by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Robin Roundtree is looking forward to improving NEFBA’s Apprenticeship Program as the new training director.
The Apprenticeship Program trains men and women who have an interest in working in a choice of four different trades: heating/air, electric, carpentry and plumbing.
Roundtree has been with NEFBA for about two months. As the training director, Roundtree oversees the entire program.
Roundtree was previously with daniel, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to more than 1,500 children, teens and families. He was the director of daniel’s Jax Build Program.
“There are a lot of similar responsibilities,” said Roundtree.
In the past two months, Roundtree said he has seen some areas that he would like to improve upon.
“I want to see an increase in our participating employer base,” said Roundtree. “The more employers we have, the more apprentices we can bring in.”
Another area Roundtree would like to improve on is outside funding.
“It’s another way for us to increase the number of students we can bring in,” he said. “It will allow us to provide better educational tools.”
Lastly, Roundtree is planning to develop closer relationships with the program’s current participating employers.
“We are planning to go out and visit them personally and get to know them better,” he said. “That is one of my top priorities.”
NEFBA’s Apprenticeship Program is a four-year training program. Students work full time and paid full time wages. Students also go to school two nights per week. Applications for the Apprenticeship Program are accepted in March and June.
Roundtree said the student’s employer pays for their schooling at several different locations in Northeast Florida including FCCJ and St. Johns Community College.
“As long as they pass their exams and do well on the jobsite, the employer can hire the student at the end of the four years,” he said. “It is a great opportunity for those who aren’t cut out for college.”
Currently there are approximately 250-300 students in NEFBA’s Apprenticeship Program.
“With the market as difficult as it is, there are only a couple students who are looking for a job,” said Roundtree.
He added that some of the four trades have seen their work slow down in the last year.
“The housing market is low but commercial (real estate) is holding steady,” said Roundtree.
When students enter the program, they make about $9 per hour. By the time they graduate, students can make about $18 per hour.
“Students can receive a 5 percent pay raise every month as long as they are passing their classes, turn in their time cards and have good attendance,” said Roundtree.
Roundtree believes in the benefits of the Apprenticeship Program. Some students have graduated from the program and opened their own company, he said.
“People are always going to need houses and companies are always going to need buildings,” said Roundtree. “It’s a lot of hard work for the students, but it will pay off.”