LOSING MY SHIT WITH THE APPRENTICE 😡

[@stevengordon2145]

Massive respect bud your a Saint..👍 when I'm on the trowel labourer or apprentice gets 3 chance's after that, down the road they go..These youngsters need to understand life is no joke. Been on the trowel 24 years and that's how I started in the game My gaffer threw my phone in the mixer after telling me to put it away Hard lesson by I learned..

[@eddiegilks6202]

Your doing the right thing Stu, phones are for break times. Or leave the phone with him, but everytime u catch him its costs him £2. That goes towards lunches, chippy ect lol he will soon stop. He's lucky to have this opportunity to learn a great trade.

[@johnny6722]

Hi Stuart , I feel your pain mate. These kids don’t know how lucky they are to be learning a trade like ourselves. When I started out £27.00 YTS. No mixing drills, plasterboard ceilings with clout nail. Keep the fait mate he’s a good kid.

[@troweltalk2719]

Thanks Johnny top man. When I was Curtis age I was given the plastic bath , a shovel & 20 bags of browning 😂 it was a very humbling experience lol

[@davidfoley8189]

Spot on.My lad starts his plumbing apprenticeship this coming Monday.Apart from the obvious I told him to keep the phone out of sight until break time.

[@jasonfuller2856]

Firstly thanks for the great content you take time out of your day to provide!! Sounds like you have a good lad working as an apprentice, but lacks engagement at times. I find the problem is when we train people in a hands on, working environment and in small teams it automatically becomes very task based “I do this and you do that”. Unfortunately chucking in the why only pops up when either a question is asked or something isn’t done. Make sure anyone learning a trade knows the “why” for every task they are set, giving it some context makes everything more important. Task aversion can quickly set in if the task is tedious, frustrating or boring let them know you understand their pain but it needs to be done either way. Putting a realistic time frame on these and a follow up should help prevent them dragging their feet. For example “can you scrape the floor in the the kitchen, it should take about 20mins, let me know when it’s done please” As people training settle into the day to day, they start setting their own agenda in-line with their capabilities. Opening up gaps when they can complete tasks quicker or holding off starting a task because they believe their ahead. Automatically these little accomplishments add leisure time for phone scrolling etc. You need to create an environment where apprentices are looking for the next or a new thing to do. This is where engagement and work ethic is built. So it’s really important if they say say “done that, what’s next?” your on to a winner, so reward them with a simple well done! or wow that was fast! and engage with or teach them something else. If you find yourself saying take 5 while I finish this or telling them what to do task by task, without an overview of what needs to be accomplished at the beginning of the day, your breeding the behaviour that you will end up rollocking them for. Unfortunately locking the phone in the van will stop them from using it, but it won’t change the behaviour. So next time the opportunity arises so will the Facebook scroll. If all that’s in place, you have set out clear guidelines, they know it’s an issue and don’t change their behaviour, then it’s probably time you get yourself a new apprentice. Leave it to school teachers and parents to confiscate phones your offering employment and opportunity pal, you shouldn’t have to push them to want it.

[@troweltalk2719]

Great comments mate from the moment we arrive I keep him busy on jobs & explain what we're doing, why etc he doesn't get breaks as we are plasterers only lunch time or in van on the way to work, we stop & have a quick sandwich but these kids can be very sneaky with the phones ☺️ they will sneak it out when the opportunity arises so it's best just left in the van out of sight out of mind is what I'm thinking thanks for watching the channel 👍

[@robertkustos2931]

Using your phone is also a health and safety issue . I've seen a few near misses in my time , dumpers rolling over , banksman got run over cos he striding round phone to his ear ( he died ). Phones are a distraction , you aren't aware of your surroundings . I don't know how your liability insurance would stand if a accident would to occur if a phone was in use . All the major construction sites I've worked on set aside a fenced area for emergency phone calls .

[@johnfraser154]

see where you're coming from mate how i was exactly the same when i first started when i was 16! im 18 now can lay ceiling n anything now really love the job sounds mad but i just get stuck in when i turned 17 i didnt really care about going on my phone anymore not even at lunch really my uncle who taught me was strict but put me in a good mindset for the job and work with another plasterer now as he had to get rid of his other labourer but all in all just all teenagers are glued to there phones just grow out of it at some point, love the videos mate keep it up !

[@troweltalk2719]

Top lad. Thank you so much for watching the channel pal good to have the young lads onboard 👊👍

[@MichaelSmith-re2pg]

I’ve been recently debating getting an apprentice - this is one of my worries- good honest vid and personally I think - proper sit down chat and help him to decide to leave it in van - as it probably does his head in aswell - all the best 👍

[@troweltalk2719]

Cheers Michael thanks for watching the channel I would recommend taking on an apprentice whole heartedly mate the pros outweigh the cons if you find the right lad who will apply himself & be a good fit for your business 👍

[@cichlidrich6589]

Im a landscaper mate iv been watching your channel for a while now picking up the trade slowly doing smaller jobs. I want steady work in the winter and to be a little warmer ,old kness haha. Just like to say thanks iv picked up loads from your channel , please keep it up. As for the sprout on the phone , if youv warned him over and over again i would honestly sit him down and explain hes on your time and your not willing to pay for him to use his phone. My labourer was warned all week when he was caught again he had to buy breakfast for 4 lads , soon stopped him lol. GoodLuck mate.

[@troweltalk2719]

Hello mate thanks for watching the channel really appreciate it & glad it's helping people such as yourself 👍 I'm liking the buying breakfast idea that's something I might just try out ☺️👍

[@leewhittall]

I feel your pain ive trained up 2 lads both are on the trowel it is hard work but rewarding keep it up

[@robjb21]

You do right mate, you have to flip every now and again to get the message across. It’s very frustrating at times been in that position a few times

[@bobbyranger4164]

The phone is for break times only end of. He is working for you plus learning something that is priceless , a trade.

[@brettconway1378]

Hi Stu, great content as always. Appreciate you showing the transparency of the trade. This is happening across all types of business and must cost thousands a day. Set your stall out with him now and stick to it. He seems like a decent lad from what I've seen, one that in a few years time will thank you for it. And I bet you will have the full backing of his parents 👍After all the plaster is not our friend and won't wait for any of us 😉 Best Wishes to you and the team. Brett 👍👏

[@troweltalk2719]

Thank you Brett really appreciate the comments mate thanks for watching the channel 👍

[@nathangalvin3173]

Hi mate good videos. My dad is a plasterer and I am 30 and looking to change career and work with him. So I like watching all your videos they help out 👍

[@troweltalk2719]

Many thanks for watching pal with your dad being a spread you've got a great opportunity right there to switch careers! If you haven't already joined there's blog posts & loads of content on the trowel talk Facebook page that will help you out facebook.com/groups/422884412302728/?ref=share_group_link

[@nathangalvin3173]

@@troweltalk2719 thanks mate ye I got good opportunity here. Only just joined KZbin just to comment on your post so I’ll look at it now.

[@dismaldog]

I was lucky to have a mature age apprentice back in the late 80's so phones not an issue back then,i still refuse to have a smart phone myself as just no need really,but yes i still see middle age men constantly on their phones and is big issue these days

[@petergalloway7978]

Years ago one of my apprentices was not showing much form and kept asking unnecessary questions so l said to him “use your initiative” when l turned round he was looking in his tool bag so l said l think you’ll find it a bit higher up than that

[@rol0bol065]

I had one lad that did this constantly and it felt like he was taking the piss out off me. The final time it happened I was finishing my ceiling plus trying to finish the tiny and crap skimming he did so I told him to go make the pot noodles. He walked to the van on his phone put water in the kettle while on his phone and waited for the water to boil on his phone, made the noodles on his phone and ate his noodles on his phone. After I final trowelled his work and mine I thought I would eat my pot noodle but he did not to put any water in mine. I asked him what the fuck was going on and he said he didn’t make me one as he was not sure how I liked it.

[@konradmarvell7781]

I agree. Marvell plastering stevenage. Us spreads gota be in and out

[@janstronach7132]

I've got a similar problem mate! The company I work for have two apprentice plasterers, one nearly out of his time and the other in his first year. When they're together on the same job they constantly talk about FIFA and play some virtual manager game on their phones, this is frustrating because I constantly have to tell them to do things instead of them automatically doing things off their own back. They don't think about prepping ready for the next mix or cleaning out buckets after a gauging, I'm constantly telling them there's always something to get on with but they just don't listen or grasp the pressures of a job having timelines.

[@troweltalk2719]

Getting the apprentice engaged & focussed on the job can be tough having 2 to supervise even harder ! I try & keep Curtis on his toes with continuous tasks but it's not easy

[@BigSteveFairchild]

Mate my apprentice Chucked my trowel in the back punctured my expanding foam now that really pushed me over the edge But he’s learning and fuck he will never do that again

[@troweltalk2719]

😲 fuck. I feel better already 😂 bet that took some cleaning up

[@BigSteveFairchild]

@@troweltalk2719 honestly you wouldn’t believe There were days were I couldn’t even speak to him after 8 months with me he still couldn’t hold a hawk tidy no matter how many times I tried

[@BigSteveFairchild]

We’ve all done it mate so don’t stress to much 👌👌👌

[@Seancarson0121]

Hi mate I’m 16 looking to get into plastering and I just wondering how I would go about finding an apprenticeship and the qualifications I would need. Cheers.

[@paulneale3511]

Quality vid mate. Once that mix is on I fall out with everyone haha. I'm kind of towards the other way with this one mate. I think let him have his phone but explain to him that being on his phone is holding him and the team back. It's also slowing down his learning and his progress and in turn slowing down his pay advance. Explain that while he is using his phone he wont be on the trowel. Firstly you will then see his character and secondly you will see where his future is. If he stops going on it lf his own accord then you know he has his intention to learn. If he chooses to continue down the path of using it all the time....maybe he will just always be mixing. Explain that as you get older it gets harder to learn a trade due to finance responsibility and that now is the best time to learn. That's just my opinion mate

[@troweltalk2719]

Fantastic comments mate 👍

[@paulneale3511]

@@troweltalk2719 just my perception of it mate. It may not work. I believe if you have to force something then In the end it breaks. Be cool to see how it plays out. Hope your method works and I'm wrong lol being wrong is never a bad thing. Take care mate

[@thesvbandit]

Fair play mate

[@locien182]

thing is kids have grown up with it during school/college and they dont teach them time is money. they get taught what they need to know to pass exams not life skills. get them young pay em cheap you need to hold their hands more. get someone older ie 25+ pay them more and your more likely to get someone who has a little graft in them.

[@b11fluffy]

I'd love a chance of a apprenticeship with you guys as I'm looking to get into the plastering trade and the old age of 30. Need a new career choice 🙏

[@troweltalk2719]

Where are you based? Are you a member of our face group?

[@b11fluffy]

@@troweltalk2719 Thank you for your reply, I'm based in the nuneaton area near Coventry. Ermm no I'm not part of the group as I only found your channel this morning trying to work out how to find a apprenticeship.

[@chapmansboxingclub2611]

Mate dont blame anything apprenticeships are rare nowdays and he should be gratefull weve all been there and you have to get your nut down and work. Hes obviously getting paid whilst learning a trade which is going to earn him alot of money in the future he should be gratefull. I learnt the hard way get to work do your job and then go on your phone as much as you want in your own time. Remember whos reaping the benefits ot aint you pal. So your right to tell him to put the phone away and get on especially as spreads i am myself. If i dont get the job done none of us get paid. We hold all the responsibilities not them

[@flashfielding1850]

I’m a plasterer just want to say I love your channel I’ve been of work for the last 5 months with a snapped ankle but I’ve been watching your channel got very good content keep up the good work I’m thinking of learning Venetian plastering have you ever tried it?

[@troweltalk2719]

Hello mate thanks for watching really appreciate it I have always wanted to try the Venetian but never tried it I'm always flat out working but one day I may just look into it not sure on the demand around my area for this line of work? Also micro cement looks interesting too 👍 get well soon pal & thanks again for the comments

[@ryokan9120]

I think you've been perfectly reasonable. Perhaps your apprentice doesn't realise how lucky he is to have an opportunity to learn a skill. Sadly smartphone addiction is very much the norm with youngsters today. At the age of 48, I'd do anything for somebody to take me on as an apprentice, but I can't see that happening anytime soon.

[@jamieosullivan6752]

Maybe have him put it on aeroplane mode, if he's not getting notifications won't be looking at it so much? Or plug his phone in the radio listen to his playlists keeping it off him?

[@troweltalk2719]

Good idea on the aeroplane mode Jamie but no way am I listening to his playlist all-day have you heard his music taste 😳 😂 🎶

[@jamieosullivan6752]

@@troweltalk2719 heard some of yours 🙉😫😂

[@markneeson7162]

Phones are a curse, 4 of us work together and at break I have to talk to myself! 👎

[@rootintootinputin1153]

I’m an apprentice my master looses his shit at me time to time ...he is Scottish though and sometimes imma dope it happens

[@drm6089]

Don’t take on young ones I look for thirty or over with families. Clubs drugs phones are usually done by then

[@willm437]

I think that sounds like a perfectly good idea mate. We've all been apprentices there before and the bosses have had a moan, yeah but you get over it and learn

[@tough2lie382]

I wouldn't feel bad about it. If he goes somewhere else they won't tolerate phones during work. He should know better

[@tc-ow1ol]

He will grow out of it once he’s got more responsibility

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

Mate you did nothing wrong, if he worked in an office he wouldn’t be able to be on the phone when he pleases. Nothing to do with tradesmen. I’m a decorator/plasterer (not to your level but good enough to skim walls and ceilings to a very good standard), but even when I get my mates in to help out, they’re always on their phones and it’s infuriating. When you’re on price it’s hell at times so don’t feel bad for showing your lad that it’s not something that can be happening

[@BigSteveFairchild]

Mobile phones the worst invention ever especially the Smart phones so a lot of us will feel your pain

[@acostin4004]

Hire me I'm 39 got loads of experience in plastering i'm not working at the moment I'm in Blackpool though.

[@BigSteveFairchild]

Your lucky to have an apprentice! Very very hard to find a youngster who wants to learn This trade !! A lot of youngsters are going for the glory jobs ( staying clean ) My apprentice pretends to go to the toilet when I know he’s on the f🤪🤪🤪ing phone So I leave me phone in the car and he’s started to follow