NEFBA Apprenticeship continues to closely monitor the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The health and safety of our apprentices, faculty and staff is our highest priority as leaders work closely with local, state and federal agencies to share the most updated information.
Updated Monday, March 30th, 2020 at 11:45 a.m. EST
After considering all of the circumstances related to the coronavirus situation, the NEFBA Executive Committee has decided to postpone all Apprenticeship full classes/labs/testing through at least May 31st, 2020.
At this time, NEFBA Apprenticeship does not intend to move to an online-only platform. However, NCCER Testing will may become available for remote proctoring after April 15th in some circumstances. Performance labs, which require a demonstration of physical techniques will take place in person when it is safe to do so.
Each class will be completing classwork remotely in the following weeks. NEFBA Apprenticeship Administration and Craft instructors will be reaching out to classes on an individual basis via email and/or phone.
Decisions about events after May 31st will be made the week of April 6. We will continue to stay in regular communication with everyone about this situation, and its effects on the school calendar for the remaining of our 2020 training year.
The NEFBA home office is closed until further notice and all NEFBA Apprenticeship staff are working remotely from home.
Staff can be contacted at the following direct office lines on call forwarding (land lines- no texts accepted):
General Inquiries:
Rachael Burke, Training Coordinator: 904-717-9249
Applications and Employment-Related Inquiries:
Charlie Libretto, Training Director: 904-725-5293
Instructor and Employer Main Contact on Covid-19 Related Questions:
Christina Thomas, Director of Workforce Development: 904-421-0297
After considering all of the circumstances related to the coronavirus situation, the NEFBA Executive Committee has decided to postpone all Apprenticeship full classes/labs/testing through at least May 31st, 2020.
At this time, NEFBA Apprenticeship does not intend to move to an online-only platform. However, NCCER Testing will may become available for remote proctoring after April 15th in some circumstances. Performance labs, which require a demonstration of physical techniques will take place in person when it is safe to do so.
Each class will be completing classwork remotely in the following weeks. NEFBA Apprenticeship Administration and Craft instructors will be reaching out to classes on an individual basis via email and/or phone.
Decisions about events after May 31st will be made the week of April 6. We will continue to stay in regular communication with everyone about this situation, and its effects on the school calendar for the remaining of our 2020 training year.
The NEFBA home office is closed until further notice and all NEFBA Apprenticeship staff are working remotely from home.
Staff can be contacted at the following direct office lines on call forwarding (land lines- no texts accepted):
General Inquiries:
Rachael Burke, Training Coordinator: 904-717-9249
Applications and Employment-Related Inquiries:
Charlie Libretto, Training Director: 904-725-5293
Instructor and Employer Main Contact on Covid-19 Related Questions:
Christina Thomas, Director of Workforce Development: 904-421-0297
Community Resources for COVID19 Impacts
Comcast
Comcast has increased the speeds of its Internet Essentials plan aimed at low-income earners as of March 16. This involves offering 60 days of free service, after which people will be charged $9.95 per month, and increasing speeds on this plan from 15/2Mbps to 25/3Mbps. The simplest, fastest, and easiest way to the apply for the program is from a mobile device at www.InternetEssentials.com. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
AT&T
AT&T is waiving fees for going over data caps, adding that many of its internet customers already have unlimited data. AT&T will continue to offer internet data to qualifying limited income households for $10 a month. There are two dedicated phone numbers for assistance: English (1-855-220-5211) and Spanish (1-855-220-5225).
Verizon
Verizon said it will waive late fees for the next 60 days, and keep homes and small businesses connected while they're negatively impacted by the global crisis. You can contact customer service at 1-800-922-0204.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile announced that it would be providing unlimited data on all mobile plans for the next 60 days. This includes T-Mobile and Metro customers. It will also be providing an additional 20GB of its mobile hotspot service for the next 60 days, and is offering free international calls to any Level 3-impacted nations worldwide. T-Mobile is increasing its data allowance for free to schools and students who use its EmpowerED digital learning programs, providing 20GB of data per month for the next 60 days. You can contact customer service at 1-800-T-MOBILE.
Sprint
Sprint announced that it will offer unlimited data for 60 days starting next week. The arrangement will kick in by March 19, and Sprint will also provide customers with an extra 20GB of mobile hotspot data per month for the same time period. Sprint is also waiving late fees and won't terminate services if customers are unable to pay their bill due to the impacts of the coronavirus. Customers who don't pay for mobile hotspot services will get 20GB per month for the next 60 days soon. You can call Sprint Customer Service at 1-888-211-4727.
Comcast has increased the speeds of its Internet Essentials plan aimed at low-income earners as of March 16. This involves offering 60 days of free service, after which people will be charged $9.95 per month, and increasing speeds on this plan from 15/2Mbps to 25/3Mbps. The simplest, fastest, and easiest way to the apply for the program is from a mobile device at www.InternetEssentials.com. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
AT&T
AT&T is waiving fees for going over data caps, adding that many of its internet customers already have unlimited data. AT&T will continue to offer internet data to qualifying limited income households for $10 a month. There are two dedicated phone numbers for assistance: English (1-855-220-5211) and Spanish (1-855-220-5225).
Verizon
Verizon said it will waive late fees for the next 60 days, and keep homes and small businesses connected while they're negatively impacted by the global crisis. You can contact customer service at 1-800-922-0204.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile announced that it would be providing unlimited data on all mobile plans for the next 60 days. This includes T-Mobile and Metro customers. It will also be providing an additional 20GB of its mobile hotspot service for the next 60 days, and is offering free international calls to any Level 3-impacted nations worldwide. T-Mobile is increasing its data allowance for free to schools and students who use its EmpowerED digital learning programs, providing 20GB of data per month for the next 60 days. You can contact customer service at 1-800-T-MOBILE.
Sprint
Sprint announced that it will offer unlimited data for 60 days starting next week. The arrangement will kick in by March 19, and Sprint will also provide customers with an extra 20GB of mobile hotspot data per month for the same time period. Sprint is also waiving late fees and won't terminate services if customers are unable to pay their bill due to the impacts of the coronavirus. Customers who don't pay for mobile hotspot services will get 20GB per month for the next 60 days soon. You can call Sprint Customer Service at 1-888-211-4727.