So i start my trial apprenticeship soon - how not to screw up?

Hi there

im a recent school leaver from last yr HSC,18 and i recently got offered a one week trial for an apprenticeship in 1st yr electrician.

Ok so heres the thing: The employer needs an apprentice to help with his expanding business and is willing to take me on and teach me the ropes.This guy is a contrator, has lots of work(commercial,residential & industrial) and so far works 7 days a week. The problem is he wants to see me if i can pull my weight and get the job done. he wants me to do housing 1st installing electrical wires.

so my question is:

1. How not to screw this up?

2. What precaution measure should i be taking, so i know the employer won't be exploiting me and i get the proper training i deserve during my 4 yr apprenticeship?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChrisApprentice

1. How not to screw this up?

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1. Be punctual.
2. Use your common sense.
3. Do what you're asked, when you're asked, as quickly and efficiently as possible. (Refer back to point 2, don't rush a job and do something stupid that puts either yourself or a co-worker at risk).
4. Use your initiative, but if your boss tells you a certain way to do something, don't then go off and attempt the job using a different method that you think is better, without first running it past your boss. It is likely that he's tried the job a lot of different ways and has learnt from experience that the method he is telling you is the most effective, safer or whatever.

How's that for a start? I'm sure others on this forum can add to my points.

Regards,
Mirboo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChrisApprentice

Hi there

im a recent school leaver from last yr HSC,18 and i recently got offered a one week trial for an apprenticeship in 1st yr electrician.

Ok so heres the thing: The employer needs an apprentice to help with his expanding business and is willing to take me on and teach me the ropes.This guy is a contrator, has lots of work(commercial,residential & industrial) and so far works 7 days a week. The problem is he wants to see me if i can pull my weight and get the job done. he wants me to do housing 1st installing electrical wires.

so my question is:

1. How not to screw this up?

2. What precaution measure should i be taking, so i know the employer won't be exploiting me and i get the proper training i deserve during my 4 yr apprenticeship?

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Is he licenced and registered. Front him about hours, wages and conditions. Tell him/her you're willing to work like a horse as long as you get treated properly and receive all your entitlements.

Do be afraid to put this all upfront. That way you both know where you stand.
If he tells you to bugger off then he's not worth working for.

Even though you have just left school your labour is worth something. If the trial doesn't work out you should at least get junior labourer's wages for the time worked.

If you agree to work for a week on trial (is it for wages or for free?) make sure he has the required insurances (Workers Comp especially).

Also, at your age you mightn't think its important but make sure he will pay the Compulsory Superannuation into your choice of fund if he is required to.

Electricity is dangerous stuff if you're a novice. Get zapped by 240v and you'll be pretty sore if not dead.

Good luck with it cobber and don't let anyone take advantage of you.
Cheers
PS: theres no such thing as a left handed screwdriver or black and white stripped paint.

G'day Chris, welcome to the Forum!

Congratulations on getting a trial run for an apprenticeship!
The only advice I can possibly offer you is;

Don't be afraid to think for yourself, but if you simply don't know something - ASK!

In other words - show some initiative where it is within your levels of knowledge, but when it is out of your scope, ask the tradesman. He will appreciate a simple question that will allow you to do your work properly, rather than you attempting something you don't know and him having to spend time fixing it.

Good luck with it - let us know how you get on after your trial!:)

Hi Chris,

Congrats on your apprenticeship.

My advice:
Don't ever lie, not ever !!!!! as the lie will burn you worse than telling the truth.

Be honest with your boss.

If you don't know how to do something, work out a couple of approaches, then talk with you boss. eg "I don't know how to do that, but would any of these approaches work??

Don't ever go to your boss and give him the problem, give him some ideas for an answer as well as the problem. This shows you have initiative and responsibility, while knowing your place as an apprentice and allowing the boss to keep control and direction of your work.

Good Luck Chris!
cheers
Wendy

Useful advice guys, thanks!!, i do my best.

and as someone ask yea its a paid trial. he wants me to be able to follow instructions and do my job properly. if he does take me on, he mentioned I most likely be required to work on the weekends too like a horse (overtime pay?). The government provides free tool kits after 2 yrs and a $500 scholarship each yr for the 4 yrs of apprenticeship which is really sweet and TAFE courses paid by employers.

I know the pay is pretty low as one of my friends told me(1st yr apprentice too), he get paids 5.80 an hour which bring up to about $250 a week, 9K a yr. The new apprenticeship centre will help me set up the registration between me and the employer. Also does the Award sets out the agreement of everything from my work conditionsm,hours , holidays, super etc?

Couple of other points, if you have nothing to do start to tidy up, shows initiative, and bosses like clean places but not cleaning.
Don't go out on the turps on pay night and roll up hung over the next day, bosses don't like that, even if they do do it themselves.

Worked with a female once who went out on the turps and came in the next day, worked till 10 and went home with a "migraine'.
She was confronted by the boss who gave her a real rocket, she complained that me and another colleague came in one day the week before and had a hangover, boss responded that he knew that but we didn't whinge and worked the full day.
And I thought he didn't notice.

Never leave your lunch box unattended.
Take the time to ponder whether striped paint, left-handed screwdrivers, long weights etc. can really be bought at a hardware shop.
And most importantly, never... nah, I'll leave that one for you to find out yourself...

:D

Good luck Chris. At your age you're allowed a few mistakes, and you WILL make them. Just make sure you listen to the voices inside you that tell you when there's danger, and tell you when you're being exploited. Unfortunately, there's no shortcut for experience. Sorry. :D

It'll probably be a few weeks before the boss points this out, but lots of smoke usually means you've done it wrong :D

Richard

do they still teach the smoke theory at sparkie school:confused:

You’ve been given some excellent advice here, Chris. It comes from people who have been where you are and have learnt from the experience so their advice is worth a great deal.

By having the gumption to ask your original questions on this forum you’ve already demonstrated that you’re smart and willing to learn. Goodonya!

Here’s a couple of other things for you to think about:-

- Never be afraid to ask. Only fools are scared to show other people that they don’t know something.

- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. He who never made a mistake never made anything. However, try hard not to make the same mistake twice and – very, very important – don’t make the mistake of taking a risk with anything that might be live. Electricity can kill.

- Don’t be afraid of excellence. Try to do your job as well as you possibly can – and better than the next bloke. If anyone tries to get you to slow down or skimp on quality – ignore them.

- Do what’s right. If something is troubling your conscience then it’s wrong.

Good luck. Let us all know how you’re going.

Dont show up to work in a lycra thong.
Very off putting, 'specially on the first day.
If you must, make sure the waxers have been in the day before......

Al :D

Take no notice of Al...he's a deviant. :D

Take notice of Al when you need to laugh and appreciate that life gives us all sorts to deal with.

:D

RufflyRustic
(an Al-message appreciator, except maybe the goat ones....:p )

Don't worry, i dont really get AI jokes anyway..:(
lycra thongs?