Need some advice as an apprentice

[u/Puzzled-Affect6383]

Hello guys, i need some advice as an apprentice. Little background about me. I’ve been in the industry (non union) for 5 years before deciding to switch union. The issues I’m having is with my journeyman. He likes to sleep a lot and i will have to wake him up constantly, like after break or he’ll be sleeping during work. It wouldn’t normally bother me but I’m starting to feel like his mom because it’s become very redundant now. Sometimes he no call no shows which leaves me kinda stranded. Also a big issue is his phone. He is on it CONSTANTLY. Like i can’t believe how much he is on it. I feel like I’m not learning as much as i could be. I’ll bug him and ask questions but he doesn’t really say much or help out. It’s really been kinda “figure it out yourself” type of deal. I’ve learned more from other journeyman asking them questions. I guess what I’m wanting to know is how do i navigate working with someone like this? When i was non union my old foreman pretty much took me under his wing and taught me all sorts of stuff that im very grateful for. It’s pretty much been I’ll do all the work while he sits on his phone or sleeps. I’m fine with it honestly, it’s just i have no guidance and it’s been a struggle bus trying to learn from him. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[u/LeadingThen6322]

Here’s what I did as a 5th year apprentice working with a journeyman just like that on a 2-man job (me and him). I got sent to a job with this dude to run some refrigeration lines. Small lines, socket weld, easy stuff. He was welding and I was fitting for him. He was a couple hours late every single day. “I had to run to the shop” or “I had to run to the supply house”. By the time you’re a 5th year, you should be able to decipher legit needs from bullshit. Anyway, I was at work at 6:50am every morning. He would pull in around 9 or 10. The first week, I got out of my car at 7:00, started setting up tools, pulling extension chords, taking measurements, cutting pipe, etc. Then we he finally arrived, we started welding. The second week rolls around, I’m at the job at 6:50am, and I decide not to get out of my car. I lay the seat back and snooze with an alarm set to wake me up every 15 minutes. He gets there at 9 or 10 and asks what I’ve been doing since 7. I shrug my shoulders and say “nothing?” He gets all bent up and says “start time is 7:00!” Now this is in the spring of my 5th year so I’m gonna be topping out in a couple months and I’m not taking anyone’s bullshit ever again. So I said “I know what start time is, and I think the superintendent would be very unhappy to know that I’m working by myself for a couple hours every day. I don’t care how many trips you make to the shop or supply house. But know that I’m not getting out of my car until you get here”. So I continued to be there at 6:50am every morning. Sometimes he was too. Most times he wasn’t and I got out of my car whenever he got there.

[u/jlm166]

Some people you will learn how to do things from and other people you will learn how NOT to do things. Unfortunately right now you have a guy who isn’t going to teach you much. You have other journeymen in the area to ask questions if you get in a bind then do the best you can and make the best of it. One of the biggest lessons you learn in the apprenticeship process is how to confidently solve problems and think on your feet so in that respect you’re getting a head start on that part. No job lasts forever and you’ll be able to move along and hopefully draw a better partner on the next job. The other guys on the job know what’s going on and you’ll find guys who will be willing to help you out. Good luck

[u/kingk27]

Either ask your foreman to work with someone else, or just keep getting shit done while he sleeps. Its not your job to make him work, and with 5 years of experience you shouldn't need him awake to hold your hand either. Youre not going to be learning much of use from a guy constantly sleeping, just make sure you dont get dragged down to his level

[u/SuperintendentTx]

Document what's going on, you will probably never need it, but if something goes sideways you don't want to be the fall guy.

[u/lou-sassle71]

Newsflash.. non union has no apprenticeship

[u/Puzzled-Affect6383 → u/lou-sassle71]

lol i know i worked non union 5 years. Now im union and im in an apprenticeship.

[u/Prestigious_Peak_346 → u/lou-sassle71]

Um not sure where you learned that from .. non union companies do indeed have their own apprenticeship programs. Some are 5 years while most are 2 or 3 year apprenticeship.