By Terry Smith, owner of Legacy Plumbing Services
In the March issue of Plumbing Africa, I discussed how hiring an apprentice is not for the faint hearted, which covered who the stakeholders are in within the apprenticeship ecosystem and listed the role and responsibilities of a host employer (Part 1). Last month’s issue covered how to help an apprentice apply their knowledge in a working environment (Part 2)…
In this issue, Part 3 of the Apprenticeship Journey, I want to flip the conversation, to speak to prospective apprentices about their role and responsibilities when being hosted at a plumbing company:
- Plumbing is not just a job, a means to an end, or a paycheck. It needs to be something that you want to be challenged by. You must love solving problems, following regulations, reading building plans, working on different tasks, being in different workspaces and seeing different clients every day.
- Naturally, being an apprentice will help you refine your understanding of the different dynamics in plumbing, and this is part of the learning and discovery process.
- Discuss your learning needs with your host plumbing company. For example, how far are you in college? Which aspects do you need practical experience with? What interests you, and what are your strengths? Talk about the paperwork that you might need completed or signed – attendance registers, list of jobs and hours spent on site, POE’s to be signed.
- Every plumbing company will operate differently, although all within the same legislative framework and PIRB Plumbing Codes of Conduct. Understand the dynamics of your learning environment and what the company specialises in. It is critical to understand their ‘ways of working’ and ‘company values’.
- Be respectful to the individuals that you are working with, who are sharing their valuable experience and time. There is no material benefit to them, other than the joy of mentoring and guiding someone.
- While you are apprenticing at a plumbing company, you will need to comply with their rules and regulations. For instance, if you need to take a day’s leave, you need to advise your host company of this in advance.
- Be prepared for physically demanding work in piping hot or freezing cold weather. Ask any plumber who has changed a geyser in midsummer on a tin roof, or a plumber who must deal with a burst water main late at night in mid-winter.
- Since you are working with water, know that you are going to be getting wet but mostly dirty. (Think of the dust created when chasing the walls to install copper pipes, rainy days digging trenches or climbing in dark, dusty ceilings to change geyser elements and thermostats).
- Learning is not only acquired by hands-on participation, but by watching and listening to discussions that plumbers are having. When there are tight deadlines, a plumber will do the work himself. If there is more time, he will let you, as the apprentice, do the work. The reality is that no client wants plumbers on their property for longer than is necessary. It is important to understand this and try not to take anything personally on site. In your first year of being an apprentice, you will likely be doing a lot of running around and assisting the qualified plumbers by doing tasks such as digging, chopping, fetching tools, and cleaning up after the work is completed. Once you master a task, you will likely be given more opportunities to grasp new skills.
- Don’t give up if you have a less than a fantastic day. Life is never perfect. Whether you had a good or bad experience, it is still valuable learning. My motto is, “Each day will bring a new chance to start afresh and try again.” So, learn from your mistakes and keep going.
- If you are unhappy about something, talk to your supervisor and find a way forward. Never leave it to the point that you walk out and do not contact the host company. Your growth involves learning how to have, what might be, uncomfortable yet necessary conversations.
- Build trust with your host employer and the plumber who you work directly with. Asking questions and being eager to participate shows your willingness to be part of the team. This will earn you trust and respect. And it may even earn you a job once you have completed your training!
- After your apprenticeship, write a note thanking your host company for having you. Host companies like to know what they did well and how they can add more value to another apprentice. A thank you note, letter or e-mail, shows that you are a business professional, and this will stand you in good stead in the years to come.
I do believe that knowledge is power, and the more discussions that take place when being interviewed for an apprenticeship position, and during the apprenticeship itself, the more you and your host company will be aligned. And this lays the foundation for daily learnings, enjoyment, healthy teamwork, and a love for plumbing both now and in the future!
(Editor’s comment: Plumbing Africa thanks Terry for the time he took to share his knowledge and provide good and sound advice to both employers and apprentices. There is nothing better than having articles from people on the ground who have been through the loop.)