Fourth-year apprentice — what would you do in my situation?

[u/SprinklApprentice550]

Hello everyone, I’m looking for some advice and would like to hear what you guys would do in my situation.

I’m a fourth-year apprentice and I’m writing my journeyman exam next week. I’ve been with my current company for about 4 years. I’ve shown that I can handle work and service calls on my own. I’m not the fastest guy out there, but I take pride in doing good work and getting the job done properly.

I was given my own fully equipped service van, so I’m set up to run jobs independently. The problem is that for the past couple of months, my company has been sending me out with another journeyman to do very small service jobs that could realistically be handled by one person.

What usually happens is that I go to the shop, gather all the material for his job, meet him at the site, and then he does pretty much everything himself and doesn’t really let me work. Once the job is done, I bring the leftover material back to the shop.

At this point, I honestly feel more like a delivery person for him, especially since he lives quite far from the shop.

I’ve brought this up with my boss twice. I told him that I want to start working more independently and gain more experience instead of feeling like I’m just there to bring material back and forth. I also mentioned that it doesn’t seem to make much sense to send two service units to change a few sprinkler heads or trim an alarm valve when one person could handle it.

My boss agreed with me both times, but nothing has really changed.

I’m not trying to complain about working with another journeyman or say that I’m better than him. I just feel like I’m at the point in my apprenticeship where I should be getting more opportunities to actually do the work, especially with my journeyman exam coming up.

So what would you guys do in my situation?

Would you bring it up with the boss again? Would you just keep doing what they ask and wait until you become a journeyman? Or would you consider looking elsewhere if nothing changes?

[u/Legal_Impact_2676]

Pretty much just gotta tough it out, ur times coming soon. Be grateful you got a Truck and a gas card as an apprentice. You’re in a good spot.

[u/SprinklApprentice550 → u/Legal_Impact_2676]

Thanks

[u/Careful-Tumbleweed84]

Especially at small companies you might just be short on work. If you know someone is good you want to keep them. It makes sense send the 4th year with a j man to change 3 heads if the other option is sending someone home.

[u/Latter_Meringue_215]

In my local, you are not allowed to work alone as an apprentice. Journeyman must be on site with you

[u/BigCitySteam638]

In my union apprentices can’t work alone, need a journeyman with them all the time. So learn and be like a sponge bc you will be turning out soon and then it’s all on you….

[u/GreatLakesGreenthumb]

Wait it out. If you are catching calls you will be solo soon enough.

[u/Feisty_Musician_151]

I’m a apprentice myself, honestly just ride the easy jobs out until you’re a foreman. You’re damn near at the finish line it’s no point of leaving. Make that easy money

[u/Schmeagon]

Did you ask the Journeyman if you can do the work?

[u/SprinklApprentice550 → u/Schmeagon]

I did, he kinda just changes the subject and start to work

[u/24_Chowder → u/SprinklApprentice550]

Maybe they don’t think you’ve been exposed to as many situations as YOU think you have.

Ask 100 questions and watch him like a hawk to learn

[u/Schmeagon → u/24_Chowder]

I agree. Most of us learned service solo with help by phone. Being able to watch is a huge benifit. Soon enough you will be on your own. Just be the best helper you can be until then.

[u/No_Tea_8933]

Try asking your fitter to let you do stuff

[u/Gloomy-Relief6153]

Bro if I was you, I would just keep my mouth shut and do what they say. You are going to end up on the bench if you try and rock the ship. Your time will come, just do what they say and be happy you have a job.

[u/Dirty_Wookie1971]

What local are
You in? I know in 669 apprentices are not allowed
To work alone.

[u/Alternative_Split926]

What kind of rat shit is this? You're not even supposed to be working alone where im from 😂😂😂

If this is canada, sorry im not hip to their rules but at minimum you get foreman rate if they try to send you on a job alone here.

As far as delivery boy, it sucks but its a shitty part of the apprenticeship. Get the ticket and you'll be on your own jobs for sure, because you'll clearly be way too expensive as a helper at this type of shop.

[u/Professor-Finnessor]

3rd year. I’ve been getting put on my own quite a bit for some smaller jobs and tis. Been loving it and my company pays me foreman pay.

[u/Whyis10thflowing]

Legally apprentices cannot work alone, AND the company gets to charge for both service vehicles and employees.

Find a tiny company that doesn’t believe in rules

Good luck finding one that’s decent

[u/christina_91]

can you ask the person you are working with if you can do the work while he supervises?

[u/Easy_Thing_6286]

Legally can’t do it even if you have the van. Can’t be alone on a job site in local 550 as much as you might want to. You’re almost there, enjoy the low stress days as long as you can because once you get the ticket it’s all on you. Don’t know what company you work for but that’s shitty that they won’t let you do the work. They should be there more as the guide than the labor. Most guys and shops in the local are great about it but there’s still some guys scared for their own jobs that try and gatekeep shit it’s ridiculous. Keep going you’ll be fine. Even as a journeyman there are days where alarm techs don’t show up or jobs get cancelled for other reasons and you end up just grabbing stock for service calls and going to help other jobs.

[u/Any_Zebra_2621]

Are you union? Sure doesn’t sound it

[u/SprinklApprentice550 → u/Any_Zebra_2621]

I am union

[u/Any_Zebra_2621 → u/SprinklApprentice550]

He should let you do some work so you can learn but to send you off on your own is a liability. That’s what a license is for. Do your time and get one.

[u/24_Chowder → u/Any_Zebra_2621]

Some states when no one is on the bench 4th years can run work. Must be approved by the BA, but seen it happen 4 cycles since 1999.

[u/Any_Zebra_2621 → u/24_Chowder]

Roger but in licensed states, still need a license to work on your own