Jasz
VIP Contributor
An apprentice is a person who learns a trade or profession by working at the trade or profession with expert practitioners of that trade or profession.
Apprentices are often drawn in by how we treat them, so it's essential that you create a warm, welcoming environment that promotes learning and growth—and not just when they're on-site at your project site.
Make sure your office is decorated in a fun way: Your apprentice will spend a lot of time in your office, so make sure it's decorated like they want it—within reason. If they want lava lamps and incense and posters of their favorite band on the wall, then make it happen. It will be enticing if they see you have several equipment or machines required for your trade, they want to lay their hands on new things.
Build a website that clearly defines what you do, why people should care, and how they can contact you.
Follow up with everyone who contacts you via email or phone
Freeze your wages for the time being, so that your apprentice is getting paid the same as any other employee (If you can afford it)
Let them know how cool the trade is and how good you are. Attend to customers politely and be efficient and reliable. If you don't, they may see you as not being serious, thereby discouraged.
Make sure your workplace has an open-door policy. No one will come in unless they feel welcome.
If there are apprenticeship programs in your area, get involved in them! Offer to teach classes about the trade for future apprentices or high school students. This gives you a chance to talk about your work and how awesome it is.
All of these things will help get more apprentices interested in learning what you do—and that's a pretty sweet feeling!
Apprentices are often drawn in by how we treat them, so it's essential that you create a warm, welcoming environment that promotes learning and growth—and not just when they're on-site at your project site.
Make sure your office is decorated in a fun way: Your apprentice will spend a lot of time in your office, so make sure it's decorated like they want it—within reason. If they want lava lamps and incense and posters of their favorite band on the wall, then make it happen. It will be enticing if they see you have several equipment or machines required for your trade, they want to lay their hands on new things.
Build a website that clearly defines what you do, why people should care, and how they can contact you.
Follow up with everyone who contacts you via email or phone
Freeze your wages for the time being, so that your apprentice is getting paid the same as any other employee (If you can afford it)
Let them know how cool the trade is and how good you are. Attend to customers politely and be efficient and reliable. If you don't, they may see you as not being serious, thereby discouraged.
Make sure your workplace has an open-door policy. No one will come in unless they feel welcome.
If there are apprenticeship programs in your area, get involved in them! Offer to teach classes about the trade for future apprentices or high school students. This gives you a chance to talk about your work and how awesome it is.
All of these things will help get more apprentices interested in learning what you do—and that's a pretty sweet feeling!
