Minimum Qualifications for Sponsors:
2) Minimum Qualifications for Apprentice Applicants:
3) Student apprentices:
4) Notification to non Eligible Applicants:
5) Non Discrimination Clause:
Section: 2 Certification levels and their Requirements for Completion:
1) Certification levels& Length of Apprenticeships:
2) Work Process:
3) Probationary Period:
4) Disciplinary Actions:
5) Complaint and Appeal Procedures:
6) Substance Abuse Testing:
7) Competencies testing:
8) Wage Progression Schedule:
9) Prior Experience Credit:
10) Related Supplemental Instruction Requirements:
11) Numeric Ratio of Apprentices to Journeymen:
Section: 3 Record Keeping:
1) Log Book & how to maintain it:
2) Apprentice Obligation for record keeping:
3) Responsibilities of Apprenticeship Committee:
4) Make up of Apprenticeship Committee:
5) Responsibilities of sponsor:
6) Responsibilities of Apprentice:
Section: 1 Minimum Requirements of Sponsors & Applicants:
1) Minimum Qualifications for Sponsors:
a) Sponsor must be *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.
c)*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,
2) Minimum Qualifications for Apprentice Applicants
a)Age: 16 years or older.
b) Education: High school diploma, GED, if enrolled in High school at time of acceptance into the apprenticeship program they must maintain a C average. Must be able to read, write, and speak the English Language.
c) Physical: Physically must be able to work in the trade.
d) 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.
e) Complete Application: For apprenticeship in the Gunsmith Program each apprentice (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
3) Student Apprentice
a) Student apprenticeships are available to high school,technical/vocational schools, and collage students.
b) All apprenticeship requirements and restrictions described in the Standards shall apply to student apprentices, except the following:
1) For high school students, a letter of permission from their Principal or Guidance Councilor is required.
2) 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.
4) Notification to non Eligible Applicants
Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will be notified in writing: notification will include the reason for rejection, the requirement for admission to the Apprenticeship Program, and the appeal rights available to the applicant.
5) Non Discrimination Clause
a) Sponsors must not Discriminate (based on race, color, religion, sex, age, or physical handicap, which is unrelated to the persons qualifications, and ability to perform the job) in recruiting selecting, employing or training apprentices. There will be no discrimination in apprenticeship employment during apprenticeship including, but not limited to, job assignment, promotion, lay-off, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation, or conditions of work. All apprentices employed shall be subject to the same job performance requirements.
Section: 2 Certification levels and their Requirements for Completion:
1) Certification levels & Length of Apprenticeships
a) Certificates of completion shall be given to Apprentices who successfully complete the appropriate apprenticeship program.
b)The minimum term of apprenticeship must not be less than 8000 hours or 48 months of work experience in each occupation identified in these Standards as apprenticable, except for Firearms Repair Specialist which will be 2000 hours or 24 months, and any Master Certifications, The term of apprenticeship must be stated in hours or months of employment.
c) Certificates will be given for the following classifications:
2) Certificate Name: Terms of apprenticeships:
Firearm Repair Specialist: 4000 hrs. + Related instruction.
Journeyman Gunsmith: 8000 hrs. + Related instruction.
Journeyman Rifle Smith: 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 8000 hrs. + Related instruction
Barrel Maker: 8000 hrs. + Related instruction.
Stock Maker: 8000 hrs. + Related instruction.
Firearms Engraver: 8000 hrs. + Related instruction
a) Related Instruction must be a minimum of 144 hours per year.
3) Work Process:
a)The apprentice shall receive on the job instruction and experience as is necessary to become a qualified journey-level worker versed in the theory and practice of the occupation covered by these Standards. The following is a condensed schedule of work experience, which every apprentice shall follow as closely as conditions will permit. Employers/Sponsors shall only use registered apprentices to perform the work Processes.
b)The sponsor may accelerate, by an evaluation process, the advancement of apprentices who demonstrate abilities and mastery of the occupation to the level for which they are qualified with approval of the Apprenticeship Committee. When the Sponsor wants the apprentice to be granted advanced standing the sponsor must notify the Apprenticeship Committee within 30 days prior to the advancement for review and give the reasons for the advancement along with any documentation to support the action.
1. Work experience in the safe use of tools.
2. Bench time
3. Lathe Operations (exception for Firearm Repair Specialists, Stock makers & Firearms Engravers)
4. Milling machine operations (exception for Firearm Repair Specialists, Stock makers & Firearms Engravers)
5. Fixture making (exception for Firearm Repair Specialists, Stock makers & Firearms Engravers)
6. Stock making & fitting (exception for Firearm Repair Specialists, Barrel makers & Firearms Engravers)
7. Action work (exception for Firearm Repair Specialists, Stock & Barrel makers & Firearms Engravers)
8. Firearms theory (exception for, Stock & Barrel makers & Firearms Engravers)
9 Metal coating (exception for Firearm Repair Specialists, Stock makers & Firearms Engravers)
10 Barrel work (exception for Firearm Repair Specialists, Stock makers & Firearms Engravers) Total Hours:
4) Probationary Period:
a) The probationary period for all Certification levels shall be 1000 hrs.
b) The sponsor or the apprentice applicant may terminate the apprenticeship agreement at the written request of either party without a hearing or stated cause during the probationary period. An Appeal process is available to apprentices who have completed the initial probationary period.
5) Disciplinary Actions)
a) Sponsors may include in this section requirements and expectations of the apprentices and training agents and an explanation of disciplinary actions that may be imposed for noncompliance. The sponsor has the following disciplinary procedures that they may impose:
Disciplinary Probation, Suspension, or Cancellation.
a) Disciplinary Probation: A time assessed when the apprentice’s progress is not satisfactory. During this time the program sponsor may withhold periodic wage advancements, suspend or cancel the apprenticeship agreement, or take further disciplinary action. A disciplinary probation may only be assessed after the initial probation is completed.
b) Suspension: A suspension is a temporary interruption in progress of an individuals apprenticeship program that may result in the cancellation of the Apprenticeship Agreement. Could include temporarily not being allowed to work, take part in any activity related to the Apprenticeship Program until such time as the Apprenticeship Committee takes further action.
c) Cancellation: Refers to the termination of an apprenticeship agreement at the request of the apprentice, sponsor or Apprenticeship Committee.
d) An apprentice may be brought before the Committee for unsatisfactory work, improper conduct, indifference to rules and regulations, or insubordination, either on the job or in the related training classes. The apprentice may be suspended or terminated from the program for these violations.
6) Complaint and Appeal Procedures:
a) All approved programs must establish procedures explaining the program’s complaint review process.
b) Complaints that involve matters covered by a collective bargaining agreement are not subject to the complaint review procedures in this section but notice of all actions must be sent to the Apprenticeship Committee.
c) Complaint (after initial probation completed) Prior to: 20 days of intention of disciplinary action by a Sponsor the sponsor must notify the apprentice and the Apprenticeship Committee in writing of action to be taken, must specify the reason(s) for discipline, suspension, or cancellation.
d) Decision will become effective immediately.
e) Apprentice may request Sponsor to reconsider their action Within: 30 days of Disciplinary action.
f) Sponsor must provide written notification of their final decision to apprentice and the Apprenticeship Committee.
g) If apprentice chooses to pursue the complaint further: Within: 30 days of final action Apprentice must submit the complaint in writing to the supervisor U.S. Department of Labor or Agency named by the State. Must describe the controversy and provide any backup information.
h) Apprentice must also provide this information to the Apprenticeship Committee Within: 30 days.
i) If no settlement is agreed upon during investigation, then supervisor must issue a written decision resolving the controversy when the investigation is concluded.
j) If the apprentice, or sponsor disputes supervisor decision: Within: 30 days of supervisor’s decision, request for Apprenticeship Committee hearing
k) Request must be in writing
l) Must specify reasons supporting the request
m) Request and supporting documents must be given to all parties within: 30 days after hearing
7) Substance Abuse Testing:
a) The Apprenticeship Committee shall have the authority to adopt a drug and alcohol testing program in order to ensure that each apprentice can work safely in a drug and alcohol free environment.
b) Each apprentice agrees to be subject to such testing as a condition for maintaining his/her apprenticeship agreement
8) Competencies testing) a) Competencies tests shall be taken prior to advancement to the next wage level.
b) Competence tests shall be approved by the Apprenticeship Committee.
8) Wage Progression Schedule
a) The apprentice will be paid a progressively increasing schedule of wages based on specified percentages of journey-level wage consistent with skills acquired.
b) These may be indicated in hours or monthly periods set by the sponsor.
c) The entry wage will not be less than the minimum wage prescribed by the Fair Labor Standards Act, where applicable, unless a higher wage is required by other applicable federal law, state law, respective regulations, or by collective bargaining agreement.
d) The sponsor may accelerate, by an evaluation process, the advancement of apprentices who demonstrate abilities and mastery of the occupation to the level for which they are qualified.
e) When the apprentice is granted advanced standing the sponsor must notify the Apprenticeship Committee of the appropriate wage per the wage progression schedule specified in these Standards.
f) Percentage of journey-level rate
g)Apprentices shall be paid the follow wage rates
1) 6 months and 1000 hours 65%
2) 6 months and 1000 hours 70%
3) 6 months and 1000 hours 75%
4) 6 months and 1000 hours 80%
5) 6 months and 1000 hours 90%
6) 6 months and 1000 hours 90%
7) 6 months and 1000 hours 95%
8) 6 months and 1000 hours 95%
h) No advancement will be allowed without monthly work progress records being current. An examination must be given to the apprentice at the conclusion of each period, which must be successfully passed before advancing to the next period or a written report of successful progress from the sponsor, and the related training instructor may be accepted by the Apprenticeship Committee.
9) Prior Experience Credit
a) 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.
b) The request for re-evaluation must be presented to the Apprenticeship Committee before the 12th month of his/her apprenticeship is completed.
c) 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.
d) 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.
10) Proof of Experience:
a) Copy of certificate of completion from a recognized and accredited Gunsmith School, credit will be given as OJT, (month for month.)
b) Copy of completion from Factory Certified courses
c) Copy of completion for courses in the related studies requirements
d) Copy of certificate of completion from Technical/Vocational school
e) Letters of reference from previous employers showing time employed preforming applicable tasks.
f) 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.
g) Copy of FFL types 1, 2, 7, or 10 (not required for Barrel and Stock makers)
h) 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
i) 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.
j) Successful completion of the journeyman’s competency test for the chosen discipline.
k) Submission of a sample of their work with a written explanation of all work preformed.
11 ) Related Supplemental Instruction Requirements
a) Each apprentice must have a minimum of 144 hrs. Of related supplemental instruction each year of their apprenticeship.
b) Related supplemental instruction must be provided by one or more of the following:
1) Supervised field trips
2) Factory training courses
3) Approved Training Seminars
4) State Community Collages
5) Technical/Vocational Collages
6) Pre approved Correspondence schools
c) The apprentice shall supply to the sponsor and Apprenticeship Committee proof of related instruction, in the form of course transcripts, certificates of completion, and other pre approved forms.
d) In case of failure on the part of any apprentice to fulfill the related supplemental instruction obligation, the sponsor has the authority to withhold the apprentices periodic wage advancement: or with a reasonable opportunity to remedy deficiencies, suspend, or cancel the Apprenticeship Agreement. Exceptions can be allowed for sickness or injury.
e) Clock hours of actual attendance buy the apprentice in related supplemental instruction classes shall be reported to L&I on a quarterly basis for verifying attendance and industrial insurance purposes or more often if required by the state.
f) Apprentices shall not count related supplemental instruction as hours of work unless they are performing a task for their employer.
g) Related supplemental instruction activities must be at the direction of a qualified instructor
e) Each apprentice shall be required to exercise the same diligence in related classroom work as he/she does in on-the-job training. The determination by the Apprenticeship Committee of an apprentice’s progress and fitness for the trade shall be based in part on the proficiency shown in subjects covered in the related trade instruction.
f) Apprentices may bank hours to make up missed class time in advance.
g) All Apprentices must be released from “on-the-job” commitments to attend scheduled related instruction.
12) RATIO OF APPRENTICES TO JOURNEY LEVEL WORKERS:
a) Supervision is the necessary education, assistance, and control provided by a journey- level employee that is on the same job site at least seventy-five percent of each working day.
b) The sponsor will assure that apprentices are under the supervision of competent and qualified journey-level workers on the job who are responsible for the work being performed, to ensure safety and training in all phases of the work.
c) Apprentices will work the same hours as journey-level workers, EXCEPT where such hours may interfere with related/supplemental instruction. One (1) apprentice to five Journeymen except where such ratios are expressly prohibited by the collective bargaining agreements
Section: 3 Record Keeping:
1) Log Book & how to maintain it
Each apprentice will submit a copy of their daily work record or employment progress report to the Apprenticeship committee at the end of each month signed by the sponsor.
2) Apprentice Obligation for record keeping
a) It shall be the apprentice’s responsibility to maintain a progress record of related study hours, and work experience performed in accordance with the appropriate classification schedule.
b) The above records shall contain the apprentice’s name, classification, employer, month and year of report, as well as hours of work performed and related studies hours.
c) A Training Evaluation Form shall be filled out in full by the sponsor. Both the record book and the evaluation form shall be turned in to the Apprenticeship Committee every six (6) months prior to re-rate.
d) All forms and reports shall be signed by the apprentice and the sponsor.
3) Responsibilities of Apprenticeship Committee:
Because of the nature of the trade “The Association of Gunsmiths and Related Trades” will act as the Apprenticeship Committee for the purposes of this section, if enough apprenticeship committee members can not be achieved by the sponsor.
a) A master record of the apprentice’s work experience and related instruction shall be kept by the Apprenticeship Committee. This information is to be furnished by the employer/sponsor, the apprentice, and school authorities where related study is conducted.
b) The record cards and all dates pertaining to the apprenticeship shall be the property of the Apprenticeship Committee. .
c) 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 and with approval of the sponsor and or Apprenticeship Committee.
d) The request for re-evaluation must be presented to the Apprenticeship Committee before the 12th month of his/her apprenticeship is completed.
e) 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.
f) It shall be the apprentice’s responsibility to maintain a progress record of work experience performed in accordance with the appropriate classification schedule. Such records shall be forwarded to the Apprenticeship Committee after they have been signed by the employer/sponsor.
g) The above records shall contain the apprentice’s name, classification, employer/sponsor, month and year of report, as well as hours of work performed.
h) There will be no discrimination in apprenticeship employment during apprenticeship including, but not limited to, job assignment, promotion, lay-off, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation, or conditions of work. All apprentices employed shall be subject to the same job performance requirements.
i) Determine the adequacy of an employer/sponsor to furnish proper on-the-job training in accordance with the provisions of these Standards. Require all employers/sponsors requesting approved training agent status to complete an approved training agent agreement and comply with all federal and state apprenticeship laws and the appropriate apprenticeship Standards.
j) Submit approved training agent agreements to the department with a copy of the agreement and/or the list of approved training agents within thirty days of committee approval.
k) Submit rescinded approved training agent agreements and/or the list of approved training agents to the department within thirty days of said action
4) Make up of Apprenticeship Committee
a) NOTE: The following is an overview of the requirements associated with administering an apprenticeship committee and/or program.
b) The sponsor is the policy making and administrative body responsible for the operation and success of this apprenticeship program. The Apprenticeship committee is responsible for the day-to- day operations of the apprenticeship program
c) Committee Operations (Not applicable for Plant Programs) Convene meetings at least three times per year attended by a quorum of committee members as defined in the approved Standards.
d) If the committee does not indicate its definition of quorum, the interpretation will be “50% plus 1” of the approved committee members.
e) Conference call meetings may be conducted in lieu of regular meetings but no disciplinary action can be taken during conference call meetings unless a Quorum is present.
f) The Apprentice Committee will record and maintain records pertaining to the administration of the apprenticeship program and make them available to the U.S.D.O.L., designated State Agency, or its representative on request.
g) Records are required to be maintained for five (5) years; all other records will be maintained for three (3) years.
h) The sponsor will submit to U.S.D.O.L. or designated State Agency the following list:
1) Apprenticeship Agreement Card – within first 30 days of employment
2) Authorization of Signature – as necessary
3) Authorized Training Agent Agreements (committee approving or canceling) – within 30 days
4) Apprenticeship Committee Meeting Minutes – within 30 days of meeting (not required for Plant program)
5) Change of Status – within 30 days of action by committee, with copy of minutes
6) Journey Level Wage – at least annually, or whenever changed
7) Revision of Standards and/or Committee Composition – as necessary
5) Responsibilities of sponsor:
a) Rotate apprentices in the various processes of the skilled occupation to ensure the apprentice is trained to be a competent journey-level worker.
b) Periodically review and evaluate apprentices before advancement to the apprentice’s next wage progression period. The evidence of such advancement will be the record of the apprentice’s progress on the job and during related supplemental instruction.
c) The sponsor has the obligation and responsibility to provide, insofar as possible, continuous employment for all apprentices in the program.
d) The sponsor may arrange to transfer an apprentice from one sponsor to another, when the sponsor is unable to provide reasonably continuous employment, or they are unable to provide apprentices the diversity of experience necessary for training and experience in the various work processes as stated in these Standards. The new sponsor will assume all the terms and conditions of these Standards. If, for any reason, a layoff of an apprentice occurs, the apprenticeship agreement will remain in effect unless canceled by the sponsor.
e) An apprentice who is unable to perform the on-the-job portion of apprenticeship training may, if the apprentice so requests and the sponsor approves, participate in related/supplemental instruction, subject to the apprentice obtaining and providing to the sponsor written requested document’s for such participation.
f) However, time spent will not be applied toward the on-the-job portion of apprenticeship training.
g) Upon successful completion of apprenticeship, as provided in these Standards, and passing the examination that the sponsor and or the Apprenticeship Committee may require, the sponsor will recommend that the U.S. Department of Labor or appropriate State agency award a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship.
h) The program will make an official presentation to the apprentice that has successfully completed his/her term of apprenticeship.
6) Responsibilities of the Apprentice:
a) Each apprentice shall be required to exercise the same diligence in related classroom work as he/she does in on-the-job training.
b) The Apprentice will be responsible for maintaining a daily work record or employment progress report.
c) The Apprentice shall be responsible for turning in all required records and forms requested by the Apprenticeship committee.