Had a apprentice working with me one he was second or third year with a bad temper very aggressive with other apprentices . Took him a side one day to talk with him about his temper , turned out his mother died about six months before he started with us . He calmed down after our little chat . You never know lads 👍
Bloody hell guy's, this video should be shown in all secondary schools. This is some of the best advice that could be given to the youngsters these day's. I'm 62 now and in the latter years of my working life but I always regret not following my Father into the carpentry trade, instead going down the motor trade route. If I had my time over again I'd be knocking on your door for an apprenticeship. I left school in 1972 with a sound work ethic given to me by my parents and I've kept it ever since and been thankful for. I think mobile phones have a lot to answer for, social media is a wonderful tool but it get's in the way of sound work ethics.
you probably dont give a shit but does any of you know of a method to get back into an Instagram account..? I somehow forgot my login password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me
Absolutely! My school focused on turning boys into men! It was a public school and they really taught us how to be gentlemen and what was right and wrong. Absolutely invaluable! Im 22!
We had a renovation/ rebuild job a gre years ago. Met 5 building contractors. Gave it to the only one who saw our wooden floor and took off his shoes. Small interactions can leave a large impression
Well that 38 minutes went quite quickly. So much that you said resonated with me, from your mention of the Isle of Wight Roger, I guess I am about the same age as you. I was lucky as I was thrown out of school which I hated, at the age of 15 and went straight to work with my dad who had his own building, painting and decorating business. All of the points you make applied just as much to me as the boss's son as any one else. Be on time, honesty, show interest and engage with your work mates and the client, something you didn't say, ask questions it's a great way to learn as an apprentice. We even took on a guy who was fresh out of prison and desperate for work, my dad gave him a chance as a labourer, he showed interest in learning how to paint so the old man taught him to paint and hang paper, he became one of our best blokes and even worked weekends painting banks with us and never let us down. In later years I have found not only youngsters but older guys too who don't show after a night out because of a hangover, I only let that go once with a warning, the second time they're out. I have also had people drinking beer at work and rolling joints they don't even get another chance, particularly if the job has been in a private house. Aside from my griping, both your attitudes to encouraging people to get into the building trade is great, in recent years I have come across more girls who are interested too . I worked with a German girl in Ibiza who was a brilliant chippy and have worked with a couple of lady painters. Good podcast .
That is a great story. Who would take a chance on an ex-con painting banks and wallpapering? "This is a stick up". I agree it is good to see more women entering the industry.
@@SkillBuilder As a stick up artist he was pretty good and he was so grateful my dad gave him a trade. I forgot to say before, I didn't know my City and Guilds is now worthless, it was hard work getting it and I thought the standards were quite good, depending on the college you went to. The CITB was never much use as it was set up mainly for a couple of the big construction companies of the day who had too much say in shaping it their way and getting the rest of us to pay for it.
20 years in the building, chippy and spark. I remember being a kid The difference between me and some of the others is attitude and effort. I had both but also i was hungry; literally. My old boss when i was an apprentice used say. 1. Leave your feelings at home. 2. Hunger is great sauce. 3. Pull your weight or go home.
These are also my favourite type of skill builder videos, like someone else said, it's great to see you guys sit down together and talk about your work history. I bet that lad who received the spanners from Robin, will never use them and only treasure them. Good on you Robin for doing such a deed.
my apprenticeship changed my life. I was crap at school, truancy, caning's - left school at 16 with no qualifications. Started my electricians apprenticeship and loved it, 42 years later now semi retired and never been out of work!
I was one of many YTS trainees sent on site for experience. I was very lucky to be picked out and put through a city and guilds apprenticeship . He was a tough boss but a superb bricky who taught me so much , that was back in 86 too 👌🏼. Alex my son decided he wanted to work with me when he left school . I tried to steer him into electrics , plumbing and carpentry but no he insisted . Being in foundations it is so so tough so I wanted to keep him away from it . It’s like working with my best mate now and we support each other through the many tough days we’ve had . I wish I could have sat with you , it just sounded like me talking about the industry 🧱🧱🧱👍🏼
That comment about 24 yr olds being children is so true. I’m only 32 and I can see a change since this full time education thing until your 18. I was not that bad when I was 18. They just don’t care about work and the ones that do only care about the money and not doing a good job. All my work came from recommendation from about 22 until now and it’s payed off from hard work and striving to always be better. And I’m just an electrician.
Bugger Netflix, I popped a Bass pale ale after a hard days graft (yes, this Brit can get Bass Pale Ale in Los Angeles) and settled in. Another smashing vid. Memories, memories, cheers lads!
Showing you're committed can really do so much for you, cause there's so many people out there who just aren't and employers hate it. I remember getting a job at a factory by going down there every morning at 5AM when the morning shift started and just sitting in the lobby reading a book for an hour. They would have had so many young people walking in there handing their resume over the desk each day saying they want a job, but after 3 days one of the supervisors came out and started me on the spot. If I was reliable when I was getting nothing from it they knew I'd be reliable as a worker.
What an inspiration you both are to listen to. 💯 agree.. as a mother, nanny, l am so pleased to have raised my children up to a standard of respect and accountability.. let's have more of these kind of podcasts☺️
I love listening to you two guys perspectives on any building trade conversation. I have 20 years experience at this time, and I went through a vo- tech school before I started. They don't let the students use enough of the real world tools. I remember my first day on the job and my boss told me to use the framing gun to nail the wall together, and I was afraid to use it because they only let us use a hammer and nails in shop class. But now time has went on and my son just started his carpentry class this week. I hope they can give him a well rounded education where I can show him the rest to fill in the voids. Thank you guys for sharing this. Truly inspiring.
When I stated work I was sent out the back to sweep up and I found £60 , 3 twenty’s ,on the floor so I picked it up and said to the boss “ I just found this out the back , it’s not mine someone has dropped it “ he replied “ that’s mine son thanks , you won’t understand this now but that has earned you far more than sixty pound “ I didn’t realise for a long time it was a test that I passed with flying colours. He was a lovely man that taught me a hell of a lot about glazing and life .
I could give a lecture on this subject. Disaster in school, but in the end everything turned out OK. Tough with my kids - ice hockey players both of them. The one thing that is missing is from the conversation is the idea of mentors. I've had three or four great ones in my life that turned me around. The soundest advice I ever got was from a guy called Geoff Stevenson in a girlie bar in Rio 47 years ago: "Work hard! Play hard! Sleep hard!"
I walked into work first Monday of 1991 a week after my 20th birthday. As a tradesman. Apprenticeships are tough. Then it takes another twelve years before being adept. Then still learning re: new materials, techniques, tools, still learning this week. 30yrs later.
Interesting comments guys.Teaching,training youngsters is not just about the carpentry but also being decent and patient working with young people and giving them respect and confidence .You can then build on that to teach them skills.Good tradesmen having been doing that for hundreds of years....NVQ,Citb ,NOCN,CSCS to many organisations I am afraid taking the money away from where it’s needed
Johny I (Roger) completely agree, there is no point treating people as worthless and then trying to get value from them. I would like to see tradesmen going into schools along with doctors, lawyers and anyone else who has real life experience and might be able to influence young people. Leaving education to teachers is not a good approach.
I'm a 24 year old carpenter and Would be happy to do a couple days with robin free of charge just to learn and gain the extra experience. These podcasts open my eyes to so much stuff I never even thought of! Except for rummaging through knicker drawers of course
Heck, I'm a 51-year-old career IT engineer... and IIII would love to apprentice with these guys! Their passion and reverence for the trades is quite contagious. I've been hooked ever since the scarf joint vid.
loving of what you do, is greatest barrier of gaining from what you do. It shows on your face that you would do it free, if that's the only choise, only 'couse you love it.
10 minutes in, my favourite building topic of all time apart from the jack of all trades conundrum. Yes, if you are a young man that wants some money try to convince someone close to where you live that you can do a skilled job properly for them (pick something that doesn't require too many expensive tools or borrow if you can). You tube it before you start. Google it as you go. Start self-employed. Its no good to try to do jobs by yourself before being taught how to do them, however now we have this you tube. You tube is like an infinitely better version of the Open University for building.
This is one of the best discussions I have heard for years, you guys have hit the nail on the head in so many ways brilliant, I could rant about why the uk doesn't take building trades along with lots of others seriously. This sort of stuff needs to be fed through to both secondary schools and government along with the other building professions.
Thanks to both of you, I’m in my 60s but your channels have inspired me to keep learning new DIY skills and doing things myself. Just finished a kitchen install for our Church Hall (with some help) and am planning a wet room at home.
Interesting debate about young people in the trade. Ive been in the trade for 35 years and i think a lot of the 'youngsters' coming through don't 'want' to be in the building trade, it's a last resort. I expect to be shot down for this but my comment is part of the debate. A lot of the young lads that are learning on the job perhaps did'nt do to well at school. Lets be honest, our work is tough and hard on our bodies. Why would you do it if you had a decent education? Im not for a second suggesting all tradesmen are uneducated, of course im not, its just an observation. For a lot of the young people i meet at work, its a last resort. Warehouse work, driving, or building. Another point. And again, shoot me down if you want. I was fortunate that the man who taught me, Reg, was a softly spoken kind man who had time for me. A real gentleman. I work alongside some clever guys, but they are old school and just cannot carry themselves if you know what i mean. Work skills high. Social skills, zero. Youngsters come into the job to work alongside these old school blokes are in for a hard time. These guys shout, swear, scream and in no way able to teach anyone anything. 5.30am on a January morning, freezing cold outside and your alarm goes off, why would anyone want to go to work with people like that! Anyway, thats my bit.
" A lot of the young lads that are learning on the job perhaps did'nt do to well at school." - Unfortunately, I think our young people have been sold a lie as regards the value of going to university. When I left school, only just over 10% of people went to university, so of course they were generally the really clever, academic, ones who generally ended up doing well. For others there were technical colleges or apprenticeships - this was just about the time that YTS came in. Now about 50% of people go to university - spend a lot of money and come out with a worthless qualification, because that's the only way that Universities can get them all through. It keeps the schools and universities in money - the success of a school is judged by how many of its pupils go to university. There's simply no value associated with learning a trade.
I agree I started in construction in 88 , it depends what start you get and if they are interested in you, a lot of kids are just used as cheap labour and it puts them off .
Great advice as usual guys, I wish I had a lucky break, even though I had the "can and will do" attitude, but I was never given that kind of opportunity. Glad to see and hear you both talking a great deal of sense. Hopefully this generation will hear the relevance of your wise words. Fantastic content in your videos guys 👍 great job 👏 👍
It's true. I was on site yesterday. There were four electricians one of them was working. The other three young lads spent 70% of the day. Just sitting around on their phones watching TikTok. Also working with a trainee recently who's 24? He wasn't clearing up after himself. So at the end of the day I said before you go have a tidy up. We can't leave the job in a mess like this. 10 minutes later he comes back to me saying all tidy I'm off now, so he leaves and I go and check the area and all he is done is picked up his drums of cable and put them in a pile and left mess all over the floor. Had to spend the next 30 minutes before I left clearing up his mess. And he also was one of those guys where every spare second he had he was on his phone. To be honest, I've got so many stories about trainees and apprentices that either don't know or don't care no matter how much they are told.
If I could do my time again I’d have done a carpentry apprenticeship and learnt the skills properly. I basically winged it for 20yrs and I’m now at a standard where I can ‘work it out’ and get it sorted, but I don’t really have that foundation that I wish I had.
Hi guys, super video and excellent discussion. I can agree with a lot of what you're saying. In 1949 George Orwell wrote his novel '1984', and he included a statement which goes a bit like...'The people will not revolt. They'll be too busy looking down at their screens to see what is going on around them.' 1949 !!!! The future of the work ethic is in doubt, imagine what the next generation will be like. Stay safe guys and keep up the good work. 👍🖖😎
Some youngsters don't 'get it' about work ethic until their late 20s. Some kids are pushed into the trades unwillingly, so their commitment is just not there initially. It's rare to have your hobby - the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning - be the same as your career, like it is in your case and mine.
I remember my first day of serving my time as a joiner (1993). Dropped off about a mile from home and walked home with my nail bag on, hammer by my side......proud as! 😆
Nice video once again. I'm 45, been in the trade forever and love your podcasts. Love the fact there's a little bit of waldorf and statler in this one haha. Keep the podcasts coming. They are excellent
I once worked in a house where I decided to go through the knicker drawer. I opened the drawer, closed my eyes and shoved my face in a pair. Imagine my horror when I opened my eyes and saw that I had a giant pair of old, yellowy y-fronts on my face! They stank of shite and Watney's Red Barrel and cheap cigars. But then I remembered, I was working in Bernard Manning's house!
2 rungs up a ladder Roger! I remember as a 16yr old apprentice plumber and not being scared of heights being the one to go up the ladder walk along the ridge carrying a flexible flue liner and as you know it needed to be spun round whilst the bottom man pulled the rope which meant standing on top of the chimney stack makes me shudder to think no harness or safety attachments but good training was had by climbing trees and metal tube climbing frames in the playground as a child and to fall on tarmac hurt so made sure not to fall again ..
I have to completely agree, I'm mid 30's and work in the IT industry. Young people don't show the appetite or have a certain ilk to learn what they have chosen to be Thier career. It pains me sometimes when you have a mid 20's something showing no common sense or desire to resolve something themselves as they can't be arsed!
Very interesting discussion , fellas . I’m often on sites and make it my business to have a look around the finished houses and it often strikes me that the basics are dying out . Dry ridge/verge , pre-cut doors and frames , taped drywall joints , gallons of self levelling on the floor etc etc
Don't forget mdf door casings! And the white hinges! Jeeezus! I worry for the chippys that will have to hang doors on these in the future. Hopefully i will be retired by then or maybe teach at the Skillbuilder School 😀
Panty drawers! Moved a bed out the away from the wall once so I could decorate behind. There on the floor was the customers bondage gear 🤣 Decorated and put the bed back, got paid and left with a smirk on my face.
Another great video, I was once sent two young school boys for a week on (work exp) I put one of them with an experienced cards in joiner, checked on him a couple of days later, and was told he was fixing skirting on his own in the kitchen, he was about 14 years old, and doing a decent job.
Its nice to hear your principals in work ethic and such. I’m in the Union in the states, but I’m not cut out for it. I just don’t have the patience or heart for it. It’s just not where I belong. However, I still have gotten fairly good at fixing up things around the house. I just never worked well under heavy pressure, and don’t usually get along with difficult people. Agreed. You never can tell where people came from. I know they do background checks and drug screenings, but psych evaluations would be a good idea too. A lot of our contractors just seem to care how fast works gets done and not about the conduct of the people doing the work. There is cancel culture with slander and getting people run off jobs for sport. It can be a very “every man for himself” affair instead of a brotherhood at times. Perhaps I do see a lot of negativity over positivity. Granted, I have had some good times on jobs. Like I said in the beginning… I have just come to the realization that it’s not where I belong or what I want.
A friend of mine who is a fellow Carpenter is now a college lecturer teaching City and Guilds. He has the same problem with the youngsters being constantly on their mobiles and seem disinterested. I witnessed this for myself when i went to the college myself at the end of the last term and just couldnt believe it. The problem is this is tarring all the youngsters with the same brush and makes employers reluctant to take them on. He said the best students are the mature students as they want to be there and learn.
I think you guys hit the nail on the head (pun intended) that even outside the trades people don’t help other people develop. I’m a 28yr old graduate, I try and work hard but when you’re treated terribly and being refused development it’s hard to stay positive. I love work working and building stuff, am I too old to change tack and move into a trade? Sounds simple for the older generations but a decent pay for a decent days work is a rare thing I find.
Can relate to much of what Roger & Robin are saying, as it's very difficult to get contentious young carpenters these days. They're more interested in texting on their iPhones, playing loud music, smoking (incl. throwing their cigarette butts on the ground when there's a skip within spitting distance) or simply not turning up (No Shows/Hangovers are common - particularly on Monday mornings), We had one trainee carpenter who couldn't even read a tape measure !!! - figure that one out :-) After showing him how to read a tape & instructing him how to cut some herringbone joist struts (many times), i came back to find a whole pile of scrap wood cut to various lengths/angles, none of which were fit for purpose. They tell me their 1st year at Tech College is mainly Health & Safety & they're not even allowed to touch a power tool until their 2nd year. I'm all for H&S but surely they can be taught how to use basic everyday carpenters power tools (impact drivers, drills, mitre/circular saws (with dust extraction), nail guns etc.) in an effective & safe manner.
The answer for these young people is two-fold. Context for us ‘oldies’ often dragged-up by absent parents, abusive parents and especially so among the generation that just managed to get through school are majorly disadvantaged. By the time these kids of such ‘parents’ are eventually let lose in to the world, you, the ‘trainer’ are to that youngster, something of a kind of surrogate parent. Consider seriously that he/she is watching you as much as the tools you exemplify! Youngsters rummaging through a customers clothing is very troubling, and is a deal breaker for your client! You’ve just seriously damaged your business, because you, the tradesmen are liable! These ‘apprentices at best should only be allowed to operate on building sites but closely supervised even here. However, if you can tap in to that youngster just by being a ‘father figure’ almost just by default, in that persons life, if that trainee can see you are a ‘father figure’, may be the beginning of some hope and acceptance for you both. Yes, it’s ridiculous it’s you and not the parents. The reward for doing so is that you’ve not just trained good building practice, which is good, but you’ve also at one and the same time exemplified moral training. A word to absent fathers, your absence in your child’s life will do incalculable damage and harm so far reaching to be criminal! So the youth rocks up full of attitude, just does enough to keep the job. Now, how do ‘we’ who are expected to at least train that person, just how much are we willing to exemplify our life and practical skills? Make no mistake, that young person isn’t just looking at your skills, they are looking just as closely at you, your character. Just smoking fags, being a grump, cursing, all that stereo-typical ‘builders-bum’ persona on full display is just such an awful image that’s hard to un-see! It’s a frying pan-to fire for any youngster. Good character is utterly essential and must be part of your training any youngster. If all your attempts are not having any impact within, say a week or two, you need to rethink finding someone else. Yes, the youngster does need to be teachable. If they are keen, and they must and essentially be, they will get it very quickly. Older folks need to exercise a good measure of demonstrable moral discipline, and we are more than capable of change if we don’t as yet! Lastly, but most importantly, we are all fallen human beings, non of us are remotely “good” and far more remotely from perfect. Mark 10.18 I have worked in the building industry and traveled widely with my carpentry skills, I’ve been self employed and seen a lot, done even more. I’m now about to retire this December. “So?” …It is astonishingly rare to find A Christian in the building trade: a bible reading, Jesus following Christian and not some simple ‘do-good’, who meritoriously claims the name on such fallible reasoning. One needs to be “born from above” not man made but ‘God made’. I’ll leave you a link to get a better handle on what is not easy to explain here. However, here’s what distinguishes the man-child and a real man: without God in your life, if Jesus Christ is just a curse to you, you are still a boy, a man-child, never matured enough to understand we need the very one we curse like we need air to breathe. I’m leaving you a link to consider watching and then to come back to me with your thoughts about this! ua-cam.com/video/palr2pDa_zo/v-deo.html
Sorry lads... I only watched a couple of minutes of your video and I felt very sad...the problem is (as we all really know) is that successive governments have totally disregarded manual skills in favour of the service / financial sector. I was engaged in apprentice training (albeit engineering rather than building) during the early 80's and was totally dismayed by the lack of investment and interest in these sectors. We are now reaping the (benefits??) outcome of that situation. Total lack of skilled people. Good job there are still folk like you out there promoting such skills! I'll watch the rest of your video when I've stopped feeling so sad. Keep up the good work.
Brilliant chat,I started my apprenticeship city and guilds in 86 as well(bricklaying).then went through the same as you re citb.I left the UK for The French alps then eventually Switzerland in the year 2001.not much brickwork over here so I had to learn more carpentry,I love the building trade,it seems in Europe the trades are much more highly regarded than the uk.anway chaps I think you should open a skill builder center for young people to learn building trades,maybe even gain a qualification. Love the channel keep up the good work in promoting our skills,
I’d love to work with you guys - I’m a competent DIYer but do office work during the day and I need a change. Your channel is inspirational - many thanks 👍
Couldn't agree more, you guys have really helped me out with some of the jobs I've been doing as a DIYer. Starting level 2 plumbing this month and getting out the office 😃
Great area to cover lads, I had an 18 yrs old lad working for me, landscaping. Always late, always on his phone and no sense of H&S. Sacked him after 4 wks, smoking while filling a petrol brush cutter on site at for a big steel company. Nearly lost my contract, so he was gone. So you are right to knock the youth of today. Bloody idle and no common sense.
I was talking to a friend the other day and his son went through college to do something like design or computer technology but didn't like the kind of office based jobs he got offered and, by chance, went to help a welder friend and took to it instantly. He now has a mobile welding rig and travels all over the place doing site welding and he loves it. It goes to show that you just have to keep trying things until you find what's right for you.
@@SkillBuilder Yeah, the Mrs wants him to go to Uni' but I'd like to see him get an apprenticeship and learn a trade. Enjoyed the vid' by the way👍🏻. Best Regards..
@@BestUserNameUK Your wife wants one thing you want another but what does your son want? I have to say that all three of my kids went to university and it was no bad thing but my eldest son then went on from his history degree to do a post graduate in law degree and then to accountancy. I think having the freedom to try things and not be tied to you early decision is important. The worst thing is if they end up blaming you in later life for pushing them in a direction they didn't want to go in.
Kudos dudes. You tell it like it is. Sadly I was as much use as a chocolate chisel at 16. Know a bit more at 49 :-) Old heads and young shoulders and all that. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Hi Guy’s great podcast, it’s very true Robin how certain other countries trades people are so well respected compared to use and I don’t know why because we have some amazing trades people, personally I think we need to have a better trade school like Pathway to Aus TAFE Skills Tech in Brisbane. We need more invest and better control on qualified tradesmen. We should start creating universities for tradesmen
Had a young chap (22) working for me last year. First minute of first day on site he wanted to go to get food. I had to explain he needed to eat before he started work. After 2 weeks i gave him an ultimatum over the ridiculous continuous use of his mobile in my time. Simply that the phone stayed in the van while not on a break. He could not accept this so now he is back on the dole. Shocking!
Have to agree totally with you had a young lad labouring for me for about four weeks ok when you go him working but turn your back and he's on the phone or in the morning 10 /15 minutes he's still sitting in the van playing with his phone 🤦☘️🇮🇪 so it's the same no matter where you live
Hi folks, Robin, you probably had a big effect on that man by sending him some spanners. Honestly great stuff mate and thank you both for these videos I am making many notes
Another good one.....Some of the trades I run into on a daily basis...look like tramps...unshaven...dirty work clothes...some caked in silicone..etc... It doesn't supprise me we are held in low regard. I once visited, by the request of the two partners who own the firm, the head office of the main contractor, as their "specialist" and when the head honcho came down to meet us to discuss the replacement of some 200+ fire doors in this old folks home, he walked right past the two partners and came to me.....I later found out why, he thought I was the gaffer.....Because I was clean shaven, clean clothed, clean boots and was the first to introduce myself. He thought the actual partners of the business were my labourers. If you have a beard fine...but don't turn up unkempt, un-shaven and with dirty with worn clothing on and dirty footwear. If you decide to grow a beard...do it in the holidays. There is no excuse for being unclean...and the client may wonder ...if you don't care about yourself...will you care about my job! Show some respect at least. Some people are offended by people taking their shirts off....Know the client....and if you don't .....Think on! Robin told us of the "Uniforms" that the German workers used......they looked smart and were repected by all.... Stand one of them next to a scruffy and unkempt UK worker.....(Or choose these guys doing the video.. Ha).. First impressions last...even Roger mentioned that...The guy remembered him, sat next to him, in the van. Be remembered for being the person who had all the answers to all the questions, the guy who looked the part, was polite etc... and NOT the standard scruffy arse builder you usually see every day here in the UK. If someone turned up at my door, scruffy and caked in crap...I'd piss them off. For you youngsters out there...turn the phone off...turn it on a lunch, if you like, then turn it off again 'till home time....OR...as I saw once...be prepared to be docked wages....firm time is firm time....your own time is your own....and this particular guy...made his point finacially at the end of the week...IT WORKED...He wasn't paying you to chat to your mates. This post is also available in hardback from good stationers...HA... Long one....
Well done guys love the channel! Some great content here providing lots of value. Can anyone recommend training centers and courses for someone looking to get into Plumbing & Heating? Thanks
It's a shame that this is the case. I would gladly be hard working and I always put lots of passion into my work. There are some good hard working youngsters out there. Just a shame that not a lot of light is put on that. Keep up the good work the guys and girls and SB. Loving the videos and podcasts! 👍😁
Did an apprenticeship from 03-06, got my NVQ3!! Looking bk feel hard done by CITB!! Hardly learned at thing at the company, had me doing the shite for the price workers! Rushed the photograph evidence so only a bit of first and third fix!! Then made redundant in the last month, didn't have the knowledge to go onto the sites, did partitions and ceilings for another 2 years then came the crash of 2008!!!worked at a furniture framing company since Had time to reassess working life due to covid and want to get back into it, how would I go about it, nowhere knowledgeable to say I'm NVQ3. Look for labouring to get experience in the site???
Many Kids( NOT all ) are so used to having their arses wiped, when it comes to self sufficiency and motivation to work,without checking your phone every 5 minutes,they are simply clueless...
I want to add to the discussion, I dont struggle with young lads, phone isnt allowed on the job, there was a very serious accident in purley less than 6 weeks ago, the lad was on his phone, got hit by an rsj that he hadnt seen swinging his way and lost his legs as a result. So thats now the reason why my lads cant have a phone on the job... secondly and most importantly young lads graft for me because i pay £100 a day... why bust your balls for 70 a day? You got to make young lads WANT to keep the job. If you cant find good labourers you need to rethink the wages because i have 6 great lads all under 20 and i wont have anyone call them lazy. YOU HAVE TO MOTIVATE people because the credit crunch days are long gone
another fabulous video... i recommend your videos to everyone. so many deep truths; "we shall endeavor to persevere", from the outlaw josie wales, has all these years seemed to hold- learning the trades: LOL
Hi Roger and Robin, Robin's comment about trades wearing a uniform as they do in Germany, I suppose years ago when you look at the trades on site in any pictures they did wear a sort of uniform most of the bricklayers you would see wearing a suit, waist coat and cap, so I suppose that was like a uniform. I think when I look at some trades turning up for work they look like they have sorted through a rubbish tip to find some thing to wear. Some have their names on their top (Roger) in case they forget who they are HA! HA! . Right just put my work clothes on now, where's that LADERHOSEN slap of the thigh and i'm off just got to learn to Yodel now!!!!
great advice,1980's 90's was great to work in building but now this health and safety I think has gone to far,i agree with some of it thou being a chippie.i enjoyed working with other chippies when I was learning the trade and learning off other trades too.also enjoyed doing all different aspects of Carpentry,but I find roofing (cut) the best.Robin,if you go to USA have a look at there roofs,(cut),they are fantastic at them,i learned a lot when I was there. ps I love Germany too...……Munich,October fest!
Had a apprentice working with me one he was second or third year with a bad temper very aggressive with other apprentices . Took him a side one day to talk with him about his temper , turned out his mother died about six months before he started with us . He calmed down after our little chat . You never know lads 👍
Glad you gave him a chance and didn't just get shot of him.
both are you are England's pride. Keep up your good work. Proud of you guys
What a nice thing to say. Thank you
Bloody hell guy's, this video should be shown in all secondary schools. This is some of the best advice that could be given to the youngsters these day's. I'm 62 now and in the latter years of my working life but I always regret not following my Father into the carpentry trade, instead going down the motor trade route. If I had my time over again I'd be knocking on your door for an apprenticeship. I left school in 1972 with a sound work ethic given to me by my parents and I've kept it ever since and been thankful for. I think mobile phones have a lot to answer for, social media is a wonderful tool but it get's in the way of sound work ethics.
you probably dont give a shit but does any of you know of a method to get back into an Instagram account..?
I somehow forgot my login password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me
Absolutely! My school focused on turning boys into men! It was a public school and they really taught us how to be gentlemen and what was right and wrong. Absolutely invaluable! Im 22!
We had a renovation/ rebuild job a gre years ago. Met 5 building contractors. Gave it to the only one who saw our wooden floor and took off his shoes. Small interactions can leave a large impression
“Sorry I’m late for work , Guv, but I was up until 3.00 am watching Skill Builder podcasts and reviews” .
Well that 38 minutes went quite quickly. So much that you said resonated with me, from your mention of the Isle of Wight Roger, I guess I am about the same age as you.
I was lucky as I was thrown out of school which I hated, at the age of 15 and went straight to work with my dad who had his own building, painting and decorating business. All of the points you make applied just as much to me as the boss's son as any one else. Be on time, honesty, show interest and engage with your work mates and the client, something you didn't say, ask questions it's a great way to learn as an apprentice. We even took on a guy who was fresh out of prison and desperate for work, my dad gave him a chance as a labourer, he showed interest in learning how to paint so the old man taught him to paint and hang paper, he became one of our best blokes and even worked weekends painting banks with us and never let us down.
In later years I have found not only youngsters but older guys too who don't show after a night out because of a hangover, I only let that go once with a warning, the second time they're out.
I have also had people drinking beer at work and rolling joints they don't even get another chance, particularly if the job has been in a private house.
Aside from my griping, both your attitudes to encouraging people to get into the building trade is great, in recent years I have come across more girls who are interested too .
I worked with a German girl in Ibiza who was a brilliant chippy and have worked with a couple of lady painters. Good podcast .
That is a great story. Who would take a chance on an ex-con painting banks and wallpapering? "This is a stick up".
I agree it is good to see more women entering the industry.
@@SkillBuilder As a stick up artist he was pretty good and he was so grateful my dad gave him a trade.
I forgot to say before, I didn't know my City and Guilds is now worthless, it was hard work getting it and I thought the standards were quite good, depending on the college you went to.
The CITB was never much use as it was set up mainly for a couple of the big construction companies of the day who had too much say in shaping it their way and getting the rest of us to pay for it.
20 years in the building, chippy and spark.
I remember being a kid
The difference between me and some of the others is attitude and effort. I had both but also i was hungry; literally.
My old boss when i was an apprentice used say. 1. Leave your feelings at home.
2. Hunger is great sauce.
3. Pull your weight or go home.
These are also my favourite type of skill builder videos, like someone else said, it's great to see you guys sit down together and talk about your work history.
I bet that lad who received the spanners from Robin, will never use them and only treasure them.
Good on you Robin for doing such a deed.
my apprenticeship changed my life. I was crap at school, truancy, caning's - left school at 16 with no qualifications. Started my electricians apprenticeship and loved it, 42 years later now semi retired and never been out of work!
My grandad said he was given an old brace and bit when he was 12 years old, i asked him if that was why gran says he's been boring for 60 years!
I was one of many YTS trainees sent on site for experience. I was very lucky to be picked out and put through a city and guilds apprenticeship . He was a tough boss but a superb bricky who taught me so much , that was back in 86 too 👌🏼.
Alex my son decided he wanted to work with me when he left school . I tried to steer him into electrics , plumbing and carpentry but no he insisted . Being in foundations it is so so tough so I wanted to keep him away from it .
It’s like working with my best mate now and we support each other through the many tough days we’ve had .
I wish I could have sat with you , it just sounded like me talking about the industry 🧱🧱🧱👍🏼
That comment about 24 yr olds being children is so true. I’m only 32 and I can see a change since this full time education thing until your 18. I was not that bad when I was 18. They just don’t care about work and the ones that do only care about the money and not doing a good job. All my work came from recommendation from about 22 until now and it’s payed off from hard work and striving to always be better. And I’m just an electrician.
Bugger Netflix, I popped a Bass pale ale after a hard days graft (yes, this Brit can get Bass Pale Ale in Los Angeles) and settled in. Another smashing vid. Memories, memories, cheers lads!
Showing you're committed can really do so much for you, cause there's so many people out there who just aren't and employers hate it. I remember getting a job at a factory by going down there every morning at 5AM when the morning shift started and just sitting in the lobby reading a book for an hour. They would have had so many young people walking in there handing their resume over the desk each day saying they want a job, but after 3 days one of the supervisors came out and started me on the spot. If I was reliable when I was getting nothing from it they knew I'd be reliable as a worker.
What an inspiration you both are to listen to. 💯 agree.. as a mother, nanny, l am so pleased to have raised my children up to a standard of respect and accountability.. let's have more of these kind of podcasts☺️
Having done my time in the seventies you are spot on with attitude and aptitude of the new generation
I love listening to you two guys perspectives on any building trade conversation. I have 20 years experience at this time, and I went through a vo- tech school before I started. They don't let the students use enough of the real world tools. I remember my first day on the job and my boss told me to use the framing gun to nail the wall together, and I was afraid to use it because they only let us use a hammer and nails in shop class. But now time has went on and my son just started his carpentry class this week. I hope they can give him a well rounded education where I can show him the rest to fill in the voids. Thank you guys for sharing this. Truly inspiring.
When I stated work I was sent out the back to sweep up and I found £60 , 3 twenty’s ,on the floor so I picked it up and said to the boss “ I just found this out the back , it’s not mine someone has dropped it “ he replied “ that’s mine son thanks , you won’t understand this now but that has earned you far more than sixty pound “ I didn’t realise for a long time it was a test that I passed with flying colours. He was a lovely man that taught me a hell of a lot about glazing and life .
Lucky enough to have lads that have respect 🙏 😎🐕
Man would of loved to of done an apprenticeship with Robin when I was young, he knows his stuff for sure. Great work guys, really love this channel.
I could give a lecture on this subject. Disaster in school, but in the end everything turned out OK. Tough with my kids - ice hockey players both of them. The one thing that is missing is from the conversation is the idea of mentors. I've had three or four great ones in my life that turned me around. The soundest advice I ever got was from a guy called Geoff Stevenson in a girlie bar in Rio 47 years ago: "Work hard! Play hard! Sleep hard!"
I walked into work first Monday of 1991 a week after my 20th birthday. As a tradesman. Apprenticeships are tough. Then it takes another twelve years before being adept. Then still learning re: new materials, techniques, tools, still learning this week. 30yrs later.
Reliable, punctual, conscientious... vital.
Well done Robin for sending the young guy some spanners!
Interesting comments guys.Teaching,training youngsters is not just about the carpentry but also being decent and patient working with young people and giving them respect and confidence .You can then build on that to teach them skills.Good tradesmen having been doing that for hundreds of years....NVQ,Citb ,NOCN,CSCS to many organisations I am afraid taking the money away from where it’s needed
Johny I (Roger) completely agree, there is no point treating people as worthless and then trying to get value from them. I would like to see tradesmen going into schools along with doctors, lawyers and anyone else who has real life experience and might be able to influence young people. Leaving education to teachers is not a good approach.
I'm a 24 year old carpenter and Would be happy to do a couple days with robin free of charge just to learn and gain the extra experience. These podcasts open my eyes to so much stuff I never even thought of! Except for rummaging through knicker drawers of course
You have knicker draws?
Heck, I'm a 51-year-old career IT engineer... and IIII would love to apprentice with these guys! Their passion and reverence for the trades is quite contagious. I've been hooked ever since the scarf joint vid.
Not a big fan of carpentry but love listening to these two speak.
loving of what you do, is greatest barrier of gaining from what you do. It shows on your face that you would do it free, if that's the only choise, only 'couse you love it.
10 minutes in, my favourite building topic of all time apart from the jack of all trades conundrum. Yes, if you are a young man that wants some money try to convince someone close to where you live that you can do a skilled job properly for them (pick something that doesn't require too many expensive tools or borrow if you can). You tube it before you start. Google it as you go. Start self-employed. Its no good to try to do jobs by yourself before being taught how to do them, however now we have this you tube. You tube is like an infinitely better version of the Open University for building.
Yeah very soon they'll be some brandishing a Google diploma or UA-cam award!
Can’t thank you both enough for sharing your knowledge, best channel on UA-cam by a mile.
This is one of the best discussions I have heard for years, you guys have hit the nail on the head in so many ways brilliant, I could rant about why the uk doesn't take building trades along with lots of others seriously. This sort of stuff needs to be fed through to both secondary schools and government along with the other building professions.
Two absolute gentlemen giving very valuable advice. Another great video!!!
Absolutely true gentleman , secure, decent , a pleasure to watch . Greetings from the states and thank you
Thanks to both of you, I’m in my 60s but your channels have inspired me to keep learning new DIY skills and doing things myself. Just finished a kitchen install for our Church Hall (with some help) and am planning a wet room at home.
on the building for 40 years and I agree with you 100 percent its old school thinking
Thinking about it, and watching this again, I think alot of work ethic comes from passion for the job too. Especially these days anyhow.
Was this video shot near Heathrow by any chance?
Interesting debate about young people in the trade. Ive been in the trade for 35 years and i think a lot of the 'youngsters' coming through don't 'want' to be in the building trade, it's a last resort. I expect to be shot down for this but my comment is part of the debate. A lot of the young lads that are learning on the job perhaps did'nt do to well at school. Lets be honest, our work is tough and hard on our bodies. Why would you do it if you had a decent education? Im not for a second suggesting all tradesmen are uneducated, of course im not, its just an observation. For a lot of the young people i meet at work, its a last resort. Warehouse work, driving, or building. Another point. And again, shoot me down if you want. I was fortunate that the man who taught me, Reg, was a softly spoken kind man who had time for me. A real gentleman. I work alongside some clever guys, but they are old school and just cannot carry themselves if you know what i mean. Work skills high. Social skills, zero. Youngsters come into the job to work alongside these old school blokes are in for a hard time. These guys shout, swear, scream and in no way able to teach anyone anything. 5.30am on a January morning, freezing cold outside and your alarm goes off, why would anyone want to go to work with people like that! Anyway, thats my bit.
" A lot of the young lads that are learning on the job perhaps did'nt do to well at school." - Unfortunately, I think our young people have been sold a lie as regards the value of going to university. When I left school, only just over 10% of people went to university, so of course they were generally the really clever, academic, ones who generally ended up doing well. For others there were technical colleges or apprenticeships - this was just about the time that YTS came in. Now about 50% of people go to university - spend a lot of money and come out with a worthless qualification, because that's the only way that Universities can get them all through. It keeps the schools and universities in money - the success of a school is judged by how many of its pupils go to university. There's simply no value associated with learning a trade.
I agree I started in construction in 88 , it depends what start you get and if they are interested in you, a lot of kids are just used as cheap labour and it puts them off .
Great advice as usual guys, I wish I had a lucky break, even though I had the "can and will do" attitude, but I was never given that kind of opportunity. Glad to see and hear you both talking a great deal of sense. Hopefully this generation will hear the relevance of your wise words. Fantastic content in your videos guys 👍 great job 👏 👍
It's true. I was on site yesterday. There were four electricians one of them was working. The other three young lads spent 70% of the day. Just sitting around on their phones watching TikTok.
Also working with a trainee recently who's 24? He wasn't clearing up after himself. So at the end of the day I said before you go have a tidy up. We can't leave the job in a mess like this. 10 minutes later he comes back to me saying all tidy I'm off now, so he leaves and I go and check the area and all he is done is picked up his drums of cable and put them in a pile and left mess all over the floor. Had to spend the next 30 minutes before I left clearing up his mess. And he also was one of those guys where every spare second he had he was on his phone.
To be honest, I've got so many stories about trainees and apprentices that either don't know or don't care no matter how much they are told.
If I could do my time again I’d have done a carpentry apprenticeship and learnt the skills properly. I basically winged it for 20yrs and I’m now at a standard where I can ‘work it out’ and get it sorted, but I don’t really have that foundation that I wish I had.
Hi guys, super video and excellent discussion. I can agree with a lot of what you're saying. In 1949 George Orwell wrote his novel '1984', and he included a statement which goes a bit like...'The people will not revolt. They'll be too busy looking down at their screens to see what is going on around them.' 1949 !!!! The future of the work ethic is in doubt, imagine what the next generation will be like. Stay safe guys and keep up the good work. 👍🖖😎
👍👍
Some youngsters don't 'get it' about work ethic until their late 20s. Some kids are pushed into the trades unwillingly, so their commitment is just not there initially. It's rare to have your hobby - the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning - be the same as your career, like it is in your case and mine.
I remember my first day of serving my time as a joiner (1993). Dropped off about a mile from home and walked home with my nail bag on, hammer by my side......proud as! 😆
Nice video once again. I'm 45, been in the trade forever and love your podcasts. Love the fact there's a little bit of waldorf and statler in this one haha. Keep the podcasts coming. They are excellent
Steven
Thanks. I must admit I had to look up the Waldorf and Statler refrence. I have only watch the Muppets once and that was once too much.
I once worked in a house where I decided to go through the knicker drawer. I opened the drawer, closed my eyes and shoved my face in a pair. Imagine my horror when I opened my eyes and saw that I had a giant pair of old, yellowy y-fronts on my face! They stank of shite and Watney's Red Barrel and cheap cigars. But then I remembered, I was working in Bernard Manning's house!
2 rungs up a ladder Roger! I remember as a 16yr old apprentice plumber and not being scared of heights being the one to go up the ladder walk along the ridge carrying a flexible flue liner and as you know it needed to be spun round whilst the bottom man pulled the rope which meant standing on top of the chimney stack makes me shudder to think no harness or safety attachments but good training was had by climbing trees and metal tube climbing frames in the playground as a child and to fall on tarmac hurt so made sure not to fall again ..
Yes I have wound a few of those down and on a windy day it is hairy
Fantastic fellas, very interesting listen, looking forward to the next
I have to completely agree, I'm mid 30's and work in the IT industry. Young people don't show the appetite or have a certain ilk to learn what they have chosen to be Thier career. It pains me sometimes when you have a mid 20's something showing no common sense or desire to resolve something themselves as they can't be arsed!
Absolutely brilliant podcast. Big thumbs up.
Great video... thanks
Very interesting discussion , fellas . I’m often on sites and make it my business to have a look around the finished houses and it often strikes me that the basics are dying out . Dry ridge/verge , pre-cut doors and frames , taped drywall joints , gallons of self levelling on the floor etc etc
Yep, push fit plumbing, upvc everywhere and the ever reliable "fits where it touches" then caulking and mastic finishing!
Don't forget mdf door casings!
And the white hinges! Jeeezus!
I worry for the chippys that will have to hang doors on these in the future.
Hopefully i will be retired by then or maybe teach at the Skillbuilder School 😀
Panty drawers! Moved a bed out the away from the wall once so I could decorate behind. There on the floor was the customers bondage gear 🤣 Decorated and put the bed back, got paid and left with a smirk on my face.
Why the smirk? Where do you keep your bondage gear?
@@SkillBuilder Top drawer 🔝👌👍
Need more of these
Another great video, I was once sent two young school boys for a week on (work exp) I put one of them with an experienced cards in joiner, checked on him a couple of days later, and was told he was fixing skirting on his own in the kitchen, he was about 14 years old, and doing a decent job.
Any youngster to get any training from you two would be set for life.
Proper tradesmen.!!
Its nice to hear your principals in work ethic and such. I’m in the Union in the states, but I’m not cut out for it. I just don’t have the patience or heart for it. It’s just not where I belong. However, I still have gotten fairly good at fixing up things around the house. I just never worked well under heavy pressure, and don’t usually get along with difficult people. Agreed. You never can tell where people came from. I know they do background checks and drug screenings, but psych evaluations would be a good idea too. A lot of our contractors just seem to care how fast works gets done and not about the conduct of the people doing the work. There is cancel culture with slander and getting people run off jobs for sport. It can be a very “every man for himself” affair instead of a brotherhood at times. Perhaps I do see a lot of negativity over positivity. Granted, I have had some good times on jobs. Like I said in the beginning… I have just come to the realization that it’s not where I belong or what I want.
You two are so spot on
Another great. Video
Great video guys ,you are so on point with your info .
A friend of mine who is a fellow Carpenter is now a college lecturer teaching City and Guilds. He has the same problem with the youngsters being constantly on their mobiles and seem disinterested. I witnessed this for myself when i went to the college myself at the end of the last term and just couldnt believe it. The problem is this is tarring all the youngsters with the same brush and makes employers reluctant to take them on. He said the best students are the mature students as they want to be there and learn.
I think you guys hit the nail on the head (pun intended) that even outside the trades people don’t help other people develop. I’m a 28yr old graduate, I try and work hard but when you’re treated terribly and being refused development it’s hard to stay positive. I love work working and building stuff, am I too old to change tack and move into a trade? Sounds simple for the older generations but a decent pay for a decent days work is a rare thing I find.
Just taken on a 24yr old chippy lovely guy brilliant work ethic.
Can relate to much of what Roger & Robin are saying, as it's very difficult to get contentious young carpenters these days. They're more interested in texting on their iPhones, playing loud music, smoking (incl. throwing their cigarette butts on the ground when there's a skip within spitting distance) or simply not turning up (No Shows/Hangovers are common - particularly on Monday mornings), We had one trainee carpenter who couldn't even read a tape measure !!! - figure that one out :-) After showing him how to read a tape & instructing him how to cut some herringbone joist struts (many times), i came back to find a whole pile of scrap wood cut to various lengths/angles, none of which were fit for purpose. They tell me their 1st year at Tech College is mainly Health & Safety & they're not even allowed to touch a power tool until their 2nd year. I'm all for H&S but surely they can be taught how to use basic everyday carpenters power tools (impact drivers, drills, mitre/circular saws (with dust extraction), nail guns etc.) in an effective & safe manner.
You would have thought teaching health and safety would go hand in hand with teaching someone how to use tools.
Excellent vlog thanks 😁👍👏👏👏
Big fan from Lithuania, keep the the podcasts going!
The answer for these young people is two-fold. Context for us ‘oldies’ often dragged-up by absent parents, abusive parents and especially so among the generation that just managed to get through school are majorly disadvantaged. By the time these kids of such ‘parents’ are eventually let lose in to the world, you, the ‘trainer’ are to that youngster, something of a kind of surrogate parent. Consider seriously that he/she is watching you as much as the tools you exemplify!
Youngsters rummaging through a customers clothing is very troubling, and is a deal breaker for your client! You’ve just seriously damaged your business, because you, the tradesmen are liable!
These ‘apprentices at best should only be allowed to operate on building sites but closely supervised even here.
However, if you can tap in to that youngster just by being a ‘father figure’ almost just by default, in that persons life, if that trainee can see you are a ‘father figure’, may be the beginning of some hope and acceptance for you both. Yes, it’s ridiculous it’s you and not the parents. The reward for doing so is that you’ve not just trained good building practice, which is good, but you’ve also at one and the same time exemplified moral training.
A word to absent fathers, your absence in your child’s life will do incalculable damage and harm so far reaching to be criminal!
So the youth rocks up full of attitude, just does enough to keep the job. Now, how do ‘we’ who are expected to at least train that person, just how much are we willing to exemplify our life and practical skills? Make no mistake, that young person isn’t just looking at your skills, they are looking just as closely at you, your character. Just smoking fags, being a grump, cursing, all that stereo-typical ‘builders-bum’ persona on full display is just such an awful image that’s hard to un-see! It’s a frying pan-to fire for any youngster. Good character is utterly essential and must be part of your training any youngster.
If all your attempts are not having any impact within, say a week or two, you need to rethink finding someone else. Yes, the youngster does need to be teachable. If they are keen, and they must and essentially be, they will get it very quickly. Older folks need to exercise a good measure of demonstrable moral discipline, and we are more than capable of change if we don’t as yet!
Lastly, but most importantly, we are all fallen human beings, non of us are remotely “good” and far more remotely from perfect. Mark 10.18
I have worked in the building industry and traveled widely with my carpentry skills, I’ve been self employed and seen a lot, done even more. I’m now about to retire this December. “So?” …It is astonishingly rare to find A Christian in the building trade: a bible reading, Jesus following Christian and not some simple ‘do-good’, who meritoriously claims the name on such fallible reasoning. One needs to be “born from above” not man made but ‘God made’. I’ll leave you a link to get a better handle on what is not easy to explain here.
However, here’s what distinguishes the man-child and a real man: without God in your life, if Jesus Christ is just a curse to you, you are still a boy, a man-child, never matured enough to understand we need the very one we curse like we need air to breathe. I’m leaving you a link to consider watching and then to come back to me with your thoughts about this! ua-cam.com/video/palr2pDa_zo/v-deo.html
Great video gents
Sorry lads... I only watched a couple of minutes of your video and I felt very sad...the problem is (as we all really know) is that successive governments have totally disregarded manual skills in favour of the service / financial sector. I was engaged in apprentice training (albeit engineering rather than building) during the early 80's and was totally dismayed by the lack of investment and interest in these sectors. We are now reaping the (benefits??) outcome of that situation. Total lack of skilled people. Good job there are still folk like you out there promoting such skills! I'll watch the rest of your video when I've stopped feeling so sad. Keep up the good work.
Yep, the phone! For customers paying by the hour, it's a real bug-bear! Take messages and answer the calls in your own time!
I really enjoy the podcast series. Love to hear your guys anecdotes as well ✌
Piss of early tomorrows saturday. Miss those days
Top blokes top advice! Great anecdotes too. Love the “tatty old box” story
Brilliant chat,I started my apprenticeship city and guilds in 86 as well(bricklaying).then went through the same as you re citb.I left the UK for The French alps then eventually Switzerland in the year 2001.not much brickwork over here so I had to learn more carpentry,I love the building trade,it seems in Europe the trades are much more highly regarded than the uk.anway chaps I think you should open a skill builder center for young people to learn building trades,maybe even gain a qualification. Love the channel keep up the good work in promoting our skills,
I’d love to work with you guys - I’m a competent DIYer but do office work during the day and I need a change. Your channel is inspirational - many thanks 👍
Couldn't agree more, you guys have really helped me out with some of the jobs I've been doing as a DIYer. Starting level 2 plumbing this month and getting out the office 😃
Me too and I'm 56 hahahaha!
Love it guys
Just had the exact same conversation with my apprentice today...not engaged in learning and too busy on snapchat and WhatsApp
Great area to cover lads, I had an 18 yrs old lad working for me, landscaping. Always late, always on his phone and no sense of H&S. Sacked him after 4 wks, smoking while filling a petrol brush cutter on site at for a big steel company.
Nearly lost my contract, so he was gone. So you are right to knock the youth of today.
Bloody idle and no common sense.
My youngest son is 11 and I've taught him to MIG weld, obviously he's not great but is keen to learn. Our next goal is stick welding.
I was talking to a friend the other day and his son went through college to do something like design or computer technology but didn't like the kind of office based jobs he got offered and, by chance, went to help a welder friend and took to it instantly. He now has a mobile welding rig and travels all over the place doing site welding and he loves it. It goes to show that you just have to keep trying things until you find what's right for you.
@@SkillBuilder Yeah, the Mrs wants him to go to Uni' but I'd like to see him get an apprenticeship and learn a trade. Enjoyed the vid' by the way👍🏻. Best Regards..
@@BestUserNameUK
Your wife wants one thing you want another but what does your son want? I have to say that all three of my kids went to university and it was no bad thing but my eldest son then went on from his history degree to do a post graduate in law degree and then to accountancy. I think having the freedom to try things and not be tied to you early decision is important. The worst thing is if they end up blaming you in later life for pushing them in a direction they didn't want to go in.
@@SkillBuilder Absolutely! If they're happy, then I'm happy.
I wish you tube was around when I was 18 these boys be my gurus bit late now
Me too. There are so many things you can learn on UA-cam
@@SkillBuilder I've been a handyman d i yer for forty odd years and still learning from UA-cam. Never to old to learn. 😲
City and guilds is still recognised, still listed on my card. you need to know who to talk too
Kudos dudes. You tell it like it is. Sadly I was as much use as a chocolate chisel at 16. Know a bit more at 49 :-)
Old heads and young shoulders and all that.
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Hi Guy’s great podcast, it’s very true Robin how certain other countries trades people are so well respected compared to use and I don’t know why because we have some amazing trades people, personally I think we need to have a better trade school like Pathway to Aus TAFE Skills Tech in Brisbane.
We need more invest and better control on qualified tradesmen. We should start creating universities for tradesmen
Had a young chap (22) working for me last year. First minute of first day on site he wanted to go to get food. I had to explain he needed to eat before he started work. After 2 weeks i gave him an ultimatum over the ridiculous continuous use of his mobile in my time. Simply that the phone stayed in the van while not on a break. He could not accept this so now he is back on the dole. Shocking!
That is the only way they learn, that they are not in school, they are in the real world. 🙄
Great video...
Have to agree totally with you had a young lad labouring for me for about four weeks ok when you go him working but turn your back and he's on the phone or in the morning 10 /15 minutes he's still sitting in the van playing with his phone 🤦☘️🇮🇪 so it's the same no matter where you live
Hi folks, Robin, you probably had a big effect on that man by sending him some spanners. Honestly great stuff mate and thank you both for these videos I am making many notes
LIsitening to your instincts goes Along way
Lots of sound good sense talked here chaps.
Had to watch it all..38:30 (ish) says it all!
Another good one.....Some of the trades I run into on a daily basis...look like tramps...unshaven...dirty work clothes...some caked in silicone..etc... It doesn't supprise me we are held in low regard. I once visited, by the request of the two partners who own the firm, the head office of the main contractor, as their "specialist" and when the head honcho came down to meet us to discuss the replacement of some 200+ fire doors in this old folks home, he walked right past the two partners and came to me.....I later found out why, he thought I was the gaffer.....Because I was clean shaven, clean clothed, clean boots and was the first to introduce myself. He thought the actual partners of the business were my labourers. If you have a beard fine...but don't turn up unkempt, un-shaven and with dirty with worn clothing on and dirty footwear. If you decide to grow a beard...do it in the holidays. There is no excuse for being unclean...and the client may wonder ...if you don't care about yourself...will you care about my job! Show some respect at least. Some people are offended by people taking their shirts off....Know the client....and if you don't .....Think on! Robin told us of the "Uniforms" that the German workers used......they looked smart and were repected by all.... Stand one of them next to a scruffy and unkempt UK worker.....(Or choose these guys doing the video.. Ha).. First impressions last...even Roger mentioned that...The guy remembered him, sat next to him, in the van. Be remembered for being the person who had all the answers to all the questions, the guy who looked the part, was polite etc... and NOT the standard scruffy arse builder you usually see every day here in the UK. If someone turned up at my door, scruffy and caked in crap...I'd piss them off. For you youngsters out there...turn the phone off...turn it on a lunch, if you like, then turn it off again 'till home time....OR...as I saw once...be prepared to be docked wages....firm time is firm time....your own time is your own....and this particular guy...made his point finacially at the end of the week...IT WORKED...He wasn't paying you to chat to your mates.
This post is also available in hardback from good stationers...HA... Long one....
I wonder when the last time a set of chisels were unfurled on a Persimmon site ?
Or a fully made in UK Bulldog shovel?
Well done guys love the channel! Some great content here providing lots of value. Can anyone recommend training centers and courses for someone looking to get into Plumbing & Heating? Thanks
It's a shame that this is the case. I would gladly be hard working and I always put lots of passion into my work. There are some good hard working youngsters out there. Just a shame that not a lot of light is put on that. Keep up the good work the guys and girls and SB. Loving the videos and podcasts! 👍😁
Did an apprenticeship from 03-06, got my NVQ3!! Looking bk feel hard done by CITB!! Hardly learned at thing at the company, had me doing the shite for the price workers! Rushed the photograph evidence so only a bit of first and third fix!! Then made redundant in the last month, didn't have the knowledge to go onto the sites, did partitions and ceilings for another 2 years then came the crash of 2008!!!worked at a furniture framing company since
Had time to reassess working life due to covid and want to get back into it, how would I go about it, nowhere knowledgeable to say I'm NVQ3. Look for labouring to get experience in the site???
Many Kids( NOT all ) are so used to having their arses wiped, when it comes to self sufficiency and motivation to work,without checking your phone every 5 minutes,they are simply clueless...
I want to add to the discussion,
I dont struggle with young lads, phone isnt allowed on the job, there was a very serious accident in purley less than 6 weeks ago, the lad was on his phone, got hit by an rsj that he hadnt seen swinging his way and lost his legs as a result. So thats now the reason why my lads cant have a phone on the job... secondly and most importantly young lads graft for me because i pay £100 a day... why bust your balls for 70 a day? You got to make young lads WANT to keep the job. If you cant find good labourers you need to rethink the wages because i have 6 great lads all under 20 and i wont have anyone call them lazy. YOU HAVE TO MOTIVATE people because the credit crunch days are long gone
Isle of Wight.. at 18:57.. was it the Hendrix one? You've mentioned a few times over your vids about 'hippie' ; )
Yes it was the Hendrix one and The Doors and The Who and Leonard Cohen.
@@SkillBuilder Amazing..!
another fabulous video... i recommend your videos to everyone. so many deep truths; "we shall endeavor to persevere", from the outlaw josie wales, has all these years seemed to hold- learning the trades: LOL
Get the kid on the show ...he will inspire young and old .
Love this love u 2, 👍🤗🙏
Hi Roger and Robin, Robin's comment about trades wearing a uniform as they do in Germany, I suppose years ago when you look at the trades on site in any pictures they did wear a sort of uniform most of the bricklayers you would see wearing a suit, waist coat and cap, so I suppose that was like a uniform.
I think when I look at some trades turning up for work they look like they have sorted through a rubbish tip to find some thing to wear. Some have their names on their top (Roger) in case they forget who they are HA! HA! . Right just put my work clothes on now, where's that LADERHOSEN slap of the thigh and i'm off just got to learn to Yodel now!!!!
great advice,1980's 90's was great to work in building but now this health and safety I think has gone to far,i agree with some of it thou being a chippie.i enjoyed working with other chippies when I was learning the trade and learning off other trades too.also enjoyed doing all different aspects of Carpentry,but I find roofing (cut) the best.Robin,if you go to USA have a look at there roofs,(cut),they are fantastic at them,i learned a lot when I was there.
ps I love Germany too...……Munich,October fest!