Hello potential apprentice,
I would be happy to answer any question you may have or that may come up at any time through your training about the Electrical Trade.
There are too few skilled tradesman in the ranks so I believe you’ve made a good choice in your interest of a pursuit of an electrical tradesman career.
We love having applications on file in the event a need arises, we go through our database before posting the job online.
So, what should a first year electrical apprentice be aware of? I have a few (hopefully enlightening) truths that will help guide you through your first 18-24 months.
- The pay is barely enough. It’s an unfortunate truth, but, an apprentice with no experience is more of an expense on a company than a benefit in the short term. You will be costing your employer money while you learn the basics. Depending on the companies leadership, you may see this reflected in long sighs and snarky comments or oversimplification of tasks and hand holding. You want the over simplification if you’re lucky enough to receive it because it typically means your trainers and leaders understand how difficult the task of learning is. If you get the long sighs and snarky comments, that doesn’t mean your leaders aren’t good people, but it may mean that you need to be extra diligent to keep track of the things you’re learning and you may have to go above and beyond.
- It’s dirty and hard work. In the summer you’ll spend more time than you ever thought sweating and in the winter you’ll spend more time than you ever thought trying to get feeling back in your toes. That doesn’t change through the career, but it does get better as you learn to work smarter.
- Show up on your first day, with a good pair of work boots that you have broken in, and gotten a little dirty. Journeyman and foreman love to razz the greenhorns on their new boots. If you’ve gotten a required tool list make sure you get your name on them with an engraver or at the very least a sharpie. Again, get that tool bag broken in, if you have time, get used to wearing it. So, if you know a week or more before your start date and have the means, Walk around your home with it on, get used to how easy it is to clip into walls/furniture with this big bag off your hip that you aren’t used to. Future customers will appreciate it.
- Pack your lunch, carry Tylenol, sun screen, extra socks, and lots of water.
- I suggest to my new apprentices that they carry a notebook and a pen/pencil and each day, before getting out of their vehicle to write the following:
Day of the week - Date
- What did I learn about my job/coworkers today?
1.
2.
3.
- What did my job/coworkers learn about me today?
1.
2.
3.
Review it regularly, it will give you good insight into your progress and hopefully a few laughs on days when you’re wondering why in the world you ever decided to do this.
And last but certainly most important
- Do not ever, from today until the end of time ever, ever, trust anyone no matter how much you like them when they tell you the power is off without confirming it yourself with a tester. Electricity takes itself very seriously, you should too.