About Lather
In the First Year Lather Program, students will complete 15 of the 25 courses outlined in the Provincial Plan of Training for Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic) Apprenticeship. During this entry level program, students will learn the essential skills of the trade and will be prepared, upon graduation, to enter the workforce as a first year apprentice.
Once graduates earn employment as a Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic), they are encouraged to contact the Industrial Training Division of the Department of Education to become a "Registered Apprentice". Under the supervision of a Certified Journeyperson, the hours and competencies the apprentice earns will be then credited toward the qualifications required to become eligible to challenge the Interprovincial Exam.
What is an Apprentice
An apprentice is someone who is learning a trade by working under the guidance of experienced skilled workers of that trade, called journeypersons. It is on-the-job training where you earn while you learn and you are paid a wage from the first day you become an apprentice. Apprentices are usually paid at about 65% of the journeyperson's rate of pay upon graduating and starting work, but the wages are increased periodically as the apprentice attains higher level of competencies and completes more courses.
It takes about three or four years to learn the trade, but remember, your Apprenticeship training could be FREE if you become a registered apprentice.
Program Outline
TS-1510 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
Description:
This course is designed to give participants the knowledge and skills necessary to interpret the Occupational Health and Safety Act, laws and regulations; understand the designated responsibilities within the laws and regulations; the right to refuse dangerous work; and the importance of reporting accidents.
TS-1520 WORKPLACE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM (WHMIS)
Description:
This course is designed to give participants the knowledge and skills necessary to define WHMIS, examine hazard identification and ingredient disclosure, explain labeling and other forms of warning, and introduce material safety data sheets (MSDS).
TS-1530 FIRST AID
Description:
This course is designed to give the apprentice the ability to recognize situations requiring emergency action and to make appropriate decisions concerning first aid.
Complete a St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid Certificate course.
AJ-1120 RIGGING
Description:
This general studies course requires the use of rigging equipment, block and tackle, and safety equipment. It involves installing, testing and maintaining rigging; and tying knots and splicing rope. It includes information on safety requirements, types of ropes, types of knots and slings.
AJ-1150 BASIC DRAWING AND SKETCHING
Description:
This drafting course requires the use of basic drawings, specifications, bills of materials, drawing instruments and facilities. It involves reading basic drawings and diagrams, sketching, and interpretation of specifications. It includes information on sketching techniques and types of drawings.
AJ-2410 SCAFFOLDS
Description:
This course in scaffolding requires the use of tools and equipment, materials and supplies and suitable facilities. It involves interpreting specifications and blueprints; layout, construction and installation of wood scaffolds; and clean up. It includes information on construction techniques and safety requirements for wood scaffolds.
LA-1100 CONFINED SPACE AWARENESS
Description:
This course is designed to give participants the knowledge to properly prepare themselves to work in confined spaces. Upon successful completion of this course, the apprentice will be able to explain the procedures to properly prepare a confined space for entry, enter a confined space safely, perform their duties as an attendant, and deal with an emergency.
LA-1110 FALL PROTECTION AWARENESS
Description:
This course is designed to give participants the required knowledge for the safe and efficient use and care of fall protection equipment so that they may work safely when off the ground or in areas where fall hazards exist.
LA-1120 POWER LINE HAZARDS AWARENESS
Description:
This course is designed to give participants a basic knowledge of electrical hazards, accident prevention and government regulation so that they can work safely in areas were power line hazards exist.
LA-1130 WORKPLACE HARASSMENT
Description:
This course is designed to raise the participants’ awareness to the issues of workplace harassment by showing the effects of harassment on co-workers and the overall working environment of the company.
LA-1140 INTERIOR SYSTEMS FUNDAMENTALS
Description:
This course in Interior Systems Fundamentals requires the use of basic tools and equipment and suitable facilities. It involves selecting and using the correct tools and materials to complete specific work assignments.
LA-1150 METAL WALL SYSTEMS
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills for framing steel stud walls, staggered stud walls, shaft walls and chase walls. Also included is information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills for installing vapour barriers, thermal insulation and installing drywall to various metal wall systems. As well as the use of relevant tools and equipment, this course also requires the ability to read specifications and drawings.
LA-1160 CEILING SYSTEMS
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills for installing drywall contact ceilings, drywall suspended ceilings, T-bar ceilings and metal linear ceilings. As well as the use of relevant tools and equipment, this course also requires the ability to read specifications and drawings.
MA-1060 BASIC MATH
Description:
This course in Basic Math requires knowledge of general mathematical concepts and processes to enable trades persons to function in the institutional setting by developing numeracy skills required for technical courses. This math course should also provide a foundation for experiential learning through a knowledge of math relating to on-the-job skills and practices.
CM-2150 WORKPLACE COMMUNICATIONS
Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to the principles of effective communication including letters, memos, short report writing, oral presentations and interpersonal communications.
MR-1220 CUSTOMER SERVICE
Description:
This course focuses on the role of providing quality customer service. It is important to have a positive attitude and the necessary skills to effectively listen and interpret customer concerns about a product, resolve customer problems, and determine customer wants and needs. Students will be able to use the skills and knowledge gained in this course to effectively provide a consistently high level of service to the customer.
SP-2330 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL
Description:
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the concepts and requirements of QA/QC such as, interpreting standards, controlling the acceptance of raw materials, controlling quality variables and documenting the process. It includes information on quality concepts, codes and standards, documentation, communications, human resources, company structure and policy, teamwork and responsibilities.
MC-1050 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
Description:
This course is designed to give the student an introduction to computer systems. Particular emphasis is given to word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail and the Internet and security issues.
SD-1700 WORKPLACE SKILLS
Description:
This course involves participating in meetings, information on formal meetings, unions, workers’ compensation, employment insurance regulations, workers’ rights and human rights.
SD-1710 JOB SEARCH TECHNIQUES
Description:
This course is designed to give students an introduction to the critical elements of effective job search techniques.
SD-1720 ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARENESS
Description:
This course is designed to introduce the student to the field of entrepreneurship, including the characteristics of the entrepreneur, the pros and cons of self-employment, and some of the steps involved in starting your own business
Lather Student Tool List
ADVANCED LEVELS
Registered Apprentices (through Department of Education, Industrial Training Division) receive funding for the advanced blocks of training, pending they have attained the required work experience and are EI eligible.
BLOCK 2:
LA-2100 BLUEPRINT READING AND ESTIMATING I
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills to read and interpret architectural, mechanical and electrical blueprint drawings and perform quantity takeoffs.
LA-2110 DEMOUNTABLE WALL SYSTEMS
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills for constructing demountable partition systems and installing sound insulation, as well as the use of relevant tools and equipment.
LA-2120 ADVANCED CEILING SYSTEMS
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills for installing drywall and t-bar ceilings with soffits, drops, expansion/control joints, as well as the use of relevant tools and equipment.
LA-2130 METAL CUTTING AND WELDING
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills for the cutting and welding of light gauge metals, as well as the use of relevant tools and equipment.
BLOCK 3:
LA-2140 BLUEPRINT READING AND ESTIMATING II
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills to read and interpret architectural, mechanical and electrical blueprint drawings and perform quantity takeoffs.
LA-2150 SPECIALTY WALL SYSTEMS
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills to build and install exterior prefabricated wall panels and fabric walls, install exterior insulation finish systems (EIFS) and to prepare base materials for acrylic finishes, as well as the use of relevant tools and equipment.
LA-2160 SPECIALTY CEILING SYSTEMS
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills for installing vaulted, barrelled and multiple elevation drywall ceilings, metal pan ceilings and exterior/interior metal linear ceilings, as well as the use of relevant tools and equipment.
LA-2170 ACCESS FLOORING
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills to identify and install the basic components of access flooring systems and accessories, as well as the use of relevant tools and equipment.
LA-2180 RADIATION SHIELDING AND SOUND PROOFING
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills for building and installing sound baffing and installing lead shielding, as well as the use of relevant tools and equipment.
LA-2190 METAL LATH AND STUCCO WIRE
Description:
This course provides information and prescribes practical exercises to develop knowledge and skills for installing metal lath and stucco wire, as well as the use of relevant tools and equipment.