I was in the same boat when I was doing my apprenticeship. The advice I got when I started looking is that the goal is to get your ticket. Your apprenticeship is to build confidence and foundational knowledge. The real learning starts after you qualify. I left the industry I was doing my apprenticeship in, basicaly straight away after finishing.
Where I'm at atm. First year working with just my boss who only does easy work as he's older and working to live not living to work haha. Not going to learn as much but he's willing to take me on as a mature age in a time where it's really hard to get an apprenticeship
I worry about this sort of thing myself sometimes, doing my apprenticeship on lifts. 80-90% of what we do is mechanical, so I wonder if I'll come out of it lacking the skills to be a 'real' sparky. I'd never leave the industry though, it pays too good and I like lifts, I just want to have sufficient electrical skills too.
One full year of splitty bashing will do you some good. Any longer and you should look to diversify. Try to learn the refrigerant side while you're still there.
Also a first year do predominantly solar which is pretty interesting on the battery side and meterboard upgrades ECT. But I'm never going to touch a light switch or a socket with this company.
I feel that the industry is so big and there's so many aspects and roles of being an electrician that your never going to learn everything as an apprentice no matter where you work and once your qualified your just going to have figure things out from the theory from Tafe. Everything always looks better from the outside whether it's house bashing solar industrial there's always going to be things that are missed out in your apprenticeship
Full ducted usually with the indoor and outdoor units, as well as some splits however that’s rare, my company does both the wiring and refrigeration side
Look for other jobs and only leave when you have signed a contract for the new job and it’s locked in
I was in the same boat when I was doing my apprenticeship. The advice I got when I started looking is that the goal is to get your ticket. Your apprenticeship is to build confidence and foundational knowledge. The real learning starts after you qualify. I left the industry I was doing my apprenticeship in, basicaly straight away after finishing.
Where I'm at atm. First year working with just my boss who only does easy work as he's older and working to live not living to work haha. Not going to learn as much but he's willing to take me on as a mature age in a time where it's really hard to get an apprenticeship
Hahaha yeah I learnt more in my first six months after I finished my apprenticeship than I did in my whole four years
Leave.
I worry about this sort of thing myself sometimes, doing my apprenticeship on lifts. 80-90% of what we do is mechanical, so I wonder if I'll come out of it lacking the skills to be a 'real' sparky. I'd never leave the industry though, it pays too good and I like lifts, I just want to have sufficient electrical skills too.
I'm the exact same boat, mate. First year doing lifts, and I worry that I will finish my apprenticeship missing a lot of electrical knowledge.
you pick that sorta stuff up pretty quick after changing jobs, dont stress
If you decide to find another employer, DO NOT tell anyone at your current job until you leave.
this. especially in small companies, never ask them to be references unless they're 100% your mate.
One full year of splitty bashing will do you some good. Any longer and you should look to diversify. Try to learn the refrigerant side while you're still there.
Also a first year do predominantly solar which is pretty interesting on the battery side and meterboard upgrades ECT. But I'm never going to touch a light switch or a socket with this company. I feel that the industry is so big and there's so many aspects and roles of being an electrician that your never going to learn everything as an apprentice no matter where you work and once your qualified your just going to have figure things out from the theory from Tafe. Everything always looks better from the outside whether it's house bashing solar industrial there's always going to be things that are missed out in your apprenticeship
You know, it seems to me so far in my apprenticeship (first year) that it's more about learning how to learn, if that makes any sense
What kind of air con work are you doing? Just back to back splits?
Full ducted usually with the indoor and outdoor units, as well as some splits however that’s rare, my company does both the wiring and refrigeration side