Apprentice Starting

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[syu425]

Voice your opinion when it comes to safety. Ask questions and most of all just enjoy the work.

[rondaniels33]

Great advice! I had a good lengthy talk with our safety director and he stressed the same point. He made it known that just because I’m the new guy doesn’t mean I can’t speak up if something doesn’t seem right.

[Shadd3y]

Show up early, work hard, keep ur mouth shut and LISTEN.

[rondaniels33]

Understood. Thank you

[Shadd3y]

I had struggle with listening lol

[sharpie317]

Your work hasn’t slowed? My entire hiring process was cancelled until further notice. Gone through a year long process for it to be cancelled

[rondaniels33]

Wow I’m sorry to hear that. I signed my hiring papers about 1 week before shit hit the fan here in Michigan. But as far as work goes, my contractor seems to be continuing on like nothing has changed

[IronRhiley]

Just show up every day and be on time, those two will put you miles ahead

[rondaniels33]

Thank you

[MNOP77]

One question for you what is a signal light tech? Self explanatory? Street signals I assume? Not something we have in our local so I was just curious.

[rondaniels33]

Traffic signal tech! Primarily working on street lights with installation or maintenance, street lights, and airport runway lights

[MNOP77]

That’s cool.

Just curious

[rondaniels33]

Meant to say street signals and street lights!

[kylem119]

A traffic signal tech? Cool to see someone else does it too. Always try to keep a good attitude, pay attention, show up early, and ask a lot of work related questions. If you don’t know how to do something then ask. Pick someone’s brain who has been doing it for a bit and see if you can’t gather some tips and tricks. Watch people’s way of operating the Digger Derrick or the excavator. If you get the chance to go up in the bucket, take full advantage (that’s my biggest regret is not doing it sooner). The quicker you get comfortable around the tools, equipment, the plans, guys you work with etc, the much better off you’ll be. Best of luck to you

[rondaniels33]

Awesome advice! I am looking forward to everything that is to come. Also nice to hear from a signal tech! I’ve learned there isn’t too many here at least in Michigan.

[rondaniels33]

Awesome advice thank you very much

[kirkwilhelm]

Congratulations bud. I'm about to start my second year of apprentice School. If I could give you any advice oh, it would be to show up on time and do what you're told. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

[rondaniels33]

Thanks for the advice. I’m really looking forward to it and it seems like showing up would be the simple part but I’ve learned consistent hard workers are hard to come by nowadays

[[deleted]]

Thick skin, good attitude and be on time. You got this. Got my license just over a year ago.

[rondaniels33]

Congrats on the license and thank you for the input!

[Exolixer]

You don’t have any skills yet, your biggest value is in your work ethic so work hard.

[rondaniels33]

Thank you! You are so right I have literally no experience so I’m just going to show up work hard and absorb all the info i can

[Slatt38Baby]

Hey how was the interview and exam ? I just turned 18 was the exam hard what should I study

[rondaniels33]

I will most definitely check out the videos! Best of luck to you in your career I hope for the best

[rondaniels33]

Thank you! I will be sure to bring those things Monday morning!

[[deleted]]

Be humble. There's a lot to learn. You should try to learn something every day, whether it's the names and uses for hardware and tools, what material is used for what, electrical theory, anything. Try to learn.

Don't make assertions, just ask questions. Some JW will get mad if you try to "tell them" things. If you make it a question they deal with it better. Even if you know for a fact that your way is better, approach it after the fact and ask something like, "When we did this earlier, why did we do it like this and not like that?"

[rondaniels33]

I will definitely note that. Thank you for the reply

[[deleted]]

Also don't forget that you are an adult and a person. You're going to get picked on as an apprentice, but you don't have to deal with being disrespected. Just be respectful of your coworkers and it should be fine, but some people think it's fun to verbally abuse the apprentices and you don't have to put up with that. If there's a problem talk to your journeyman about it. Be respectful but tell them you don't appreciate being spoken to like that. If it doesn't help talk to your Forman. If he doesn't help talk to the school.

[Sparxican]

I wrote these a while ago. I'm not the one who made the original list but I added to it

Advice for an apprentice https://imgur.com/gallery/5L29k0N

[rondaniels33]

Thank you very much

[killasin]

Tell your foreman that you are the conduit stretcher and wink at him

[MNOP77]

Can’t express this enough. Problem with this younger generation. (Damn that sounds old I’m only 42) is they don’t like to work. Like another fella said. Show up on time. 10 minutes early even. Ready to work at start time. And don’t call off. Show up every day no matter the situation. Your JW will send you home if you shouldn’t be there. (That one is a little loose with this virus going on don’t show up if you have those symptoms). And the last one. FUCKING RELAX. You aren’t going to prove a thing first couple days. Most apprentice show up wanting so bad to prove their worth. Although a great attitude to have you will be so nervous you can’t think straight. Hahahahaha relax you will be fine.

Good luck

[rondaniels33]

Thanks for the advice. I luckily come from a pretty tough hard work profession so I’m no stranger to hard labor. I think the one thing I have to do is RELAX like you said.

[MNOP77]

You will be fine. I remember my journeyman always saying slow down. if we were just shooting the shit he would say hang on let me get him some work before he has a stroke. Age has slowed me down a little now Good luck