Top tips for apprentices

[Chris1]

I am 90% sure i have found myself an employer. I just want to pick everyones brains to find out the top tips of the trade for apprentices to learn.

Cheers


Chris

 

[Sparky Ninja]

two sugars




Observe and show interest. When my apprentice looks all lethargic and useless, it brings me down having to try to motivate him. Sometimes a kick in the backside is tempting.
Try to listen to everything you are asked, it's annoying to have to repeat yourself. However do ask if you are unsure of your instructions and eventually you will become a well oiled machine.



Also, do not be afraid to aim above your initial scope. If your employers take on a couple of electricians and you work with the hands on first fixing guys... show an interest in testing and inspection over time and your employers may feel it useful for your training and their productivity if you went onboard assisting with some testing work etc.



Also, use your own bloomin tools.

 

[Hawk81]

do not stand with your hands in your pockets, and try to think what your employer will want next ie hammer, clips etc etc.

 

[johnboy6083]

dont be afraid of asking what you may think are silly questions. become an electrical pervert too! when you are working, watch other sparks like a hawk and you will be learning without even knowing it. dont be afraid of asking any sparks on a site how to do something. ive had sparks ask me how ive made a crinkle internal bend on tray, and how ive managed to bend 600 lid straight and crisp. im only 23, but i asked others to learn what i know. You can never know everything, but im gona give it a bloody good shot trying.

 

[pennywise]

Thick skin and lots of practice at home if your sad like I was

 

[Andyfm]

Keep your mobile phone in your pocket till lunch or hometime - nothing worse than you standing there texting your bird or mates while the sparky is waiting for your help in feeding a cable, especially if he`s in a hot dusty loft

 

[pennywise]

Keep your mobile phone in your pocket till lunch or hometime - nothing worse than you standing there texting your bird or mates while the sparky is waiting for your help in feeding a cable, especially if he`s in a hot dusty loft

That is a pet hate ended up txting when I wanted his help got more of a response than verbal took money off his wages as well he soon learnt.

 

[Andyfm]

The last lad i had working with me lost out on a permanent job because he`d just met a new bird and spent 15 minutes of every hour texting her

 

[pennywise]

The last lad i had working with me lost out on a permanent job because he`d just met a new bird and spent 15 minutes of every hour texting her

Must have been an idiot probably a good thing you got rid. If he can't work out how hard it is to get a start in the industry and would rather get his leg over he's not worth it, probably a really nice guy though just guessing

 

[Guest123]

Keep your mobile phone in your pocket till lunch or hometime - nothing worse than you standing there texting your bird or mates while the sparky is waiting for your help in feeding a cable, especially if he`s in a hot dusty loft

Dont get me started on apprentices and their flamin phones......

There is nothing worse, gives the company a bad image too.

 

[Sintra]

Our company policy is one phone per site any unauthorised use of phones during working hours results in disciplinary action.

 

[livelounge]

buy your own tools as quick as possible because we dont like sharing tools and if unsure just ask and get your steel toecaps scraped and looking as if they have been worn before you apear on site with them

 

[Lucas]

Buy a tool every week, that's what I'm currently doing and slowly but surely my box is getting fuller

 

[mogga]

1:there are no such things as "Silly Questions" ask and your journeyman should explain to you
2: Dont Breenge in when they are talking to client
3: As others say Phone off Tell your mates what lunch times are or phone them at lunch ther is nothing worse than standing on a shop floor with the manager and the apprentices is standing texting
4: remember everyday is a school day even for old folkies like Sintra,lenny,dave, you get the drift
5:show up dressed for work its not a fashion parade looks better if you are issued with uniform WEAR it and respect it some day you will be tradesman representing the company
6:clean up dont wait to be asked to do it
7: if your in the workshop look around if theres something you havent seen before ASK what it is What it does

8:Take as much pride in your work as you do your car,apperance on a friday night out on the pull

overall Enjoy your work and show interest good luck

 

[Sintra]

Less of the old Mogga but have to agree every day is a school day even at 42.

 

[Yooj]

1. Ask questions (obviously work related), and if you do not understand the answer, say so, don't just nod as if you understand the answer
2. Love the trade, read lots outside of work, On-Site-Guide, BS7671 etc, etc...
3. No-one likes a cocky apprentice...a sure fire way not to be kept on.
4. When you have nothing to do, find something to do...ask for something to do.
5. If you have been given something to do, and you do not quite understand how to do it, say so, rather than doing it and screwing it up.
6. If you do make a mistake, always, always put it right, even if you have to be supervised while putting it right....Mistakes are the only way to learn...Though in this game mistakes can cost lives.
7. Be diligent, punctual and enthusiastic.
8. Always clean up your work area after you have finished
9. Beware of colleagues who are always on a downer about everything...this will have a very negative impact upon your own outlook and you will soon be a moaner
10. When you get more confident, do not be afraid to ask for more responsibility.

Yooj

 

[Risteard]

Our company policy is one phone per site any unauthorised use of phones during working hours results in disciplinary action.

Seems a wee bit extreme although I can see why their use should be restricted.

Sometimes you're quicker doing everything yourself than waiting for others to get off the phone!

 

[mogga]

Nothing worse looking ,sounding than an apprentice stoating around on his phone cursing (He doesnt realise he swears so much) specialy when the store manager is coming towards you looking to ask a question and its even worse when on a PFS forecourt he whips his phone out coz tom dick n harry called Other thing about them is saftey I heard of a site where a guy wandered while on the phone and was in the rear sweep of a 360 digger digger swung round and clipped his head no need for first aid An ex apprentice got off a bus n crossed the road while on the phone texting n got dragged along the road stripped the skin from his back ECT ECT ECT

 

[Risteard]

There might be a safety issue, but then surely it is for people to act responsibly.

I really can't stand mobile phones but I think banning them is excessive.

 

[pennywise]

some sites it's a more security risk camera phones etc, my m8 works up at the police head quarters in london they are only allowed walky talkys at work.

 

[Chris1]

Thanks for all the advice guys i will take it onboard. The phone one esspecially. I will keep you updated on how it's going and ask you questions aswell if i get stuck.Cheers