my dad was a journeyman electrician for 30 yrs, the best advice hes ever given me is, spend money on your bed and your boots cause you spend 8hrs in one and 14+ in the other, carry a pocket knife everyday
I'll add one last thing: don't make it a secret what your goals are. If you ARE that guy out there crushing it, first to arrive, last to leave, maximum effort, let your boss know "hey, I'm giving this my all because I fully expect to get a job after this, and I'd also appreciate a (letter of rec, reference, meeting arranged) from you as well." Don't grind yourself into paste in the hopes that somebody will notice. You're your own best advocate.
Never did the apprenticeship. Took the electrical trade school then Electrical Engineering route. Dad was a union plumber and my mom was a union laborer…
I'm an Apprentice Lineman. I appreciate your advice and how you broke down many of the little nuance traits in great detail. I've been in it for about 6 months now and this video serves as an excellent refresher to adjust my attitude back to my first day as an apprentice, considering after some time I found I've become more complacent and comfortable with my crew. Thanks dude!
I’m 20 currently and I am apprenticing at a restoration shop as a mechanic. I’m always on time which is better than most guys at my job I always stay late when necessary, I’m willing to learn and have moved up pretty far in a year and a half from 13hr to 18hr. The guy I work with the most is 67 and if you didn’t know us you would think we genuinely hate each other by how much we insult and curse at each other. But he’s fun to work with and teaches me a lot and pushes me farther in to jobs than I thought I could to the point I’m starting to take over some of the speciality work he does. If I have nothing to do I’ve learned the best thing to say is “what’s next?” Or “what else do you need me to do?”. Since my shop is big projects I’ve seen that I get into a lot more intricate detail than the other guys I went to school with do and where there at since most went into a dealership. Not saying Im that great just try my best and hope to learn.
Also as an IBEW apprentice I think you should be active in your local. A lot of IBEW locals have RENEW committees that are there to help build leaders for the future of your local. IBEW is a brotherhood/sisterhood , it can become an extended family if you are active.
I just started working in HVAC about a month ago and the principles in this video are ones that have taken me a few years learn but I am grateful that I learned them at a young age. You are right about guys not having time to train people, I've been learning every thing mostly on the job and it can be overwhelming. it's important for people to understand that no one is expected to be perfect on day one and when, not if you make mistakes, own it. That in itself speaks volumes. I while back ago I used to work in a tool rental department and one time I rented the wrong sized excavator to a customer, but because I told my supervisor ASAP we were able to handle it. Other guys who made the same mistake and tried to hide it only had a bigger problem with an angry boss, and angry customer questioning them. One thing I've also learned that aligns with this video is, "If you have time to lean. you have time to clean." Instead of waiting to be told what to do, take initiative. Lastly, as a new guy, be very prepared to do things twice and have a good attitude about it. Thank you Carl, this is great advice and your channel is extremely helpful.
A sparky that sweeps/cleans up his/her mess is almost as extinct as the dodo 🦤 bird ...good on you for manning up and not shoving it off on someone else. In my neck of the woods no electrician would dare sweep up...they can't find the seat or ignition switch on the broom.
I was a Project Coordinator for a Mechanical Contractor on Large Projects. Attitude, efficiency, and helpfulness made me a valuable respected person on job sites. I have nothing but respect for the Foremen and Journeymen/ women who helped me. I loved my career!
I’ve been told to clean up multiple times and sometimes I spend my whole shift cleaning and on some occasions I clean the same spot more than once a day. However I don’t complain and I just recently got a raise
@@adudesdrums Probably to joke about last time they "cut it there" with real world examples and that's how they ended up here learning something new from a hardheaded kid, or some similar bs. Just be quick witted and sharp tongued with a good sense of humor and channel your inner roughneck.
I gotta be honest with you sir. I don’t know you and I just watched this video. Thank you so much for posting this kind of content. Very few people truly care about apprentices and take the time to teach them. But honestly if I could Add anything to this video it would be perseverance. I say this because I’ve been at the lowest low of apprenticeship. I’ve only been an apprentice for 9 months. Straight out of high school. And let me tell you it’s been one hell of a ride. I’ve always been a strong person and had no problem doing sports or anything like that. Along with thatI was going into the marines , a big reason for that was because I didn’t want to be here anymore. And I was okay with dying , I just wanted to die for something, But instead I didn’t. My buddy gave me a job offer and told me it wouldn’t be easy, there is no lunch breaks and you work 10-16 hours a day. I thought it would be easy. It turned out to be extremely difficult. There was so many times where I thought i would be fired. There was also many times where I was close to Just saying fuck you to my lead guy and just going home. But instead I met one guy , he said he loved my hustle and he bought me a tool bag that was worth 80 dollars the second day I worked with him. That lit a fire under my ass. I learned that I’m my own man now. And it’s up to me to excel in this field. So the next time I was faced with a problem, or I knew that the coming day was going to suck ass. I just repeated my favorite phrase “I will never accept defeat, and I will never quit”. And then I got a raise. And now at 9 months I’m able to do a lot , I even have guys and customers requesting me to work with them. The guys that once called me an idiot and a caveman now get to kick back and watch me do all the work. Now I know I’m just a first year, and I don’t know a lot. But I know for a fact that In the coming years I’m going to be great. And I can thank this job and this field for it. I had to change so many parts of myself to keep this job. I’ve cried after work before because I was so down and felt so stupid. But any small spark can light a fire. If you need to watch a motivational video then do it. But building discipline and practicing perseverance takes time. And it takes a lot of patience and honesty with yourself.
"The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one" -Wilhelm Stekel
I am not an official apprentice. I work for a school district helping the plumbers we have. I’m at work 15 minutes early. By the time the plumber I work with gets to work 1. The truck bins are unlocked 2. The truck is started 3. The truck is fueled up. The lead at the yard took notice and thanked me for taking initiative
I was an apprentice at a young age at my family's electrical company, after a few months of working with a few of our journeymen they finally started telling me the codes and why they did stuff the way they did because I always asked them at every step, their where 2 other apprentices working for us at that time and they always fought to get me on their job because I began to predict what they needed for the next step and was ready,
This might be your most helpful video I've seen yet. I really appreciate your viewpoint. Comments you've made in other videos 'blue collar gatekeeping' etc. thanks for doing what you do.
This is definitely true for most jobs! I am a teacher and host student teachers frequently. It is that extra 10% that makes things "American Made". That little bit extra that makes someone or something stand out and showing the courage to grow. Thanks for the great content!
Spot on! I work in a machine shop and everything still applies. Although attitude is by far a dead give away, I've had plenty of new guys start off great only to quite a few days later.
That first comment was supposed to be a lot shorter. But this particular video hit me in the heart strings a little. Keep it up man. You just gained a sub. I’m showing your video to my friend as well. He’s been working at our shop for a year and is finally ready to come into the field.
I've already given all your advice to my son . He's 17 and going to a vocation high school. I've been in the trades all my life . You are exactly correct in everything you said. Got my new Nick's by the way . Perfection .
Congratulations on the Nicks! I hope your son is off to a good start in the electrical field. So much is simply the desire to learn and ability to be taught, the rest seems to fall into place.
For some reason the only way I can find this video is the workwear playlist. Not showing under recent uploads or anywhere else.... On that note, great video and one that is definitely helpful since I'm in the application process for an electrician apprenticeship. Already passed my aptitude test and waiting on my interview date. Because of what I've learned from this channel and other (like Wranglerstar) I've already gotten started on gear including my MTO Builder Pros I'm waiting for my try-on pair for (fit kit done a couple weeks ago). Most of the tools I've already had for doing stuff around the house, so gear is really the one big expense I'm looking at. Thanks for all the great info you put out on your channel.
Congratulations! And thank you for the kind words man. You actually weren’t supposed to see this video until Sunday but I left it on “unlisted” rather than “private”. So the way I see it, you earned early access! Best of luck, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need to chat.
Show up on time, take initiative, give a shit, ask questions and try to learn everything possible. It’s that easy. You’re spot on about lean crews are killing opportunities to teach. Cost controls with management are killing the growth of the workforce.
I'll add stay sober to the above. I still remember the guys that took me under their wing over 40 years ago. Robert Calder and Norbert Beauchamp, I'm sure they have been dust for a long time. Thanks for everything, I still think about you. The worse thing I have heard is "It's not my job". If it's not immoral, illegal, or a safety issue, do the work. Grieve it later if you must, but not at the time.
I’m about to start a meat cutter apprenticeship and I was feeling just a little bit nervous cause I’m 22 and everybody else is 50 and older but this gave me more confidence
The best advice someone gave me is there are two different types of crews in commercial plumbing: Prevailing wage crews and Private work crews. You have to earn the right to be on the prevailing wage crews. So this helped me to step my game up and be that rockstar for my crew! :) I have not been laid off since my first company in my apprenticeship now I’m with my third company and I’ve never been laid off since. (I requested a release back to the school cause we knocked out the in town work and am still in my in person classes so couldn’t travel out of town.)
Way to go Carl. I’m not in this line of work but I find this very interesting and informative. You are a valuable resource in this area. This is one of your best videos by far. All the best.
I’m a newly third year plumbing apprentice, I show up an hour early every day. This helps me to prepare my mind for the day and get a good stretch in before the work day. Also it allows me to talk with my foreman to get an idea for what we are doing that day.
Very nice video, too bad there are so many crummy licensed trades men that don’t treat apprentices right , so many get treated wrongfully which causes good ones to lose interest. Some are eager to learn and be more than a gopher. Trades are hard to begin with and as veterans of trades we all should remember we all started at the beginning at one time ourselves.
11:00 to go further into this, insoles saved my ankles and knees. my girlfriend recommended it a while ago and i sort of shrugged it off until i got a job iut of town and found myself on the go a lot more. now i have no idea how i lived without em
Great video, maybe at a later date you could do a video on transitioning from an apprentice to a journeyman and how to build that confidence in your skills and your work to be ready for the next level
I’m 40 years old, and I’m starting an apprenticeship with the Millwrights Union. This should be interesting... Hopefully, my age works for and not against me.
I wish more young people would recognize the importance of not just showing up on time but a little early makes the biggest difference now that I’m in a management role in the plumbing company I work with I see how the little tiny steps extras on a daily basis are really important to the benefit of the job the group and to the individual in their professional opportunities.
Not interested in the trades but as an intern in a large company, this is still great info I can use. Great vid, looking forward to more “career tip” videos!
As a roofer from the Netherlands we have 8 months of rain, buy HILTI these tools never let you down whatever the circumstences. And when they do you can call them and they Bring you a loan in 2 hours, while they fix yours german quality !
48 yrs...45 as an Industrial/Maintenance electrician...Started in the 70's when the old guys would not teach anything,if you were good you would take their jobs (no job security back then, not if they could get someone cheaper) I had to go the extra mile to gain trust...Learned and sought out the worst jobs without being asked and did them to the best of my ability...then gained a rep of being a good guy on 2 man jobs...and they realized that if they taught me I could make their life easier...When I became the one to teach newer guys...the level of time I spent on them was always based on attitude...only so much time in a day...I'm not going to waste it on the guy with the phone...
I would actually love if you made an extended video about how your mindset and attitude affects your overall work flow and how you interact with customers. And how you can fix it.
I was an apprentice for 5 years to be a pipe fitter.I went for about 13 years as a journeyman then most of the companies started to hire anyone who had a pulse. I gave up when I realized that I could only explain it to them, I couldn’t understand it for them.Endless days of doing nothing but fixing mistakes. Lost interest. Sad because I loved that trade.
Starting as an apprentice is scary but keep your chin up and soak it all in try and learn from those are willing to teach in 6 years into my career so still new and much to learn but try and learn from everyone
This is exactly the way it is, right down to electrician wire snippings all over the floors we lay lol....we had alot of union apprentices over the last 2 or 3 years
Thank you Carl In about a month or to I'm going to apply for pipefitters school to become a first year apprentice I know that this will help me along my journey very much appreciated 😊
i find all my clothes and boots on flea market, i know a few things about sewing and fixing shoes so i wear very expensive gear that didnt cost me much at all, the only thing i never get used is electric tools and accesories.
Great video. I'm hoping to be starting my apprenticeship later this year, have my interview later this week. I'm curious about your boot recommendations. Looking at the ones you've linked, it doesnt look like they have any toe protection, and aren't electrically rated. Do you think those features are worth investing in? I've been looking at a pair of Wolverines that have those features, but haven't ever had to buy real work boots before. So I'm interested in advice.
It really depends on what you're doing. There are some jobs where you're running conduit underground or overhead which wont see wire for years. Other times you may be working around energized equipment. My go-to is the Nicks Builder Pro with a composite toe, mostly because they work for 90% of the electrical work we do. Per NFPA 70E we dont really work on much energized equipment anyhow, and when you need to, an arc flash suit is needed.
@@CarlMurawski That's fair. It's good to keep in mind the amount of risk I'm likely to be in as an apprentice, too. Probably not much, hopefully. And I appreciate the recommendation, but those are well out of my price range for now, haha. Maybe some day.
Got an elder sibling who got in with the California DWR Apprenticeship program..No profit motive there hence great school environment training AND supervised work experience where one learned systems (+ constant testing)and not just pulling wire n bending conduit.
I do HVAC after getting out of the marines. They're kind of the same you start out new and know nothing, treated like shit, but after like 3 -5 years you start to become self sufficient and you're given leadership roles.
New or used makes know difference. Make it your goal to us them and us them well. As workers we are our own business. How you invite in your business will shape your success. So don’t be afraid or let your ego get in the way . God bless you all and always make it a great day.👍
Starting out if you don’t have much for tools and clothes. Buy a pair or two of pants get a good pair of work boots that you can afford and if you don’t have money for tools show up with at least a tape measure until you get payed and see what your company gives you for tools and what you need to buy
There's nothing worse than trying to hide a fuck up. Those little stupid fuck ups, that take ten minutes and ten bucks to fix. Can end up costing days and lots of money. Not just in lost time. Which is expensive enough on its own, but in materials and labor. I operate a robot and one of the new guys. Broke a part, and switched it out on a spare without telling me. In itself that wouldn't have been so bad, but they didn't say anything. They also put the broken part back on the tool they took the good one off of. Then sometime later i had to switch the tools and didn't know there was a broken part on the brand new never used tool. When i started the robot it caused a crash. Which took two days to reprogram the robot after fixing everything that broke. Because the robot slammed into the tool and broke lots of shit and threw off all the programmed coordinates. It would've taken me ten minutes and ten dollars to replace the broken part. I wouldn't have cared, I've broken that part multiple times. It isn't a hard thing to break. Owning your mistakes when you do them is probably the most important thing one can do. Other than showing up on time everyday. Nobody is perfect we all make mistakes accidents are a fact of life. Being a bitch and trying to hide it is unacceptable. It is lying and nobody wants a liar working for them or with them.
Hello Carl! Do you think you can talk about the brand ariat? Especially the work boots, I would really appreciate a video like that. Thank you for your time.
Thinking about joining a union been in trucking industry 7 years want out. I'm 27 any advice would be great! Make just over 100k scared I won't make similar income.
You probably won’t make that kind of money just starting out, but if you can get into the petroleum Industry there is crazy cash there, or Journeyman Linemen doing Storm work.
@@CarlMurawski Thanks for the advice man. I'm in NJ as long as the money will come down the road. Lineman and locomotive engineer and some ideas atm I'll read up on petroleum. Love the vids man!
It's amazing how much clarity comes with some age and experience. I've talked to a few people and family about being an apprentice. One was always preoccupied with getting the same as the union guys. And was was trying to bring in a union to a non-union workplace. He couldn't figure out why he was let go from "5" companies within a year. And now he hates the trade. (Electrician)
Personally I think most trades people would be fine getting a pair of Thorogood wedges. Comfortable boots out of the box. Heeled boots are a little extreme IMO for most indoor work on concrete. I do understand some jobs require heeled boots for ladders.
Throrogood wedges are my favorite. Union made in the 🇺🇸 . For construction work Redwing, thoroughgoods, Danner, Georgia and Chippewa are the best boots to get for around 200 bucks. Keep them oiled up with Obenaufs heavy LP. The best thing for a person in an apprenticeship is first make sure its an IBEW/NJATC! Only fools work non-union. Then leave the phone in your lunch box, keep your hands out of your pockets and don't sit down on the job. Take initiative if you don't know what to do ask. You see what your JW is doing and be ready to hand them whatever you think they need next or help them. Ask lots of questions, keep a pencil, paper, a pocket knife, Kleins, tape measure, a flat and Phillips or a 10 in one and a roll of black tape on you at all times. Show up everyday, on time and don't leave till the gang boxes are locked and the area is clean. Pay attention in class IBEW apprenticeships are the best and most final exams for your last year is the state JW test or equivalent that gets your License. If I had to do it over again I would also focus on automation. If you were get the chance to take classes on PLCs or I&C instrumentation and controls do it!. Then go work all the Nuke plant outages you can they are super fun. Also work as many auto plant shutdown and new work in existing plants. Money will be falling out of your pockets!
The right way to sweep the floor, as an apprentic is with one eye on your Colleges. The journeyman that taught me the most said always : you have to steal with your eyes
I've been a carpenter for 8 years, and I'm very lax about being a couple minutes late, and I'm anal about leaving right when it's time to go. I don't stay late, I don't like when others stay late I agree with everything else you say, though. Having the right attitude and working hard and fast, is what matters to me when I have an apprentice
Good lads are few and far , in demolition I have to go through 100 bits of coal before I find a diamond. Some don’t even last the induction before they leave.
Man I’m 27 is it to late for me to become a licensed electrician some day? I have a wife a son and one on the way. Where should I start the trade truly interests me.
@@CarlMurawski same here in Germany. I guess when it comes to trades we are still no. 1 in the world since we have the special education system which will provide equal quality and trade skills to everyone but since 99% of students want to become TikTokers and influencer and the rest wants to study art and marketing we are fucked. You can't find plumbers, electricians, or even the good old German carpenter. Regulations and taxes have made it equally hard to get into this kind of working field. I love the states and will certainly move there in the upcoming 2 years.
I would love to chat with you One on one though. I’d like to go deeper in the conversation about what apprentices can do to be the best. I’m trying to become apprentice of the year , and be the guy who is valuable anywhere he goes.
Carl, I also used to be a mechanic. Got out of the trade due to low pay. There are some talented flat-rate techs that do well, but looking at those guys I figured my aptitude for the job would not realistically put me in the top 10% of wrench-benders. I’m curious why you dropped the trade as well? I have my suspicions... Anyway, electric is an excellent trade. I actually went into deep-sea diving and discovered I don’t like travel. Now I work on pools/water features.
Be keen and enthusiastic from the first thing on Monday morning through to the end of the day on Friday, but not a pain in the butt (like a breakfast radio announcer)
Great advice on apprenticeships, but I'll throw this for anyone that needs it, do the complete opposite in the military, be dumb as a brick and as noticeable as wallpaper.
I wish I would have had the time to watch this video a week ago. It may not stopped me from quitting but I would have atheist been better prepared to be an excavation laborer.
Touching on buying your gear: Buy a hardhat that matches the rest of the crew or at least your J-man. Uniformity helps the rest of the crew see you as one of them.
I’m a third year IBEW apprentice and that getting there 10-15 mim thing is bullshit. I get paid to be there at 6am. Ima be there at 6, ready to work my 8 hours. I let my work do the talking for me.
If you ever plan on being a foreman, you’d better get used to being there early and staying late. Unless you want to be another guy who ends up on the bench time after time, wondering why none of these companies want you.
@@CarlMurawski when I do get to foreman and GF, it’ll be because of my hard work. I let my work speak for me. My work ethic, my ability to problem solve, make and save money for a company will get me there. At the end of the day, this is a business. I understand that. I hold myself to high standards because I know what I can do in the field. I will never lower expectations and I will continue to move until I find a company that can match my values and standard. That’s when I will know a company actually appreciates my work and what I can do. If you get a ratty shop, that makes you do things you aren’t supposed to, then simply leave until you’re valued. And that’s the beauty of being in a union 🇺🇸
28-29 is average age for electrician apprenticeship depending on market. Not sure average age for other trades. I'm just starting at 34. You'll be fine
Jesus if I was to ask my best friend who's a mechanic how much money he has in tools he would just point to his van which is packed full of 3,000 pounds worth of tools
my dad was a journeyman electrician for 30 yrs, the best advice hes ever given me is, spend money on your bed and your boots cause you spend 8hrs in one and 14+ in the other, carry a pocket knife everyday
@@wyattbreymeyer4033 why did he not become a master electrician after all those years?
@@wyattbreymeyer4033 why did he not become a master electrician after all those years?
@@peterekela6407 good question
I'll add one last thing: don't make it a secret what your goals are.
If you ARE that guy out there crushing it, first to arrive, last to leave, maximum effort, let your boss know "hey, I'm giving this my all because I fully expect to get a job after this, and I'd also appreciate a (letter of rec, reference, meeting arranged) from you as well." Don't grind yourself into paste in the hopes that somebody will notice. You're your own best advocate.
Never did the apprenticeship. Took the electrical trade school then Electrical Engineering route. Dad was a union plumber and my mom was a union laborer…
It’s a shame you aren’t more popular, you make fantastic content
Thank you sir!
Just give him 6 months and lots of likes and comments ❤✊
I'm an Apprentice Lineman. I appreciate your advice and how you broke down many of the little nuance traits in great detail. I've been in it for about 6 months now and this video serves as an excellent refresher to adjust my attitude back to my first day as an apprentice, considering after some time I found I've become more complacent and comfortable with my crew. Thanks dude!
#6. Accept criticism and view mistakes as part of learning.
Excellent advice
I’m 20 currently and I am apprenticing at a restoration shop as a mechanic. I’m always on time which is better than most guys at my job I always stay late when necessary, I’m willing to learn and have moved up pretty far in a year and a half from 13hr to 18hr. The guy I work with the most is 67 and if you didn’t know us you would think we genuinely hate each other by how much we insult and curse at each other. But he’s fun to work with and teaches me a lot and pushes me farther in to jobs than I thought I could to the point I’m starting to take over some of the speciality work he does. If I have nothing to do I’ve learned the best thing to say is “what’s next?” Or “what else do you need me to do?”. Since my shop is big projects I’ve seen that I get into a lot more intricate detail than the other guys I went to school with do and where there at since most went into a dealership. Not saying Im that great just try my best and hope to learn.
Also as an IBEW apprentice I think you should be active in your local. A lot of IBEW locals have RENEW committees that are there to help build leaders for the future of your local. IBEW is a brotherhood/sisterhood , it can become an extended family if you are active.
Very good point!
Renew is a waste of time.
I just started working in HVAC about a month ago and the principles in this video are ones that have taken me a few years learn but I am grateful that I learned them at a young age. You are right about guys not having time to train people, I've been learning every thing mostly on the job and it can be overwhelming. it's important for people to understand that no one is expected to be perfect on day one and when, not if you make mistakes, own it. That in itself speaks volumes. I while back ago I used to work in a tool rental department and one time I rented the wrong sized excavator to a customer, but because I told my supervisor ASAP we were able to handle it. Other guys who made the same mistake and tried to hide it only had a bigger problem with an angry boss, and angry customer questioning them. One thing I've also learned that aligns with this video is, "If you have time to lean. you have time to clean." Instead of waiting to be told what to do, take initiative. Lastly, as a new guy, be very prepared to do things twice and have a good attitude about it. Thank you Carl, this is great advice and your channel is extremely helpful.
A sparky that sweeps/cleans up his/her mess is almost as extinct as the dodo 🦤 bird ...good on you for manning up and not shoving it off on someone else. In my neck of the woods no electrician would dare sweep up...they can't find the seat or ignition switch on the broom.
I was a Project Coordinator for a Mechanical Contractor on Large Projects. Attitude, efficiency, and helpfulness made me a valuable respected person on job sites. I have nothing but respect for the Foremen and Journeymen/ women who helped me. I loved my career!
I’ve been told to clean up multiple times and sometimes I spend my whole shift cleaning and on some occasions I clean the same spot more than once a day. However I don’t complain and I just recently got a raise
Be prepared to take SO much shit. "Oh you're gonna do it THAT way huh?" "Gonna cut it there huh?" "I'd have done it the other way."
Hahaha so true!!!
what is a good response to this is this happens?
@@adudesdrums Probably to joke about last time they "cut it there" with real world examples and that's how they ended up here learning something new from a hardheaded kid, or some similar bs. Just be quick witted and sharp tongued with a good sense of humor and channel your inner roughneck.
I gotta be honest with you sir. I don’t know you and I just watched this video. Thank you so much for posting this kind of content. Very few people truly care about apprentices and take the time to teach them. But honestly if I could
Add anything to this video it would be perseverance. I say this because I’ve been at the lowest low of apprenticeship. I’ve only been an apprentice for 9 months. Straight out of high school. And let me tell you it’s been one hell of a ride. I’ve always been a strong person and had no problem doing sports or anything like that. Along with thatI was going into the marines , a big reason for that was because I didn’t want to be here anymore. And I was okay with dying , I just wanted to die for something, But instead I didn’t. My buddy gave me a job offer and told me it wouldn’t be easy, there is no lunch breaks and you work 10-16 hours a day. I thought it would be easy. It turned out to be extremely difficult. There was so many times where I thought i would be fired. There was also many times where I was close to Just saying fuck you to my lead guy and just going home. But instead I met one guy , he said he loved my hustle and he bought me a tool bag that was worth 80 dollars the second day I worked with him. That lit a fire under my ass. I learned that I’m my own man now. And it’s up to me to excel in this field. So the next time I was faced with a problem, or I knew that the coming day was going to suck ass. I just repeated my favorite phrase “I will never accept defeat, and I will never quit”. And then I got a raise. And now at 9 months I’m able to do a lot , I even have guys and customers requesting me to work with them. The guys that once called me an idiot and a caveman now get to kick back and watch me do all the work. Now I know I’m just a first year, and I don’t know a lot. But I know for a fact that In the coming years I’m going to be great. And I can thank this job and this field for it. I had to change so many parts of myself to keep this job. I’ve cried after work before because I was so down and felt so stupid. But any small spark can light a fire. If you need to watch a motivational video then do it. But building discipline and practicing perseverance takes time. And it takes a lot of patience and honesty with yourself.
"The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one" -Wilhelm Stekel
Thank you for this comment. I'm about to step on the path of apprentership myself for a career change. This gave me a way to mentally prepare myself.
I’m watching this as a journeyman, i want to see if i did these things, keep up with this attitude and generally see what i should expect
I am not an official apprentice. I work for a school district helping the plumbers we have. I’m at work 15 minutes early. By the time the plumber I work with gets to work 1. The truck bins are unlocked 2. The truck is started 3. The truck is fueled up. The lead at the yard took notice and thanked me for taking initiative
I was an apprentice at a young age at my family's electrical company, after a few months of working with a few of our journeymen they finally started telling me the codes and why they did stuff the way they did because I always asked them at every step, their where 2 other apprentices working for us at that time and they always fought to get me on their job because I began to predict what they needed for the next step and was ready,
Good attitude and willingness to take direction and learn will get you further than whatever school you went to.
True story!!
Went thru Welder, Tool Maker AND Electrical apprenticeships. Tool maker is by far the most challenging!
This might be your most helpful video I've seen yet. I really appreciate your viewpoint. Comments you've made in other videos 'blue collar gatekeeping' etc. thanks for doing what you do.
This is definitely true for most jobs! I am a teacher and host student teachers frequently. It is that extra 10% that makes things "American Made". That little bit extra that makes someone or something stand out and showing the courage to grow. Thanks for the great content!
I completely agree with you, and thank you for watching!
Spot on! I work in a machine shop and everything still applies. Although attitude is by far a dead give away, I've had plenty of new guys start off great only to quite a few days later.
I only have a desk job and have been working from home since the pandemic but all great attitudes to apply nonetheless!
That first comment was supposed to be a lot shorter. But this particular video hit me in the heart strings a little. Keep it up man. You just gained a sub. I’m showing your video to my friend as well. He’s been working at our shop for a year and is finally ready to come into the field.
I've already given all your advice to my son . He's 17 and going to a vocation high school. I've been in the trades all my life . You are exactly correct in everything you said. Got my new Nick's by the way . Perfection .
He's in the electrical apprenticeship by the way .
Congratulations on the Nicks! I hope your son is off to a good start in the electrical field. So much is simply the desire to learn and ability to be taught, the rest seems to fall into place.
For some reason the only way I can find this video is the workwear playlist. Not showing under recent uploads or anywhere else.... On that note, great video and one that is definitely helpful since I'm in the application process for an electrician apprenticeship. Already passed my aptitude test and waiting on my interview date. Because of what I've learned from this channel and other (like Wranglerstar) I've already gotten started on gear including my MTO Builder Pros I'm waiting for my try-on pair for (fit kit done a couple weeks ago). Most of the tools I've already had for doing stuff around the house, so gear is really the one big expense I'm looking at. Thanks for all the great info you put out on your channel.
Congratulations! And thank you for the kind words man.
You actually weren’t supposed to see this video until Sunday but I left it on “unlisted” rather than “private”. So the way I see it, you earned early access!
Best of luck, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need to chat.
Show up on time, take initiative, give a shit, ask questions and try to learn everything possible. It’s that easy.
You’re spot on about lean crews are killing opportunities to teach. Cost controls with management are killing the growth of the workforce.
Absolutely agreed. It’s a horrible long term strategy.
I'll add stay sober to the above. I still remember the guys that took me under their wing over 40 years ago. Robert Calder and Norbert Beauchamp, I'm sure they have been dust for a long time. Thanks for everything, I still think about you. The worse thing I have heard is "It's not my job". If it's not immoral, illegal, or a safety issue, do the work. Grieve it later if you must, but not at the time.
100% agree we're definitely 9n that lean crew side at this point which is a bummer cause you gotta run and can't take a bunch of time to teach
I’m about to start a meat cutter apprenticeship and I was feeling just a little bit nervous cause I’m 22 and everybody else is 50 and older but this gave me more confidence
The best advice someone gave me is there are two different types of crews in commercial plumbing: Prevailing wage crews and Private work crews. You have to earn the right to be on the prevailing wage crews. So this helped me to step my game up and be that rockstar for my crew! :) I have not been laid off since my first company in my apprenticeship now I’m with my third company and I’ve never been laid off since. (I requested a release back to the school cause we knocked out the in town work and am still in my in person classes so couldn’t travel out of town.)
Way to go Carl. I’m not in this line of work but I find this very interesting and informative. You are a valuable resource in this area. This is one of your best videos by far. All the best.
Awesome! Thank you! Its funny how the videos I do like this tend not to get a ton of views, but they bring a lot of value (hopefully).
@@CarlMurawski you should consider Voice over work
I’m a newly third year plumbing apprentice, I show up an hour early every day. This helps me to prepare my mind for the day and get a good stretch in before the work day. Also it allows me to talk with my foreman to get an idea for what we are doing that day.
Dude! Hit the nail on the head! Needed to hear this!
Very nice video, too bad there are so many crummy licensed trades men that don’t treat apprentices right , so many get treated wrongfully which causes good ones to lose interest. Some are eager to learn and be more than a gopher. Trades are hard to begin with and as veterans of trades we all should remember we all started at the beginning at one time ourselves.
11:00 to go further into this, insoles saved my ankles and knees. my girlfriend recommended it a while ago and i sort of shrugged it off until i got a job iut of town and found myself on the go a lot more. now i have no idea how i lived without em
Great video, maybe at a later date you could do a video on transitioning from an apprentice to a journeyman and how to build that confidence in your skills and your work to be ready for the next level
That’s a great idea man!
I’m 40 years old, and I’m starting an apprenticeship with the Millwrights Union. This should be interesting... Hopefully, my age works for and not against me.
never too old to start....
I wish more young people would recognize the importance of not just showing up on time but a little early makes the biggest difference now that I’m in a management role in the plumbing company I work with I see how the little tiny steps extras on a daily basis are really important to the benefit of the job the group and to the individual in their professional opportunities.
100% agreed! It's a cumulative effect which actually adds up to much more.
Not interested in the trades but as an intern in a large company, this is still great info I can use.
Great vid, looking forward to more “career tip” videos!
Glad it was helpful!
As a roofer from the Netherlands we have 8 months of rain, buy HILTI these tools never let you down whatever the circumstences. And when they do you can call them and they Bring you a loan in 2 hours, while they fix yours german quality !
48 yrs...45 as an Industrial/Maintenance electrician...Started in the 70's when the old guys would not teach anything,if you were good you would take their jobs (no job security back then, not if they could get someone cheaper) I had to go the extra mile to gain trust...Learned and sought out the worst jobs without being asked and did them to the best of my ability...then gained a rep of being a good guy on 2 man jobs...and they realized that if they taught me I could make their life easier...When I became the one to teach newer guys...the level of time I spent on them was always based on attitude...only so much time in a day...I'm not going to waste it on the guy with the phone...
This is a very thoughtful video, there are many young men and women who need that little insight to urge them over the commitment hump ;) great job.
I would actually love if you made an extended video about how your mindset and attitude affects your overall work flow and how you interact with customers. And how you can fix it.
I was an apprentice for 5 years to be a pipe fitter.I went for about 13 years as a journeyman then most of the companies started to hire anyone who had a pulse.
I gave up when I realized that I could only explain it to them, I couldn’t understand it for them.Endless days of doing nothing but fixing mistakes. Lost interest. Sad because I loved that trade.
Starting as an apprentice is scary but keep your chin up and soak it all in try and learn from those are willing to teach in 6 years into my career so still new and much to learn but try and learn from everyone
I always notice the first on the battle field and the last one off it .
This is exactly the way it is, right down to electrician wire snippings all over the floors we lay lol....we had alot of union apprentices over the last 2 or 3 years
Thank you Carl In about a month or to I'm going to apply for pipefitters school to become a first year apprentice I know that this will help me along my journey very much appreciated 😊
Best of luck! Go kick some ass!
@@CarlMurawski Hell yeah
i find all my clothes and boots on flea market, i know a few things about sewing and fixing shoes so i wear very expensive gear that didnt cost me much at all, the only thing i never get used is electric tools and accesories.
Great video. I'm hoping to be starting my apprenticeship later this year, have my interview later this week.
I'm curious about your boot recommendations. Looking at the ones you've linked, it doesnt look like they have any toe protection, and aren't electrically rated. Do you think those features are worth investing in? I've been looking at a pair of Wolverines that have those features, but haven't ever had to buy real work boots before. So I'm interested in advice.
It really depends on what you're doing. There are some jobs where you're running conduit underground or overhead which wont see wire for years. Other times you may be working around energized equipment. My go-to is the Nicks Builder Pro with a composite toe, mostly because they work for 90% of the electrical work we do. Per NFPA 70E we dont really work on much energized equipment anyhow, and when you need to, an arc flash suit is needed.
@@CarlMurawski That's fair. It's good to keep in mind the amount of risk I'm likely to be in as an apprentice, too. Probably not much, hopefully. And I appreciate the recommendation, but those are well out of my price range for now, haha. Maybe some day.
Got an elder sibling who got in with the California DWR Apprenticeship program..No profit motive there hence great school environment training AND supervised work experience where one learned systems (+ constant testing)and not just pulling wire n bending conduit.
I do HVAC after getting out of the marines. They're kind of the same you start out new and know nothing, treated like shit, but after like 3 -5 years you start to become self sufficient and you're given leadership roles.
Good Advice for Apprentices. I think more resources are needed to prepare Journeyman on how to be a successful mentor.
Totally agree! They don't really tell you much other than "this is the new guy".
I’m a journeyman now but I could’ve used this advice in the beginning
This is amazing advice!
I had several pagers (beepers) back in the day. Kept lots of quarters in the car too.
New or used makes know difference. Make it your goal to us them and us them well.
As workers we are our own business. How you invite in your business will shape your success. So don’t be afraid or let your ego get in the way . God bless you all and always make it a great day.👍
Starting out if you don’t have much for tools and clothes. Buy a pair or two of pants get a good pair of work boots that you can afford and if you don’t have money for tools show up with at least a tape measure until you get payed and see what your company gives you for tools and what you need to buy
Yes, absolutely!
Cool video! I just got accepted to trade school.
Congratulations!!!
Best of luck with your UA-cam channel.
Thank you sir!
Cracking video Carl . Young uns listen to what this man is saying .
Thank you my friend!
@@CarlMurawski welcome pal , you ever want to know about English work wear esp demo sites let me know , I’ll fill you in .
Attitude is indeed the most important factor
Yes indeed!
There's nothing worse than trying to hide a fuck up. Those little stupid fuck ups, that take ten minutes and ten bucks to fix. Can end up costing days and lots of money. Not just in lost time. Which is expensive enough on its own, but in materials and labor.
I operate a robot and one of the new guys. Broke a part, and switched it out on a spare without telling me.
In itself that wouldn't have been so bad, but they didn't say anything. They also put the broken part back on the tool they took the good one off of. Then sometime later i had to switch the tools and didn't know there was a broken part on the brand new never used tool.
When i started the robot it caused a crash. Which took two days to reprogram the robot after fixing everything that broke. Because the robot slammed into the tool and broke lots of shit and threw off all the programmed coordinates.
It would've taken me ten minutes and ten dollars to replace the broken part. I wouldn't have cared, I've broken that part multiple times. It isn't a hard thing to break.
Owning your mistakes when you do them is probably the most important thing one can do. Other than showing up on time everyday.
Nobody is perfect we all make mistakes accidents are a fact of life.
Being a bitch and trying to hide it is unacceptable. It is lying and nobody wants a liar working for them or with them.
That picture is cute. Thx for the advice.
What a great video!
Thank you!
Hello Carl! Do you think you can talk about the brand ariat? Especially the work boots, I would really appreciate a video like that. Thank you for your time.
Most definitely. In fact I just got some of their gear for a future comparison!
Thinking about joining a union been in trucking industry 7 years want out. I'm 27 any advice would be great! Make just over 100k scared I won't make similar income.
You probably won’t make that kind of money just starting out, but if you can get into the petroleum Industry there is crazy cash there, or Journeyman Linemen doing Storm work.
@@CarlMurawski Thanks for the advice man. I'm in NJ as long as the money will come down the road. Lineman and locomotive engineer and some ideas atm I'll read up on petroleum. Love the vids man!
When I saw the thumbnail I was like. He's an electrician. And I had to watch. I myself have been in the trade 17 years.
It's amazing how much clarity comes with some age and experience. I've talked to a few people and family about being an apprentice. One was always preoccupied with getting the same as the union guys. And was was trying to bring in a union to a non-union workplace. He couldn't figure out why he was let go from "5" companies within a year. And now he hates the trade. (Electrician)
Personally I think most trades people would be fine getting a pair of Thorogood wedges. Comfortable boots out of the box. Heeled boots are a little extreme IMO for most indoor work on concrete. I do understand some jobs require heeled boots for ladders.
Yeah, it’s hard to give a “one size fits all” recommendation.
Throrogood wedges are my favorite. Union made in the 🇺🇸 . For construction work Redwing, thoroughgoods, Danner, Georgia and Chippewa are the best boots to get for around 200 bucks. Keep them oiled up with Obenaufs heavy LP. The best thing for a person in an apprenticeship is first make sure its an IBEW/NJATC! Only fools work non-union. Then leave the phone in your lunch box, keep your hands out of your pockets and don't sit down on the job. Take initiative if you don't know what to do ask. You see what your JW is doing and be ready to hand them whatever you think they need next or help them. Ask lots of questions, keep a pencil, paper, a pocket knife, Kleins, tape measure, a flat and Phillips or a 10 in one and a roll of black tape on you at all times. Show up everyday, on time and don't leave till the gang boxes are locked and the area is clean. Pay attention in class IBEW apprenticeships are the best and most final exams for your last year is the state JW test or equivalent that gets your License. If I had to do it over again I would also focus on automation. If you were get the chance to take classes on PLCs or I&C instrumentation and controls do it!. Then go work all the Nuke plant outages you can they are super fun. Also work as many auto plant shutdown and new work in existing plants. Money will be falling out of your pockets!
Just got a new job at a hardware store. Finna kick some ass, I promise you that
Haha you really got us this time.. Haha electrician with a broom good one.... gotta go, there's boilermakers sitting on buckets without me
Lol!
The right way to sweep the floor, as an apprentic is with one eye on your Colleges. The journeyman that taught me the most said always : you have to steal with your eyes
I've been a carpenter for 8 years, and I'm very lax about being a couple minutes late, and I'm anal about leaving right when it's time to go. I don't stay late, I don't like when others stay late
I agree with everything else you say, though. Having the right attitude and working hard and fast, is what matters to me when I have an apprentice
Good lads are few and far , in demolition I have to go through 100 bits of coal before I find a diamond. Some don’t even last the induction before they leave.
Carl is the man
Haha, thank you my friend!
Man I’m 27 is it to late for me to become a licensed electrician some day? I have a wife a son and one on the way. Where should I start the trade truly interests me.
Not at all, I got started at 25!
Quick question for people in the US... when you are an apprentice... do you get paid?
Yes, depending on the program you start at half the wage a licensed tradesman gets and then percentage increases with time.
@@CarlMurawski at some point I might freak out and leave this god damn country to move to the states.
We certainly have our problems too- what country doesnt?? But right now tradesmen are in short supply and paid well generally.
@@CarlMurawski same here in Germany. I guess when it comes to trades we are still no. 1 in the world since we have the special education system which will provide equal quality and trade skills to everyone but since 99% of students want to become TikTokers and influencer and the rest wants to study art and marketing we are fucked. You can't find plumbers, electricians, or even the good old German carpenter. Regulations and taxes have made it equally hard to get into this kind of working field. I love the states and will certainly move there in the upcoming 2 years.
Great video need more
Mill worker friend says - rules for all ; no phone ; no tobacco of any kind or your gone ... as insurance guide lines are strict..
I would love to chat with you One on one though. I’d like to go deeper in the conversation about what apprentices can do to be the best. I’m trying to become apprentice of the year , and be the guy who is valuable anywhere he goes.
Carl, I also used to be a mechanic. Got out of the trade due to low pay. There are some talented flat-rate techs that do well, but looking at those guys I figured my aptitude for the job would not realistically put me in the top 10% of wrench-benders. I’m curious why you dropped the trade as well? I have my suspicions... Anyway, electric is an excellent trade. I actually went into deep-sea diving and discovered I don’t like travel. Now I work on pools/water features.
its so true what you said, they don't teach.....
My first job in a blue collar/labor
Damn good advise
Yes chef, no chef, 3 bags full chef. We're all deaf here.
Great video
100% FACTS
Be keen and enthusiastic from the first thing on Monday morning through to the end of the day on Friday, but not a pain in the butt (like a breakfast radio announcer)
Sound advice on all accounts.
I have this same hoodie in the thumbnail they are good quality for the price lol
Boots, boots, boots. Don't do like I did and go through 4 pair of different cheapo boots until I my first pair of real ones. 😩
Great advice on apprenticeships, but I'll throw this for anyone that needs it, do the complete opposite in the military, be dumb as a brick and as noticeable as wallpaper.
I wish I would have had the time to watch this video a week ago. It may not stopped me from quitting but I would have atheist been better prepared to be an excavation laborer.
Touching on buying your gear:
Buy a hardhat that matches the rest of the crew or at least your J-man. Uniformity helps the rest of the crew see you as one of them.
Good video
Thank you!
I’m a third year IBEW apprentice and that getting there 10-15 mim thing is bullshit. I get paid to be there at 6am. Ima be there at 6, ready to work my 8 hours. I let my work do the talking for me.
If you ever plan on being a foreman, you’d better get used to being there early and staying late. Unless you want to be another guy who ends up on the bench time after time, wondering why none of these companies want you.
@@CarlMurawski when I do get to foreman and GF, it’ll be because of my hard work. I let my work speak for me. My work ethic, my ability to problem solve, make and save money for a company will get me there. At the end of the day, this is a business. I understand that. I hold myself to high standards because I know what I can do in the field. I will never lower expectations and I will continue to move until I find a company that can match my values and standard. That’s when I will know a company actually appreciates my work and what I can do. If you get a ratty shop, that makes you do things you aren’t supposed to, then simply leave until you’re valued. And that’s the beauty of being in a union 🇺🇸
i thought you were trying to be an actual rockstar when i read the title lol
No, but if you know of that apprenticeship please share!
Is 35 too old to learn a trade?
Its never too late to learn a trade.
No , crack on pal , good luck
28-29 is average age for electrician apprenticeship depending on market. Not sure average age for other trades. I'm just starting at 34. You'll be fine
Thanks guys.
Jesus if I was to ask my best friend who's a mechanic how much money he has in tools he would just point to his van which is packed full of 3,000 pounds worth of tools
Oh forget about it man! So much $$$
@@CarlMurawski so much snap on lol
I feel like this whole video could be paraphrased with “have common sense”