Apprentice Life & Success

[InTheHooks]

looking for some thoughts from "seasoned" lineman on what they expect out of an apprentices, common ape mistakes, annoyances, etc. etc. basically--what makes a good apprentice?:cool:

[Pootnaigle]

A good apprentice will know in advance what he is going to do and how he is going to do it He wont make tons of repetitive motions Like cutting one leg of a service making it up and then doing another. Instead he will measure both use his kliens and cut em both, Now being through with his pliers he will use his skinning knife to skin everything that will need skinning. In short he will try to use each tool once before retiring it to its place, Making every move count. He will keep his ears open and his mouth shut. He will ask questions when he is unsure,He will learn from others misteaks as well as his own. He will always make sure the material is made up and on the ground before ascending.He will not settle for anything less than the best he is capable of.He understands that with the completion of his task he will be signing his name to a job that may or may not last until he retires.He further understands that at some point another lineman will be dependent on his work being done properly. He will not abuse the equipment to catch a break. He will pass his newfound knowledge on to others . In short he strives to be a JOURNEYMAN each and everyday throughout his apprenticeship.

[InTheHooks]

i hope i'm not the only ape looking at this. you know, some of this is obvious stuff but it really "hits home" (and sinks in) when the words/ideas are "put to paper" cant speak for all, but i will most likely think of all these suggestions every time act now. thanks and keep them coming!

Im not the typical ape...30 yr old family man with some background and if there is one thing that I seem to appreciate more than most (apes, that is)....its advice, suggestions, and knowledge of the career that I have been blessed with. I am union all the way and takin this job to retirement (just have a lot to learn in the meantime!!!)

[MI-Lineman]

i hope i'm not the only ape looking at this. you know, some of this is obvious stuff but it really "hits home" (and sinks in) when the words/ideas are "put to paper" cant speak for all, but i will most likely think of all these suggestions every time act now. thanks and keep them coming!

I'm not the typical ape...30 yr old family man with some background and if there is one thing that I seem to appreciate more than most (apes, that is)....its advice, suggestions, and knowledge of the career that I have been blessed with. I am union all the way and taking this job to retirement (just have a lot to learn in the meantime!!!)

Realize you'll never stop learning! AND BE JUST AS WORRIED ABOUT KILLING SOMEONE ELSE AS YOURSELF!!! That's the one thing I tell new apes, I'd rather it happen to me than live with knowing I happened to someone else! Don't think you might be the only one affected by cutting corners....WHAT ABOUT THOSE COMING TO GET YA!!!;)

[1st Class Husker]

I got this from a old lineman, til this day its still the truth no matter what , apprentice or journeyman, journeyman or crew foreman,



never do anything without first knowing what the consqences of what you done will be

[Highplains Drifter]

Im not the typical ape...30 yr old family man with some background and if there is one thing that I seem to appreciate more than most (apes, that is)...



Sorry but you age is a negative for me, not that you can’t do it. I have always felt some one doing a career change in their thirties is a red flag. Does it take twelve years from high school graduation for one to make up their mind what they want to do in life? You’ll be 35 when you top out and then it takes another 8 years before you become a real seasoned hand. I am not saying you can not cut the mustard, but my heart goes out to the 19 year old apes. I was a young Journeyman at 25 myself.
The younger apes don’t try to over analyze why I am having them do a task. They just go willingly to do it and know that I have a reason for it to be done. They know that some day they will see the big picture and all four dimensions. They have not worked at any other careers and devolved any bad habits. Since most of the time they are only around me for three to four months I do put a lot of pride in them since my name is on their back. A couple of years ago we put a 41 year old ape under a 23 year old Journeyman!!! What fun!!!!!http://bestsmileys.com/lol/13.gif


But honestly at you’re age learn to take orders from lots and lots of younger men…and for me I’d move you on to some one else, and that would be fairer for you….

[MI-Lineman]

Sorry but you age is a negative for me, not that you can’t do it. I have always felt some one doing a career change in their thirties is a red flag. Does it take twelve years from high school graduation for one to make up their mind what they want to do in life? You’ll be 35 when you top out and then it takes another 8 years before you become a real seasoned hand. I am not saying you can not cut the mustard, but my heart goes out to the 19 year old apes. I was a young Journeyman at 25 myself.
The younger apes don’t try to over analyze why I am having them do a task. They just go willingly to do it and know that I have a reason for it to be done. They know that some day they will see the big picture and all four dimensions. They have not worked at any other careers and devolved any bad habits. Since most of the time they are only around me for three to four months I do put a lot of pride in them since my name is on their back. A couple of years ago we put a 41 year old ape under a 23 year old Journeyman!!! What fun!!!!!http://bestsmileys.com/lol/13.gif


But honestly at you’re age learn to take orders from lots and lots of younger men…and for me I’d move you on to some one else, and that would be fairer for you….

So you can't teach an old dog new tricks (or middle aged dog)?:cool:

He says he's got "some background"? In what I wonder?

[jpickle]

Sorry but you age is a negative for me, not that you can’t do it. I have always felt some one doing a career change in their thirties is a red flag. Does it take twelve years from high school graduation for one to make up their mind what they want to do in life? You’ll be 35 when you top out and then it takes another 8 years before you become a real seasoned hand. I am not saying you can not cut the mustard, but my heart goes out to the 19 year old apes. I was a young Journeyman at 25 myself.
The younger apes don’t try to over analyze why I am having them do a task. They just go willingly to do it and know that I have a reason for it to be done. They know that some day they will see the big picture and all four dimensions. They have not worked at any other careers and devolved any bad habits. Since most of the time they are only around me for three to four months I do put a lot of pride in them since my name is on their back. A couple of years ago we put a 41 year old ape under a 23 year old Journeyman!!! What fun!!!!!http://bestsmileys.com/lol/13.gif


But honestly at you’re age learn to take orders from lots and lots of younger men…and for me I’d move you on to some one else, and that would be fairer for you….


I am 27 trying to get into an apprenticeship. I've passed the written CDL test and plan on taking the driving test next week. I have experience operating heavy equipment, welding, clearing trees from roadways. I have been selling cars since I graduated from college 3 years ago. Degree in science. I am also a career changer, or trying to change. I have been looking at this field for a while and have a couple of applications in for an apprenticeship. Any opinions on trying to get into this field at 27?

[THE KID]

to be getting into this work. I have a 23 yr. old 4th yr. app and a 30 yr. old 2yr. ape. Both are great workers and hard workers. They have good work habits and aren't lazy. It is a pleasure to work with both. We closed our power plant down and absorbed some of the employees to our line crews. I have a 52 yr. old groundman that doesn't like to listen to the younger guys. He thinks that he know more than they do. He receives a rude awakening every day when we inform him about what he doesn't know.

[markwho]

I am 27 trying to get into an apprenticeship. I've passed the written CDL test and plan on taking the driving test next week. I have experience operating heavy equipment, welding, clearing trees from roadways. I have been selling cars since I graduated from college 3 years ago. Degree in science. I am also a career changer, or trying to change. I have been looking at this field for a while and have a couple of applications in for an apprenticeship. Any opinions on trying to get into this field at 27?

Hell, 27 is young. We have a first year ape who is 47! We would prefer younger but we don't do the hiring.

[jpickle]

Hell, 27 is young. We have a first year ape who is 47! We would prefer younger but we don't do the hiring.

Thanks for replying Guys, I feel young but wanted to get some opinions.

[IH8FE]

I am 27 trying to get into an apprenticeship. I've passed the written CDL test and plan on taking the driving test next week. I have experience operating heavy equipment, welding, clearing trees from roadways. I have been selling cars since I graduated from college 3 years ago. Degree in science. I am also a career changer, or trying to change. I have been looking at this field for a while and have a couple of applications in for an apprenticeship. Any opinions on trying to get into this field at 27?

Well if you listen to Drifter youre too old, if by age 18 you dont know what you want to do with your life for the next 60 years you are some type of dolt :D . Its got nothing to do with age, its about attitude, refer to posts from Pootnaigle and Swamprat.

[bravehearted03]

Mid 30's is about the age that is seen more and more starting off now due

to job losses, career change,etc. Age is to me is not really an issue hungry

is hungry and thats that. The way I see it is when ur a grunt be an ape

when ur an ape be a lineman and so on.

I remember when I was a grunt I listened to anything a lineman told me, didnt

matter what it was. now that it has been ten years later I work side by side

with them jy and i think back i couldnt believe i listened to him. so a good

thing to do is pick different things off different crews , things that will work

for you.

[BookII]

What I look for in an apprentice? Someone who actually wants to be a JL. Good work ethics, they pay attention and ask questions. They get involved with the job and the tail boards. They want the job that they're working to be a success. Somebody that takes care of the equipment and tools. And they take their job serious.

It's about respecting the profession, the tools, equipment, the contractor, and their fellow co-workers...

What I don't need is a kid that's texting away on the cell phone during a safety meeting, or preaching the contract to me when they don't even know their own card number or who the president of the IBEW is!

[cagey74]

As a good ape I feel you have to be open and willing to do jobs different ways. One way isn't always the best way for everyone to do a job. If you take the time to listen to the Jl you are working with, you will be able to get something from him. You can also learn good things from bad lineman, most of the time it is what not to do. Always keep your eyes open and pay attention to everything going on around you. One of the best things I was told by a Jl was learn to do the job right first, appearance and speed will come with time. Hope this will help some.