Apprentice of the Month – OCTOBER

Third-year apprentice Tendy Cooper did an amazing job keeping everything ship-shape and in order while her boss was away

With a list of jobs to complete before her boss returned, Tendy needed to back herself and deliver on what she’d been taught during her apprenticeship.

“I was asked to install some timber ceiling battens and get the cavity system ready for pre-clad. I also had to create some framing for a wardrobe and doorway,” she explains.

“I’ve done all of that before, but never independently, so I really had to step up and trust my abilities and all that I’ve learned, as I didn’t have anyone to ask if I wasn’t sure.”

The Christchurch-based apprentice says it was a great feeling when her boss got back and gave all her work the thumbs up, following a thorough inspection.

“It was a huge confidence boost to know the work was done well, and I was really glad that I didn’t have to re-do anything.” 

The art of preparation

With the pressure on Tendy to deliver, she made sure to brush up on her knowledge and come to work armed with a clear idea of what each day would entail.

“I studied each task the night before to make sure I had as much correct information as possible, but also reminded myself that I knew what I was doing.”

Tendy says this approach proved to be the best one for her, as she managed to work efficiently to deliver exactly what was asked.

“Everything was completed ahead of time and my boss returned to a tidy site and all job completed to a high standard, ready for the next phase of the build to start.