The Hardest Parts of My Apprenticeship // NZ Builder
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- čas přidán 14. 11. 2020
- What was the hardest part about being a first-year apprentice and how did I overcome it?
+ What age is too old to be a building apprentice
+ Should I consider building?
I'm Josh, from New Zealand, and my wife have been building on the section nobody wanted,
It's was first subdivided in 2004, a tough site with multiple layers of challenges
Follow our new build journey on from the start • Video
JOSH INSTA @joshfrom.nz
BUILD INSTA @joshandkatiebuild
Real Mail - PO Box 40008, Upper Hutt, NZ 5140
Build Episodes so far:
Build Consent - • Building Consent Proce...
Slab Down - • Concrete SLAB Foundati...
Floor Framing - • Timber Joist Floor Fra...
Frames Up - • Timber Joist Floor Fra...
Roof Framing - • Roof Framing in New Ze...
Roof Shout - • Windows in my Roof?
Closed in - • CLOSED iN just before ...
Back to work - • Cladding with Linea Ob...
Cladding - • Cladding with Linea Ob...
Installing Stairs - • Building Stairs to Mat...
Insulation - • Choosing Insulation + ...
Gib Delivery - • Moving a House-load of...
Working Nights - • Working Nights on My N...
Dealing with Stress - • Building a HOME is str...
DIY Scaffolding - • Video
Hardies RAB - • Working with Hardies H...
950m of Beech Flooring - • 950m of beech timber f...
Ripping up a Brand New Timber Floor - • Ripping up a Brand New...
Our Bespoke Kitchen Install - • Video
Bespoke Study Nook - • Bespoke Timber Desk & ...
Follow me....
joshfrom.nz
joshandkatiebuild
Facebook www.joshfrom.nz
Want to send me something? Post to PO Box 40008, Upper Hutt, NZ 5140
#carpentry #firstyear #apprencticeship
I am 39 and about to start my apprenticeship after 15 years of hospitality. Man I am pumped
Nice
Absolutely love your videos Josh. I'm 51 and started a year ago after working as a tiler more than 8 years. Needed something more challenging and want to build my own proper house someday. Still a long way to go and excited about where this road will take me 😃
After reading a lot of these comments I’m so grateful that I started under my old man and doing all levels on the job while still getting out on the shovel when it’s the next job 😅😂
I'm 40yrs old and have just started my apprenticeship. My main goal is to be able to build my own house. I thing I'm not afraid of is hard work, even though my 20yr body wouldn't be going straight to bed after a shower at 7:30 lol but I dont think my 20yr old brain would be as focused as I am today. I left a job of 15yrs that I absolutely hated, I honestly feel like that was an apprenticeship in its self. So thanks for the video, it gives me more motivation to get to where I want to go. ITS NEVER TOO LATE !!
Keep going, one step at a time, you'll get there :)
I'm 50 and am loving my time on site during my lvl 3 carpentry course. My body is sure not as fast or strong as it once was but i have workplace experience, customer interface experience, I'm no stranger to work. I hope to balance my future between health care (in a nurse) and construction.
Im always an outdoor person. Got frustrated with office work and politics which lasted me for over 7 years. Quit my job and jumped straight into apprenticeship. First week got the best in me which i almost call it quit. Started with heavy lifting of gypsum board especially ceiling with the height of 6m. Im a gym addict and trust me it doesnt mean youre strong enough to get the job done. Next would be sweeping or maybe a trash man. Cleaning the trash after your day would gave you some sort of ego check. Trust me u will. As of writing i did almost a month now and it get better when everyone blasting the music and those vibe man you cant have it anywhere. Tbhonest love this 💪🏻
I’ve just started my apprenticeship 5 weeks in. My bones requires cleaning toilets 10am -3pm, wiping and sweeping dust haha tough times don’t last, tough people do 😂
You got this!
This is such a brilliant video, since I’m starting my first year apprenticeship at 28, I’m keen to know what the bigger struggles can be expected, mine being knowing what exactly I should be doing next and being confident enough to ask the boss. One thing that’s helped me learn is to keep busy and read the plans. What is the big picture? What are some repetitive tasks that I can get used to doing effortlessly. Really being enjoying what you’ve shared with us, helps out a lot when I’m not on site
I've just started an apprenticeship in carpentry 6 months ago. I am 29 years old. Been working since I was 14, even owned my own company for a couple years. Made the switch to building because I felt I lakced the life skills to live off the grid if needed. And another dream has always been to build my own home alone.
I don't regret my switch at all, not one bit. I love digging holes too (Try digging holes on a pot holing crew for 18 months and not find a love for digging. Racing each other makes it fun).
Ultimately it's all mind over matter. Those who survive hard mahi are the ones that find a love for even the hardest tasks. We're under staffed and over worked where I am and even still, absolutely love it!!!
The only thing I haven't enjoyed so far is the cost of tools. I love my tools but damn it sucks when something breaks or goes missing on the job 💔
Great video mate, thanks 🙏
Thanks for watching, stick with your apprenticeship, you won't regret it and will come out with some great skills!
Wow - “feel like you’re fighting fires all day”. That’s exactly how I felt in my last job of 8 years (20y total in industry). Just started my Carpentry apprenticeship a couple weeks ago and loving it. Did a wheelbarrow relay last week to lay a concrete pad 🤙 digging lots of holes, setting up site for my boss, loading/unloading the trailer. It’s pretty rewarding to see the project come together after each days work. Thanks for sharing your journey man!
Nice keep it up
I completed my time 4 years ago was a great time, I was 27 when I signed up, head down arse up the whole time I found things clicked by the 2-3year where everything came together n just flowed.
Nice work! Do you think that because you had some experience in other jobs you appreciated your apprenticeship more?
Most definitely i knew that building is what I wanted so pushed hard to succeed 💪 😅
Wicked video, I've started my building apprenticeship at 30, about 7 months in and loving it! I found I really enjoy doing renos at home and thought I'd do it full time and learn to do things to a quality finish.
Your advice about embracing the "dumb jobs" is great. I felt like I was being treated crap some days (which I wasn't) but as you say, someone is going to have to do it either way. So use it as a good time to skill up and master the mundane and move closer to the "cool" jobs.
I also try to look at it in the way 'I'm getting paid to learn" unlike University qualifications that throw you in debt. It really is a win/win.
Hey Michael, congratulations on your new career. Glad you enjoyed the video, I love your attitude and approach - keep it up
Totally agree with what you said about first year I still remember my first year 20 years ago but it builds you into a better builder and a better leader down the track
Its funny how after time you appreciate things that feel tough in the moment
@@nzbuilder yeah we thought they were hard at the time but in all honesty they are the easy jobs might not of been the most glorious but looking back that’s easy compared to being In charge of the build or 3 builds and meeting owners going to bed late doing quotes etc to keep the work coming in it’s a great learning curve the thing I like the most about building is
You can never stop learning loved watching you build your house reminded me of when I built my one on weekends and after my daily job
Awesome content bro, into my 2nd year having done a lots of demolition, reno and bit of new builds in my 1st year and loved every second of it! Another good way to test if you want to do building is to work part time and do a pre trade course for 3 days a week at a polytech. Its free at the moment. This covers everything you would do in the trade before you get into an apprenticeship.
Nice, keep up the good work
Ah yes 'Builders brew' !! Tea, nectar of the gods indeed !! This channel and Scott Brown Carpentry are my fav Kiwi builder channels !! Fantastic !!!
Cheers Rob, enjoy you're tea and viewing :)
Being the new guy sucks, I remember when I was working in construction and had to bring all the tools to the job site by myself.
That would suck, the joys of be the newb :)
Hello! I'm in Canada. A female. I've just turned 40. And starting my life over with 4 children and mostly customer service experience. I want to design and build and retrofit homes to be well built, well insulated, warm in winter, cool in summer for people and families who need them.
I'm hoping to end up doing what you do!
I found a program for architectural/engineering technology so that I could apply to a building company and actually have something to offer. There aren't as many apprenticeships here. Most young people take a course at a college and do a work placement after each semester or each year or after the program which gives them an 'in' in the industry.
Thank you for talking about the beginning of your career journey!
Love the vids gotta get down to see ya
looking forward to a long overdue catch up :)
@@nzbuilder I’ll bring the flex volt skill saw so we can do a demo
Super helpful just dropped out of school at 15 and starting apprenticeship in feb
Work Hard and make the most of it :)
Love the intro bro!
Thanks, I can't take all the credit I had some help with that part :)
Awesome vid mate
Thanks 👍
Thanks bro I needed this. Currently getting dumb jobs but good to see that this is common haha. Always say to myself that there’s always a better day than yesterday.
You got this
Yeah nice video brotha. Very helpful. I can definitely relate to all the things you were talking about. I like these types of videos where you can relate your own experience to someone's elses, keep them coming ✌👌💪 love a cheesy smoko time intro 😁🤙
glad you loved the intro :)
Bruv I spent a year putting telephone poles in for a living all up the east coast... that was a bit of digging mate!
that would have been fun :)
Thank you.
You're welcome!
I currently do Timber Flooring I already do long hard days haha. And have the Full AEG Range so already have the Tools too. Im 29 wanna do a Building Apprenticeship to increase my Building Skills and Knowledge. I wanna move into Renos and buy Investment Property's Reno them and Rent them out for Passive Income.
You can do it!
Kia ora bro, epic video! I’m in an in-between stage after finishing uni and working but hating it and keep coming back to considering becoming a chippie time and time again. My only obstacle is that I feel a sense of timidity being a woman. The govt help/support to the construction industry is rad, and this video is super insightful. Do you have any tips for things to do in prep for committing to a 3-4y apprenticeship? Thanks again 😎
Hey Ariel welcome to my channel! there is a couple of videos last year about my thoughts on getting apprenticeships etc have a look through,
My biggest recommendation is to just find a way to get started and try it out for 2 - 3 months, the rest will click into place if its meant to be :)
Hiya, I also completed uni a while back, worked for 5 yrs and transitioned into carpentry 3 years ago now. Its been a little bit easier coz I studied construction management and worked in the industry a bit, but the environment is more or less the same as yours coming from lecutres/office work. When I decided to go into carpentry, I did pre trade at a polytech first for 10 months in a level 3 trade skills course first to see if I was really keen for it (which I was coz I fkn loved it) there is also the benefit here because pre trade also assists you in sign off for your theory in the apprenticeship alongside gearing you with all the skills (at amateur level) to begin an apprenticeship. I also saved quite a bit of money while working in the office to buy a solid set of tools (Hand Tools, Taurus Belt, Circular saw, Sabre saw, impact driver set, levels etc) this was important coz you up your chances of being employed with a builder over those appling for work without their own tools. I'm in my 3rd year now nearing completion of my L4 cert and now considering my next step to an LBP. The most important advice I can give is to go ALL in and give it your absolute everything. The work and the environment will test you to the max because you're coming out of the office/classroom environment where I guess things are pretty sterile/safe. Id also recommend comfortable boots in your first year. As for being a woman... Well, I've seen a lot of girls in both pre trade and in the BCITO program, and I believe a girl came 2nd in this years apprentice challenge.
Anything is possible!
2008 was a fucking nightmare, nearly broke my young family. Would have been happy to be digging that year. I've never met an apprentice who has dug more or lugged more 40kg bags than me. That's why I can genuinely look them in the eye and say 'Oh, you think this is hard, let me tell you story' No other chippies know about lugging unless you've worked in Wellington.
That sounds rough, glad you have got through it
Back in 2005 when I was 17 working as a hammer hand, We were having smoko and the boss whistles out to me and yells “oi! make us a cuppa tea!” I replied “nah make your own!” All the 2nd/3rd year apprentices looked at me with shock and awe.... I didn’t realise I had to make boss man a cuppa lol ! Still didn’t make one too ! Ahaha
Haha That is awesome!
In 1985 I was a young infantry man in the jungle of Malaysia. We had a young 2nd Lieutenant attached to us from a British regiment based in Hong Kong, he tasked me to make him a brew. Sure boss, I said, added salt instead of sugar ... ooopppsss sorry boss. Was never asked to make another ... there's always a way
Ok, where do you find the best quality custard slices, also in Tauranga if you have any recommendations.
That is the question, you cant have smoko without a good custard square :) maybe we can run a poll on Instagram for you
I just back to NZ from overseas and have a few years building and landscaping under my belt. I want to become a qualified builder. But I am finding it hard as I don't have the connections
Hey Dave, welcome back to NZ! keep persevering with finding the work, it's always hard to start something fresh, but once you get going the contacts and connections come together.
Hey Josh, what sorta watch is that; looks fancy, does it hav any fancy tricks for builders (apart from obviously telling the time)?
Hey Kenny, its a Garmin Fenix 6s that I use mainly for running, I got it because it has the best battery life and then started wearing it 24/7 to track heart rate sleep etc etc
@@nzbuilder oh cool, thanks man, and for the videos
I’m a 29yo Male American, second generation builder, over a year now running my own firm. Having taken note of the quality of building in NZ, I’m hungry to up-skill and experience a different approach to building. Any recommendations on starting research or resources for finding a firm I could work for or with?
I reckon the most difficult part I remember was the qualified guys thinking that I was in the same wavelength as them in regards to what jobs needed to be done next..... Second nature and common knowledge to them but being new I had no idea.
Yeah Its always hard to find that balance between using your initiative and waiting to be shown what to do next, especially when its all so new
It’s very rare for builders to dig footings by hand these days remember hand digging footings TA St Patrick's Catholic School one of the footings were 900 deep
That would have been fun
Kia Ora Josh
Do you think doing the 1 year carpentry course level 3 is useful before starting an apprenticeship or is it better to jump to an apprenticeship first?
Thanks
hey the short answer is "it depends"
personally I am a fan of getting stuck in on site and getting that real world experience as soon as possible but I've heard from others the Level 3 is useful
Avoid the 6 month pre trade course if you can, it seems you learn some bad habits and have to start again on site, obviously thats not always the case but seems to be consensus from guys I talk to you
Hay mate, luv the vids!! So i grew up on a farm building sheds, love digging holes and all sorts and id love to be a chippy and get an apprenticeship....but im 32 with a dicky knee i cant run anymore without it aching later will this stop me from being builder??
Hey Lewis, it will depend on the type of work you end up doing, but if you can handle being on your feet all day I think you can make it work
Hey I currently have a summer job putting up year round pools, will end up doing a couple fences and decks, interlocking brick driveways. I’m working until the end of august and then I am wanting to start an apprenticeship at the start of September at the carpentry union in my city. How long does the process take from first applying to starting your apprenticeship? Should I be applying in June? Or would they expect me to start right away if they hire me
I'm not familiar with exactly how it works in your neck of the woods, but my inclination would be to apply now, and then keep applying until you get it :)
I’m looking at finally following a dream of mine to become a carpenter or builder, but a serious consideration I have is starting a new career at my age. I’m 45 this year, and happy to start at the bottom, but would you consider my age a real barrier for a builder to take me on as an apprentice?
it can be a demanding job on the body, but also super rewarding work. my recommendation find a way to give it a go for 2-3 months before jumping all in
Do you need to be in the trades academy to get an apprenticeship? I am currently 14 and this year (year 11) I chose not to go to trades, but to take all the necessary subjects first, e.g: maths, science, building and construction and what not.
Do I need to take trades?
no need to take trades, if you stay at school do a building gateway programme, if you leave school just get stuck in on site
I'm starting my apprenticeship next year do you have any tips?
Hey that's awesome, I am sure you'll love it,
the one tip that comes to mind is don't be in a rush to get it all straight away, it takes 3 - 4 years for a reason :)
Good Luck !!
Yo, how's your apprentice ship going...
Im 19 years old right now, just stopped my study for the first year of paramedic in uni, I’m trying to get into either carpentry/ joinery apprenticeship for next year as female, any tips? Do you really need to do a lot of maths? Will it be hard for me to find a job as an Asian “female”?
Hey I think if you find the right company / crew you will be able to make it happen. One suggestion would be to find a way to try it out for a couple of months, or try a few different workplaces before you commit. You need to be ok with numbers but nothing crazy
I've met Asian females in the building trades. Hope it goes well for you
Is paid for apprenticeship good? I'm looking to start my apprenticeship soon. Need to keep my financial up against the economy situation right now
It's on the job training so you're paid as much as you're worth. Bring tools, vehicle and skills and you're paid more
Ive just started my new job being a cabinetmaker... They say i can start my apprenticeship in 3months...but im 35yrs old... Is it worth it?
I think joinery would be less taxing on the body then building, give it a go for a couple of months and see if it’s something you can see yourself doing long term 👍🏼
@@nzbuilder cheers.... I love the job but what are the benefits of getting an apprenticeship in joinery and is it ideal for my age???
@@wozywoz I think no matter what age your are its worth following through with a qualification.
Rather than asking yourself what are the benefits, you should be thinking "am I going to be doing this for the next 3 - 5 years"
If its just a short term thing then just work hard, if its anything more than a year, seriously consider the apprenticeship
Me as an apprentice what I find hard or difficult is time
Hey Liam what specfically about "time" do you find difficult? Managing it, or not enough of it? Thanks for watching and commenting btw :)
@@nzbuilder Hey Josh. Being a second year in a company of two apprentices and one chippy I find it hard to keep up the pace or smash things out per say. Getting compared to your work mate isn’t the nicest feeling especially if your co worker has been doing the trade for 11 years
@@liamwaaka8845 I see. Yeah, that would be hard. While some friendly teammate competition is never a bad thing I can imagine if you're putting yourself under pressure to keep up it would just make you more flustered and prone to making mistakes which compounds the feeling.
Perhaps have an honest chat with the 11-year, tell him that you feel the pressure to keep up and ask him for some tips, remember he was a brand new apprentice once before too :)
Couplands?
Bakery Stop in Silverstream :)
I'm just in it for the money when I'm qualified
The money is important but I think you need to find a reason to do it other than that, or you're going to end up hating it
for example do you enjoy working with your hands, or seeing the builds come to life, or the feeling of creating spaces that didn't exist before, focus on that as well