Coordinators Report

Brothers and Sisters,

We are starting the process of bringing in new apprentices. This will be my first class as Training Director. I am always open to suggestions on how to help these students learn. I had a great talk with a brother the other day, he almost apologized for giving a less than great score on the apprentice’s evaluation. We talked and I let him speak his mind. Later in the day the apprentice came to me asking if he could come in early every night to practice bending. This is what I took from this exchange. The apprentices want to know if they are falling behind, they want to learn from a Journeyman that loves his job and is passionate about his student’s future. We have all been there.  How do we create a better learning atmosphere?  That apprentice has spent an hour every night before his scheduled class to make himself a better student.

The apprenticeship is a privilege. Some forget that. We as members pay for that student to get a great education in the classroom for about 1100 hours. They are then taught over 8000 hours by the best paid, most skilled of instructors on the job.  They are not there as laborers, they are students.

As an apprentice it is your responsibility to be on the job before start time. Ready to learn not just collecting a paycheck. If you think this is just a job let me know. I will personally help you write up your resume to work anywhere else. You are learning to be a craftsman, let that sink in. Our Journeymen are counting on you to uphold the high goals we all have for this industry. What separates us from others is the dedication to be great every day. Is every day great?... Do we wake up feeling great every day? …Does our Journeyman or foreperson come in feeling great every day?...   If your answer is yes you need to be tested for something. Professionalism is the toughest thing to carry with you when times are hard.  Focus on the skills ahead of you and create a positive work place. 

Your responsibilities on the job:

Step 1 PREPARE TO BE AN APPRENTICE you need to be there every day early, and attentive to what needs to be done. BE SAFE

Step 2 UNDERSTAND THE JOB TASK Listen, focus, find the best way to understand your journeyman. You know how your memory skills work, your journeymen do not, it is on you to remember all key steps.

Step 3 MASTER THE TASK Start slow and be precise. Check your work. Master the skill then work on doing it perfect and quickly. Mastering a skill is when you can do it correctly, by memory, efficiently.

Step 4 FOLLOW UP Allow the Journeyman to help you get better and perform the task on your own.  Ask if you need their assistance.  Ask yourself the question first, do I know the answer? Sometimes we ask because it is easier than remembering the important points of each task.

Step 5 ALLOW THE JOURNEYMAN TO BE HONEST No one wants you to fail. Honest evaluations are your best way of getting better. 

 On any given year over 500 people apply for an average of 25-30 opportunities to become a Journeyman. If you made it and cannot uphold your end, let us know I am sure 470 people will want it more.

Thank everyone for working with us to create the Journeymen of the future.

Sincerely,

Joe Gambill

Quote of the Month

 “Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you.” —John C. Maxwell