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Apprentice Question.

4K views 52 replies 23 participants last post by  Michigan Master 
#1 ·
my teacher if you will, is one year older than me (22), so he doesnt have that age difference, he came from a tech school, but hes been an elect for the company we work for, for 3.5 years.

my (slight) issue is, this is my 2nd week, and ive been undermined a few times. im happy with the work i do, and im new to comm so im happy to take it step by step. but hes made remarks about me working slowly to me and others jokingly. i dont feel im being sensitive about it but im trying to accustom as fast as i can. granted id rather go slow and do it right (considering im doing some things for the first time) then quick and have to do it all over again. hell sometimes say, "hey by the way, dont forget to make your terminations the same way as the direction you turn the screw.." he might as well explain what copper is because i must certainly not know. is this all just a part of the beginning bandwagon everyone goes through or am i just special? and insight is appreciated. i dont mind learning as long as they dont mind teaching but i have been in a vo tech school for 4 years and im not all that new to this though comm is a whole new ballpark when you perform it imo.
 
#36 ·
This trade is wierd my friend. He may be running you right now but maybe 6 months down the road on a particular part of the construction, the foreman find you are better at something else, you may be running the show while he's the helper. There are times I come in a job and I've was the helper to someone that clearly has less experience than me. Just keep in mind you are not here to show who are smarter, who knows more, you are here to be a team player, at the end of the day. One question remain. DID YOU GUYS GET THE JOB DONE? One day when you run a job yourself, you will understand. The foreman pick certain people to run the job and certain people to help. Just help until it's your turn to run the job. It will come.
 
#40 ·
Basically. None of us have any idea what your situation is like. it could be the norm and you need to toughen up. Or you should turn around and run away with your tail between your legs and find a new apprenticeship.

You have to figure out which one is right.

Also, you should KNOW if you're an apprentice or not.
 
#42 ·
Also, you should KNOW if you're an apprentice or not.
Also I agree with HadItUpToHere, you should not think you might be an apprentice... You should probably familiarize yourself with the laws in New Jersey on what type of work experience documentation and education is required to become a journeyman electrician.

I know several folks in Michigan who thought they were electrical apprentices and put in a lot of time only to find out later that none of those hours could be counted towards eligibility to sit for the state journeyman electrician exam.
 
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#46 ·
Don't assume! Just because you may be doing work that sounds like that, doesn't mean it is a formal apprenticeship program, and doesn't mean that experience will count. Find out for sure, otherwise you may wish you had later...

"Apprentice" means a person who is enrolled in a four-year apprenticeship program approved by both a Federal agency and a Federally certified state agency.
I haven't read through all of NJ laws, and MI laws likely have some differences, but you will probably be required to submit documentation acceptable to the state to prove you have the requisite experience and maybe even formal education. It's likely W2s and pay-stubs are not sufficient (think about it - even the GC's receptionist gets a paycheck and W2 from the company, but that doesn't mean she has experience doing electrical work).

13:31-5.1 REGISTRATION AS QUALIFIED JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN

a.) A person shall register as a qualified journeyman electrician by December 15, 2009, in order to engage in the activities set forth in N.J.S.A. 45:5A-18(k), and, if the person is not a licensee, in order to supervise the performance of electrical work pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:31-3.4. In order to register as a qualified journeyman electrician, an applicant shall submit the registration fee set forth at N.J.A.C. 13:31-1.6 and shall submit a completed application that establishes that the applicant:

1.) Holds a current valid active license to practice electrical contracting issued by the Board;

2.) Has acquired 8,000 hours of practical experience working with tools in the installation, alteration or repair of wiring for electric light, heat or power, which work shall have been done in compliance with the National Electrical Code, and who has had a minimum of 576 classroom hours of related instruction. The requirement of practical experience shall not include time spent in supervising, engineering, estimating and other managerial tasks. At least 4,000 hours of the practical experience shall have been obtained within five years of the date of application; or

3.) Can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board that he or she has gathered the required experience through alternative means.
IMPORTANT: Find out what type of documentation your mentor had to submit to the state along with his application to become eligible to take the Qlfd Journeyman examination, and then make sure you are getting your hours documented appropriately.

(...and if this guy's really the jerk you think he is, ask a couple other folks too, and note the laws change, so a guy who got his license in '92 may had had more lenient requirements.)
 
#48 ·
Don't assume! Just because you may be doing work that sounds like that, doesn't mean it is a formal apprenticeship program, and doesn't mean that experience will count. Find out for sure, otherwise you may wish you had later...



I haven't read through all of NJ laws, and MI laws likely have some differences, but you will probably be required to submit documentation acceptable to the state to prove you have the requisite experience and maybe even formal education. It's likely W2s and pay-stubs are not sufficient (think about it - even the GC's receptionist gets a paycheck and W2 from the company, but that doesn't mean she has experience doing electrical work).



IMPORTANT: Find out what type of documentation your mentor had to submit to the state along with his application to become eligible to take the Qlfd Journeyman examination, and then make sure you are getting your hours documented appropriately.

(...and if this guy's really the jerk you think he is, ask a couple other folks too, and note the laws change, so a guy who got his license in '92 may had had more lenient requirements.)

I asked my jman yesterday if the work I am doing counts toward the required time to get a nj license, he said yes.
 
#47 ·
I agree,,,,you really need to talk to whoever signed your paychecks and find out if you're an apprentice or not. The fact that they've got someone who's still wet behind the ears acting as your j-man supervisor tells me their judgement might not be stellar, and this could extend to other aspects of your position there.

Be sure. Working your butt off is bad enough. Not getting credit for it is an awful feeling.
 
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