In the YouTube video titled “Top 3 Things Apprentices Need to Learn To Be Great In The Trades,” Roger Wakefield is joined by Tony Bertolino from PHCC Virginia to discuss the core lessons every aspiring apprentice should master early in their career. Whether you’re training to become a plumber, electrician, or HVAC technician, the foundational attitudes and skills you develop in your apprenticeship years can carry you toward a successful, long-lasting career in the trades. Below, we’ll expand on the three key takeaways from the video—asking questions, defining your goals, and learning from failure—while exploring how each one paves the way for growth, leadership, and professional excellence.
Why Apprenticeships Matter More Than Ever
The trades continue to be a vital pillar of the economy, offering stable, hands-on careers. Yet, even with a high demand for skilled labor, not all apprentices climb the ladder effectively. Some simply go through the motions, never improving beyond basic competence. Others seize every learning opportunity and ultimately become foremen, superintendents, or even successful business owners. What separates these two paths often comes down to mindset: being open to new ideas, actively seeking feedback, and setting deliberate career goals.
- Demand for Skilled Workers: As the current workforce in the trades ages, companies face a shortage of qualified professionals. Apprentices who show genuine curiosity and adaptability can quickly rise to leadership positions.
- Apprenticeships vs. Traditional Education: While classroom lessons are essential for understanding theory and codes, real-world experiences on job sites—guided by seasoned pros—offer the deeper knowledge that can’t always be gleaned from textbooks.
1. Ask Questions and Stay Open to New Techniques
Overcoming the “My Way or the Highway” Mentality
One of the first major pieces of advice from Tony is to not be afraid to ask questions and experiment with different methods. Trade workers sometimes adopt a rigid approach, believing there’s only one correct tool or one ideal way to do a task.
- Embrace Multiple Approaches: For example, in plumbing, you might learn how to solder copper pipes traditionally, but you’ll also see colleagues using press fittings or PEX crimping. Each technique has its place, and a versatile apprentice recognizes when to deploy each method.
- Break Old Habits: Tony jokingly mentions how he was taught to rely solely on pipe wrenches when channel-lock pliers or other specialized tools might be more effective. Being open to new tools or systems (like press vs. solder) can save time and reduce labor costs in the long run.
Cultivating a Mindset of Curiosity
Plenty of apprentices hold back from asking questions because they’re worried about looking foolish in front of experienced tradespeople. However, silence can hamper your progress far more than asking “too many” questions.
- One-Time Queries: Roger recommends never asking the same question twice. If you’re taught a new technique or code requirement, take note so you don’t have to keep requesting the same information.
- Daily Reflection: Write down the questions you ask each day, along with the answers you get. Review them at night or over the weekend. This habit reinforces your learning and helps you internalize critical information.
The Value of Mentors
When you’re curious and show genuine enthusiasm for the craft, you’re more likely to attract supportive mentors. These seasoned pros might open doors you didn’t even know existed—introducing you to advanced techniques, valuable contacts, or specialized certifications.
- Respect Their Experience: Skilled tradespeople often take pride in their craft. Demonstrate that you value their knowledge, and they’ll be more willing to mentor you.
- Challenge Them (Politely): If you have a different idea about how to approach a problem, voice it respectfully. Even if your method isn’t chosen, you might spark a conversation that benefits both parties.
2. Define Your Goals and Stay Focused on the Future
Setting an Endgame from the Start
Roger points out that many apprentices begin their careers without a long-term vision. It’s easy to get comfortable in a decent-paying job, only to remain at the same level for years. However, the trades offer a remarkable degree of upward mobility—if you’re intentional about your goals.
- Aim for Growth: Maybe you see yourself as a future foreman, superintendent, or even the owner of a thriving contracting company. Write these aspirations down and outline the steps required to get there, such as obtaining specific licenses or learning business management.
- Think Big and Bold: Far too many people self-limit, believing they aren’t “management material” or that owning a business is “too complicated.” According to Roger, your mindset is your only real barrier. By studying codes, finances, leadership skills, or marketing strategies, you can position yourself to run a large, successful firm one day.
Moving Up Through the Ranks
In the video, Roger shares his progression from a line-level plumber to a foreman, superintendent, and eventually director of operations for a mechanical contractor. This journey underscores how your role in the trades doesn’t have to remain static.
- Stand Out in Each Position: Whether you’re an apprentice or a foreman, commit to excelling. Strive to be the best in your class academically, as well as the most reliable worker on the job site.
- Never Stop Learning: Once you’ve earned your professional license, don’t succumb to complacency. Code updates, emerging technologies, and better installation methods appear all the time. Stay curious and motivated, even when you reach higher-level roles.
Building a Future-Focused Mindset
As you move through your apprenticeship, keep asking yourself where you want to be in 5, 10, or even 20 years. If you’re uncertain how to craft a plan, talk to experienced tradespeople, instructors, or mentors who’ve already achieved milestones you admire.
- Find Role Models: Seek out professionals who have built companies or led major projects successfully. Learn from their stories, mistakes, and triumphs.
- Stay Self-Aware: Periodically assess whether your daily habits align with your long-term vision. If you’re aiming to be a foreman but consistently show up late, that mismatch can derail your goals.
3. Embrace Failure as Your Greatest Teacher
Why Failure Matters
Tony sets tough exams for his year-four apprentices because failing the hardest possible test often reveals weaknesses better than consistently skating by on easier assessments. A low score or an on-the-job mistake can be jarring, but it offers a chance to grow rapidly by pinpointing exactly where you’re falling short.
- Identify Weak Spots: A 40% score on a practice test is disheartening, but it’s also a roadmap: every wrong answer is a direct indication of where more study is needed.
- Motivation to Improve: Failure can light a fire under you, prompting late-night study sessions or in-depth conversations with mentors that ultimately boost your expertise and confidence.
Turning Mistakes into Action Plans
Whether you find a leak after a copper soldering job or you flub an electrical wiring test, the key is to reflect, analyze, and correct your errors—rather than just feeling discouraged.
- Document What Went Wrong: Write down each error (e.g., “I misread the code requirement for vent sizing” or “I didn’t allow the copper fitting to cool properly”). Understanding the “why” behind the failure fosters better retention and learning.
- Consult Others: If you keep making the same mistake, ask a journeyman or instructor for clarity. Show them the specific steps you took so they can pinpoint what to adjust next time.
- Aim for Improvement, Not Perfection: Everyone will make mistakes in an apprenticeship. The goal is to ensure you don’t repeat them, not to avoid them entirely—because that’s unrealistic.
A Culture That Supports Growth
Some work environments penalize mistakes harshly, discouraging apprentices from taking risks or raising their voices. If you find yourself in such an atmosphere, try to maintain a balanced perspective: yes, quality work matters, but so does learning from missteps.
- Communicate: Let your foreman or boss know that you understand the impact of the mistake and have a plan to prevent it in the future. This shows responsibility and a proactive mindset.
- Supportive Team: Seek out or help create a team culture where apprentices feel comfortable admitting when they need help. A single catastrophic error can be more damaging than smaller mistakes caught early, so open dialogue benefits everyone.
Continuous Learning and Professional Development
Beyond the License
Roger emphasizes that many tradespeople stop seeking new knowledge once they pass their licensing exam. Yet codes evolve, safety standards shift, and new tools emerge each year.
- Stay Informed: Subscribe to relevant trade magazines, YouTube channels, or newsletters. This ensures you’re aware of advanced materials, methods, and safety regulations.
- Broaden Your Skill Set: Look into additional certifications (like LEED for green building or specialized manufacturer trainings) that could increase your marketability and earning potential.
- Soft Skills Matter: Communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence can be as crucial as technical prowess. If you’re looking to become a leader on-site, taking courses or reading books on conflict resolution, time management, or team motivation can give you a competitive edge.
The Power of Organizations like PHCC
Tony is deeply involved with PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors), and he highlights that membership in professional organizations is a game-changer. These groups advocate for trades education, organize networking events, and often provide specialized training programs.
- Learning from Peers: By attending PHCC meetings or other local trade associations, you meet professionals from various backgrounds. Such networking can lead to job opportunities, partnerships, or simply the sharing of innovative ideas.
- Staying Up-to-Date: Industry organizations often communicate legislative changes, code updates, and emerging technologies. This helps you remain compliant, relevant, and adaptable.
- Career Longevity: Active participation in organizations can also open doors for leadership roles, further differentiating you from peers who only focus on the day-to-day tasks.
Real-World Strategies for Apprentices to Thrive
Tracking Daily Progress
A simple notebook can become an apprentice’s best friend. Each day:
- Record Tasks: Note the projects you worked on or new skills you tried.
- Highlight Knowledge Gaps: When you realize you don’t understand something—like a code requirement or a new tool—jot it down.
- Refine Methods: If you discovered a more efficient way to handle a job, describe it for future reference.
Seeking Challenges
While it’s comfortable to keep doing the same tasks, actively asking your instructor or supervisor for more challenging assignments accelerates growth. Whether that’s piping a more complex system or leading a small crew for a day, you’ll learn quickly under higher stakes.
Celebrating Small Wins
Trades can be tough, both physically and mentally. Balancing the demands of job sites, classroom study, and personal life isn’t always easy. By celebrating minor victories—like perfecting a new soldering technique or scoring higher on a practice test—you maintain motivation and confidence.
Summing It Up: Becoming Truly Great
Achieving greatness in the trades requires more than just clocking in and out each day. As Roger and Tony demonstrate:
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Ask Questions and Stay Adaptable
- Challenge outdated “there’s only one way” mentalities.
- Seek multiple perspectives on techniques and tools.
- Talk openly with mentors and peers to refine your approach.
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Define Your Goals and Keep Your Eyes on the Future
- Picture yourself as a foreman, business owner, or industry leader.
- Map out the steps—like certifications, licensing exams, or management skills—that bridge your current role to your future ambition.
- Embrace continuous learning and never settle for the bare minimum.
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Learn from Failure
- Treat mistakes and tough exams as catalysts for self-improvement.
- Analyze what went wrong, consult experienced tradespeople, and move forward with a corrected approach.
- Recognize that occasional setbacks are stepping stones if you use them wisely.
Remember that the trades offer almost limitless potential. You can become the best plumber in your market, manage a large mechanical contracting firm, or pioneer new business models—provided you maintain the mindset of a perpetual student. The secret is combining hands-on skill with leadership ability, adaptability, and a passion for doing things better tomorrow than you did today.
If you’re an apprentice, your journey has only just begun. Keep asking those questions, aim high, and accept that every misstep is an invitation to grow. With the right combination of curiosity, vision, and resilience, you’ll soon find yourself standing out from the crowd—whether as a top-tier journeyman, a foreman, or the proud owner of your own thriving business in the trades.
