How to be a successful Plumber's Apprentice.
10/3/2007
HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL PLUMBER'S APPRENTICE
Some young people enter apprenticeship training without a full understanding of how an apprentice learns the trade. It is important to realize that the assigned primary responsibility of the journeyman plumber (or advance apprentice) to whom you are assigned is to get the job completed and make a profit for our contractor. However, the plumber is proud of his/her skills and will be anxious to help you learn them if you will create the proper relationship with him/her. The ideal relationship with the plumber is one in which he/she believes that it is to his/her advantage to teach you because you are then more valuable to the union and the company. By teaching you to perform productively, it will help our union contractors to be competitive in the bid market.
The following suggestions will help you establish the proper relationship with the plumber to which you are assigned.
1. Listen to the plumber. If you pay attention to him/her, whether you agree or not, you will have made a giant step in winning his/her approval.
2. Show interest in the job and learning about the job. The plumber will quickly decide if you really want to learn the trade or if your main interest is payday or "Friday" after work hours.
3. Be helpful. Do what the plumber wants in a pleasant, respectful manner whether it is carrying his/her tools, going to the tool shed or whatever. Remember, your role, at this point, is to make his/her job easier.
4. Do it his/her way. Even when you think you have a better way, be careful about how your express your ideas. The plumber should not resent a respectful suggestion, but you are in no position to criticize his/her methods. You must be tactful. In many cases, you may learn why the job is being done a particular way.
5. Do not be talkative. Especially during the first few days with a new journeyman, don't come across as a mouth "wise guy" type.
6. Assist the plumber in responsibility for the job. This requires real diplomacy. If you see him/her about to make what you consider to be a mistake, respectfully point it out. Do not loudly proclaim his/her shortcomings. If you prevent him/her from making one costly mistake, he/she will be appreciative of your interest.
7. Be respectful. A cocky, pretentious attitude on the part of the apprentice may create an undesirable relationship with the plumber from whom you must learn.
8. Work productively. The apprentice must produce a fair day's labor to earn his/her wages. Complete all job assignments, no matter how menial, as soon as possible to enable you to move to more challenging projects.
9. The above suggestions are concerned with the human relations or psychological aspects of success. It is also essential that you comply with the visible aspects of your apprenticeship; such as, prompt attendance on the job and in the related training program, obtaining the proper text materials and safety considerations.
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