Apprentices to face RTITB test
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
APPRENTICES in their final year of apprenticeship in the road transport industry are to attend Road Transport Industry Training Board training centres and be put through a series of stringent practical tests. The test procedure, which involves 16 short tests and eight long tests all of which are practical, began this week when the first of this year's 3,000 apprentices in their final year began the test.
During the course of the test which lasts seven hours the apprentices will have to wire a direction indicator circuit, set an injector pump timing, replace an air brake diaphragm chamber and check castors— the camber and kingpin inclination. As well as the appren tice's skill in carrying out such tasks his approach to the job, cleanliness, correct use of tools, safety aspect and care of customers' property will be looked at.
The Training Board has been testing more than 3,000 first and third-year apprentices over the past three years an a pilot basis. Information gained from this has been put in use during the development of the test programme.
For the first time, the Board said, steps were being taken to ensure that an apprentice not only served his apprenticeship but had proved that he had the necessary knowledge and skill. Any weaknesses revealed by the test would result in Board action.