My oldest son

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Re: My oldest son

Very good Don. My son started the apprenticeship last year and loves it. I remember him calling me at work and telling me he was starting on Monday. That weekend I took him out to get workboots, clothes and the tools he didnt have. He is working for the same company I am with.
 
Re: My oldest son

He made a wise decision. He picked the best trade in the construction industry because, "We bring good things to light." :D
 
Re: My oldest son

To: Don, The best advise that I would give your son, or anyone starting out in the electrical world is the following:
1. Get registered in Mike Holt's network, and
make sure that your son is using it.
2. Go for all of the Electrical license that are
needed. Today, that is what an employer wants
see. Laminate the license and/or certifications
for your records.
3. Today an employer wants to see a multi-crafted
mechanic. I am referring to Instrumentation,
HVAC/R (Heating,Ventilation,Air-Cond.,Refrig.)

I teach students at a Technical & Junior College.
The employers are sending their employees to get
training in more than one field.
Times have changed and we need to adjust so that we can be competitive.
Above all, attitude is my key word for my students. With the right attitude you will be succssful in what ever field that you choose.
 
Re: My oldest son

computers are everywhere also, although if he is just starting he probably knows all about computers anyway, but controls are the way to go,variable speed drives, ddc learn them and you can name your price.
 
Re: My oldest son

Have him chant the following mantra on a daily basis: ?Nothing is more important than safety.?
 
Re: My oldest son

This is all good advice and I think Jim had the best advice ,but you left off the part about the "TUMS"
 
Re: My oldest son

Don't be late!

Don't miss work!

Buy good boots!

Have the required tools!

Pennsylvania?
Buy a set of carhartt bibs, and coat with a hood!
 
Re: My oldest son

My advice, and I guess I'm from a different planet than most of y'all, lol:

1. Education, education, education.

2. Move faster than the guy/gal next to you. Walk faster, think faster, and adapt faster.

3. Seek responsibility. There's value in being able to build electrical systems, but there's 10x the value in an electrician that can manage others. Remember what side of the bed you got out of, which end the pillow was on, and why.

4. Remember your customers as a whole are afraid of electricity. Personal cleanliness, vocabulary, and overall professionalism cannot be overstated. Our trade remains a mystery to most, most clients have little to judge your work by other than.... yourself.

5. Smile, feel fortunate, and teach others. Never be afraid to teach an underling too much. Smile, smile, smile, and teach, teach, teach.

6. Most importantly, pay your taxes. :D
 
Re: My oldest son

Bob, your post is great, I agree 100%.

Education is the key to excellence.

Don tell your son to take advantage of any and all learning materials and methods he can find.

If possible it would be good if he could find employment with a company that would offer training or assistance with training.

As Bob said,
Never be afraid to teach an underling too much.
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this is a common problem I think. Many who are insecure in their own knowledge are reluctant to help educate apprentices for fear of being surpassed. :)

Roger
 
Re: My oldest son

I think one of the best things My father instilled into me was the fact that we will never know everything and because of this we always have to keep an open mind as we can always learn new things. With out this we will become harden and we will learn no more. Our field is ever changing and so is the way we do things. and if we at least don't try some of these new things we will be left by the way side.

If your not sure about this think about the eight track repairman that never thought he needed to learn how to repair anything else.
 
Re: My oldest son

Also the only stupid questions are the one`s you don`t ask.
 
Re: My oldest son

thanks for the advice, I will be passing all the reply's onto my son. My son really likes the school and what he is learning. As soon as he gets his computer up and running I am going to give him this site address. I feel this site and the people here have alot to offer him. :)
 
Re: My oldest son

Originally posted by don:
started school the other day to become an electrician, any advise or help anyone would give him I would appreciate, thanks
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I'll give the same advice I give apprentices starting under me.

1. Ask lots of questions. (If an apprentice isn't asking me a lot of questions, I get worried.) We learn by what we do in the field every day, but only if we understand the whys and hows of what we are doing.

2. Show up on time, work hard all day and don't whine about the tough jobs. we all do our share of manual trenching, rod driving and cleaning up, apprentices do more than there share. Suck it up and don't complain, in time a newer apprentice will come along and you'll find yourself doing less and less of the undesireable jobs.

3. Study hard. Take every opportunity to learn. Learn in the field, in the classroom, and on your own time through books, web sites (especially this one) real world observations, etc.

4. Don't fear electricity. Respect her, but never fear her.

5. One thought my first foreman put in my head that has served me well all these years: when it comes to electrical installations "if you screw this up, someone dies." No shortcuts, no guesses, if you don't know ask.
 
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