Apprentice training has been a major focus of the Northeast Florida Builders Association for 39 years.
The four-year programs are offered in electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning and carpentry.
NEFBA apprentices earn money while working during the day, and they take evening classes through Florida State College at Jacksonville and St. Johns River College. The NEFBA member hiring company pays tuition and salary, and in turn has fills positions with trainees. Hiring companies also know they are making an important contribution to the future of their respective trades.
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.
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. Former NEFBA Executive Officer Arnold Tritt served as the training director during the program’s first year.
In addition to their work and study schedule, apprentices complete projects that help the community, including portable classrooms for Clay County schools, doghouses donated to the Jacksonville Humane Society, playhouses donated for charity auctions and work on projects for Builders Care.
To date, more than 1,600 students have graduated from the NEFBA apprentice program.
For information about requirements and application schedules for any of NEFBA’s apprentice training courses, call 904-421-0296.