One hundred and seventeen CSEA-represented New York State employees are currently participating in the NYS & CSEA Applied Skilled Trades Program (ASTP). The two-year training and development program provides employees with classroom-related instruction that meets the relevant course work component of the minimum qualifications for appointment to the following non-competitive SG-12 journey-level positions

• Carpenter
• Electrician
• Mason-Plasterer
• Plumber-Steamfitter
• Refrigeration Mechanic

The ASTP was created to provide agencies with the means to develop a more highly-skilled workforce and a larger pool of qualified candidates for future journey-level vacancies. The initiative has two areas of opportunity for participants: a traineeship and a certificate program.

The two-year traineeship includes both the required course work and 4,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) necessary for advancement to one of the SG-12 non-competitive journey-level trades' titles listed above. The OJT is provided by the agency.

The two-year certificate program provides employees with an opportunity to meet the course work required for advancement to one of the journey-level positions above. The certificate program does not provide OJT. Employees who finish the certificate program must still complete 4,000 hours of OJT in order to qualify for appointment to a journey-level trades position.

The course work requirements of the ASTP are identical for both the traineeship and the certificate program.
All participants in the ASTP are required to complete the following refresher and core courses:

• Math Fundamentals (12 hrs.)
• Technical Math (44 hrs.)
• Blueprint Reading Fundamentals (12 hrs.)
• Workplace Communications (42 hrs.)

Upon successful completion of the above courses, participants must complete four trade-specific courses totaling 72 hours each.

Seven skilled trades programs are currently being held in the following geographic areas:

• Long Island: Carpenter
• New York City: Plumber-Steamfitter
• Capital District: Electrician
• Central New York: Carpenter
• Southern Tier: Carpenter
• Western New York: Carpenter and Electrician

The following seven agencies are currently participating in the ASTP: Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Correctional Services, Office of General Services, Office of Mental Health, Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and State University of New York.

For more information about the ASTP, call: 518-474-1583 or 800-253-4332 or e-mail: learning@nyscseapartnership.org.