Apprentice running jobs?

[wolfman56]

I,m a licensed journeyman with over 10 years experience.
The company I just started with put me on a house along with an apprentice. They put the apprentice in charge of running the job. (He happens to be one of the owners nephew's)
I admit to being really insulted and also amazed at this. Has anyone heard of this? Would you quit if you were me?

[bphgravity]

This can be a real touchy subject. My concern would be the qualifications of the other guy. Just because he is not licensed, it doesn't mean he isn't a good electrician with good management skills. I have worked with companies in the past where seniority of time was the preference over actual ability or entitlement. In some cases, "office personel" with no field experience at all would run jobs? I personaly teach an apprentice program right now where many of the students are older than I and with many more years of experience. However, these students are good electricians that are just getting into the education end a little later in their careers than some. I would bring your concerns to upper management and determine how they plan on using your skills and when they plan to advance your position.

[roger]

Wolfman56, yes I have been in this situation many years ago in an area (FL) with no license to apprentice ratio. In my case I actually enjoyed watching this person make mistakes after trying to help the "hot shot" out.

I was payed the average in the area so that wasn't a problem. The problem was, that even with the entertaiment of watching this everyday, I just couldn't take it so I moved on.

Today, I would probably stick around because I would love to just do my 8 hours and go home with no headaches. Thats just me.

It sounds as though your frustration may not be short lived, so you may need to move on as I did.

Good luck

Roger

[jxofaltrds]

Wolfman

"Would you quit?"

NO.

I worked on ECM (electronic counter measures) in the military. Started as a "helper" for an electrical contractor.

I just asked how do you do this? They will eventually realize that you know what you are doing. The only way the could troubleshoot was to do it "hot". They had no way how to use the "wiggy" to "ring out" (continuity check) any circuits.

Play dumb. Most, not all, are intimidated by those who know more than they know.

Not dumb, not intimidated, and definitely not smart.

[electricmanscott]

Here in Mass it would be illegal. I would absolutely quit AND I would turn them in.

[bphgravity]

Is it at all possible that the company is just getting you familiar with their methods and practices by having you work with this guy, and as soon as you have done a job or two, you will go on your and maybe even get an apprentice of your own?

[cm]

I wont let anyone run work unless I know them or they have worked for us for a year, It takes a year to flush out the flaws drunk ,drugs, dosnt show up ,cant communicate ,cant handle customers dose side work for my customers etc and somones strong points .If it comes down to my nephue who grew up with me and somone new my nephue will run work untill somone has proven themselves better.As an employer when I see somone with 10to 20 yrs and they arent established in a shop a shop rat I wonder why ?

[correiaelectric]

If your state requires journeyman to be licensed then it is illegal for an apprentice to run your onsite project they are suppose to learn from you that is why they are called an apprentice Now if he was hired as a project manager that would be a different story but you certainly have the authority to question any electrical violations that he may be requesting of you. Bottom line is if you are a Journeyman and he is listed as an apprentice than you are the boss on that job if he is a Project manager (not performing installation but strictly paper managing and scheduling then he is the boss. The fact that you have a license makes you responsible for the installation on that job and if there is a violation it is your fault unless your Master Electrician Supervisor instructs you to install improperly.

[definitive]

I couldnt disagree more, correiaelectric

If your state requires journeyman to be licensed then it is illegal for an apprentice to run your onsite project they are suppose to learn from you that is why they are called an apprentice.

In what code book or state administrative book is this in. I need to see that one to believe it.
Just how on earth could they ever enforce that if it were a rule?
Im an electrical contractor, and if one of my inspectors called me and said, "it seems your apprentice is in charge out here and the journeyman is taking orders from him. Im gonna write you a citation.", he would undoubtedly get an earful from me and from his boss. Inspectors have a hard enough job as it is. And it seems, that "rule" would only be setting them up to fail.

[iwire]

definitive,

That is rule here in the New England area.

You need at least a Journeyman's license to run any work.

It is not the local inspector that watches over this, though I am sure he can drop a dime on you, it is a State Licensing Board.

If you pull a permit with your license than have run an apprentice run the job you are subject to fines, suspension of license or after repeat offenses they can take your license permanently.

MA has a web site where they make all this, including the names of those involved public. I will try to find it and put up the link here.