Hi Moyer,
The review process for credit for previous experience is explained in the apprentice application in the Members Only section of the website, and is similar for journeyworker applicants as well.
You would do a "Curriculum Self-Review" where you use a form that lists all of curriculum parts (and sub-parts) and you check off the ones that you think you could meet the Goals for. These Goals are tests, both written and practical, and are described in each part.
This self-review must be accompanied by letters of recommendation and an affadavit from your journeyworker (if you are working under one) that verifies that your self-review is accurate. A resumé of your work experience is another item needed.
These items are then reviewed by the Apprenticeship Training Committee (ATC) to determine placement. You may be tested at any time down the road on any of the items that you declared competence in, but right now we don't test as part of the initial application.
Placement is determined by the proportion of the curriculum you declare competency in, and the breadth of your work experience. For example, if you said your were competent in half the curriculum and had two years work experience, you might probably be placed somewhere in the middle of the 5000-7000 hour program. If you could meet all of the curriculum Goals but had no on-the-job learning (OJL) then you might also be placed somewhere near the middle. That is the nature of the hybrid approach - academic learning is only one part and must be accompanied by substantial OJL.
If someone is considering applying to the program and has enough experience (academic and OJL) to move to the third year or higher of advanced placement, they should probably just go right to the journeyworker application.
I hope this answers your questions, and thanks for your interest.