FROM THE GROUND UP

Our new apprentice column is all about sharing experiences. Its an opportunity for PAC members to share their news, ideas and experiences as an apprentice, while providing insight for builders who employ them. This month’s question is:

Q: What did/do you find was/is the biggest challenge you face as an apprentice?

Name: Joel (3rd year)
Location: Hamilton

At the start, I found it a bit intimidating in general, because you’re new and you’re coming into an environment where there’s heaps of qualified people who are looking to you to perform. I found that there was a fine balance between trying to prove yourself, but not going beyond your skill level.

I’m really grateful to the builders who have trained me over the past few years, and I quickly realised how important it is to respect their time. When someone puts in the time and effort to train you, you need to make sure you turn your ears on. I’ve found I learn best when someone shows me how to do it a few times, before letting me get stuck in and then reviewing what I’ve done.

The next challenge is learning how to be efficient – people expect that you’ll take longer at first, but to be a valuable part of the team you need to learn how to complete jobs properly and quickly.

Name: Alexander (3rd year)
Location: Queenstown

When I first started, the biggest learning curve was the terminology – there are so many different types of screws, roofs, rafters, treatments – basically, most of what you’re using, you’ve never come across before. For example, if my boss had asked me in the first few months to go pick up some treated timber from PlaceMakers, I wouldn’t have had a clue.

I’d say it took almost a year to get properly up to speed, but the guys at work were super helpful – they would draw me diagrams of the various products and their differences. It also takes a while to get up to speed with the numerous brands of products available, and to learn how they’re different even if they’re meant to do the same thing.

This also makes learning how to read plans quite challenging – they don’t mean much if you don’t know the products being referred to!

Now that I’ve had a few years’ experience and am getting more competent, I find the most challenging thing is to speak up when I’m not sure about something. Everyone is really busy, but better to ask and do something correctly then go ahead and have to fix it later. After all, I’m still learning!

Name: Sam (2nd year)
Location: Dunedin

There are plenty of challenging moments as an apprentice, especially a new one, but what I found the most nerve-wrecking was being put on the spot – basically being given a job and left to your own devices to do it. It’s completely different to watching someone do a job, or reading about how to do it, but it’s really the only way to learn. I’ve been in this situation a number of times and it’s intense, but I really enjoy the challenge.

The important thing that I’ve learned in this instance is that, if you’re unsure of something, you need to ask someone more senior. It’s a bit intimidating, as everyone is busy and you don’t really want to bother them, but it’s important – doing an apprenticeship is about learning.

Dealing with clients and other contractors can also be challenging, especially if you don’t have that type of experience.