G3 Challenge

[KanataHVACApprentice]

Hi my son has taken the G3 three times within one year and not passed any of them (he has a learning disability, so poor guy... it's not a severe learning disability but it does present a huge obstacle.) Is there a process to "challenge" the G3 exam itself? I hear for the G2 you need 4,000 hours. Not sure about the G3 itself, is it possible to get a G3 licence on work experience alone and proving that experience to the Ministry, just by showing that you know your stuff by hand, and not through exams? Help! He is about 2,000 hours in already in the HVAC industry. 

[Admin]

I'm not 100% sure if the 636G apprenticeship program is still in place.  It used to be with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, but they were replaced by the Ontario College of Trades who were just replaced by Skilled Trades Ontario.  I do not see any mention of it on their webpage though,

https://www.ontario.ca/page/skilled-trades

Here are some posts regarding it,

https://www.hvactechgroup.com/hvacforum/index.php?topic=1029.msg2741#msg2741

https://www.hvactechgroup.com/hvacforum/index.php?topic=1011.msg3112#msg3112

[KanataHVACApprentice]

Thanks so much! This seems like an old form, though, from 2013 (which is when this issue was last addressed on this forum!)

I phoned the TSSA about this path, and as usual, the call centre was useless, saying I should emails the Exams and Certifications Department, and advising me, by the way, that it could take 12 to 30 business days for a full reply. Nice! I did the email just now, and will have to wait.

I hope this option is still available, though. Also looking at unions like HVACR Local 787 and the HRAI to see if their apprenticeship programs can bypass this G3 exam with another form of certification as a G3.

Still confused about the "Challenge" process for a G3 exam that's been written and failed. Challenge on what basis? Does it just mean going back to trades school and taking the course over again and then writing the G3 exam over again? Doesn't make sense for someone who already failed the written G3 exam three times.

[Admin]

Apologies, I misread.  The G3 signoff package is to give an existing G3 the powers of a G2, so that won't apply to your son's case.  They still have the 2013 form posted on the TSSA page as well.  I don't think much has changed.

You could try to see if the 636G apprenticeship is still available with the TSSA and Skilled Trades Ontario.  That may be an easier way to become certified as it only required taking a 30 hour workshop.  It sounds like this 636G designation was called off when the MTCU was replaced by the OCOT,

http://mediaedgedigital.com/supplierinsights/hrai/orac-and-hrai-revive-discussion-with-ontario-government-about-gas-technician-apprenticeship/

Skilled Trades Ontario has now replaced the OCOT so it may be worthwhile to contact them to see if any such Gas apprenticeship exists,

https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca/

Unfortunately if you fail the G3 exam 3 times I believe you are required to retake a certified training program again.  The TSSA should provide the exam results with a breakdown so you can see the areas that need to be studied.

The challenge process just eliminates the need to take a course, but you still have to pass an exam and then have an interview with a TSSSA inspector.

Have you looked at a place like HiMark for a quick G3 crash course?  That would satisfy the TSSA and then your son could re-write the exam.

https://himark.ca/

[KanataHVACApprentice]

I got this email today from HVACR Local 787 (a labour union that specializes in HVAC)

"The ministry has not approved the gas apprenticeship yet, they still have a lot to sort out. Either way your son will have to write a final exam to obtain his gas license."

I had seen this news item today from the past, I guess nothing has changed or been improved. See below:

http://mediaedgedigital.com/supplierinsights/hrai/orac-and-hrai-revive-discussion-with-ontario-government-about-gas-technician-apprenticeship/

I think the problem is the learning disability. It really gets in the way. I think my son has a cap like 70% or something but the G3 exam requires 75% to pass (a surprisingly high mark given that it really translates into a B+ and an university philosophy or chemistry course, you can pass with even only 51% !

So we're trying to avoid as much as possible a written exam. I believe in the process but surely there must be an exception for learning disabilities like my son, who knows how to do the HVAC work and has over 2,000 hours of experience and is willing to work the total 4,000 hours required for the G2, which would be nice if it were applied to the G3 as well.

Frustrating. We seem stuck.