2 Electrical Industry Legends Share Their Apprenticeship Experiences
Apprenticeships in the electrical industry are a huge part of training. More so because this is when you unlearn unnecessary concepts and relearn practical skills. You develop your style of working, get professional training, know what’s expected of you, deal with customers in the real world, and have a tangible effect on everything that you do at work. So, it shapes who you are and what you’d become. [A bonus hack -- You can also enroll in an electricians online training course while you are doing (or after completing) your apprenticeship.]
I talked about apprenticeships with two electrical industry stalwarts -- Brett Matthews and Shane Lockland -- and got to know about their experience. Let’s have a look at their answers when I asked them:
What would be the number one takeaway from your apprenticeship?
OR
What's the number one lesson that you learnt as an apprentice?
Brett Matthews
Brett Matthews was fortunate enough to work with a lot of buddies, who didn't have tolerance. You'd say if someone has to have this attitude or do these things for their apprenticeship then that would be good. If you didn't want to be there, didn't want to give 100%, didn't ask questions, didn't want to help him, didn't show attention to detail, didn't move quickly, didn't understand, didn't be interested, then the tradesman would be standoffish and say, “You don't want to learn. Why would I teach you?” Tradesman wanted to be home by a certain time, it is critical even today.
So, as an apprentice, you need to show them attention to detail, demonstrate that you want to be there, be a part of the team, and most importantly, show them that you want to be there.
Apprentice is a lifeline in an electrical sole trader's business. Be all in, be committed to them as they are committed to you. Every single person counts. These are a few things that tradesman need to expect of their apprentices.
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Shane Lockland
Lockland thinks that it is a lot easier now, than it was back in the early 2000s, without a doubt. There was a lot of more work ethic and a lot more to get done.
He learnt consistency and not to be complacent because apprentices could be fired back then. It didn't mean that if you had an apprenticeship, it would be forever. Many people did get fired because they weren't up to scratch or didn’t make substantial efforts.
Lockland put his hand up and always asked to have a go at things during his apprenticeship. He is more of a practical sort of person, getting things done was his biggest learning.
So, what's your top-most lesson from your apprenticeship? We would love to know about your experience as an apprentice, too! Leave us a comment and let us know.
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