Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Virtual Instruction Program Serves Apprentices, Contractors
Has your team participated in the Virtual Instruction Program (VIP) yet? This program has completed two years of related technical instruction for apprentices and is about to kick off its third year with Level 3 coming aboard! There are currently over 100 students in our ongoing VIP courses. New Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 courses will launch in the first quarter of 2025. Registration deadlines and the first lesson date are listed in Table 1 below. If you still need to know more about the program, keep reading.
The sprinkler fitting VIP course provides the required technical instruction (RTI) for apprenticeship. It can be used to support those in a registered apprentice program or expand their knowledge of sprinkler fitting. If you are in the process of setting up a registered program, AFSA is here to help.
Starting in 2025, AFSA will offer Levels 1 through 3. Level 4 is in the planning phase, so look for updates later in 2025. Each level provides 10 months of education to accompany the employer’s On-The-Job Learning (OJL). The education includes the newly updated Sprinkler Fitting textbooks, two live sessions each month, performance tasks to reinforce the modules, self-study components, and assessments.
AFSA staff and subject matter experts instruct the lessons. Each session runs two hours and includes discussion time. Lessons are offered twice daily to accommodate time zones and schedules. A calendar is provided with registration that contains specific dates and times for all the lessons in the 10-month course. Participants are required to attend the live sessions.
Performance tasks are the execution of items that correspond to the lesson. This reinforcement increases participants’ learning and retention. The tasks are performed by the apprentice and verified by the supervisor (employer), designated during VIP registration.
During the self-study portion, the apprentice is expected to read the accompanying sections supporting the lesson and review any add-on resources, such as videos or articles, provided. The text provides questions with each module to help guide the apprentice and ensure key concepts are absorbed.
AFSA’s mission is to educate and train the industry, and this VIP offering can benefit your team. The virtual setting means no travel costs associated with the program. In addition, the flexibility of two sessions on class day provides the opportunity for participation while still prioritizing other projects that may fall on the same day. Leaving the classroom component up to us also relieves your senior staff from instruction responsibilities.
| Course | First Lesson Date | Early-Bird Registration By | Regular Registration By |
| Level 1 | January 15, 2025 | December 1, 2024 | January 5, 2025 |
| Level 2 | March 6, 2025 | January 20, 2025 | February 24, 2025 |
| Level 3 | February 5, 2025 | December 22, 2024 | January 26, 2025 |
National Guideline Standards (NGS)
Are you looking to start an apprenticeship program for sprinkler fitting? AFSA has a National Guideline Standard (NGS) registered with the Department of Labor (DOL). This can serve as the basis for your own apprenticeship program. Contact your regional DOL representative and tell them you want to use the AFSA NGS. For details, see “Starting an Apprenticeship Program” on AFSA’s website at firesprinkler.org/.
Appendix A of AFSA’s National Guideline Standards for apprenticeship of sprinkler fitters was revised almost a year ago. This section of the standards details the Work Process Schedule and Related Instruction Outline. The main purpose of this update was to revise the Related Instruction Outline to correspond to the updated AFSA/NCCER Sprinkler Fitting series (4th edition) now that all four levels are published and available.
In summary, AFSA continues to develop its training to support our members’ needs. The VIP offering is growing! Let AFSA help you create the next generation of field personnel. Scan the QR code above, visit www.firesprinkler.org/vip/, or email training@firesprinkler.org to learn more and enroll.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Victoria B. Valentine, P.E., FSFPE is the director of program development & special projects for AFSA.
