Are You Ready For Apprenticeship?

Nearly all registered apprenticeships expect you to be 18 when you apply.

If you have a hard time with verbal instructions, or just plain don't like being told what to do and how to do it, then the hierarchy of apprenticeship could be a challenge for you. You can always ask for help and clarification, but there are usually very good reasons someone tells you how to do something on a job - remember, you are the learner and not yet the boss! Doing something in a different way than you are told or taught can cause problems too, unless it is clearly unsafe or against company policy.

As an apprentice, you may have to commute to a worksite, and it could be an hour or more away from your home.

If you are not comfortable working outside in any type of weather, or you are not prepared for it, it can be a real shock. Construction workers must be okay with getting wet, cold, or extremely hot and have the right clothes and habits to take care of themselves.

Even if you don't have a health condition, you need to be in top shape to safely and successfully work in construction. Evaluate your diet, exercise and overall health habits when you are thinking about a construction career.

This is actually VERY important! Most projects happen in off hours, and can start very early in the day. Being ON TIME in construction means arriving at your jobsite, having your car parked, your tools ready, your lunch and cell phone put away, AT LEAST 30 to 40 minutes before the day is going to start. So, if your call is 6am, be there, ready to go, by 5:30am or don't expect to keep a job.

No matter what career you choose, there is potential that you may encounter difficulty with co-workers or superiors. Construction is a non-traditional career path for women, and historically there has been some discrimination. You need a thick skin and the ability to assimilate into the construction work culture to realistically do well in trades.

It can be stressful to not work for periods of time, and if you have many bills, you need to be able to manage your living expenses.

If you can't stand being dirty, or you get freaked out by creepy crawlies or gross bathrooms, this work may not be for you!

Understanding and calculating ratios is important so you don't waste material. In this question, if you didn't have the right mix of material, you may not have been able to properly prepare it for a driveway, a concrete form, or other important function.

If you don't exercise now, especially cardio and weights, think about how you will add exercise to your daily routine before you enter an apprenticeship. It is important to keep physically fit!

Construction professionals work in a range of extreme and sometimes dangerous environments. They must take precautions and be willing to work in a variety of situations.

It doesn't matter if you are slight of build or muscular, you can expect a ton of hard physical work, including hauling materials, when you are an apprentice. No one will do it for you, and you have to be strong enough to do what is expected of you and in the time frame you are given.

Nearly all apprentices will have to drive a considerable distance or even drive company vehicles from time to time. A valid license in the state where you live is almost always a condition of employment.

This equation helps you calculate right triangles and it is a math skill that you will need to be able to do in your head!

It is a common practice to convert a decimal to inches. You will need to be able to do it both ways!

You need to understand geometric/trigometric principles, such as calculating volume, circumference and area, and understand in what circumstances you use these calculations.

All construction trades require a high skill of mathematics, and you will need to apply theorum to practical situations. There are math classes that can help you, if you are not proficient in math. You also need to be able to accurately do math in your mind - a project counts on high level math for accuracy and safety!

If you are struggling to find a job or need to earn pay right away, apprenticeship may not be the best choice for you. It is a long-term commitment to a career path, and not an easy answer to work. There are several upfront expenses like buying tools, work clothes, and paying dues or tuition to factor into the decision. If you really don't know much about a specific trade or occupation, you may find you don't like it. And if you aren't good with math or fitness, trades work can be difficult - it is both a mental and physical challenge.

Many large scale projects where apprentices are employed happen at off hours, such as heavy highway construction.

Most registered apprenticeships expect you to have graduated from high school or completed a GED before you apply.