MR tiler

[Time's Ran Out]

With respect training an apprentice is what keeps our trade going in the right direction. It's not what they earn you from day 1, it's what you can give to them in the way of experience. (sounds like John F Kennedy)

 

[Ian]

Totally agree John, it just seems a bit of a double edged sword at the beginning. I would feel the need to take an apprentice on if I had the volume of work to do so but, I'd then maybe fall behind schedule due to the hours I'd have to spend with someone. In an ideal world I'd maybe get someone on day release from college 2/3 days a week but, our local college doesn't do tiling so that's not an option in the near future. I did have my brother in law spend a couple of days with me last year with the intention of taking him on, he didn't like it though and I wasn't even that mean to him!

 

[DHTiling]

Bri... they watch and labour.... no tiling for the first year.. 🙂 but loads of grouting... first thing to master is mixing adhesive , washing buckets and tools and then grouting,, 🙂

 

[Peter]

Got an apprentice starting with me next week, seems real keen and a bit of wit about him so hope it all works out. Would like to give something back since people were willing to give me a shot.

 

[Ian]

I think if I could find the right person I'd give it some more thought, family friend or a relative of a friend that sort of thing. The funding is pretty good for an apprentice as well, or at least it was the last time I looked.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Bri - I'am to old to train another young un but feel as though I've done my bit with 4( the last for 13 years my son!). When you are providing a quality service the customer will not expect a novice to be doing the work and so you have to pick and choose the training carefully. I always took the view it's not what they earn in a day, but how much extra work I did to pay their wages. If it is a question of making your life easier then it's not going to work.

 

[Peter]

Better with a stranger than a family friend I think so that they know where they stand imo.

No funding for it any more in NI which isn't much incentive when you've to give them a few quid and sort out insurance. £40 a week would have went a good way towards that. Shame as it's the main reason many tradesmen won't take on an apprentice.

 

[Ian]

I've never really look at it like that John, I suppose I've always thought of an apprentice as someone who could eventually earn me more money and build my business, rather than giving something back to the trade. Don't get me wrong, I understand that passing on skills is, of course, giving something back but I suppose I've got myself stuck in the mindset of it making my working life harder to start with. A little selfish I suppose.

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

i was told by the job-shop this week if i take on someone who has been out-of work for 6months or more then the job shop will give you £ 2000.00 for taking them on ...... as i need help at the moment , but with working away a lot its not for everyone !!

 

[Stef]

I took on a boy 3/4 weeks ago, my mates 20yr old son.
He's a great worker, dead keen & has been out on building sites the past couple of years as a painter & joiner.

I'm using him for general labouring & he's picked up the grouting quick but sometimes it's frustrating as he's standing around watching as I'm grafting my proverbial off to make more money to pay his wage.

It's a double edged sword as he is making me money as I don't have to fall back grouting but other days he's slowing me down with using the cutter etc.

I will keep him on though & hope it turns out well.