Rodworkers becomes a regulated trade

August 8, 2001

NOTICE

Dear Brother/Sister:

On April 28th, 2001, Reinforcing Rodworker became a regulated trade. This means that there is now a certificate of qualification from the Government of Ontario recognizing you and the work that you do as an official trade.

Once a trade becomes regulated, there is a set way that apprentices are trained for that trade which is laid out in a trade regulation. This does not affect your current status as a Journeyperson Rodworker in any way, but future journeypersons will have to complete an apprenticeship according to the guidelines set out in the trade regulation. When these apprentices complete the requirements under the trade regulation, they will write a government exam. When they pass the exam, they will be granted a Certificate of Qualification that recognizes their status as a certified Reinforcing Rodworker.

When a new trade is regulated, there is what is called a grand parenting period, which is a set amount of time where people working as Journeyperson have the chance to get the Certificate of Qualification without writing an exam. The time that has been given to the grand parenting period for Reinforcing Rodworker is from April 28, 2001 until April 28, 2003, a two-year window. After May 1st, 2003, anyone requesting Certificate of Qualification as a Reinforcing Rodworker will have to write the provincial exam. There will be no exceptions to this rule after May 1st, 2003.

You have been identified as being able to qualify for the Certificate of Qualification without writing the government exam.

In order to get this certificate, you must first contact Wendy Brown at Local 721, Toronto (Phone number: 416-236-4026) and let her know that you are interested in applying for a Certificate of Qualification for Reinforcing Rodworker under the grand parenting clause. Wendy will inform you of the next available date for you to come to the Union Hall to sign the form and pay the fee, which will allow you to receive the certificate. On the date that Wendy provides, you will have to come to the Union Hall with your Union Card and either cash or a cheque in the amount of $60.00. The fee is the amount that the Government of Ontario charges for issuing a Certificate of Qualification. Cheques should be made payable to Minister of Finance.

It is important that you follow these steps in a timely fashion because the closing date for the grand parenting period is firm and any Journeyperson Rodworker who wishes to get a Certificate of Qualification after April 28th, 2003 will have to pay $100.00 and write the exam at the Ministry.

Also for your information, in the future, the requirements for any apprentice to write the government exam are as follows:

1. Worked as a Rod Apprentice for a period of 4000 hours in the trade of Reinforcing Rodworker and demonstrated competency in all aspects of the trade.
2. Completed two intakes of apprentice school at the recognized training centre. The two sessions of school are basic (8 weeks) and advanced (4 weeks).

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Fraternally yours,

Tony Almeida
President
Business Agent
I/W Local 721