Hi there, just curious what others opinion is on the following. If your an apprentice within an ito, and most of your apprentiship involves lagging pipes and dyna drilling in ramset knock in's for tradesmen, how are you meant to come out of your time "competent" on the tools?


Linkback: https://www.plumbers.nz/study-base/70/thoughts-on-apprentice-training/717/

hi guys, this is part of an article on 3 news,video on the net.
Plumbing industry rejecting polytech graduates
TUE, 05 JUL 2011 6:24P.M.  By Tony Reid
The plumbing industry has launched an attack on student plumbing courses, saying they don't provide the type of apprentices they need. The six or 12 month courses are offered by polytechs and private educators.  Student’s just days away from finishing a one year plumbing course at Unitec in Auckland are hoping to get an apprenticeship, but that's easier said than done.
cheers

when i started as a apprientice - 7 years ago, i was working unsupervised in a company van after 3 months of starting my apprientiship - not good when i was young and new to the plumbing game, if i done anything wrong i was always told "You should heve known that!!!" I was doing everything from blocked drains to new homes ON MY OWN!!!!, it was kind of as if i had to walk in off the street and know how to become a plumber in 5 mins, i am a licenced plumber now but was never given the correct "on the job training" as a apprientice, and i have always been un-supervised!

It has to change Robbo - essentially apprentices being put out on their own after three months are putting themselves at risk of a fine by the PGDB, putting their employer at risk of having a massive claim against his insurance (which may not pay out if negligence is involved) and the supervisor (more than likely the employer) is also at risk of fine and punitive action by the PGDB. 

We cannot expect apprentices to be trained "over the phone" - if you take on an apprentice then you take on a responsibility - if you can't give him on the job training, then don't put your hand up.  The ITO need to police this more - once upon a time when you got an apprentice you had to jump through hoops to show that you were a fit and proper employer - and those who had Mr Tolra interview them will know exactly what I mean.   

It's not fair on the public or the trade to have wet behind the ears kids out in vans attached to a cell phone trying to learn the trade from a distance in their first year.  It doesn't enhance anyones reputation, and it's just salt in the wound if these kids are also on a low "training wage" while not being properly trained.

hi guys/jax, completely agree but all the laws of the land never stopped crime!!!cheers

That's depressing!  I have to say that colleagues I know in the industry actually really care about their apprentices - and see them as the future of the industry and the potential purchasers of their businesses.  Seems pretty short sighted to do what you guys are suggesting is rife in industry.  Are these isolated incidents or is this rife?