What Should Apprentices Expect on Day One?
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- čas přidán 8. 01. 2023
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As electricians (or any trades really), we all do not start off at the top- running things! We start off at the very bottom and work our way up. So, what should someone expect when they first enter the electrical trade? In today's episode of Electrician U, Dustin shares his perspective on what a brand-new electrician should expect to be doing as well as a few tips regarding work ethic.
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Let’s face it; there is so much to learn to become a journeyman electrician, that that amount of knowledge needed can be a daunting task to grasp. To be a great electrician, you must start soaking in that knowledge early on in your career AND continue to learn the entire time you are working in the trades. So, upon entering the trades, this learning starts day one. It may not feel like it, but it’s happening. For the first several months, a green apprentice (or helper) will be expected to be HELPFUL but not necessarily feel IMPACTFUL, and you should learn to be OK with that! You will be expected to do the mundane tasks of cleaning, organizing, and bringing parts/tools to those electricians above you. Part of the reason is because those tasks still need to be done, but the other reason is to learn. There are tons and tons of electrical materials/tools, and an electrician will need to know what those materials/tools are. So, by being asked to go find, restock, or deliver those materials/tools you get the repetitions in by searching for them and handling them.
You may also be asked to do many seemingly mundane tasks like doing nothing but putting the three wires on a receptacle, but not being allowed to screw it into the box. By doing an entire house of installing 3 wires on a receptacle, after several houses, you will become proficient at the task. At some point, your journeyman will recognize your proficiency, and will take the next step at letting you put those receptacles into the box and properly install the cover plate. Its all learning and repetitions! Even something as simple as sweeping up or cleaning. While this seems like something so easy to understand, you are actually learning attention to detail as well as learning how different journeymen want those types of tasks done, as each journeyman is different! Trust me, what works for one may NOT be the way another one wants it done!! You will undoubtedly be the one whom crawls in the attics or under houses. Almost all our work as electricians is hidden from view (with the exception of where the electricity will be utilized like receptacles, light fixtures, panels, etc.) and you will need to know how to get from point A to point B. in addition, veteran electricians have been in so many attics and under so many houses, that we no longer want to get in those spaces! Enter the apprentice!!
Something worth mentioning is WORK ETHIC. Construction work is hard work, and the electrical trade is no different. Show up to work EVERY DAY ready to put in 120% effort into the tasks you do. While not necessarily on day one, be willing to jump in to help when the need arises. Watch how other electricians do things and try to replicate those tasks. Phones can be a powerful tool when it comes to looking up information or things of that nature but can also be a huge distraction. And considering that those electricians who are above you are from a generation that sees them as a tool and not a source of entertainment, you should learn to not be attached to your phone while at work. Leave it in the truck if you have to but recognize that you are there to work and learn, not be entertained! If there is a reason for you to have your phone handy in case someone NEEDS to reach you (a relative is sick or your wife is about to go into labor or something like that), let your journeyman know the situation and they will most assuredly understand and accommodate you. We are not MONSTERS after all!!
We hope this has been an insightful look into what the early days of your apprenticeship would look like. Is there a topic you would like to see discussed on Electrician U? Leave a comment in the comments section and let us know. Please continue to follow Dustin and Electrician U as we are constantly updating our content to assist our followers in becoming the best electricians that they can be.
#electrician #electrical #electricity
I love how you said “if you’re afraid of heights this the perfect job to get over it” instead of saying “then this isn’t the job for you”
Yep, saw another post from an electrician that said they were afraid of heights. Then proceed to climb 25-30’ of scaffolding to install a light under the eve.
Agreed. Facing it is the best option.
I’m afraid of heights still as a journeyman. I’ve learned I’m not afraid of heights just falling. I’ve been fortunate enough to have good foremen who allow me the ability to take my time and be cautious which has helped me tremendously. Working on man lifts I have no problem. Ladders is another story
im afraid of heights but being an electrician has definitely helped with that fear
i have full on acrophobia, hard wired, cant fix, yet did fine as a Marine, shitting my pants fast roping, at nite, cant see the end of the rope, i absolutely HATE ladders, scaffolds i didnt put up myself, etc. i still do what i have to, but im no where near as fast as someone who isnt afraid of heights,.. however... under ground, submerged, dark, pressing on all sides, no air, ... dont bother me in any way at all.
Unfortunately, a lot of journeyman don't explain or try to train. I really appreciate working with a journeyman that puts some effort into training. Even if it's a "no dummy, you screwed up" type of training. At least they're letting me learn, even if it is with some tough love.
My journeyman let me install all the outlets in a 10,000 sq foot mansion. Before he said hey, they need to be 2 inches higher. Guess what I got to do the rest of the day. Go back and fix every one of them. I mean I wasn't sitting around for sure but my productivity for the day was pretty low in actual work completed.
@brad baxter oof, giving detailed explanations is important when training. I used to be in restaurant management and have a lot of experience with training people. If you don't give details, it will get done however the trainee thinks it should get done. 😂
Best journeyman I ever had would take a couple minutes to explain what we were doing if we hadn't done before, mention some relevant code rules, and allow me to ask questions before we got to work. On the commute in the van he would insist that I pick his brain. I figure it probably helped him retain the knowledge long term.
I had learned more from my fellow apprentices, than I ever did with my lead electrician. The amount of times I got told to do something, not explained how to do it, ended up doing it wrong and getting yelled at for it. Now I'm the guy that over explains everything
@@marcosraphael2604I when through the same thing and realized after a point that this dude wasn't interested in training me
The biggest 3 rules as an apprentice. #1. Bring your lunch! Even if all the guys are gonna go out to lunch, and you can join them. Save it for tomorrow. We use to go out for lunch every Friday and take an hour and work a little later that day to make up for it. It was nice and a nice way to cap off the week. But I still brought my lunch just in case we couldn't, like in the middle of a big pull or watching a concrete pour. #2 Be on time! Do not be pulling into the parking lot at starting time. You should be at your job trailer or job site or whatever a few minutes before starting time. It isn't gonna kill ya. Why? So the foreman knows who is there and what jobs to have the guys do and who to team up with who. When you show up late,even just 15 minutes you louse up the assignments and now the forman has to layout everything again just to accommodate you. #3. Dress appropriately. Wear substancial work shoes. No sneakers. Good leather boots or work shoes. Not necessarily steel toes unless it's mandatory for that work site. Everyone hates steel toes. No matter how you try, around afternoon your toes are bumping that steel all day and they hurt. But you should have a pair. Wear rugged pants. There are good work shorts like the UPS guys wear that you may want to wear in the hot summer, but you'll need long pants most of the time. And no holes! You never know where your gonna be working. You wanna make a professional appearance. You're not "stylin" like you were Alan Jackson or something. You don't need a uniform. Just a decent work shirt and pants.
The phone issue is very real. Some just aren't mature enough to disconnect and leave it alone.
So I'm in my 3rd week of learning how to be an electrician....I can do plugs, regular light switches and I just learned GFCI receptacles!!! I run to the van a lot and grab tools and stuff and that's cool I've learned to identify so much. so far I love it!!!
Week 6 learn how to rough-in a house entirely by myself.I love that I'm getting so much experience already!!
I've been a commercial apprentice for around a year and a half and I can say this is some of the best advice you could apply to your first days. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, that is where you can learn the most! 👍
Do be afraid of making the same mistake twice.
Hey man I want to be an apprentice, how do I find a company to do a commercial apprenticeship? Also can I change from commercial to residential or industrial?
Exactly. But the important thing about Making mistakes... is to learn from them and not repeat.
@@paulinoleal5592 so here in Oregon you apply to the apprenticeship program and once you get through the interview process you are can get picked up by any company. I was just lucky to get picked up by a commercial company. As for the license in Oregon the general journey man license covers commercial, residential, and industrial. But if you just get an industrial license then that is all it is good for. Not sure what state you live in but they are all a little different so you should call around to the trade schools 👍. Hope that helps brotha
@@paulinoleal5592 Where do you live?
I started following you because I'm seriously considering getting into this industry. I'm 40, willing to work and learn. I used to be a cable guy, so I'm apt to this type of work. This video was a sign. I'm going for it.
go for it, I am 38 and enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship course for later this year - I reckon it will be awesome work, physical but also need to use your brains too!
@@blairwilson9272 yup. I'm looking into one now. Good luck, buddy!
I'm 56, going to be 57 at the end of February. I'm a year and a half into my apprenticeship. Loving every minute of it!
I decided to go at 18
You surely must already have seen electricians and there helpers at work, so you already have a good idea of what to expect.
I'm having my new apprentice watch this video. You touch on some very good points. When I was new, the journeymen tried to make me quit. They weren't nice to me at all. But they couldn't and stuck it out.
Personally, I really want to train. I want my experience to carry on when I retire.
train me r u in ny
In 1978, I started working in the shop of a big local electrical contractor after school when I was 15. I emptied gang boxes and cleaned tools that came back from jobs, sorted and restocked nuts, bolts, hangers, conduit fittings, etc. and learned what everything was. When I turned 17, I went out on jobs as a summer helper then as soon as I was eligible, I was accepted into a four year apprenticeship.
I became a journeyman in 1985.
It's been a great career and I was fortunate to be able to get job exposure from everything from multifamily housing to nuclear power generating stations, malls, office buildings, and switch yards.
Sounds like you guys did a shit job at teaching him. lol
Going on month 3 of my apprenticeship and this cant be more true i have been in the shop the whole time putting material requisitions together and counting inventory running to electrical suppliers receiving freight truck and organizing large jobs and delivering materials to job sites. it has been a great way to learn all the different materials i cant way to be put out in the field eventually
As a electrical contractor for 40 plus years I so much appreciate this video and your message to the apprentice. Your Spot on and I am one of those old school guys. If I may add that work ethic is everything make your boss proud He will be more interested in mentoring you
Absolutely. Give 115% everyday! And you will learn 😌 im excited to become an electrician
Thats encouraging to hear
Especially coming from the Boss
Fortunately I'm the type who respects the process. I don't want anything if it ain't earned
In trade school right now, just trying to learn and absorb as much as I can. I’m ready to work. I literally don’t care what it takes. Love these videos!
At work right now but came across this video. Calling my school to get enrolled in their electrician program so I can start to get trained & certified. I’m 27 and just tired of the warehouse/delivery work. Just time for a change and something I can be confident doing. Thank you so much for this!
I'm with you on that, brother. I've been in retail most of the time and tired of doing delivery also. Just want to learn something useful and pay well. I've been thinking hard on becoming an apprentice myself.
@@dgc7742 sounds great to me brother and I’m hoping nothing but the best on your journey, I’ve put in my date to start my application so I’m excited for this journey for the both of us my friend
Thank you! I’m a 34 year old husband and dad of 4 kids, and I am considering becoming an electrician. I should’ve started years ago, but I have a good work ethic and I am eager to learn. 🤙🏻
Go union. These non unions will take advantage of you
@@luis-nu2dk I’m in trade school and everyone in my class wants to go to union lol
34 year old mom of 4 starting this soon! Did you ever start?
The worst apprentice I ever saw was when I worked for a telco subcontractor installing co-locations in central offices. He had a week of class training and then assigned to us in the field. The first task we gave him was to cut a length of cable in half that was already run out on the floor in our storage area. It was roughly 300ft of 25-pair for a cross-connect panel we were going to pull into a cable tray. It was actually rolled out such that all you needed to do was align the ends and cut it in the middle. Simple. He was gone for two hours and brought us three pieces of cable. Apparently, he decided to read the length stamping on the jacket, do the math and calculate where to cut it in the middle. He miscalculated, and cut it in the wrong place. Then to make matters worse, he recalculated found his error, and cut the cable again as if that would fix the problem. To say we were astounded is an understatement. So, we had him doing some cleanup for the rest of the morning. At lunch an argument broke out when he insisted that if you cut a sandwich into to halves, you now have two sandwiches. Not two halves of a sandwich, but two sandwiches. He doubled down and insisted that a pizza, sliced into eights, is now eight pizzas. He was so insistent that he was getting red in the face, bulging veins in his neck, etc. The final straw was, one of our journeyman was on a ladder and asked to borrow the apprentice's #2 Phillips screwdriver and he responded that all he had were Klein screwdrivers. Needless to say the foreman sent him back to the office. We don't know what happened to him after that.
Common sense isnt so common.. if your new and have a problem with the task at hand, ASK A QUESTION PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LOL.
😂
Thanks for that lol gold 😂
What happened to him is that he was eventually placed in the best possible environment for him to start out in the work force by beginning his training in either Subway Sandwiches or Dominos Pizza.
I wish I came across a video like this 7 years ago. By the grace of God I’m a journeyman now.
How old are you?
@@tyd3407 36
Good for you man I’m 20 and highly considering going for this trade. Hopefully all goes well
@@808_dream Go for it. Best decision you’ll ever make. With electrical, you’ll never be out of work.
@@alromero5685do you need to have experience???
I’m on week 4 of my apprenticeship, the company I work for does new construction on multi unit projects. Every day is balls to the wall, you might trim a couple units in the morning. Hang drop ins after lunch then scramble to
Rough a unit cause the drywall guys decided to show up for once.
Day one my foreman was like off you go, learn fast cause we can’t slow down. It’s been really exciting. I’m very fortunate the guys on my crew are patient and helpful.
Yo bro how you doing right now please reply if you see I want to get into it be honest let me know everything help a brother out🙏🏾
I love this dude's channel.
If you're considering joining the trade, watch Dustin's videos and you're gonna have a leg up on your fellow apprentices and actually know quite a bit of theory and practical information that you can expand on.
It's so crazy to see where I started 5 years ago, watching your first few apprentice help videos. To now, I have my j card and am watching these revised apprentice help videos. Crazy how fast time has gone.
Love all your content brother, I wish you can have more topics about life or just random thoughts that cross your mind, love the way you express your thoughts
Only electrician I've ever seen with chemistry and particle physics books on the shelf! My man shattering the myth that tradespeople have to be dumb jocks or one trick ponies.
They're just for looks, electricians can't read
I was an electrical engineer before I was an electrician. Gave me a unique insight into the technical side of the work. You can also find electricians from time to time who just want to know something about everything and might take unexpected classes at the local community college for their own use. I know a guy that has something like nine associate degrees on a number of subjects from chemistry and engineering to journalism and psychology. He has been in college continuously for more than 25 years taking a class here and there.
I am a high school teacher who is currently teaching Electrical and Electronics classes. I am in my last year of teaching and am more of the “old school “ type. I still try to get across to my students that when they are out in the work world or if they decide to apprentice in a trade they need to show that they are willing to work. It is pretty obvious which of my students will struggle for the reasons you talked about. They are too concerned with being on their phones or trying to avoid doing the work. However I still see many students who are hard workers, ask good questions and want to do a good job. Keep making your great videos. I find them educational, and also entertaining. Which is the key to getting people to learn.
I’m 24 and I start my first ever electrical job in a few days. I’m so excited and determined to give it all I got. After completing trade school I still feel like I didn’t know as much as I should but this video helped me understand that as long as I’m a proactive learner combined with my fluent tool use and what little knowledge I already have will be enough to make myself a good prospect in the trade. Wish me luck!
How was it?
@@lieutenantkhaos I love it so far i have so much to learn still and I’m still very green but I’m getting cleaner and more knowledgeable everyday. I took on my first side job yesterday and successfully completed the project made $50 for an hour of work no material needed.
@@explorersclub4743 nice job bro, any new updates ?
Updates ?
How you doing now bro??
This video, even though made for electricians, is "on point" for every job. I remember being an engineering aide in a division engineer's office for the first time in 1965 when I was 17 between my freshman and sophomore years at college. I am 76 now.
I am apart of gen z and I totally see people my age that don’t understand work ethic, I have had many times with both school and work where I have to relay on a coworker or partner on a group project to get a certain part done only for them to be on TikTok or instagram or whatever they are involved in and push it back. That’s also why I have this thought sometimes where I need to do everything as I can’t rely on other people to do their part
Man O Man you hit the nail on the head ...sat my boy down to listen to you ...Thx
This came at the perfect time. Starting my pre employment courses in a month, hopefully get into an apprenticeship right after that.
I don't have a fear of heights, I have a fear of unplanned landings. I look forward to the adrenaline rush of confronting that fear regularly.
Starting my first day In the morning, I appreciated this video thank you!
I’m 25 and was raised by the old school guys. A lot of good tips in this video. I’ve helped some buddys and my moms ex boyfriend when I was about 13 do electrical and decided to finally get a full time job doing electrical. Staying off your phone is going to put you ahead of everyone else these days.
Im excited for this. Ive been doing community college for a couple years and im just sick of it, thinking i might learn a trade
Bro seems mad chill. Trying to get into an apprenticeship at 30, super hyped I found your channel! Hoping I can make this happen 🙏🏼
As a "New Guy" I have to say this hits perfect. I spent last year being the person who knew where things the "doers" needed that were hidden in the depths of the truck's "back seat", which wasn't that hard since I had to sit back there with all of it. This year I have been elevated to sitting in the front seat, and am permitted to use most the power tools.
Love the rant about the differences and relationship between the older and newer generations.
Thank you for this video, it has helped to boost my confidence to figure out what I will be doing as an Electrician and an Electrician's Apprentice. I am still in school to learn the trade and I am really excited to get started. Thank you for all the tips, this is really helpful.
New to you Set:
I like that you added a VOM (analog "volt, ohm, meter") to your set.
Excellent short video and trying to instill a work ethic to an apprentice, that's why ex-military people work out so well they used to following orders.
tomorrow will be 1 year as an electrician, your videos have helped me immensely.
Best explanation ever!!! Thank you thank you thank you. Awesomeness!!!
All you are saying, is exactly right.
I would have liked listening to this in the beginning.
100% agree with you on this video! I feel like I’m in between as well I know when there’s a time and place to be on a phone. Worth ethic can take you a long way and some of the younger generation don’t understand that! It seems as if though they want to be entrepreneurs, don’t get me wrong there’s nothing wrong with that either but we need more tradesmen/tradeswomen in our world!
The work ethic thing is so real, man. I'm not one to pile on the new generation and say that they are soft, but the fact is modern life is a lot easier and more convenient than a couple of decades ago. Hard work is really few and far between for most kids. I will say, though I think there is hope. A lot of it is based on the individual. I know when I first saw what hard work was it was awe inspiring. There's nothing more respectable to me than a relentless work ethic.
17 year old apprentice here, this generation is probably more soft because of the technology but I offer to work weekends after working Monday-Friday because I love learning and I show up early I hope to teach the next generation right
Exactly. Young kids just don’t seem to take pride in their work at all. It’s sad to say every job I’ve ever had all I’ve come to realize is the majority of people you work with are lazy, whine and do their best to avoid working as much as possible. Convenience is exactly the problem and honestly most of them will never understand
As someone that got sold up shit creek on the college path, I think that has something to do with it. We are teaching young men that sitting down with their heads down is productive and will make them money. It doesn't work out for most of them, they just get debt, a lazy work ethic for physical work, burnt out from doing mental work, and no job at the end.
The Gen-Z that I work with purposefully try to do no work and the bosses encourage it. It's a bullshit factory, office work. Don't like it. It's about doing as little as possible, not being rewarded for your hard effort.
Great information and entertaining about the training. Sounds familiar because goes across all or most trades.
I loved your approach to the apprentices. I'm in a completely different industry, but do the same. Give them something to start with day 1. Answer questions, ask them questions, recommend sites and videos to go look at. Only once have I sent one to get my lunch :) Of course when they f-it-up explain what they did wrong. Most laugh about how little they knew at the end of the first week once they realize we expect them to have to learn.
Great commentary and insightful advice all around but it really boils down to what he touches on at the end. 18:04. If you can wrap your mind around those two things and show your bosses and fellow apprentices that you’re there to work, you’re golden.
Great advice dawg I’m 20 highly considering electrician work so really appreciate the tips
Start my first day through IBEW on Monday. Ready for my journey!
OMG, Thank you for the whole phone thing, I teach high school pre-apprentice class and I am going to show this video to my students this semester about the phone thing. I totally agree about apprentices OR journeymen on the phone for social reasons and NOT work reasons. This generation of people don't understand. I am in mt 50's and half way get it but I teach employablity skills in my students and not being on the phone is one of them. Thanks man!
I just started last week working for electrician. I came in as a laborer and they had me installing lights by the end of the day. Of course I'm 36 and it probably done every other trade a construction site has. Plus I came prepared most every tool I needed except a tape measure that doesn't break when you extended more then 2 feet. That's critical when you're up 30 ft I'm trying to measure off 57 in from the wall.
im happy that when i started i actually knew what i was doing because i switched to a trade school and wanted to try electricity and i learned so much so when i started i was confident
My first day was bending 41 1" EMT, then building boxes to attach to that conduit. Trial by Prefab!
Thank you. I just applied for an apprenticeship position now that I watched this video I feel very good about it.
If you're keeping your phone on you, go into your notification settings and uncheck all the social media apps. This way you won't get distracted by social media, or any other non essential app, but if say your wife calls you cause she had to go to the hospital, then you can get that call. Then after work you can choose to turn the notifications back on, or eventually you realise how nice it is to not get bombarded by notifications all day, and you get to choose when to be on social media, and not have social media dictate to you when it wants you on.
I'm so grateful that the Electrical Contractor I started with allowed me to work with my hands on Day 1. The first week I just installed devices but in my 2nd week they allowed me to work in a rough in with supervision.
You're really lucky. I've been lucky in that respect too. I've only been in the program since June and I've been able to do a variety of stuff from underground to rough in to trim.
Very good tips ! Thank you
Great video! Thanks! I have to buy some merch to support the channel.
Starting trade school in a month, looking forward to starting this out!
I am a younger individual looking into becoming an electrician and I have been told already in the job I am in to take initiative and to ask to work harder. I am the type of person to get really bored when I do not have something to do. they are teaching me right now at my job to be present and to have confidence in myself. I did not realize until this video that this trade may be a very good fit for me. thank you!
thanks for this helps a lot going for apprenticeship wish me luck rlly wana do it
I can't wait to get into this industry!
Ive been working with a fire alarm company for 7 months now this helped me a lot.
I was extremely afraid of heights, and still fight it.
Yesterday, I had to climb out of a boom lift 40ft up onto a 45 degree shingled rooftop, and the scramble up to the peek to swap a light fixture!!😅
I’m so glad I found this video I have just graduated high school early and got a call few days ago and next thing I know I’m working on Monday for an apprenticeship I straight up quit my job at target and I’m very excited to learn this trade I know it’ll be a lot of hard work
How did is it going
@@knappyjr7489 yo I totally forgot about this comment but im still with the company and I am in school and the company is paying for it as long as my grades are good. The pay is great for a first year too but definitely this is my career for life. Love learning every step of the way.
Three sayings I heard from my time in the trade. 1- If your not mechanically inclined your going to struggle. 2-In relation to pulling wire better looking at it than looking for it. 3- If you don`t make your boss money he`s got no use for you.
I like this video!
Someone new needs to respect and follow direction.
When you show your ability to do so, you will be trusted and given more responsibilities.
As your skills and knowledge advance, you will have an understanding and respect of how the many tasks required by a team of professionals only work as a team.
Your first person experience will allow you to understand how to have others assist you to complete your ever changing goals.
We are all learning and teaching. The fastest way to success is to respect everyone at every level advance from their current status.
Follow your mentors and strive to become one yourself while remembering you once where a novice yourself.
First day on the job I have to drill holes in studs 36in up then pull wire through those studs at the end of the day sweep up wood shavings
What you lack in experience you will make up for with muscle... If its your first day as an apprentice in any trade, make sure you eat your Wheaties that morning
Dude, I want you as my teacher when I start this. I’m 33 doing a career change and have no idea what I’m doing. Your teaching style is exactly what I want/need
I’m moving from Sales to this field. Hopefully it’s a good choice. :)
I’m 19 and I want to get into this career or welding trying to see which career path would be better
@@gratestever6409 welding is terrible for your health which you probably don’t care about right now, but you will when you become an old man if you make it that far. I’m only 24 and working in construction I see a lot of younger guys taking their health for granted trying to be macho but there’s nothing macho about losing your vision or hearing. It makes you weaker in fact. Take this from someone almost of peak physical condition who has experienced multiple chronic injuries.
First day on the job, well half the day was safety orientation but after that was out in the Texas summer heat in FRs learning how to cut thread and bend 2" on a side winder.
Organizing equipment is a fantastic way to familiarize new guys with names
when I was first year, a journeyman I worked under would ask me to go do site clean up and garbage run every day, and he would tell me to save up all the scrap wire if I happen to see some when I am doing site clean up, he would put it in a bin in his van, and I always thought he is gonna sell it and keep it to himself, a while later the bin was full, we drove to the scrap yard, he sold everything and handed me half the cash and told me something like "you did a good job cleaning up every day, and without a clean site, things won't be very productive" lol it was like 120 bucks, not much but the thought was really nice. I think because of that experience, I never dislike cleaning up the site, even though now I don't have to, I still clean up alongside the apprentices whenever I can.
I needed to hear that bit at 6:30.
I really appreciate how you went from professional video persona to journeyman teaching the fucking apprentice
Skilled labor is probably the last jobs that will still exist when robots take over because it is so hard to train or let alone build a robot to do the same thing. It is also incredibly expensive to shield big electronics from even static electricity let alone voltage from a panel.
Hey Dustin love the content,just wondering if you've had an apprentice who wanted to master electrical and another trade and then start a contracting company which does electrical and that other trade, and what is your opinion on mastering electrical then another trade in pursuit of having a contracting company that does those two trades
PS: I want to be an electrical and HVAC contractor
"you're gonna have to suck for a while" love that😆
Dustin is a great motivational speaker
I've been on jobs i didn't have anything to do for weeks working 6 12's . Sometimes you get paid for just your time. Some days my only job was to go pick up food for lunch .
Helll yeah
At 48 yo this is my first week of a new career as Electricians apprentice. Thanks for the heads up on what to expect.
I just hired a new apprentice. And I am Definitely going make him watch this video.
Thanks for the video. I could not have done a better job at explaining this.
The differences between journeyman and apprentices that the journeyman has knowledge and experience. The work in and of itself is all journeyman work. If an apprentice isn't doing the "mundane" work, a journeyman is doing it. When I got into the electrical trade that's the thing that I always thought. Now I do jobs on my own and sometimes they guy in charge. The company I work for is really small and so I have very little leadership opportunities, but my boss trusts me to do things right. As far as I know of there haven't been any complaints, but I have heard plenty of compliments and asking for me to go back for further work. So just remember, anything pertaining to your trade is not below you.
I'm a 33 immigrant, and going to change my career from a teacher to an electrician. Tomorrow will be my 1st day as an apprentice, which is quite nervous and stressful.
How did you find it
@@RioDsaiI'm in Canada. Just keep looking for any electric company that would willing to hire an apprentice. I've been working for almost a month.
@@bosco2814 I mean do you think it's getting on
@@RioDsai I'm definitely in the process of learning and getting used to the basic tasks, like installing boxes and cord lining. However, having a good supervisor/mentor makes a big difference. My first supervisor was patient and knowledgeable, and I learned a lot from him. Otherwise, understanding the underlying logic can be quite challenging.
Thanks for the video man!
I'm 20yrs old from Australia. I got 86ATAR but chose not to go to Uni so I could explore my options. I've done construction, sales, coding and now I'm ultimately considering to becoming an electrician. It's the only trade that's interesting to me because even humans are electric. I want to own a business but I do understand that it's critical that I become a good electrician first.
If I end up becoming an electrician I want to learn and work as much as I can in the 4 years.
I understand I'll probably work harder than what I get paid but the skills I would've developed will compound my money. Hoping to get really good at being an electrician within 6 years and then starting my business, hoping to create a business with millions of revenue by 30. Maybe I find a really good electrician with decades of experience and I become the sales & marketing guy.
Video notes from what I remember after watching once over:
- Day 1 jobs depend on the type of electrical work but in general I'll be doing the mundane tasks like transporting tools around or sweeping.
- Focus on not taking the older guys impatience to heart since they were probably raised by very strict parents.
- Don't quit just because it gets hard. Everything is difficult in the beginning and you just have to utilise a good work ethic to push through. Once you have good muscle memory and are in flow it'll be more enjoyable.
If I do end up getting into an electrician apprenticeship I'll definitely check out your course to speed up learning time.
Its a great trade! Go for it Man!
Hey, got a question for you. So I’m finishing high school and trade school at the same time right now and I’m looking for a place to work at after I graduate and I’ve been offered a job at solar panels company so I wanted to ask you if you could make a video about solar panels and how they work, and if it’s something you should give a try as a new electrician going into this field. Thank you👍
I remember my helper after six months finally was able to pull the home runs in an eight hour shift so the next day I had him sit on the hot water heater basin and watch me do it which took a half hour and then he found out how shitty he really was.
Once you've done a thing many times, you are primed to learn the most from an expert because you immediately focus on the things he is doing faster and better than you. The first time you see an expert at work, there are a thousand things he's doing that you're not familiar with, so much of it just goes over your head.
If he understood and tries to get a little better each day, then he's a keeper
I was working on a residential site with my father one summer. We had to replace some gas pipe. I had been digging a 120 ft ditch since 7:30 a.m. And I mean digging in that thick clay with gravel and rock stuff. We sat down around 12:30 to have our lunch and I noticed this machine being delivered down the road. You sat on it, and it had a big bar on the front like a chainsaw. Oh that's a Ditch Witch. It can dig ditches six foot down, doesn't even care if there's rocks. Then I asked, why didn't we get one for this job? Well if the boss rented that machine, then he wouldn't have money for you now would he? Son you are our Ditch Witch. I got a little down thinking about how easy it would have been to replace me with a machine. It would have been quicker and with less effort. I guess the boss noticed I wasn't in my normal chipper mood because at the end of the day he came to me and said, tools can be replaced, but good workers are hard to come by. That shovel and that Ditch Witch do the exact same job. But if you don't have somebody that knows how to use that tool, then it's useless. The tool is only as good as the person using it. I learned what it means to be an apprentice that day, about the values that was placed on my work, and how me as a person can also add to the company.
6:40 As a wise dog once said, "Sucking at something is the first step to being kinda good at something."
The first thing I ever did on a job site was demo drop in 2x4 lights. Could have been way worse .
I start my first day in monday which is also my 21st birthday 😅. Can’t wait though I have no expectations but I just want to learn and soak up as much info as I can and work as hard as I can and do whatever I’m asked of
Hey I was wondering if you could make a video of making up a 3 gang box with a 3 way in it or maybe multiple 3 ways and other stuff but explain what every wire does in the box and just how it all works
I dont have the certifications yet to be on job sites. I will soon. Can't wait for my first apprentice job.
10:05 is true. my first week of apprenticeship I was pulling outside light SLs on each exposed balcony of an apartment. Tied in but on the balcony on a 5 foot ladder, 5 stories up. cutting in scared the shit out of me
Day one I was putting whips in lights on the ceiling grid
I'm the old (69) one that has phone issue is very real and this was a great video and I'm so happy you have put this out. Should be part of all training every day.
Get with the times old man lol. Na it’s one thing when it’s all day long doing non work related things on the phone. Like me I’m 42 years old and have been in this trade for 25 years. I started back before phone were a big deal. But now I use my phone to look up a lot of information while I’m on the job. I’m self employed but still. As long as it’s being used for the right things at the right times then it’s not that big of a deal. Especially if the Person is productive and makes you money.
@@alphasaiyan5760 you can have the code book on your phone in digital form. It can make finding info easier as you can search for specific terms.
@@FishFind3000 exactly sir 👍
I'm pretty sure what he ment was when people used their phone when its not work related.
@@simple3316 lol yeah but they don’t care. They just immediately assume it’s something not work related. So it doesn’t matter anyway.
Is there a good book with pics of these electric parts that an apprentice could reference before his first day?
Make sure to also have some tools and a small side bag to carry them or even backpack
If you have the tools- you can do more and not be bored
Came across this video... I remember everything he's talking about. A good help that goes far, pays attention to the guy your working with. You have to be one step a head of him. Getting him what ever he needs. That's how you make people want to show you stuff. Prove that your not gonna waste his time, and make him want you on his truck. I'm a chic. I have never been treated with anything but respect, from anyone who mattered on the job site, and well... you learn to deal with the others in a way that works, wink wink-don't take shit from anyone... I'm soo afraid of heights. My soul leaves my body every time that I'm in a boom, like 60' on a windy day!!!! I just pull my big girl panties on. Get my work done and get the hell down. You'll do stuff you never thought you would do. Like stand on the top platform of a 12,14,16' latter, no strings! I say a little prayer, and step up. Life is about pushing yourself. Be someone who gets shit done! What are you gonna do cry like a baby, and be one of those people that don't come back after lunch! Hell No grow the F up!
I’m 16 and looking into getting into this field. Thank you for your insight!
Dude send it, find a local dude to start doing stuff for. Us young guys have it good- easy to be better than the other shmucks.
@@michaelwarnock3988 I’ll look into it! Thank you for the advice
Don't, stay in college.
@@thezedunderurbed1049 Why do you say that?
@@thezedunderurbed1049 college is a scam unless youre going for the right degree
Just took a tile apprenticeship. It's basically the same shit. You're a runner. Go grab shit. Make sure you watch what I'm doing! Now you do it. Etc. Mundane work at times. Grunt work at times. But I love it. They love me. Great video. If you don't have work ethic, don't even bother.
I'm an apprentice working for 4 months now for commercial. Not only does my supervisors teach me about parts and tasks, they also instill the fear of OSHA. For example, a week in I did what the guy at 9:45 did, got chewed out for it, and was told to find a bigger ladder. I was also told that if I got caught again then I would be tasked with retrieving every abandoned ladder owned by the company on site (which could range from 6 ft to 12 ft tall).
Every day I m learning very good facts