Entry 5, Josh – Taking Instruction and Budgeting (Diary of an Apprentice)

31st July 2012

Author: MIGAS
Categories: Diary of an Apprentice News & Blogs

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Taking instruction as an apprentice

” As you would expect, being an apprentice means that you are taking instruction from just about everyone at one point or another, but this can cause friction between tradesmen, and other staff, when these instructions clash.  Recently it was brought to my attention that I was letting these clashes get out of hand, causing, amongst other things, unacceptable delays in urgent jobs.  I sat down with my MIGAS HRDO and discussed the issue to identify the best way to resolve it.  We agreed that relaying all delegated tasks back to my apprentice master to aid in prioritising jobs was the best solution.  So far this has proved to ease tension in the workshop.

Also easing tension outside of work is the overtime we were recently given permission for.  We currently have a contract to manufacture a large set of underwater gear for an overseas company, and, due to the speed in which we have to supply the complete package, overtime has been approved.  This extra money has been a great help with relieving some pressure on my budget.

Before beginning my apprenticeship, I was at university studying fulltime and working as a field technician at a mine site in far northwest Queensland during my holidays, whilst also getting strong financial support from my parents.  Due to this, I hadn’t had a lot of experience in budgeting day-to-day expenses from a regular income.  Being an apprentice has forced me to pick up these vital life skills in order to best maintain a lifestyle that I am happy with outside of work hours.  I now have a flexible written budget, guiding a few routine fund transfers between my bank accounts in order to best track my expenses and savings.

These skills that I have picked up may soon help me to purchase a new car, hopefully something that I will be proud to show off to my mates and at the couple of car meets I attend regular.  But for now I will have to wait and see how that one pans out… ”

Cheers,
Josh
Apprentice Fitter & Turner

 taking instruction

taking instruction