Wednesday, July 9, 2025

You’re In! Now What?

A real-world survival guide for new apprentices

By Nuha Mahdi, Apprenticeship Coordinator

Congratulations, you’ve landed a job as an apprentice! Now you are wearing a hard hat, steel-toe boots, and learning a trade that will pay your bills and impress your friends when something breaks. Here is how to get the most out of your apprenticeship without stepping on too many toes (or tripping over cords):

1. Be a Proactive Learner
Ask smart questions and write the answer down. No one expects you to know it all, but they do expect you to learn. Keep a small notebook for tool names, measurements, and tips. Now you sound like someone who is worth an investment.
Seek feedback and use it. Your supervisor is not in the business of mind-reading. If you are not sure, always ask for feedback. It shows that you are here to learn.

2. Build Your Network
The construction industry is a small world and almost everyone knows everyone. Those working around you are not just your co-workers—they are your mentors, contacts, references, and support system. Being helpful and kind goes a long way.

3. Understand Trade Culture
Start time. Did the boss tell you that work starts at 7 am or that the work starts at 7 am? Make sure you know the difference because here’s the secret: If you arrive at 6:59 am when the work starts at 7 am, you missed having coffee, tool talk, and getting to know your crew, which is a crucial time to build connections.
Offer to help. One of the fastest ways to build trust is being the person who steps in without being asked. You can carry gear, tidy up, or grab a tool the journeyperson forgot three times, even though he “had it a second ago.”
Stay humble. You may have aced pre-employment at CLAC Career Development College, but the journeyperson with a taped-up hard hat has more to teach you. Tap into their years of experience.
Do the boring stuff. Let this be your warning that you will be sweeping and fetching tools. You may even be sent to get the pipe stretcher or left-handed punch. (They don’t exist, so don’t ask the tool crib technician). This early grunt work has a purpose. The crew is watching to see

Do you hustle?
How’s your attitude?
Do you put in effort? Or is your coiled cord a spaghetti monster?

More responsibilities will come quicker when you prove to the team that you’re up for the challenge.

4. Keep a Good Attitude
Rest and water are tools you are probably ignoring. When you are well-rested, you are sharper, safer, and better at handling stress. And drink water (coffee and pop are not water).
Change is the only constant. Let’s face it, working in construction is very dynamic—projects change, deadline shift, tool breaks, and coffee runs out. The key to surviving this is to focus on what to learn in every situation.
Assume good intentions. One apprentice thought a welder hated him for a month. Then he discovered that the guy is deaf in one ear, and he was standing on the wrong side. Assuming good intentions earns you respect on the job site. Don’t take things personally unless they’re handed to you in writing.

5. Take Charge of Your Progress
You’ve got support from your union, crew, mentor, maybe even your dog; but the one in charge of your growth is you!
Know your trade. How many years is it? How many hours do you need? How many weeks of schooling? Visit Apprenticeship Programs | CLAC to answer all these questions and more.
Track your hours like your career depends on it because it does! Ask for your hours to be logged regularly. Make sure you know who is submitting your hours and write down their email and phone number.
Don’t forget to go to school! Plan, book, budget, and let your supervisor know months in advance. Getting school done on time means better pay, faster progression, and fewer awkward “why are you still level 1?” conversations.

So, take the time, do the work, make mistakes (just not twice), and enjoy the ride, because the trade you’re learning is more than a job, it’s a craft—and now it’s yours.

Need help understanding your trade? We have your back. Call the CLAC Apprenticeship team at 1-888-700-7555 ext. 3 or email apprenticeshipwest@clac.ca

You’re In! Now What?

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