What does an apprentice do?

An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures. An apprentice must be detail-oriented, fast-learner, and enthusiastic. An apprentice should also know how to accept constructive criticisms and feedback to improve performance and skill development.
Apprentice responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real apprentice resumes:
- Perform services include but not limit to plumbing, roofing, siding, painting, tiling, and electrical work.
- Replace asphalt shingles, and other cold application roofs, and built-up roofs and apply caulking materials and membrane waterproofing.
- Experience with EPDM & TPO single-ply membrane, fully adhere and mechanically fasten.
- Assist journeyman with bending pipe (EMT, PVC & rigid), pulling and installing wire, and terminating panels
- Locate and repair leaks in asphalt, asbestos, and slate shingles, tile and built-up roofs and single-ply membranes.
- Install and repair electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, conduit systems, fixtures, wall sockets, plugs and switches.
- Work on metal, shingle, tile, and slate jobs as well as working with EPDM
- Erect concrete forms and scaffolding.
- Install and test CCTV systems.
- Cut rebar to measurements provide by masons.
- Prepare sheetrock, metal and wood surfaces for painting.
- Assist with A/C repair, installation, and troubleshooting.
- Ensure that each pet have all services complete in a timely manner and communicate with pet parents for pick up.
- Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clog drains.
- general knowledge of tools, code requirements & osha safety standards.
Apprentice skills and personality traits
We calculated that 43% of Apprentices are proficient in PET, Customer Service, and Basic Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Communication skills, and Troubleshooting skills.
We break down the percentage of Apprentices that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- PET, 43%
Pet Styling: Puppy cuts, lamb cuts, some breed cuts,modified body and face shapes and styles.
- Customer Service, 28%
Provide exceptional customer service to each passenger by actively listening to their concerns and giving appropriate feedback.
- Basic Math, 6%
Performed conduit fabrication, basic math, fixture/service/device installations, interpretation of electrical plans, wiring sizing and pulling.
- Apprenticeship, 4%
Meet satisfactorily educational and on-the-job training requirements stated in the 4 year North Carolina State Apprenticeship certification program.
- Safety Procedures, 3%
Mentored multiple electricians; advised on proper safety procedures and methods for maximizing productivity, efficiency, and quality.
- CPR, 1%
Secure Workers Access Consortium certified NYCMTA Certified SIRTOA Certified Manhole Certified Con Edison Certified First Aid Certified CPR Certified
"pet," "customer service," and "basic math" are among the most common skills that apprentices use at work. You can find even more apprentice responsibilities below, including:
Color vision. The most essential soft skill for an apprentice to carry out their responsibilities is color vision. This skill is important for the role because "electricians must identify electrical wires by color." Additionally, an apprentice resume shows how their duties depend on color vision: "assist all senior stylist with color formulation/application, up-do's and customer service. "
Troubleshooting skills. apprentices are also known for troubleshooting skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to apprentice responsibilities, because "electricians find, diagnose, and repair problems." An apprentice resume example shows how troubleshooting skills is used in the workplace: "worked with romex emt and troubleshooting existing electrical. "
Physical strength. A big part of what apprentices do relies on "physical strength." You can see how essential it is to apprentice responsibilities because "electricians need to be strong enough to move heavy components, which may weigh up to 50 pounds." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical apprentice tasks: "selected for the plumbing apprenticeship program in the physical plant department. "
The three companies that hire the most apprentices are:
- Petco Holdings, Inc.103 apprentices jobs
- Velex
23 apprentices jobs
- Oshkosh18 apprentices jobs
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Apprentice vs. Electrician assistant
A Lead Electrician is the one who does the maintenance, inspection, and repair, and installation of needed equipment and other electric-related things. They are the one who supervises and monitors the job of the Electrician, plans and takes action to every happening and problem that they can encounter. They also do the planning of schedule and the process of conducting an equipment check-up and maintenance. Also, they need to be knowledgeable when it comes to repairing and installing needed material and equipment.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between apprentices and electrician assistant. For instance, apprentice responsibilities require skills such as "pet," "customer service," "basic math," and "apprenticeship." Whereas a electrician assistant is skilled in "switches," "electrical components," "electrical outlets," and "defective electrical equipment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that electrician assistants earn slightly differ from apprentices. In particular, electrician assistants are 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an apprentice. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Apprentice vs. Lead electrician
Helpers are employed by families or homeowners to provide overall assistance in the house. They are usually assigned to do household chores such as cleaning the house, doing the laundry, cooking meals, and tending the garden. They may also be assigned to do groceries or even drive the family around. They take care of children at home and assist them with their schoolwork should it be needed. They also address any other needs that the family may require assistance with. Helpers are expected to be patient and trustworthy since they will be working closely with the family members.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, apprentice responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "pet," "customer service," "basic math," and "apprenticeship." Meanwhile, a lead electrician has duties that require skills in areas such as "hand tools," "ladders," "switches," and "transformers." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, lead electricians earn a higher salary than apprentices. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, lead electricians earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $58,643. Whereas apprentices have higher pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $44,876.In general, lead electricians achieve similar levels of education than apprentices. They're 0.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Apprentice vs. Helper
A low voltage technician is responsible for monitoring and installing low-voltage cables and systems for electronic equipment and communication devices. Low voltage technicians analyze blueprints and schematics to connect the cables safely and accurately. They also conduct repairs for defective components and faulty wirings, recommending solutions and low-cost materials with high quality according to the customers' needs and budget limitations. A low voltage technician must have excellent electrical and organizational skills, especially in performing duties with utmost adherence to safety guidelines and procedures to prevent hazards and operational delays.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an apprentice is likely to be skilled in "pet," "customer service," "basic math," and "apprenticeship," while a typical helper is skilled in "food handling," "physical labor," "pallet jack," and "welders."
Helpers earn the best pay in the utilities industry, where they command an average salary of $36,088. Apprentices earn the highest pay from the transportation industry, with an average salary of $44,876.helpers typically earn similar educational levels compared to apprentices. Specifically, they're 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Apprentice vs. Low voltage technician
Types of apprentice
Updated January 8, 2025











