Body
Purpose
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) establishes the framework, policies, and advancement pathways for the Physical Facilities Department (PFD) Trades Apprenticeship Program at Miami University. This program functions as a specialized track within the university's Job Enrichment Program (JEP) and is designed to cultivate a highly skilled workforce by providing structured, transparent, and rigorous career development for trade positions.
1.0 Advancement Pathways
Career progression within the skilled trades is determined by an employee's classification at the time of hire. The following sections detail the specific paths available.
1.1 Pathway for Trades Assistants
For employees hired into the Trades Assistant position, the program path to advancement is singular.
- Mandatory Trades Apprentice Program Enrollment: Advancement to Trades Specialist and subsequently to Master Trades Specialist is achieved through successful completion of the Trades Apprenticeship Program.
- No Job Audit Path: There is no job audit available for employees in a Trades Assistant role.
- Communication Standard: This requirement shall be included in Trades Assistant job descriptions and discussed during the interview and onboarding process.
1.2 Pathway for Trades Specialists to Master Trade Specialists
For employees hired as a Trades Specialist, two distinct program pathways to advance to the Master Trades Specialist level are;
- Pathway A: Trades Apprenticeship Program
- Eligibility: Open to any Trades Specialist who has completed their probationary period and is seeking a structured path to advancement.
- Application Process: Interested employees must formally apply for admission using the JEP Application Form. The application must be approved by the employee’s direct supervisor and PFD Senior Director of Operations.
- Selection Process: A prospective program participant is required to interview with their director for consideration. This allows management to review the candidate's performance history, set expectations regarding the program's rigor, and formally approve or deny entry.
- Exclusivity: Once a Trades Specialist is accepted into and begins the Apprenticeship Program, they are no longer eligible for a job audit (Pathway B). Master Trades Specialist level is achieved through successful program completion.
- Pathway B: Job Audit (for Licensed/Journeyman Trades)
- Eligibility: This option is only available to Trades Specialists who already possess a recognized journeyman/journeyperson certification, a state-issued license in their trade or proven trade experience in that particular trade for eight years or longer.
- Service Requirement: Eligible employees may request a job audit after completing a minimum of 18 months of successful service in their Trades Specialist role at Miami University. The job audit review does not guarantee promotion to Master Trade Specialist.
2.0 Program Requirements & Policies
All participants in the Trades Apprenticeship Program are subject to the following requirements and policies.
2.1 Job Enrichment Points (JEP)
- Prospective Accrual: Job Enrichment Points obtained prior to an employee's official acceptance and start date in the Apprenticeship Program do not count toward the apprenticeship requirements. All points must be earned while actively enrolled and directly related to the trade.
- Award Structure: Promotions, Premium Pay Increase (PPI), and bonuses are awarded based on the accumulation of JEP and completion of Work Experience Logs, as detailed in the official "Apprenticeship Program Award Chart."
2.2 Program Compliance
Active and engaged participation is mandatory for all apprentices.
- Consequences of Non-Compliance: Satisfactory progress, including active participation in training and timely completion of Job Log requirements, is required. An apprentice who shows no activity (e.g., no JEP submissions, no log updates) for a period of 12 months will receive notification. If inactivity continues for a total of 18 months, the apprentice shall be dismissed from the program.
- Dismissal Policy:
- An employee dismissed from the program is ineligible to reapply for a period of four years.
- An employee dismissed from the program forfeits eligibility for a job audit promotion.
- In rare instances, the university may consider extenuating circumstances.
3.0 Summary of Key Principles
- Trades Assistant: path forward is through the Apprenticeship Program.
- Trades Specialist: two paths: enter the structured Apprenticeship Program OR, if you are already a licensed journeyman/journeyperson, you can wait 18 months and apply for a job audit.
- Commitment: Once you start the Apprenticeship Program, you are no longer eligible for a job audit.
- Mandatory Participation: Failure to meet program requirements results in dismissal from advancement tracks.
Revision History