Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

I’m having trouble logging on to TradeSchool. What now?

The first thing you can do is be sure you have read the TradeSchool StartGuide and watched the “How to log in to TradeSchool” video. If you still have questions after accessing these resources, contact the Apprenticeship Administrators at apprenticeship@pcc.edu or 971-722-5651

What is a JATC?

A Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) is an independent committee of management and labor, with equal representation. The JATC must have its standards and policies approved by the state. The JATC is the body responsible for determining the criteria and guidelines for an apprentice’s progress through the program toward journey worker status. Any time you hear a reference to “the Committee” or “your Committee,” that is a reference to the JATC that governs your apprenticeship program.

When Does my JATC meet? Why should I care?

Some Committees meet monthly, some meet quarterly. The meeting schedule is included in the Committee Policies and is also published in the PCC Apprenticeship & Trades website. It is important to know your Committee’s schedule so that you are aware of the opportunities you have to present information or requests to your Committee. Requests cannot be addressed outside of committee meetings. Remember that all paperwork for any request you are making to the Committee (such as an advancement request) must be submitted 10 business days before the Committee meeting.

What do all the codes mean that my Committee uses when they make decisions about my apprenticeship?

Committees use the following, BOLI approved, action codes, and reason codes to communicate with apprentices.

Action codes

• A = active new apprentice
• C = complete
• D = deceased
• E = exam
• H = hold
• HN = hold and notify to appear
• N = notice to appear
• PC = propose for cancellation
• R = rerate
• RV = reviewed (use after citation)
• S = suspend
• T = terminate
• TP = terminate in probation period
• TT = transfer to another program
• U = un-suspend

Reason codes

• AR = apprentice request
• DP = disciplinary probation
• EL = extended leave of absence
• ER = employer recommendation
• EX = exceptional cancellation
• FA = failure to appear
• FC = failure to communicate
• FM = failure to maintain employment
• FP = failure to progress
• FR = failure to respond
• FS = failure to submit MPRs
• IL = illness or injury
• IM = incomplete
• LR = late MPRs
• LT = left the trade
• LV = leave of absence
• MM = missing MPRs
• NA = non-approved employer
• OT = other (needs additional explanation)
• RA = related training attendance
• RG = related training grades
• RH = related training hours
• RT = refer to exam or test
• RV = referred with no action (couseled or condition satisfied)
• SH = insufficient hours
• TR = transferred to another program or area
• UP = unsatisfactory performance
• WA = wrong address
• WP = within probation

What does it mean if I get “Held” by the Committee?

If you are “held” by the Committee then you do not advance to the next period of your apprenticeship. There could be several reasons you did not get re-rated. The most common reason for being “held” in a period is a lack of sufficient OJT or RT hours. This is not necessarily a bad thing but could simply mean you have not yet accumulated enough hours to advance. However, sometimes apprentices are held because they are struggling or are not in good standing with the Committee. The letter you receive from your committee will detail the specific reasons you have been “held” and not “re-rated.”

What are my Committee Standards and Policies? Why do they matter to me?

Each JATC has apprenticeship standards which are written plans outlining the terms and conditions of employment training and supervision of apprentices in an apprentice occupation. The Standards are approved by BOLI and include the progressive wage scale, the work processes to be learned on the job, the requirements for supervision ratio, and the outline of related technical instruction. The Policies detail the ways that a committee enforces its Standards. Apprentices should read and understand both of the documents and keep copies for their reference. These two documents, when taken together, contain all of the rules by which apprentices and committees are required to abide.

How often do I get re-rated?

Every six months, your Committee will automatically review every apprentice file to determine if an apprentice is eligible for a re-rate. These reviews will include, accumulated OJT and RT hours as well as an evaluation of on-the-job performance, attendance, and grades in the related classroom instruction. The meetings that are “re-rate” meetings are noted on the Committee schedule. If you believe you are eligible for a re-rate and the next meeting is not a “re-rate” meeting, you can (and should) still have your file reviewed. To have your file reviewed at a non-re-rate meeting you must submit the Advancement Request form for your trade 10 business days before the date of the Committee meeting.

I think I am eligible for a re-rate but the next Committee meeting isn’t a re-rate meeting. What do I do?

If you believe you are eligible for a re-rate and the next meeting is not a “re-rate” meeting, you can (and should) still have your file reviewed. To have your file reviewed at a non-re-rate meeting you must submit the Advancement Request form for your trade 10 business days before the date of the Committee meeting.

How do I let the Committee know I moved, got a new phone number, or got a new email?

Whenever any of your contact information changes, you must inform your committee. Use the pink Contact Update form available outside the door of the Apprenticeship Office or online to update your information. You can drop the form off in person or email the form to apprenticeship@pcc.edu. If you change address or any other contact information and do not inform your Committee you will be eligible for disciplinary action.

I missed or am going to miss a class. What do I do?

All absences must be documented. When you miss a class, you will not record RT hours on your MPR for that class day but your JATC needs to be able to document your missing hours. To document an absence you must include a note in the comments section of their MPR that includes both the date of the absence and a written explanation.  Apprentices must note EVERY missed class on their MPR.  Absences not included and adequately described on the MPR constitute an incomplete MPR which will not be processed.

What can I do to stay on track and finish my apprenticeship on-time?

The two most important things you can do to finish your apprenticeship on time are to pass all your classes and closely monitor your OJT hours to be sure you are getting them quickly enough and in all the necessary categories. Nothing will derail your progress faster than failing to get enrolled in the right classes or failing to pass a class. If you feel that you need help or are struggling to register for and pass your classes please be sure to reach out for help.

How do I register for classes?

Registering for classes is the responsibility of the apprentice. Please keep on top of registration deadlines do your best to register for your class as early as possible to reduce the risks that your class may be full. Once you log into your MyPCC, you can register for classes by clicking the “Add/Drop Classes” link. Please note: you will need the CRN number for any class you would like to add. If you do not know the CRN number or you are just searching for a class that will work for your schedule, you will need to search the “Class Schedule” before clicking the Add/Drop link to find the class you want and the class CRN number. The class schedule is searchable by term (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) and by the department. You can know which department offers a class by the three-letter code at the front of every course number. For example, APR is the code for the classes in the Apprenticeship & Trades department.

I temporarily moved, got hurt, got laid off, or am struggling with personal circumstances and I need to take a break from my apprenticeship. Can I do that?

If you are struggling in your apprenticeship, it might make sense for you to take a break rather than fall out of good standing with your Committee. There are two options for you to take in this situation. An apprentice may “suspend” their apprenticeship or they may “terminate” their apprenticeship. In both of these cases, an apprentice may become an apprentice again and which choice to make will depend on your circumstances. However, if you expect to come back to your program within a year, it is typically best to choose to “suspend” your apprenticeship. If you “suspend” your apprenticeship you may ask to be re-instated any time within a year and you will continue as normal. If you “terminate” your apprenticeship, you will have to formally re-apply to the Committee for re-admission using the same procedure as a brand new apprentice. If you have questions about which choice is best for you, please do not hesitate to contact the Apprenticeship Administrators for guidance. Both of these options must be requested in writing and submitted to the Committee 10 business days before the meeting.

What happens if I fail a class?

If you fail a class, in almost every case you will have to re-take that class. In many cases, you will have to re-take the class before moving on to the next class in your sequence and because the class that you failed is likely not be offered again for a year, you may find yourself taking electives while you wait for the failed class to be offered again. This will add a year to your program. You do not want this to happen. If you fail a class, you will also be placed on disciplinary probation and an academic plan by your Committee which could jeopardize your apprenticeship. The specific rules for each Committee can be found in the Policy document for your Committee.

I think I am ready to take my license exam. What now?

If the next Committee meeting is a regularly scheduled “re-rate meeting,” your file will be automatically reviewed for exam referral (although it never hurts to confirm with the administrators). If the next Committee meeting is not a regularly scheduled “re-rate meeting,” you need to submit an advancement request form to the Committee 10 business days before the date of the meeting.

Do I need to keep submitting MPRs if I’ve already been referred to the exam?

Yes. Submit MPRs until you are formally completed from your program.

Can I make a request to the Committee?

Apprentices are allowed to bring any issue to the Committee if they make their request in writing and submit it 10 business days before the date of the meeting. If you need assistance with this process or have any questions feel free to contact the Apprenticeship Administrators at apprenticeship@pcc.edu or 971-722-5651.

I don’t think I am being adequately supervised at work. What should I do?

This is an important safety issue. If you do not believe you are being adequately supervised, please bring the issue to the attention of your employer. Your employer agreed to adhere to the supervision guidelines of your Committee to be registered as a Training Agent so if you feel comfortable making a complaint to your Committee they can address the issue with your employer. You can also report violations of safety and supervision guidelines to the Apprenticeship and Trades Division of BOLI.