Apprentice training has been a major focus of the Northeast Florida Builders Association for 31 years. As of the May 2004 graduation, 1,303 apprentices have been trained in NEFBA’s four-year programs.
When the NEFBA construction training program began in September 1973, classes were offered in the electrical and plumbing trades. By the time the first class of 15 graduated in 1976, carpentry, sheet metal, roofing and heating and air-conditioning were also offered.
The first graduation was held three years after the first class was formed because some students in the initial class were able to complete the four-year program in three years, receiving credit for experience and/or training.
By 1976, NEFBA’s training program was the largest program under the sponsorship of the National Association of Home Builders Manpower and Training Department with 190 apprentices enrolled.
Carmel Morris of Allstate Electrical Contractors was the original chairman and has been dubbed the godfather of NEFBA’s apprenticeship program for his early and continuing involvement.
Don Harris of Don Harris Plumbing was the vice chairman, and builder Harry Roddenberry was NEFBA president. NEFBA Executive Vice President Arnold Tritt served as the training director during the program’s first years.
Classes originally were conducted in local high schools and at the Cumberland Campus (now the Kent Campus) of Florida Junior College, now Florida Community College at Jacksonville. When the FJC Downtown Campus opened, classes moved there. Beginning in 1984, students attended classes at FJC’s Geis Marine Campus, returning to the Downtown Campus in 2002.
In 1998, classes were added in Orange Park and St. Augustine under the auspices of St. Johns River Community College.
NEFBA’s apprentice program started without funding assistance from the state or local associations or the government. In 1975, NEFBA started receiving grants administered through the National Association of Home Builders Manpower Department, now Home Builders Institute, for pre-apprenticeship programs. Pre-apprenticeship programs reached high school students, preparing them for entry into the four-year programs. Phil Polivcak, Fred Humphreys and Al Kamikawa of HBI were instrumental in establishing the pre-apprentice programs.
In 1976, NEFBA enrolled the first apprentice free of charge. Originally, sponsoring employers paid $150 to enter an employee in the program. Under the landmark decision of the apprentice executive committee, NEFBA allowed each employer to enroll one employee without a fee. They continued to pay $150 for any other enrollees.
“This is only one of the ways in which we are trying to provide even more service for our members,” said Bob Zienta, training director in 1976.
The first woman entered the program in 1976. Vicki Ware, married and the mother of two, entered the carpentry program after reading about it in the paper.
“The guys in the class were kind of standoffish at first, but as soon as they learned that I didn’t expect special treatment because I’m a woman, they accepted me,” Ware said.
Ware anticipated other women would enter the program, particularly considering the salary. In 1976, the pay for trainees was $3.25 an hour and for journeymen, the pay was $6.75 to $7 an hour.
Mike Reitmann began his career at NEFBA as the apprentice program training director. He subsequently moved to Washington, D.C. to become a national apprentice program training director. When Reitmann became executive officer of the homebuilders association in Fort Myers, Dennis Torbett replaced him.
Several hundred persons received entry-level construction training through the U.S. Department of Labor and Housing and Urban Development grants. The grants targeted unemployed and disadvantaged people. Some specifically targeted the homeless population. Most of these classes were taught by Hervey Robinson (carpentry), Bud Bailey and Larry Helm (electrical) and Jim Hammock (homeless cross-trades training).
Nail-driving contests are held each year to increase the awareness of area high school students to the opportunities available in the construction industry. The program has sponsored contests at trade shows and in Northeast Florida high schools for 20 years.
Apprentices complete projects that help the community, including portable classrooms for Clay County schools, dog houses donated to the Jacksonville Humane Society and playhouses donated for charity auctions. This year apprentices constructed a gazebo for the courtyard of St. Johns River Community College in Orange Park.
In 1998, NEFBA’s apprentice training began providing instruction to inmates nearing completion of their sentences in conjunction with the Florida Department of Corrections. The intent is to teach basic work skills so that inmates can find meaningful entry-level employment and possibly entry into the apprenticeship program following their release.
Classes are taught at Dinsmore and Baker correctional facilities, and were started at Lawtey Correctional Institution earlier this month.
The fall enrollment anticipates 350 apprentices in four trades: carpentry, electrical, heating and air-conditioning and plumbing in 16 classes.
Apprenticeship Committee Chairs:
Carmel Morris 1973-1974
Don Harris 1975-1976
Jack Schutte 1977-1978
Glen Harrell 1979
Jim Adams 1980-1982
Janie Ade 1983-1984
Larry Helms 1985
Russell Butler 1986
Jack Strickland 1987
Robert Gibbs 1988-1990
Jonny Moore 1991-1992
Bill Hardie 1993-1994
Palmer Hall 1995-1998
Janie Ade 1999-2000
Jonny Moore 2001-2003
Mark Nechvatal 2004
Apprentice Training Directors:
Arnold Tritt 1973
Bob Zienta 1974-1977
Michael Reitmann 1977-1978
Bill Nolin 1979
Laura Laseman 1980 to present