Tiling Apprentices

[Spud]

how many tilers on here have an apprentice and if not what are your reasons for not employing one ?

 

[John Benton]

Too much like hard work Gary. All the paperwork involved, having to make sure you have enough work to cover wages etc.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I have had them in the past Gary, but I was always disappointed in the end. I do think this is the way to keep this trade alive though. As the quick fix route is not working.

 

[Andy Tiler]

how many tilers on here have an apprentice and if not what are your reasons for not employing one ?

It's just finding the rite one. I suppose I'm lucky with my son he's a great help...it's good having someone to talk to also!!!!

 

[Ian]

I have had a couple of lads work with me recently just to see what they're like, work ethic, attitude etc, one seems quite keen and worked hard. My problem is it's a bit of a catch 22, if I take someone on, it'll slow me down due to me having to train them and the whole point of me taking someone on is because I'm in a position where I have too much work for me on my own! I could do with a day release college student who is getting classroom tuition as well as a couple of days a week with me.

 

[peteablard]

I'd love to get one but think I'd struggle to get someone willing to work away as much as we do and work the daft hours we do too!!

 

[Spud]

I have had them in the past Gary, but I was always disappointed in the end. I do think this is the way to keep this trade alive though. As the quick fix route is not working.

I have started one Phil and may take another one on in 3 years time if this lad works out okay, I am not going to complain about poor tilers any more I am going to try and train up my own lads in future

 

[Spud]

I know its not going to be easy and I can be a complete grouch at work sometimes but i promise to inform you all of all the funny , stupid and good stuff this kid makes over the next 3 years , the lads that work for me have nick named him "bieber" as its they claim he look likes him so the banter has already started

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

It's just finding the rite one. I suppose I'm lucky with my son he's a great help...it's good having someone to talk to also!!!!

You are lucky Andy, you have a fine lad there.

 

[Peter]

Had a lad for about 3 months. He was getting on well then decideded out of the blue that tiling wasn't for him. Shame. Would look into it again but to be honest would be when I have a squad and bigger contracts rather than a young fella standing at a bathroom door looking at his phone. At the minute it's working out better having another tiler in.

 

[Pebbs]

Our apprentice started out fine, now it seems he has a magnet on his bum, whenever I turn up on site, I find him sitting on the fire escape texting. He's been warned about it before, I think I am going to snap this week, with him. Final straw was asking for an advance on his wages last week, he'd only just been paid.....you can guess what the answer was. He's not exactly a 'kid' either, whats wrong with people?

Lynn

 

[White Room]

This was many years ago, I was using the builders labourer for some external dashing. It was a hot day and had to move fast and it was the side of a house, come 10 o'clock he's disappearing to put the kettle on and have his break. There seems to be a mental attitude, would I have taken him on, no chance it seems the sun newspaper was more important.

 

[Mr Tiler]

Its a shame none of you guys are closer lol.

 

[cam_low]

Do what they did all those years ago MR T Bag, get on your horse with cart and come to the big smoke. aint nothing gonna change unless you make it !!

 

[Mr Tiler]

I wouldnt know where to start mate tbh lol i would move to any part of the country if i had guaranteed work and im not even jokin

 

[Dan]

Good thread Gary.

I like to think tilers take on apprentices and would love to see it happen more often but I can totally understand the struggle to find one that isn't just going to hinder you and slow the jobs down while you get them up to speed with the basic stuff they can keep themselves busy with (cutting, mixing, moving the tiles and mixing the stacks for you etc).

A mate of mine who's a mechanic took on a good mate (not always wise but it's worked fine for both of them) and he found some decent tax benefits by putting him through an apprenticeship scheme and sending him college etc. Years later he's a spot on mechanic and he's on a decent wage now and more to the point he pays more than his wage in the jobs he does. So a good move on their part.

Different I guess when it comes to a construction trade though as it can be up and down work wise.