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What does a helper/apprentice do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a helper/apprentice do

Helpers/apprentices are skilled employees who are responsible for performing various tasks that are related to the construction industry while learning the trade from a skilled employer. These employees must assist skilled tradesmen by performing general construction duties while following the rules and safety regulations of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). They must gain experience in the electrical field and assist HVAC contractors in repairing and maintaining air conditioning equipment. Helpers/apprentices must also learn how to use different power and hand tools properly.

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Helper/apprentice responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real helper/apprentice resumes:

  • Assist technicians in maintaining and repairing HVAC and various types of refrigeration and food service systems as an apprentice.
  • Work with experience HVAC technicians and provide excellent customer service.
  • Integrate technology into curriculum, supplementing class lectures and developing student's researching skills and internet and PowerPoint proficiency.
  • Mow lawn with riding mower.
  • Operate vehicles and power equipment such as mowers, string trimmers, and blowers.
  • Hook up electrical and positive air fan blowers to pull air out of spaces inside of the ships.
  • Utilize the latest construction details for fabricating switchboards, electronics equipment cabinets and consoles.

Helper/apprentice skills and personality traits

We calculated that 45% of Helper/Apprentices are proficient in General Construction, Plumbing, and OSHA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Color vision, and Physical stamina.

We break down the percentage of Helper/Apprentices that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • General Construction, 45%

    General construction and repairs including: patching, painting, flooring, roofing, electrical, plumbing and welding.

  • Plumbing, 23%

    Performed basic plumbing responsibilities on demand.

  • OSHA, 14%

    Followed OSHA rules and safety regulations

  • Construction Projects, 5%

    preform electrical-related wiring for residential construction projects, including new construction and remodels

  • HVAC, 2%

    Assisted technicians in maintaining and repairing HVAC and various types of refrigeration and food service systems as an apprentice.

  • Hand Tools, 1%

    Operated wide variety of equipment including power saws, sanders, grinders, cranes, forklift and basic hand tools.

Most helper/apprentices use their skills in "general construction," "plumbing," and "osha" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential helper/apprentice responsibilities here:

Mechanical skills. The most essential soft skill for a helper/apprentice to carry out their responsibilities is mechanical skills. This skill is important for the role because "construction laborers are frequently required to operate and maintain equipment, such as jackhammers." Additionally, a helper/apprentice resume shows how their duties depend on mechanical skills: "learned to read blue prints; architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural, maps and charts. "

Color vision. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling helper/apprentice duties is color vision. The role rewards competence in this skill because "construction laborers and helpers may need to be able to distinguish colors to do their job." According to a helper/apprentice resume, here's how helper/apprentices can utilize color vision in their job responsibilities: "installed fire alarm systems, closed circuit television systems, burglar systems, and card access systems. "

Physical stamina. This is an important skill for helper/apprentices to perform their duties. For an example of how helper/apprentice responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "construction laborers and helpers must have the endurance to perform strenuous tasks throughout the day." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a helper/apprentice: "developed excellent physical stamina for repetitive and demanding tasks".

Math skills. For certain helper/apprentice responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a helper/apprentice rely on this skill, as "construction laborers and some helpers need to perform basic math calculations while measuring on jobsites or assisting a surveying crew." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what helper/apprentices do: "tutored students in the subjects of mathematics, political history, and language arts. "

Physical strength. Another crucial skill for a helper/apprentice to carry out their responsibilities is "physical strength." A big part of what helper/apprentices relies on this skill, since "construction laborers and helpers must often lift heavy materials or equipment." How this skill relates to helper/apprentice duties can be seen in an example from a helper/apprentice resume snippet: "perform tasks involving physical labor at highway and heavy construction projects. "

All helper/apprentice skills

The three companies that hire the most helper/apprentices are:

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Compare different helper/apprentices

Helper/apprentice vs. Mason

A mason is responsible for shaping artificial mineral products, concrete blocks, stone pieces, and bricks to create structures essential for construction or other building purposes using various machinery and equipment, following the highest safety standards and production procedures. Masons analyze schematics and blueprints, applying the clients' specifications and customization to their product expertise. They also inspect tools and equipment, ensuring that the materials are free from any defects to avoid hazards and construction delays.

We looked at the average helper/apprentice salary and compared it with the wages of a mason. Generally speaking, masons are paid $11,549 higher than helper/apprentices per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between helper/apprentices and masons are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like construction projects, hvac, and construction sites.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, helper/apprentice responsibilities require skills like "general construction," "plumbing," "osha," and "hand tools." Meanwhile a typical mason has skills in areas such as "masonry," "scaffolding," "safety regulations," and "dump truck." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

On average, masons reach similar levels of education than helper/apprentices. Masons are 4.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Helper/apprentice vs. Journeyman

A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.

A career as a journeyman brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a helper/apprentice. In fact, journeymen salary is $25,257 higher than the salary of helper/apprentices per year.A few skills overlap for helper/apprentices and journeymen. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "plumbing," "osha," and "hvac. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that helper/apprentice responsibilities requires skills like "general construction," "construction projects," "safety guidelines," and "ppe." But a journeyman might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "safety procedures," and "preventative maintenance."

Journeymen may earn a higher salary than helper/apprentices, but journeymen earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $62,379. On the other hand, helper/apprentices receive higher pay in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,929.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Journeymen tend to reach similar levels of education than helper/apprentices. In fact, they're 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Helper/apprentice vs. Journeyman ironworker

A pipefitter specializes in pipe systems. They are mostly responsible for cutting, assembling, installing, and maintaining the pipes' condition within homes or establishments. There are also instances when a pipe fitter has to visit sites, investigate problems, and conduct tests and repairs when necessary. Most pipefitters work in a group setting and are required to communicate and coordinate with co-workers, all while adhering to a company's standards and safety policies.

An average journeyman ironworker eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of helper/apprentices. The difference in salaries amounts to journeyman ironworkers earning a $8,887 higher average salary than helper/apprentices.helper/apprentices and journeyman ironworkers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "ppe," "demo," and "construction sites," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, helper/apprentices are more likely to have skills like "general construction," "plumbing," "osha," and "construction projects." But a journeyman ironworker is more likely to have skills like "cranes," "bars," "hoisting," and "rebar."

Most journeyman ironworkers achieve a similar degree level compared to helper/apprentices. For example, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Helper/apprentice vs. Pipe fitter

Pipe fitters tend to earn a higher pay than helper/apprentices by an average of $18,630 per year.According to resumes from helper/apprentices and pipe fitters, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "hvac," "hand tools," and "pvc. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A helper/apprentice uses "general construction," "plumbing," "osha," and "construction projects." Pipe fitters are more likely to have duties that require skills in "carbon steel," "safety procedures," "isometric drawings," and "hot water. "pipe fitters enjoy the best pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $57,501. For comparison, helper/apprentices earn the highest salary in the construction industry.In general, pipe fitters hold similar degree levels compared to helper/apprentices. Pipe fitters are 0.0% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of helper/apprentice

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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