July 16, 2024 – Whether it goes well or poorly, taking on an apprentice in your electrical contracting business is a big commitment. What can you do to (hopefully) achieve a positive outcome, for both yourself and the apprentice?

In the June 2024 edition of Electrical Business Magazine, we asked a variety of industry professionals “What advice would you give to an electrical contractor when taking on an apprentice?”. They happily shared their advice and experiences with us which, collectively, make up our Apprenticeship Survival Guide.

Here is what Cameron Hann had to share…

IN MOST CASES for a small shop, an apprentice will be your first employee (other than yourself). Hiring an apprentice can be a daunting task, as you are now responsible for training them and ensuring their safety.

When interviewing candidates, ask them whose idea it was to enter the trade. Was it their idea, or did their parents put them up to it? Does the candidate know anything about what is involved in becoming an electrician?

Ask if they have participated in any apprenticeship program at their high school. If yes, this will help with their exposure to the trade. Ask to what level they’ve ever been exposed to heights, and whether they’ve had any safety training (which may delay their ability to start work).

Keep in mind that, for some candidates, this may be their first job… ever. This means you will also have to teach them the basics of being employed… like showing up for work on time.

All of our apprentices are registered through Support Ontario Youth, which helps monitor the apprentice’s hours and schedule schooling. This system has been very helpful, as it alleviates some of the administrative burden.

When you consider time lost to teaching, material that is no longer usable, fixing mistakes along the way, etc., training someone over a 5-year apprenticeship will cost the contractor over $150,000. It’s a commitment.

Similarly, when the apprentice is asked to buy their own code book and register for bulletins, it shows a commitment to their apprenticeship.

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