Sean’s Corner: How to be a better apprentice

First off, you need thick skin.

The old hands are going to be rough on you a lot of the time. Get over it quickly and you'll be better off. They are doing it for a reason. Listen to what everybody around you says, learn the terms (and slang), and how to use every tool you get your hands on the right way. 

Learn some useful knots, we wrote an article about that, go read all of our articles and be the best apprentice you can be. It will make your life much easier. Remember, early on your job is going to be carrying all the stuff the journeyman needs, and be quiet. Be at work early every day and stay off your phone.

Second, have tools and know-how to use them.

You're more useful if you have tools that other people can potentially use. Even if you don’t know how to build whatever it is that you're working on showing up with a bucket full of tools makes you are a better apprentice than the guy that shows up in flip-flops on his first day. 

You don't need tools to start, but they are necessary eventually. I'd recommend you try to buy one tool at the end of every pay period. Start small, simple, and useful, and work your way up to the expensive, job-specific tools. A multitool and flashlight should be the first two things you buy. I recommend Leatherman and Surefire or Streamlight.

Third, Don't buy junk tools.

Yes, I mean don't buy Harbor Freight tools and expect them to be as good as an industrial brand. You don't need to buy the most expensive option for everything, but make sure you get a tool that is appropriate for the job you're doing. Some brands I purchase are Klein, Snap-on, Wright, Gearwrench, Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Crescent. Ask the journeyman around you what they recommend and what they have had bad luck with in the past.

If you own a truck you should probably get a toolbox in the bed, Knaack and Ridgid make the best ones and they are not much more than a junk one. 

Lastly, Never stop learning.

The most important thing you should remember is that you never stop learning in the trades. Ego will hold you back from learning and growing as a craftsman. You can never know too much or understand too many peoples’ jobs. The better you know the trades you work with, the easier it'll be to work around them.