TRUCKEE MEADOWS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PROGRAM/UNIT REVIEW
VICE PRESIDENT’S RECOMMENDATION
PROGRAM/UNIT REVIEWED: APPRENTICESHIP
Self Study Committee Chair:
Division:
Mike Holmes
Technical Sciences
Year of Review: 2014-2015
Date Submitted to the President:
Vice president’s findings of strengths and weaknesses of the program/unit: Data for this PUR are for the base year
2013-14 since that was the original year planned for the self-study. The PURC and Dean are commended for filling in gaps
in information within the self-study and recommending specific actions.
Strengths:
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Retention rates are exceptionally high. Apprenticeship students are selected carefully and, once in an
apprenticeship program, are very motivated to complete the work for the journeyman card and gain well-paying
employment, becoming a member of the union sponsoring the apprenticeship.
For Northern Nevada, this program fills a critical workforce need. Similar programs related to manufacturing
may be developed through grants to meet other workforce needs in area.
Internships and experienced instructors provide excellent hands-on training.
Weaknesses:
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Fewer students are engaged by unions in these construction-related apprenticeships due to the downturn in
construction industry over the past seven years.
Few students who complete the required apprenticeship follow the prescribed pathway to a Certificate of
Achievement or AAS degree.
Instructors selected by unions have less training in the assessment process and other academic policies required
by TMCC.
Since apprenticeship students are at union training sites and other work sites, they are not at TMCC as often as
other students and thus may not identify with value of degree or credential from college.
Summary action recommended for program/unit: Continue
Recommendations for development strategies and anticipated time lines:
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Complete CAR schedule established through Spring 2016. Update five-year course assessment cycle for
apprenticeship courses through Spring 2020. Ongoing.
Develop new financial model for apprenticeships to guarantee that TMCC is adequately supporting this important
program before the program is lost to WNC which has a more favorable financial model for unions. (See Dean
Jim New’s recommendations.) Complete by fiscal year 2017.
Modify union agreements to require compliance with college assessment needs in program. Ongoing.
Technical Sciences division analyze potential compatible degree pathways to create a seamless transition for
students with apprenticeship credits to gain supervisory or management positions. Complete study by December
2015 with proposal completed by Fall 2016.
Vice President’s Recommendation
Identify additional resources and/or actions necessary from each administrative unit for implementation of
recommended development strategies:
Academic Affairs: Continue to support embedding mathematics and human relations in program courses.
Student Services: Consider greater outreach to apprenticeship students to tie them to TMCC, even tokens of
TMCC membership, like pens or shirts.
Finance: A more realistic financial plan needs to be developed to support the apprenticeship programs. The current
model is not sustainable and needs to be addressed on two fronts: greater benefit to unions from the partnership
and greater oversight of the program by TMCC.
Human Resources: Work with Dean to develop administrative or overload duties to give program greater academic
assistance and oversight.
Faculty Senate: None
Other:
Executive Summary:
The apprenticeship program at TMCC is built on a partnership with Northern Nevada trade unions. It gives selected students
the opportunity to gain academic credits for applied courses within ten fields: Bricklayers and Tilesetters, Carpenters,
Plasterers and Cement Masons, Electricians, Painters, Ironworkers, Plumbers and Pipefitters, Sheet Metal workers,
Operating Engineers, and Nevada Energy Gas workers. The integrity and content of these courses is assured through the
standards set by and the oversight of the Nevada State Apprenticeship Council, Department of Labor, and TMCC. In
addition to technical trade knowledge and manual skills, courses include subjects such as trade and industry law, job safety,
job skill practices, tool and equipment operation and applied math. Pathways are created for students to complete courses
in addition to the basic apprenticeship requirements to gain skills certificates, certificates of achievement, and AAS degrees.
Since these credentials are not necessary for journeyman status, few students have been “completers” with CA or AAS
degrees. The new skill certificate options are expected to more accurately reflect the success of this program in helping
students complete a workplace credential. Currently, overall enrollment is low with job opportunities having become scarce
during the recent recession. Industry is just now beginning to create sufficient jobs for existing credentialed workers.
However, it is anticipated that these apprenticeship enrollments will grow as industry flourishes in the coming years in
Northern Nevada and significantly more skilled union workers are needed. The Program Unit Review has recommended
that TMCC invest in these programs with greater resources and support to protect the partnership with unions and meet
workforce needs.
Vice President of Academic Affairs:
Name
Signature
Dr. Jane Nichols
Vice President’s Recommendation
Date
04/16/15