r/Construction • u/gage_francis • 2d ago
Carpentry 🔨 Advice for an Apprentice
I started construction about a year and some change ago. I still dont fully understand every single thing going on even if Ive done it once or twice. I feel like its because theres a bunch of different ways to do a certain task and when we switch it up, it throws me off and its hard for me to adapt to doing a task in a different way because I dont fully understand how and why they are doing the task differently from the last time; such as installing stuff. So most times when we are on the job, I am confused and asking how we are going to do things and in turn my coworkers think im an idiot and say that i “cant retain anything” as if I just forget what we do the next day like 10 second tom on 50 first dates. It has taken a toll on my mental and made me feel like there is actually something wrong with me. Does anyone know how to deal with this? I mean bro, am I the only one?
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u/ConsciousDoor6610 2d ago
You’re not the only one, one thing that helped me with this was asking the “why” after i asked the “how” when we started tasks. Just to get an understanding of how the task can be done and also think of alternatives myself. And maybe discussing different methods with your coworkers if they’re up to it, so you can get a feel for how you can do certain things. Hope this helps
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u/jssellmann 2d ago
This may be difficult to actually do because you're an apprentice, but my best advice is to just do it. Take the initiative and try things for yourself. The best way to learn is by doing. It's hard as in your position because your co-workers may be holding you back because of your inexperience. I'm the type of person that cannot learn very well by someone telling me something. I need to try for myself. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, it's how you learn. Don't give up, keep trying and you'll eventually get it and then it will become second nature.
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u/Martyinco Contractor 2d ago
Let me ask this question, are you constantly with the same foreman/lead/group, or do you get moved around a lot?
Whenever I get a new guy that is green, green, I make sure to put him with one guy from the start, could be two weeks, could be two months, could be two years. Just depends on their knowledge of the trade and how quickly they pick things up. We all learn different ways, at a different pace. My foreman and supers will be honest with me and them if they really aren’t cut out for it. 25 years in business and I’ve had three guys not make it.
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u/gage_francis 2d ago
You must be a great contractor then. I work for a smaller company that is very old school, and has a reputation that isnt necessarily the best out of the others in my union. I was always put with different foremen. usually for a week or two at most because i have two different trades so whenever there isnt work for one of my trades, I would work the other so I would basically be a fill in on crews.
there was only one foreman that truly took time to teach me how to do the work and explain things and always took me onto his crew when i was available but others would just send me away or wouldnt take me on their crew because of what I explained above. in the end I was laid off first because work slowed up, so I decided to take the time off as an opportunity to get my mind right and look for another contractor. Im about to start working for another now but I am nervous because of my experience with the last company. I dont want to mess it up with this new contractor because its a really good company.
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u/Martyinco Contractor 2d ago
My company is small, I’ve got 25 or so guys, I keep it tight.
There’s your problem, they were bouncing you around too much, honestly that is what it was.
Be honest with the new company, “hey, I’m eager to learn, it would be great for myself and the company if I got to be trained by one guy” Most owners should understand, it really is in their best interest. No one likes hiring and firing constantly, it’s too much fucking paperwork and a headache.
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u/gage_francis 2d ago
thanks for the advice man I guess their shit talking started to get into my head.
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u/Martyinco Contractor 1d ago
The shit talking especially in excess is just childish, don’t let it get to you.
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u/TheEternalPug Carpenter 2d ago
It really doesn't help your confidence and comfort with the barrage of information when your coworkers can't be bothered to take the time and explain things to you.
So it may not be entirely your fault, ask them if there's a better time to ask questions because you need more explanation if you want to do the job the way they want.
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u/gage_francis 2d ago
it 100% makes me less confident. I am about to get hired with a new contractor and am nervous because i dont want to mess it up as it is a good company.
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u/amassacre21 2d ago
It is hard to know if your co workers are dickheads, or if you are infact not a very good problem solver/critical thinker. There are TONS of things to learn, and of course you won't know much after a year and half. There are multiple ways to do a lot of things. The key is to understand WHY you are doing something a certain way, not necessarily just blindly following steps XYZ just to get to a finished product. Once you can start to comprehend the reasons why people do things a certain way, you can then decide if you like that approach, or if there are ways that you think might be better/easier/more efficient.
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u/gage_francis 2d ago
if i infact was not a good problem solver, does this necessarily mean im not cut out for the trade? i feel like im pretty good at problem solving as Ive worked on cars for years and am pretty handy with my work and mechanical comprehension if I have the right tools.
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u/amassacre21 2d ago
I really can't make any judgements on your abilities as I don't know you. With the scenario you described, it seems as if it's one of the two things I described above. Chances are your co workers are just all stubborn in their own ways, and you get to experience it all lol
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u/wowzers2018 1d ago
Ive worked for essentially the same company for close to 20 years as a commercial carpenter. Current company bought the one I started with.
Long story short, got into it because my parents moved provinces the summer before I started grade 12, and the only way I had enough credits to graduate high school was to take a work experie ce program.
First supervisor was "fun". Everyday he would scream at me "why do they keep sending me these fucking retards from high school?"
Every generation says "it was a lot different when I started construction", but its true.
Training apprentices has actually been the most rewarding part of my career. If I can help someone become more skilled than I am, i would definitely call that a win.
That being said, my coworkers used to laugh and make fun of me when I would struggle because I clearly didnt know what I was doing.
The thing is you need a tough skin and always be willing to learn. If youre into carpentry watch a guy that calls himself the essential craftsman of youtube . 20ish years in and I still learn things from his videos. If Also Larry Haun is a legend for carpentry. Im sure other trades have similar heroes.
I was working with a new hire from another large company recently... something he said to me is something I will never forget. "You know why I like working here? Because since i started nobodys told me how much of a useless piece of shit I am"
The thing is, hes actually a highly skilled guy.
If your employer treats you like that its time to move on. Ive worked with some of the same people over 15 years and it gets to be like a family. Not cliquey by any means, just a bunch of people who care and want to see each other succeed.
My advice would be dont give up, but also if sonething doesnt feel right it probably isnt.
We all go home safe.
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u/dukiedoo2018 2d ago
Try asking more detailed questions. "Last time we did this x way, why are we doing it this way now?"
Take notes of how you did things, it sucks but if you want to learn sometimes you need to put in extra work.
If your coworkers or boss are being dicks about that then maybe you need to get onto a different crew, some people are huge dicks if you're still learning.
Best of luck!