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on the bricklaying course I did the instructor said that some really unlucky apprentices never really got any practical experience outside the tafe part of their course ... they mostly only got to do labouring ... the guys they were apprenticed too being too busy to spend any time with them.
Jackie
Sounds familiar - I know a plumber who did his entire apprenticeship doing roofs - so he was very experienced in that area, but knew bugger-all about doing sewerage... yet had his ticket!
...and Barry is right - why do we always go through boom and bust with the trades - just maybe the new technical colleges might help.
My nephew was apprenticed to his father, and could lay bricks like there was no tomorrow by the time he was 15 and legally able to start work. When the tafe course 6 week blocks used to come round he loved it. He'd get the steps/ BBQ/ fireplace done in the first couple of hours of the first morning, and charge the other blokes who hadn't seen a brick before $20.00 an hour to do theirs as well..... good for him, but not so flash for the state of the nations future bricklayers!Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiew
:D
P
[QUOTE=Barry_White]One of the biggest problems with a lot of these companys that they use sub contractors as all the good carpenters are usually working for themselves so they put an ad in the paper calling for subcontractors and they get people who aren't tradesmen but have a few tools and they show them how to install their product over about a week and then send them out on their own but they have never had the benefits or the diciplines that a tradesman gets through an apprenticeship.
QUOTE]
I think the main problem is probably with the fat @rsed salesman who probably only pays the subcontractor half of what the the work is actually worth which would tend to encourage cost effective dodgyness and also the way he comes around to try to "sell" you the idea that you wouldnt know what you are talking about (because you are a woman no doubt). It seems to be the predominant business "model" that every one running a business seems to aspire too these days.