For the new Apprentice: Your First Day:

[sparkydave]

Hey guys, What should a new kid starting out in the trade be looking for in his first placement, in terms of who to work with. I have for a long time had the feeling that a tradesperson's work habits, pride or lack of it will follow to a large degree the very first journeyman they spend a significant amount of time with.
(Bad habits hard to break)

Agree or disagree?

(Could lead a series?)

[Bodger]

I think there is some validity to the theory that when someone breaks in with a tradesman, they learn good and bad habits.

I had a guy work for me for about a year, then moved on and would constantly call me and tell me how his new boss did things. And that I was too worried about small things like what gauge extension chord to use over a 50 foot length to a 15 amp tool, and on and on.

I try not to hire newbies anymore if I can help it.

[sparkydave]

You were a positive exemplar, and have my respect. Is it harder to get newbies to respond to your expectations than previous generations? I hear that "you can't talk to the guys like that now".

[Blue]

I couldn't do another one. Three newb employees that I can think of are actualy doing better or about same as me now! One does only high end framing, and one is roofing and some custom homes, the third has pretty much went the same route as me doing remods.

I later hired all three as subs at one time or another.

Electrical though is a little different. You want to stay under the same master because your ultimate goal is getting the master liscense. In my line they usually get enough experience and they grow wings wanting to chase the dream.

[Blue]

I think there is some validity to the theory that when someone breaks in with a tradesman, they learn good and bad habits.

I had a guy work for me for about a year, then moved on and would constantly call me and tell me how his new boss did things. And that I was too worried about small things like what gauge extension chord to use over a 50 foot length to a 15 amp tool, and on and on.

I try not to hire newbies anymore if I can help it.

Sure, you grab your own table saw that you purchased and run it at half speed off that smokin hot baby cord. :idea:

[Bodger]

I could probably be persuaded to take on a newbie that actually wanted to learn the business. I have found that most of them don't.
It's like coals in the furnace, stoke it back up every day because these guys don't really have an affinity for the business to begin with, and there's no passion to garner the knowledge and skill.

It's just a place to show up and stay all day and walk out with a hundred bucks or so.

I've had two guys that learned, went on to get licensed, and make a couple hundred grand a year for themsleves in the boom times.

Other than those guys, trash haulers and dirt diggers mostly. I don't even need to know their names.

[SLS-Construction]

I personally rather teach someone new that is willing to learn & has a good work ethic, than take on someone else's bad habits.

Back to the original question - that is tough, I would say a clean organized site, good reputation & clean looking work.

The catch is I have seen plenty of hacks that are like this - unfortunately their clean looking work is simply lipstick thick & they move on before all the damage starts showing up & they loose their rep.