3 Learning Task 3: Becoming a Journeyperson – and New Opportunities
3 Learning Task 3: Becoming a Journeyperson – and New Opportunities
Click play on the following audio player to listen along as you read this section.
Once you have completed the final level of apprenticeship for your trade, including all of the work hours required on site, you will become a certified journeyperson. If you are completing your apprenticeship in British Columbia in an applicable trade, upon successful completion of the Red Seal exam you will also receive your Red Seal endorsement (RSE).
To take on the role of a journeyperson you may also need further education. This may include individual learning, such as becoming aware of all of the recent changes and trends in the industry and acquiring in-depth knowledge of the apprenticeship’s training program and what needs to be taught in the workplace at each level of the apprenticeship. As a journeyperson, you may also want to acquire additional formal training to become better acquainted with mentoring and coaching of an individual; for example by completing a continuing education course in leadership.
As you will have noted from looking at the Red Seal Occupation Standard (RSOS), all trades require some degree of continual learning to keep up with changes in the industry brought on by new technologies (products or tools), changes in code, or new government legislation. In addition, the use of communication technologies continues to grow rapidly and affect the trades. This includes use of smart phone applications, social media, Web applications, and business-related software and hardware, particularly for individuals who are self-employed or own a small trade-related company. Your ability to keep up with these new demands will ensure that you keep competitive in your field.
Role of the Journeyperson in Training
A journeyperson is knowledgeable about all aspects of their trade. One of the roles of the journeyperson is to assist in the work-based training of new apprentices. The assignment of an apprentice to a journeyperson for mentoring or coaching will be the decision of your employer.
The size of a company will determine the role a journeyperson will have in training a new apprentice. In large companies, the training of an apprentice may be a team approach, with individuals in the firm taking on different orientation and/or training. In smaller companies, this role may fall largely in the hands of the journeyperson and their supervisor.
The duties assigned to a journeyperson may include assistance with or responsibility for:
- teaching apprentices all aspects of the trade
- orienting new apprentices to the workplace, including advising on any company policies and procedures that may need to be followed on the job site
- informing apprentices about the company’s expectations and what they will receive
- helping apprentices better understand their trade, the tools and equipment they use, and safety standards
- developing a training plan for the apprentice
- supervising, mentoring, and/or