Coastal Mechanical Services, LLC, Melbourne FL, recognized 33 apprentices from the All Florida Apprenticeship (AFA), the commercial HVAC contractors' new, in-house program.

Apprentices successfully completed core curriculum and Level 1 skill requirements, including more than 260 hours of classroom and lab training in soft and technical skills. The program included nearly 2,000 hours of on-the-job training.

AFA is a four-year/8,000 hour program. Upon completion, apprentices will be nationally recognized as skilled journeymen in one of the following crafts: sheet metal, pipe fitting, plumbing, electrical, or HVAC. Pipe fitting apprentices will also become certified as American Welding Society (AWS) entry-level welders at the completion of the program.

AFA has certified 26 apprentices in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's 10-hour course. Thirty-five apprentices have been certified in the green building course developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

“The apprenticeship program gives us the opportunity to build expertise within the construction industry, to ensure that our employees receive the best possible education and training,” says Al Osterhout, president/CEO of Coastal Mechanical Services, LLC.

Branches have been established in Tampa and Jacksonville. An Orlando branch is planned for September, 2009.

Coastal Mechanical Services, LLC is the 2009 ContractingBusiness.com Commercial Contractor of the Year (March CB, p. 30; or visit the online version of our March issue, at contractingbusiness.com).

Visit the Coastal Mechanical Services website at coastalmechanicalinc.com