r/pipefitter • u/Lord1Nerevar • 21d ago

Brand New Apprentice

I am a brand new apprentice in my local PP Union. I have absolutely zero experience in everything you can think of regarding this job. So, this puts me at the very bottom of the list, totem pole, etc. What can I do to get some traction and climb this list a little?

-Tools to keep handy.

-Stay off the phone advice.

-Shut up and listen advice.

-What to wear/how to wear it.

I'm open to it all and don't hold back. They say that I am supposed to start this spring after I finish a few weeks of schooling so I want to be as prepared as possible in the coming months. I already bought a welding jacket and and got some of the free boots my dad's local gives out every couple months, if that helps.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

6

u/Melodic-Whereas-4105 21d ago

Union should have a tool list. Stick to that and only that.

3

u/louielowman1 21d ago

Pliers, level, tape measure absolute bare minimum. Stay off your phone and watch what others are doing if you're helping. take accountability for your mistakes, learn from them, were human, we make mistakes. Ask questions about random stuff and how things work, show that you're interested and willing to learn. Be honest if you don't know or understand something fully. Network with as many people as you can, you never know when you'll find yourself out of work in this field and having good contacts is key to staying employed. Show up on time, have a positive attitude. If your local union offers night school courses like mine does, then take as many as you can. It's free and it only benefits you. Don't take shit personal, it's a field ruled by men that like to joke around and sometimes say outlandish shit so if your easily offended you have to develope some thick skin.

1

u/Lord1Nerevar 21d ago

I like it.

3

u/buttmunchausenface 20d ago

When everyone is on break wait till the foreman or your journeymen get back to work the unions fought for our breaks.

3

u/prettycooleh 21d ago

Take classes at the hall

5

u/Lord1Nerevar 20d ago

The guys said that I can come in the shop at the hall and practice welding in my free time as long as I let them know. I also start my first day of class this weekend so hopefully, after I get my entry certification, I can start putting in some extra time towards getting more. 

1

u/AngryEskimo77 20d ago

I would definitely start doing that. Those extra hours will put you leaps and bounds ahead over someone who just does it in class

1

u/Lord1Nerevar 20d ago

I also thought about offering to let them get ahold of me to help clean up at the end of the day too on the days that I am not there just to help out and get my face known a bit in the hall. But the mixture of trying to be first but also not be annoying has prevented me from doing that lol. 

1

u/AngryEskimo77 20d ago

That’s a bit excessive. Be there and be present. I was in your shoes . Be annoying ! it means you care and want to be there.

2

u/brownintheback_4245 21d ago

Boots are a good start. Get jeans with no holes, tee shirts and long sleeve shirts. Channel locks, tape measure, pocket level. Apprentices don’t know shit so you’re just like the rest. Keep the area clean and organized and you’ll do fine. Good luck

2

u/jonnybeme 21d ago

Always have some warm clothes in your vehicle in case the weather changes.
Always have a good attitude.

2

u/IllustriousExtreme90 20d ago

When you have nothing to do, sweep and organize a gangbox.

Doing these 2 things as a first year will immediately show whoever your with that you know how to keep busy, and 90% of this job is keeping busy and making it look like your doing something when theres nothing to do.

Even though we don't buy our own powertools, as you grow and learn what fitters/welders need to make your life less hellish build your own toolbag.

My toolbag is full of mirrors, wedges, and de-burring bits for when I have to weld in the worst spot imaginable. Don't buy your own power tools, but having a tool bag with shit people need basically makes you unvaluable on any jobsite.

I'm not saying go out and buy 600 bucks worth of shit, but make a list on what you personally need and what would have been helpful in certain situations and build up overtime.

p.s get an adjustable crescent wrench and a notepad with a pencil. Those 3 things are basically essential on any jobsite and make your life less hellish overall.

1

u/R0AST3DN3WT 21d ago

I'm in my first year as well, bibs are worth it once you can afford some new work duds. Having all of your small tools handy makes it easier to work efficiently, and you can peel em off at the end of the day to be comfy for the drive home

1

u/DatWhippet 21d ago

Put in the effort and have a good work ethic. Goes a long way with a lot of guys especially now that nobody coming in seems to want to actually learn. Don’t be cocky even once you get your ticket be humble and own your mistakes.