[Fresch]

a first year apprentis is a glorified laborer, but if you are well liked the older guys may begin to show you the ropes.

problem is with the older guys, they are slow to warm up to newbies, and teach them as well once the newbie learns enough to be profitable to the employer, well the old guys get booted, just the way it was when i was coming up, I learned the trade from two awesome individuals, kept my mouth shut, asked questions when appropriate, and learned by osmosis, i m one of those guys that sees someone do something and well i can do it, not as well as a seasoned pro, but i can do it, and with time you only get better if you embrace it, i wanted to be a carpenter, i wanted to learn, and when the two journeymen taught all they had, i moved on to learn more from others, and different parts of the carpentry world.
I was a millwright for several years, what a task that was, those journeymen imo were all a holes, but i weathered thru it till i got the skill, and knowledge, then i went into a mill shop, framed, concrete forming, welding, and frankly loved it all. and now at 70 it has served me very well, made a gaggle of money, learned and met amazing tradesmen along the way, and even to this day i learn something almost every day.
Hell if i knew it all, i wouldnt be here reading, learning ect. lots of skill here to learn from.

best of luck, a good trade if you embrace it
Rj in az

- Knockonit

Now they go to class all day and yes still do the grunt work but are taught in the field.

 

[higtron]

+ one on carpenters union, I'm a retired union carpenter I started out as journeyman as I worked in the trade for yrs before joining up. I think it's an advantage to go through the apprenticeship program because they get you before you develop bad habits. If your enthusiastic pay attention to detail and are motivated you will do great remember you can learn from everyone sometimes, what to do right or, what not to do always ask questions people love to talk about their thought process.

 

[ajshobby]

I'm a journeyman Pipefitter. Its a great profession and in Chicago it is a bomb proof career path. Good money, technical, and the union has great benefits. I keep my wood working as a hobby. This is what i do to unwind. Carpenters and Pipefitters use a lot of the same troubleshooting and problem solving skills. Both involve manual dexterity. The thing i like most about pipefitting is its something different every day. One day im doing layout and the next running hangers. Then spend a few days doing fab work and installing everything. its always a new challenge. Carpenters on the industrial/ large commercial side usually mix it up day to day as well but i think you will find they dont typically do that much work with wood. Go down to the local Veterans hospital and ask to job shadow the carpentry and pipe shops for a day to see what they do. Should be a good way to get fast exposure.

AJ in Mpls

 

[Unknowncraftsman]

I'm sure a pipe fitter is good honest work and money. But it ain't wood, I am also a vested Union Carpenter 2361 and also a waterproofer. We had to join the Carpenters to work with shingles and shakes. Last time I checked 2361 is drywallers and all Hispanics. That's the way it is here in California. :/