Apprentices

[Kayos]

Everyone of us, has had an opportunity to learn at some point in the past. Personally speaking I think where pissible people should have apprentices. Otherwise, when were all past it, who will do what needs done.

For me 1 day a week is a waste of time with you. It should be yhe other way round 4 with you, one in big school!

It's just work experience for now, hence the 1 day a week

 

[brightspark]

It's just work experience for now, hence the 1 day a week

that's ok then give it a go its not as if you have to find work 5 days a week . ive had a few school work experience lads for a week a bit shy 1st day but settled in by the second

 

[waddycall]

We have a plumbing apprentice. He’s interested, enthusiastic and hard working. Problem he has is the firm exploiting him.

 

[gaz1]

My first questions, but how can I judge without seeing their work, don't judge a book and all that

sort of my bug bear if no one gives anyone a chance

if unsure advise college that you will give him a weeks worth of exerience and go from there

sorts out the crap from the onse that are interested

 

[gaz1]

another note say to the college one day is not enough id like them on a longer trainee experience

therefore a weeks trainee trial or 2 weeks is the prefered opurtunity

the other thing is i dont like those that dump trainees with all the crap work its unfair I know we dont like it but give the trainee a chance with good or the bad side of plumbing

not like shoving him under the floors or in ceilings like brightspark or other employees do

not a go at you brightspark its just most of us dont like the crap dusty work they need versatility with there work to gain more experience

ive always trained mine with the good and bad of the plumbing building side of it

 

[snowcat]

thats fair enough, but there is a cost - in time and money. a risk to reputation,(and potentially more time and money). and no apparent reward. in fact, if you get a good trainee [1], you'll effectively be training a competitor.

[1] i say trainee, rather than apprentice, because the *trainee* does not have any sort of employment contract with kayos.

Good people will always be looking to feather there own nest and either look for better employment with greater opportunity's or look to do it for themselves, Its the way of the world but shouldn't be a problem.

As I said if you have the time its fine, reputation isn't an issue, because quite simply your a fool if you leave an untrained inexperienced teenager on a job without close supervision, you also have to be aware that you should be clued up on HSE provide PPE, I also have additional expenses like putting under 25s on fleet insurance so they can drive the work vehicles all things must be considered you cant expect it to be some free labour exercise.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

another note say to the college one day is not enough id like them on a longer trainee experience

therefore a weeks trainee trial or 2 weeks is the prefered opurtunity

the other thing is i dont like those that dump trainees with all the crap work its unfair I know we dont like it but give the trainee a chance with good or the bad side of plumbing

not like shoving him under the floors or in ceilings like brightspark or other employees do

not a go at you brightspark its just most of us dont like the crap dusty work they need versatility with there work to gain more experience

ive always trained mine with the good and bad of the plumbing building side of it

I was lucky. First week I was swinging doors. Second week kitchen fitting. Third week. Pay rise.

 

[brightspark]

I had my nephew working with me on a weekend and in hols from 14 year old. he used to get 40 quid a day .after a few month he was connecting lights and sockets and had a good understanding how they worked .when he was 16 used to get 100 a day and was worth every penny

 

[Burdekin]

What have you got to lose and if it works out for the young person then you’ve helped someone on their way in life which is a very nice thing to do.

 

[gaz1]

I was lucky. First week I was swinging doors. Second week kitchen fitting. Third week. Pay rise.

i wasnt i got a plumber that never wanted to go under the floor in a ceiling to do those rotten jobs

even sent me up a broken wood ladder in middle of winter

always got the rotten jobs chiseling out walls and doing runs in concrete while he sat in van milking the heat in it

i let lucky that some others on a building site allowed me to dodge a little and warm up in the caravan on site

plumbing i like to do but he nearly ruined it for me, but id done it for years but for new trainees they will quit stuff this slave driver or inconsiderate ....

only paid me an extra 10 for weekend work and long hours many a time

in end i told him where to stick his trainee coarse in no uncertain terms and called him exactly what he was infront of a customer of his

 

[gaz1]

I had my nephew working with me on a weekend and in hols from 14 year old. he used to get 40 quid a day .after a few month he was connecting lights and sockets and had a good understanding how they worked .when he was 16 used to get 100 a day and was worth every penny

nephew is one thing trainee is another

 

[Nomad]

A mate runs a small car workshop and took his son on as a trainee at 16, the lad was on track to become a partner or take over the whole business but got an offer elsewhere with a big payrise and training that was too good to turn down.
Mate then took on his pals son as a trainee, all I hear is everything the lad does needs checking to make sure he's not
forgotten to tighten something important, and the lad spends all day on his phone.
ie - very different results from 2 very similar youngsters.

I often help a plumber when he has a big job, he has tried taking youngsters on as a "spare pair of hands" (during big projects, bathroom refits, etc.), he explained the youngster he hired don't learn to look ahead they just wait for instructions, for comparison older helpers watch him fix a leak a couple of times then know what tools he uses so can have things ready to hand to him.

Thoughts & ground rules :
realistically how much will he remember if he has a week between his visits to you? will you get any benefit or just have to keep repeating the basic lessons?
all phones must be off when at work (except breaktimes or lunch)
must be presentable & professional as it's your reputation at risk
must work to your hours (& be prepared for late finishes if the last job of the day takes longer than expected )
your trainee is on a trail period and you can hand him back if he's no use (part-ex for a better version?)
your personal risk (what if they injure themselves / what if your trainee is a female, etc)

Good luck, I value the training I've had over the years from friends, family, work etc - but don't think I'd risk my future by looking after a kid these days

 

[snowcat]

another note say to the college one day is not enough id like them on a longer trainee experience

therefore a weeks trainee trial or 2 weeks is the prefered opurtunity

the other thing is i dont like those that dump trainees with all the crap work its unfair I know we dont like it but give the trainee a chance with good or the bad side of plumbing

not like shoving him under the floors or in ceilings like brightspark or other employees do

not a go at you brightspark its just most of us dont like the crap dusty work they need versatility with there work to gain more experience

ive always trained mine with the good and bad of the plumbing building side of it

I have to agree, although I don't make the tea, if there's someone 25 years my junior to do so!...……

 

[brightspark]

nephew is one thing trainee is another

no he got the same sh..it as anyone else that didn't pull there weigh . I sent him home one day for being an a.. hole and he l;earned from it I don't pay real good money to someone who don't work and earn it .. had my daughter work for me for 6 month and no favours done there either . she is now a wind turbine technician working offshore

 

[gaz1]

I have to agree, although I don't make the tea, if there's someone 25 years my junior to do so!...……

hey im older id rather be the tea boy at least i get warm in a place whilst making it

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

i wasnt i got a plumber that never wanted to go under the floor in a ceiling to do those rotten jobs

even sent me up a broken wood ladder in middle of winter

always got the rotten jobs chiseling out walls and doing runs in concrete while he sat in van milking the heat in it

i let lucky that some others on a building site allowed me to dodge a little and warm up in the caravan on site

plumbing i like to do but he nearly ruined it for me, but id done it for years but for new trainees they will quit stuff this slave driver or inconsiderate ....

only paid me an extra 10 for weekend work and long hours many a time

in end i told him where to stick his trainee coarse in no uncertain terms and called him exactly what he was infront of a customer of his

Won't ask anyone to do something I'm not prepared to do myself.

Except maybe very tall ladders. fine with heights. Not with ladders. My knees shaking set up an oscillation in the ladder.

(Edit. I still climb the blooming things though)

 

[Parm]

Local college phoned me today asking if I'd like to participate in a work placement scheme, a level 2 or 3 lad who's 16-18 and wants to get into plumbing/central heating

It's one day a week and doesn't cost me anything (except I will need insurance)

Anyone done anything like this? I'm all for giving someone a chance, on the understanding my business isn't 100% conventional, but all I hear is the youth of today is useless. Plumbing groups on Facebook gave me a resounding no so thought I'd seek sensible (!) Advice here

I started my apprenticeship at 18 with British gas so I had a good oportunity

I don’t want to be negative, but good luck in finding a youngster that wants to make it.

I’ve employed lots n lots of folk.

They want to rock up and within five mins wanna be the boss

Efficking richard heads

Maybe they should learn how to wipe their bottoms after going for a no 2 first

Bad bad bad experiences, no more time for youngsters

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I don’t want to be negative, but good luck in finding a youngster that wants to make it.

I’ve employed lots n lots of folk.

They want to rock up and within five mins wanna be the boss

Efficking richard heads

Maybe they should learn how to wipe their bottoms after going for a no 2 first

Bad bad bad experiences, no more time for youngsters

It's not always the case. Had a lad on site with the brickie a few years back. Would have taken him on in a shot. Proper on the ball. Couldn't work out which way the nails went in the paslode mind.

 

[Burdekin]

I don’t want to be negative, but good luck in finding a youngster that wants to make it.

I’ve employed lots n lots of folk.

They want to rock up and within five mins wanna be the boss

Efficking richard heads

Maybe they should learn how to wipe their bottoms after going for a no 2 first

Bad bad bad experiences, no more time for youngsters

There was a decent race horse back in Oz called Richard Cranium, still makes me giggle.

 

[bigegg]

There was a decent race horse back in Oz called Richard Cranium, still makes me giggle.

Oz...

"********" was probably already taken, along with "only fit for glue"