We all remember what it was like to start your first real job. Nothing can prepare you for starting your career like having real-world experience on a job site or under the guidance of a mentor. Unfortunately, a lot of skilled workers are getting ready for their first day on the job site without knowing what to expect. Here at Trade Hounds, we have recognized the importance of supporting and nurturing the new generation of trade workers who have the technical knowledge to be a professional but lack the real-world experience you cannot learn in the classroom.
We asked our Trade Hounds Facebook community what is some of the most important tips an apprentice should know before starting their first day on the job site. Most of the responses followed a specific theme:
- Safety comes first
- Always ask questions
- Pay Attention
- Show up on time (aka 15 minutes early)
- Come equipped with the right equipment; if you borrow anything, you return it.
- Work hard
Here are some of the best responses we got:
First Day on the Job Site: Safety
“Rule #1: Don’t touch the shiny s#&t! [with your hands]” – Patrick T.
“Ask questions. Learn on your own if possible. Don’t die!” – Richy L.
Pro Tip: Tom Silva, This Old House general contractor, stresses that safety awareness is an ongoing mindset, not just a checklist: “You have to imagine what could happen, and protect yourself against it.” In over 35 years on the job, Tom says no one on his sites has lost a finger, broken a bone, or put out an eye — and he credits that record not to luck, but to never stopping thinking about the safest way to get things done.
A Lesson from TOH’s Tom Silva: In a This Old House Magazine column, TOH general contractor Tom Silva shared a hard-earned safety lesson: “When I was maybe 16 or 17, I fell off the same roof twice in the same day — the same way — because I thought I was invincible. I was ripping off shingles with a pitchfork, and I slipped on a loose one and fell 12 feet to the ground, knocking the wind out of myself. That should have taught me a lesson, but instead I went back up and immediately slipped on a shingle again. Only this time the pitchfork followed me down and stuck in the ground not 6 inches from my head.” That experience taught him to never work on a roof without first installing a staging plank, nailing down some 2×4 cleats, or wearing a safety harness.
On the TOH Job Site: When welcoming new volunteers at a Habitat for Humanity build, Tom Silva walked through the essentials every newcomer should know: “Anybody that is not familiar with power tools — there are a lot of people around here that are familiar with power tools, so that you get comfortable with that. And if anybody’s working above you, be careful that they don’t drop anything on you. Put a hard hat on. And watch out for any cords or anything like that that you don’t trip on them.” It’s a simple but powerful reminder that situational awareness — looking up, looking down, and knowing what’s around you — is the foundation of job-site safety.
First Day on the Job Site: Ask Questions
“Always Ask questions, learn how to properly use all tools, clean up after yourself, and most important pay attention.” – Justin C.
“Don’t come in acting like you know it all already. Ask as many questions as you can, a lot of people will be glad to help out someone who is determined to work hard and be better at their job.” – Brittany L.
First Day on the Job Site: Work Hard
“Come correct, show up 5 minutes early, inquire about what tools you need to provide for yourself, wear your f–king tool belt, and think on your feet so you don’t have to be told what to do.” – Sean L.
“Show up 15 minutes early…leave 10 minutes late.” – Charnjit S.
“Know your place. Show up on time, and ask for tasks; don’t stand around and wait for someone to tell you.” – Alex R.
“Don’t be a dip. Pay attention and ask questions if you don’t get it.” – James P.
“Don’t come in asking what time break is.” – Juan A.
Pro Tip: TOH general contractor Tom Silva puts it bluntly: “Cleaning up the job site is just as important as the finish work. You have to put in your time doing the former before you can ever learn the latter.” Translation: grab a broom before anyone has to ask.
First Day on the Job Site: Equipment
“Always have a pencil, tape, and a knife.” – Steven D.
“Know your tools, do what your Forman asks, be eager to learn.” – Russell O.
Pro Tip: Tom Silva, TOH general contractor, emphasizes the importance of investing in quality from the start: “Buy the best you can afford. Believe me, I learned that the hard way.”
First Day on the Job Site: Attitude & Work Environment
“As almost being out of the apprenticeship stage, be the first to work and last to leave; work your ass off, and learn everything you can and retain it.” – Josh G.
“Show up with the correct attitude.” – Adam M.
“1. On-time is 15 minutes early. 2. Offer to buy the coffee, most the time boss buys, but offer. 3. Don’t over-sell yourself.” – Stephen D.
“Ask before touching a tool, and always put it back. Be prompt. Don’t get offended/upset over a little pranking/hazing. Expect it. And if you get a nickname, embrace it, no matter what. It means you’re liked.” – Christopher G.
This article is syndicated with permission from Tradehounds.com
