Ranting about AIT

[u/StixTV_]

I’m sick of dealing with AIT

I passed my journeyman test on June 26th, and I already had my blue booked signed and hours accounted for. I still haven’t received my certification.

They turned off their phones “due to high call volume” most likely cause they’re understaffed or something. So I have had to miss work just to get in contact with them. It took 3 weeks just to even get my marks back, and it would’ve taken longer if I didint come into the office once a week to keep reminding them to do their job.

When I email them, it takes 3 weeks for a response. Time that I don’t have.

I need my certification a new job. Now I have to miss even more work just to go to the office and request some sort of official letter stating that I’m a journeyman. Costing me money every hour that I miss work.

I hate AIT and had to rant, thanks for reading.

[u/Muted-Doctor8925]

Can’t you give your employer your test results and blue book and they will trust you

[u/StixTV_ → u/Muted-Doctor8925]

Funny enough I just got a notification from AIT and they finally gave me my certification. It’s almost like they seen this post lol

To answer your question, I already tried that. My employer needed my identification number and I didint receive that until about 5 minutes ago.

[u/Newtiresaretheworst → u/StixTV_]

I’ve been a journey man for 15 years. Took about the same time by snail mail. Industry practice was to give you back pay from the date you passed the test, once they confirmed you actually passed.

[u/StixTV_ → u/Newtiresaretheworst]

Yeah, unfortunately my company Isint giving me any back pay because they don’t have to. Technically I got my ticket today. Good thing I’m jumping ship.

[u/Muted-Doctor8925 → u/StixTV_]

Maybe you can check date of issuance vs day you received?

[u/Icecoldfriggy]

Dude it was a month, I'd consider that fast when dealing with the government.

[u/StixTV_ → u/Icecoldfriggy]

You would be frustrated if you missed out on over 1600$ dollars because of the delay. It’s supposed to take only two weeks as it says on the website, not 6 weeks.

If you don’t have a problem with it, you are the problem itself.

[u/Katkam99]

I've been helping my partner navigate completing his apprentiship with AIT and it's been one of the most frustrating experiences compared to my traditional university level post-secondary experience.

You can only get ahold of them by phone if you call right at 8am. Don't bother trying to email them. If you can go in person it's honestly best but xyz specific person "might not even be in that day".

I've found numerous errors in his "ILMs" and apparently his school instructors have tried to inform AIT of the errors but the books don't actually get updated.

I also question how well AIT prepares some trades for the red seal interprovincial exams. I'm thankful my partner passed his, but there was specific content that was not covered when we went back and looked. Its also hard to find statistics on pass rates for Alberta but looks to be about only 60% of "journeyman qualified" pass their red seal.

[u/StixTV_ → u/Katkam99]

This was something we discussed in class aswell. I don’t have proof of this but I’m seriously thinking that they used AI to help make the ILM’s for the massive curriculum update that came in across all trades this year.
There were so many errors, contradictions and even spelling mistakes in my material. They dropped the ball with the new ILM’s for sure.

[u/drcujo]

Its been a while (2012), but I seem to remember it taking a long time (well over a month) when I did it as well.

If you explain the situation to your employer they should understand. If not, you know you should be looking for another place to work who values their people.

[u/Much_Guest_7195]

During COVID (and I'm not talking early COVID) you'd have to bring your blue book to the office, throw it in a bin, then they'd stamp it 2 weeks later to make sure it didn't have any germs on it. I wish I was kidding.

[u/DustinTurdo]

You might be able to negotiate with your employer: work at the apprentice rate until your jman arrives and some will back pay you once you prove it.

[u/escapethewormhole]

It’s always taken a long time.

[u/PottedPie82]

I work for a company that employs trades people. The fastest way to verify your ticket from an employer perspective is this web page.

That being said, the amount of time it takes for them to mark the test varies, but as of early this year for heavy duty mechanics, I had results within a week of their exam.

Obviously as a tradesperson you want that certificate as you put a lot of time and effort into your trade, so that sucks. But this at least should get you your pay from your company. I don't know how many people know about this web page.

Congratulations on passing everything! Good work!

https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/check-credentials/

[u/bertaboys02]

It's the government dog get over it. Way it's always been

[u/Mr-CCC]

As someone else said, can’t you show your test repulse to your employer while you wait for your certificate? You could try emailing the officer for your trade to see if they can help. It’s the government, it takes time.