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Old 31-10-2008, 08:46 AM   #32
Charliewool
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ojochal, Costa Rica (Pura Vida!)
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Having 4 apprentices employed in my business, 3 of who I "inherited" from other companies where they were not happy, I think I can comment on this one.

The reasons these 3 guys gave for not being "happy" were mainly to do with the type of work assigned them and continually being used more as "lackeys" rather than being mentored in their trade skills. Workplace bullying was not mentioned. (and I believe that "apprentice torture" is a rarity now days)

There are so many businesses that see an apprentice as cheap labour to do all the repetitious mundane stuff and believe the responsibility of the kid learning skills lays squarely with his trade school one day each week. And that's wrong!

Ok, we get our apprentices to clean down the lathes or mills or sweep the machine-shop most Fridays, but the rest of the time they are actively involved in the jobs and projects that are the bread and butter of our business.
With the skills that they've acquired in-house, I'd expect by the time they're late 2nd yr, to be doing most machining tasks to basic tradesman standard.

What has to be realised is that these kids actually WANT to learn!
They haven't taken up an apprenticeship to "get rich quick"! If that was the case they'd be around P&O cold-stores driving a forklift for $28 per hr rather than the 8 or 9 bucks a 1st yr gets!
They've made this sacrifice to be EDUCATED in something they are interested in and want to be GOOD AT!
And most are like a sponge with this thirst for knowledge...
Continually stifle this thirst, and you'll end up with a disgruntled young man that rapidly loses enthusiasm.

My advice is basically what you've already done with regard to getting your field officer involved. We have had the same field consultant looking after our apprentices and liaising with our business for 4yrs now, and they DO have the kids interests as their priority.

It's easy to say HTFU... But if that young man is loosing (or already lost) his enthusiasm, than he'll never be a tradesman's ar sehole!
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