How old is your apprentice Masood? Its the physical strength that concerns me, if they are not physically able to lift a boiler or a 1000x600 k2 rad on their own, then they don't really have the ability to work productively on their own in the future. I will probably interview the girl who's CV I have and see, but I think it would be a disadvantage is some aspects.
Welcome to the forum. Although you can post in any forum, the USA forum is here in case of local regs or laws
Those of you with apprentices
- Thread starter mfgs
- Start date
View the thread, titled "Those of you with apprentices" which is posted in UK Plumbers Forums on UK Plumbers Forums.
How old is your apprentice Masood? Its the physical strength that concerns me, if they are not physically able to lift a boiler or a 1000x600 k2 rad on their own, then they don't really have the ability to work productively on their own in the future. I will probably interview the girl who's CV I have and see, but I think it would be a disadvantage is some aspects.
M
Masood
Gonna plead the 5th on that one. However it may or may not be significant that I didn't reply to post #101... 😀
T
TBServices
She's definitely a hottie guys. Or at least got a sweet bum. I couldn't do it, I'm distracted enough
M
Masood
She's 20 Matt. Bright and keen but I honestly can't see her installing a boiler or as you say a 1000x600 K2 on her own.
T
TBServices
Not even a logic? They're only 20kg lol
That is my worry. Do you honestly see a future with her working for you if she is not able to carry out those kind of install jobs, or do you have enough maintenance work to potentially keep her busy with? The majority of my work at the moment is install work on sites, and I think a female would be less useful with that sort of work. Saying that I may give her an interview and shes a 16 stone rugby player or something haha.
M
Masood
She's tiny mate...
M
Masood
A lot of my work is servicing, breakdowns, general small stuff. She's not squeamish about unblocking drains although we've not had a properly minging loo since she's been with me! Her pipework is accurate and pretty quick. So I can keep her busy and maybe team her up with someone for the heavier work.
D
Dotty
And you with a righteous babe at home!
M
Masood
Hey, doesn't matter where you get the appetite as long as you only eat at home!
T
TBServices
D
Dotty
Your missus is a babe and you know it!
E
Ermintrude
My old understudy had an apprentice for a week while his mentor off. He said to me today... Jesus was I that bad? I said course u were . It's learning . He's a ballache for first few months then it gets better !
T
TBServices
Meh....
D
Dotty
M
Masood
Haha she's properly scared of cobwebs! Naturally I send her up into lofts as often as possible..
The guy I just got rid of was petrified of spiders, he used to squeal if he even saw one!!!
Ha ha wot a fanny..brum
I'm a 37 year old plumbing apprentice. I've been with a firm for 5 weeks now working with their chief engineer on installs/maintenance jobs. (I completed my L2 in July).
These 5 weeks have practically been the only real experience I've had (aside from the odd private job) and I've learned tons so far.
He's told me that he thinks I'll do well as I have the right attitiude, I work hard and I'll try and have a go at everything.
I work with him mon-fri and meet him every morning and do not get paid a penny. Some days we work until 7pm depending on what we're doing, but I don't give a pooh! I'm lucky enough to be able to learn from a fantastic engineer.
BUT ... I'm having a meeting with the company owner tomorrow to see where things go from here. Nothing was really set in stone when I approached his company to begin with and it's getting to the point where I can't afford not to earn any money.
So a little advice would be great..
What would a reasonable wage be to ask for? Am I being an ar5e asking to be paid?
The engineer I work with says he thinks the owner should chuck me in the deep end and let me out on my own - he also said that if I ever get stuck I can call him. I am 50% with him and 50% crapping myself and do not feel ready - but maybe this is just my lack of confidence talking.
I also do not want to stop learning from him so I was thinking about suggesting going out on my own for maybe 2-3 days a week doing simple jobs/maintenance (taps, toilets, rads etc) and the rest going out with the engineer.
What do you think?
P.S I'm also a bit creeped out by spiders but I venture in dark places anyway - wearing my hoodie & gloves hahahaha :lol:
These 5 weeks have practically been the only real experience I've had (aside from the odd private job) and I've learned tons so far.
He's told me that he thinks I'll do well as I have the right attitiude, I work hard and I'll try and have a go at everything.
I work with him mon-fri and meet him every morning and do not get paid a penny. Some days we work until 7pm depending on what we're doing, but I don't give a pooh! I'm lucky enough to be able to learn from a fantastic engineer.
BUT ... I'm having a meeting with the company owner tomorrow to see where things go from here. Nothing was really set in stone when I approached his company to begin with and it's getting to the point where I can't afford not to earn any money.
So a little advice would be great..
What would a reasonable wage be to ask for? Am I being an ar5e asking to be paid?
The engineer I work with says he thinks the owner should chuck me in the deep end and let me out on my own - he also said that if I ever get stuck I can call him. I am 50% with him and 50% crapping myself and do not feel ready - but maybe this is just my lack of confidence talking.
I also do not want to stop learning from him so I was thinking about suggesting going out on my own for maybe 2-3 days a week doing simple jobs/maintenance (taps, toilets, rads etc) and the rest going out with the engineer.
What do you think?
P.S I'm also a bit creeped out by spiders but I venture in dark places anyway - wearing my hoodie & gloves hahahaha :lol:
The chances are that they have already decided what the rate will be so the idea is to get them to play their cards first so have some words ready so your not the one asking.
One thing I would do though is to come out out of the meeting knowing what they expect of you going forwards.
One thing I would do though is to come out out of the meeting knowing what they expect of you going forwards.
Sounds like a plan!! I guess I'll figure out what my bare minimum is to scrape by in terms of money and see if their figure falls along the same lines. If not I'll discuss it with him and see what he says. And having the expectation convo is definitely a great idea, for both of us really. At the end of the day as much as he's doing me a favour in terms of training, he's also gaining an extra pair of hands 😉 even if it is tidying up and doing small jobs.
Very true indeed. Humility is my first, middle and last name rpm. Actually my middle name is Unconfident lol but I'll get there in the end.. I just want to be the best plumber I can be for me and my family (just found out I'm gonna be a dad!!) eek!
Yeah will do.. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the advice mate, much appreciated 🙂
R
Rickster123
M
Masood
NEVER leave a pipe uncapped FFS! Open ends are asking for trouble. 😀
Many congratulations!
Cheers 🙂 We're both really excited!!!
Ok so I just had the meeting with the owner of the firm and I'm on board on an apprentice wage (£2.80ph) *hurrah*
I'll be using my own van for now while I prove myself and he's also going to get me through my gas qualifications to become gas safe.
I'll start out doing 2-3 days a week on my own doing simple jobs and the rest of the time learning by shadowing other engineers.
I'm really pleased and also a bit nervous as I'm out on my own tomorrow *eek* but I'm looking forward to the challenge!!
I'll be using my own van for now while I prove myself and he's also going to get me through my gas qualifications to become gas safe.
I'll start out doing 2-3 days a week on my own doing simple jobs and the rest of the time learning by shadowing other engineers.
I'm really pleased and also a bit nervous as I'm out on my own tomorrow *eek* but I'm looking forward to the challenge!!
M
Masood
Congratulations on getting the job but I think you could have tried negotiating a dual rate - maybe national minimum wage for the days you're out on your own, and apprentice wage for the time you're shadowing.
Otherwise your solo days will actually cost you to go to work when you factor in diesel, servicing, road tax etc.
Cheers mate.. He's going to pay for my diesel and parking but yeah Maybe I could have. I believe though using my van is only for the short term. I'll just have to play it by ear and see how it goes. I can always speak to him if things are not balancing correctly.
M
Masood
Well if he's paying your diesel then it's not too bad in the short term. Keep a log of what jobs you've done, skills acquired, problems encountered and solved, times you've taken the initiative, times you've won extra work for him. Use that record to negotiate better terms in the future. Any decent boss will be happy to reward a good worker but you need to prove that you're doing something for him.
That's a really good idea.. I'll do that! Cheers
Official Sponsors of Plumbers Talk
Reply to the thread, titled "Those of you with apprentices" which is posted in UK Plumbers Forums on Plumbers Forums.
Similar plumbing topics
We recommend City Plumbing Supplies, BES, and Plumbing Superstore for all plumbing supplies.
