Carpenters Apprentice Program

J.Wilson

anyone go throught the carpenters apprentice program, any good/bad opinions would be appreciated.

skylands

This is an interesting topic

My apprentice program was my father, uncle and grandfather. (a rather colorfull bunch of old school German carpenters). Calk was a no-no. If you had a leak, find the source and fix it. All rafter tails were cut in place with a hand saw (that you could shave with). And sub-floors were diagonal 1 x stock. All these gentleman would roll over in their grave if they were to see the quality of help today. None of these craftsman ever saw a 30 foot Stanley tape measure. Nore did they get to see the damage the HVAC guys do with sawzalls. 16 foot garage door headers were 2x12 with plywood flitch plates. I can honestly say that a garage I built with them 52 years ago is still standing with no sag.

They taught me to;
clean my tools
sharpen my tools
build a wooden tool box for everyday use
don't use the claw hammer to break concrete blocks
take off my work shoes in the customer's house
don't use the couch for saw horses
broom clean at the end of each day
be courteous to the customer and his family.

The guys I've hired from the local tech schools (sadly) have not been taught any of the above. They're pants are hanging below they're ass. The earrings, noserings, eyebrowrings and untied sneakers are unacceptable. 7:30 AM is my starting time---NOT 9:30. It would be better if the apprentice programs would teach these people tool etiquette, self esteem, interaction with others, and proper dress for the trades. We (on the job) will teach them how to funtion in the field.

However. Some of the union apprentice programs are very well handled.

JustaFramer

I applied ten years ago went throught the first stage paid them ten bucks and built a carpenters toolbox. Sadly I don't have that pos I built. Would like another shot at it. At least I can cut straighter now. Other than that I learned all I need on the job and being handy with the math and common sense.

Teetorbilt

sky, your background sounds similar to mine. Teetor was originally Dieter (Swiss) and plodded it's way through Germany before landing here in the 1690's. Irregardless of their occupation, every family member that I have ever met knows tools and how to use them.

Back on topic. Our local builders assocn. sponsors an apprentice program in conjunction with the local community college, the local builders often hire them while they are still in the program. Everything that I have heard about it is ++++

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

locofoco

If you've got an opportunity to get an apprenticeship, union or otherwise, do it. In a former life I spent 30 years in a union job, it had it's good points and it's bad. Varies greatly between locale. We had great wages and benefits, but no seniority/security etc. could be laid off without warning. Only guys who produced and did top notch work worked year around. They do however, provide a training program on the job and in the classroom second to none.
Knowledge is power- get it any way you can.
Loco

J.Wilson

well here in michigan you work full time, and one day every other week you go to school to learn various areas of the carpentry trade. I've been working as an installer for a local cabinet shop for the past 4 years, and also working as a laborer/apprentice for a local contractor. I've been going to college to become a shop teacher but I just dont see that working out anymore as theres not much money in that occupation. The guys I've worked for have taught me that shorcuts are not the way to go, and caulk is not acceptable in place of a good cut. The apprentice program is a union program, and hopefully that will have its benefits over non-union.