Too clumsy

[Lee Gold]

At work I find some things hard to pick up, I am a very slow learner, I don't understand some things if someone tells me once I don't understand and sometimes tell me twice and I don't understand I am very slow I know that for myself and it takes me a while to get things, I work along side an electrican at work. Basicly I'm a labourer to the electrican he only lets me do basic things like wire 3 phase plugs, fix hopper loaders / industrial work. Today he told me I'm clumbsy and it dropped my confidence like is that how other people see it I know I'm really slow and I hate it I would like to pick up things like others, I'm not even trusted using a drill incase I "mess it up". Am I too clumbsy to be an electrican in the future? Do you have to be smart?

 

[Simonslimline]

Re: Too clumbsy

With a good mentor you should be fine. It takes time to become efficient and competent mate. Don't be to hard on yourself.

 

[ruston]

Re: Too clumbsy

Yes , it may be that your trainer is at fault .Some people just do not know how to teach, or steer people in the right direction.

If you are a bit clumsy , it is probably because you are nervous of the task given. Do not take it to heart ,it is a long road.
If you are not being taught to understand what you are doing, you will always be on a back foot.

 

[Richard Burns]

Re: Too clumbsy

Generally, the phrase "practice makes perfect" come to mind.
OK at least you know that you have to work hard at getting things to stick in mind, therefore you can do this in your way.
From a practical point of view almost anyone can keep practicing at something and get better at it.
Therefore, for you, practice is the key.
If you know you can be less than coordinated at times, then be aware of this and take it into consideration.
E.g. Do I have a good hold of the drill, will the drill slip when I start it, how can I support the drill better so It will not slip, do I have a clear and definite point to drill.

If you think all these things through then after a time they will become second nature and the approach will be easier and easier.

Keep working at it and do not get downhearted, it is possible, it will take time and effort, but you can get there.

 

[Lee Gold]

Re: Too clumbsy

Thanks so much for all the comments I will take into consideration definitely, electrics is something I have always wanted to do and do whatever it takes

 

[Simonslimline]

Re: Too clumbsy

Thanks so much for all the comments I will take into consideration definitely, electrics is something I have always wanted to do and do whatever it takes

Good attitude.

Use the trainee section on here as well for any questions you might wish to ask. Lots of very experienced and helpful people in there mate.

 

[ruston]

Re: Too clumbsy

The world loves a trier. Do as Simon say's . There are plenty on here that will give you support .
Don't give up.

 

[Marvo]

When it comes to basic skills like using tools smart has nothing to do with it. As mentioned practice makes perfect, also there's a thousand and one little tricks you learn as an apprentice that make tasks a lot easier. It's the same with anything where someone makes it look easy, they've just practiced and they know all the little tricks.

You've got everything at your fingertips nowadays with the internet so take advantage and use it. If you're worried about drilling then google it and watch some youtube videos and practice in your own time until you're confident.

 

[Darkwood]

Your workmate Electrician sounds like a dick for want of a better word, look at it this way, there are those who can teach and those who can't, the ones who can't usually resort to mockery and demoralisation, I have had many apprentices over the years and the only trait you need is a willing to learn and better yourself if you have these then you are easy to train up, if your tutor/mentor prefers to drag you down rather than take the time to explain and simplify area's you have difficulty with then you are in for a long difficult ride...

Viola ---- this is why we have a Trainee section so fire away anything, no matter how dumb a question you consider it then ask

 

[Lee Gold]

Thank you for comments and yeah darkwood he is I can't stand him he's up his own arse. I say he's a failed electrican haha thanks guys really appreciate the comments just wish I could bring it to practical

 

[Midwest]

Thank you for comments and yeah darkwood he is I can't stand him he's up his own arse. I say he's a failed electrican haha thanks guys really appreciate the comments just wish I could bring it to practical

Sometimes Lee being hard on people, can be a useful way for you to learn, especially learning by your mistakes, not withstanding your trainer.

When I was an apprentice, many moons ago, the electrician I was with mostly, was quite hard on me, calling me names (putting it politely) and expecting me to do things correctly first time etc etc. Didn't enjoy my time with him. Until that is, when I started to get things right. When I look back, I released he taught me a lot, and not just being an electrician.

Instructing someone is an 'old fashioned' method of teaching, instead of the 'new fashioned' method of training ​someone. But sometimes the old methods still have their merit.

 

[ruston]

Your workmate Electrician sounds like a dick for want of a better word, look at it this way, there are those who can teach and those who can't, the ones who can't usually resort to mockery and demoralisation, I have had many apprentices over the years and the only trait you need is a willing to learn and better yourself if you have these then you are easy to train up, if your tutor/mentor prefers to drag you down rather than take the time to explain and simplify area's you have difficulty with then you are in for a long difficult ride...

Viola ---- this is why we have a Trainee section so fire away anything, no matter how dumb a question you consider it then ask

I think you have summed it up there . Being strict with someone is a world away from belittling and demoralising them.
If you are not being taught to understand what you are doing , that is in no way your fault.

I was lucky that I worked with people who were strict and fair , showing a good job got praise , but woe betide if it was inferior .
Just stick in time will pass for the better as you begin to see what you have learned becoming so much easier that it will become second nature , and it will.

 

[Pete999]

Going back a while, before the onset of battery drills etc etc, I had an Apprentice, a bit of a disaster Gary was his name, nice Lad but a bit of a non starter in this game.

Any way Gary was my responsibility so I suppose the buck stopped with me, we were rewiring some Council houses, and it was one of Gary's jobs to get in the roof space and rip out all of the old wiring, safely isolated of course. Gary's Dad had told him to wear overalls ( work wear wasn't invented yet before any one asks) and boots, (in someones house)? not really a good idea, but never mind. Needless to say there were occasions when Gary's feet misplaced the joists and plaster disaster ensued, I should have insisted he wear the appropriate gear, but we all learn from our mistakes, I believe Gary went on to a successful career in catering as he was not suited for the hurly burly world of Sparking.

 

[7029 dave]

Going back a while, before the onset of battery drills etc etc, I had an Apprentice, a bit of a disaster Gary was his name, nice Lad but a bit of a non starter in this game.

Any way Gary was my responsibility so I suppose the buck stopped with me, we were rewiring some Council houses, and it was one of Gary's jobs to get in the roof space and rip out all of the old wiring, safely isolated of course. Gary's Dad had told him to wear overalls ( work wear wasn't invented yet before any one asks) and boots, (in someones house)? not really a good idea, but never mind. Needless to say there were occasions when Gary's feet misplaced the joists and plaster disaster ensued, I should have insisted he wear the appropriate gear, but we all learn from our mistakes, I believe Gary went on to a successful career in catering as he was not suited for the hurly burly world of Sparking.

Very true words Pete, its not for everyone.

 

[Lee Gold]

But I really enjoy it and I do want to do it, it's just hard for me to pick up

 

[DPG]

A lot of people take a while to pick things up, but don't forget many won't admit to this. I also know people who don't want to learn and are happy just chucking cables in and not knowing (or caring) how to test properly and understand the results.
Stick at it! Daz

 

[Pete999]

But I really enjoy it and I do want to do it, it's just hard for me to pick up

Well stick at it, we all made mistakes and we were all accused of being useless including me, I went on to work all over the world, electrical safety officer for a government dept don' think I killed or injured anyone except perhaps young Gary, not with electrics, withe sharp end of my tongue, the little get.

 

[Martyc]

I'm ham fisted and clumsy most of the time. For example, it took me ages in college to even cut a straight line with a hacksaw and making off and glanding swa took me like 4 attempts. Now I'm out of that pressure environment and without someone watching over my shoulder I'm banging out swa glands all day some days and cutting tray and trunking seems a walk in the park (well apart from the dead arm after a day of hack-sawing)


Sent from the moon using telepathy

 

[KWCFC]

Electrics does take a while to pick up. Its the hardest trade in the building industry.

Confidence is key and the longer you do it the more confident you will be. When I started as a nervous 16 year old apprentice I crapped myself every time someone gave me a job and I think if someone ever filmed me working it would of made TV! I was bumbling wreck. But the longer you do it the more confident you get, and things become easier

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[Barry White]

Last apprentice I had before this one was crap nearly give up on him he was that bad then someting clicked in his head and he made an excelent electrician (industrial)
The only way to learn is practice. I give them a 6m lenght of swa and a gland and they regland it untill they can do it correctly then if not I find another piece of cable.
Practice makes perfect so stick at it.

 

[Martyc]

Last apprentice I had before this one was crap nearly give up on him he was that bad then someting clicked in his head and he made an excelent electrician (industrial)
The only way to learn is practice. I give them a 6m lenght of swa and a gland and they regland it untill they can do it correctly then if not I find another piece of cable.
Practice makes perfect so stick at it.

Amount of times I thought in college in the practical stuff 'I'm crap at this I'll never be any good', but once you're immersed in it, somehow after a little time what seemed a nearly impossible challenge becomes almost second nature. A bit like driving really

 

[Chivers]

I think sometimes people need to advise trainees how to do something by coaching them correctly when they take a task on rather than physically telling someone this is how it's done by showing them. Do you think you're a bit clumsy? Why exactly has your mentor said this?

Drill wise why not practice on some old wooden off cuts and stuff like that get the action right and see how confident your handling of power tools can be in this type of manner so it won't matter if you "mess up" build your skills up slowly and then gain this persons trust to allow you to take on more - if you show this type of willingness and there's no improvement trust wise find someone else to work for.

 

[ipf]

Last apprentice I had before this one was crap nearly give up on him he was that bad then someting clicked in his head and he made an excelent electrician (industrial)
The only way to learn is practice. I give them a 6m lenght of swa and a gland and they regland it untill they can do it correctly then if not I find another piece of cable.
Practice makes perfect so stick at it.

A while ago, but the armoured terms I was doing as a kid were wiping lead. Practice, practice...and even when it was a perfect art form (in my book), he'd get the blow torch, rip it apart and get tell me to re-do again.
Big difference was that there seemed time in industry for apprentices to learn and practice at work. Now it's a case of bish bash, where's the cash.

Anyway OP, stick with it, hope you come through.

 

[hightower]

Amount of times I thought in college in the practical stuff 'I'm crap at this I'll never be any good', but once you're immersed in it, somehow after a little time what seemed a nearly impossible challenge becomes almost second nature. A bit like driving really

Marty is right. Different career but when I started in IT 12 years ago I thought I wasn't gonna make it. Immersion is key, but the thing that gave me the sink or swim moment was 2 years after I started my boss quit so I was left on my own with nobody to go to for advice. It was scary, but I truly believe that was one of the best teachers - making my own mistakes.

I've since decided IT is not challenging enough hence my retraining. But I plan to apply the same technique. Yes, I'll get the advice when I need it, the correct training, and so on. But nothing quite drives it home like having a go, making some mistakes (that won't cost your life) and learning from the whole experience. I'm not saying go and put 300 holes in your wall, but back to martys original point - immersion is key

 

[sparkstu]

As everyone has said stick at and keep practicing when ever you get the chance I too was clumsy and things took me a while to get and understand when I first started out and then all of a sudden something just clicks in place and it's all there so keep at it and it will come to you.


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[Diddy]

Turn up on time.
Do what your told - If you don't understand ask DO NOT pretend to know.
Listen when an explanation comes along don't play angry birds on mobile during down time....down time equals an opportunity to either clean up or assist someone else or finally just to watch what is going on and have your questions ready for later.
Do the above and you will become an electrician.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

When it comes to drilling, the variable trigger is your friend. Use it to start and finish slowly. There is absolutely no need to go full speed and push till you explode out of the other side. Use the trigger to feel your way through. When i got my new knipex croppers, it took me half a day of stripping flex to not score the cores when removing the outer sheath, or give the strands a haircut when stripping back as they were that sharp and new to me. I had to feel for the correct amount of pressure and angle.

I developed my hacksaw technique to manufacture bends in steel trunking by making small cuts initially but then cutting the maximum amount of back-cut (where I could control the back of the saw, then using that back-cut to guide the front cut as a sort of mitre guide. (Don't worry if you didn't understand that, it's something that needs to be shown really, but I only included it as an example of the way one learns through experience on site.)

PMA