Over the past several months, I’ve talked about the importance of mastering the job-site chain of command in this column, describing how each role (such as the foreman, the journeyman, the project manager, and the superintendent) fits in piecing together the electrical project puzzle.
Last but not least, the boss is a critical part of that equation. As an electrical apprentice, by the end of this column, I want you to have a greater appreciation for the boss and all of the hard work it took to build the organization you are now a part of.
As with the other roles discussed previously, the boss is a position you can aspire to reach as you make your way through your electrical journey. Let’s take a look at a few of the activities the boss juggles to keep the company afloat.
First, the boss has to win bids or be awarded contracts to maintain a consistent revenue stream. Second, he or she has to review plans or blueprints for upcoming projects for new and existing customers through a process called bidding/estimating. This process can take several weeks — in some cases months — to complete based on the size and complexity of the project.
It requires dozens of phone calls and a lot of research from supply houses, engineers, vendors, and long lengthy meetings; the boss is not paid for this time. In a smaller firm, the boss might take on this responsibility himself, whereas an estimating team would likely manage this task in a larger firm. Either way, mastering the bidding and estimating process takes years.
Since some jobs don’t make a profit, and things don’t always go as planned, the boss has to take the losses with the wins. That’s why it’s so important to increase the number of successful projects.
As an electrical apprentice, that’s something within your control. Success is not an accident; it occurs when preparation meets opportunity. That’s why showing up on time every day prepared to work is essential — being on time is half the battle. Make sure the work you do personally on every project leads to a successful outcome.
Another component of that success indirectly relates to the safety of personnel and property. Every morning when you roll out in that company truck, the boss expects you to return it to the shop in one piece, undamaged, without fail. The boss has to maintain and provide insurance for each piece of equipment on the company lot. So be careful when driving the company truck and using company power tools.
In addition, don’t forget to wear your safety gear, always use ladders properly, and help ensure your teammates are safe. Keeping the company’s liabilities down ensures the company’s survival, which means your actions impact the entire organization.
During these activities, the boss has to be a “people person.” People do business with people whom they like and trust. It takes years to build this kind of trust and confidence with customers. A tree can only grow as tall as its roots can expand, so keep this in mind when you think of the company as a whole.
As a new apprentice, you were selected for a specific purpose — to help navigate the company through each project successfully, along with all of its particular challenges. You represent a fresh start for the boss. You are in a unique position to learn while you earn, so take full advantage of every opportunity the boss throws your way.
De Loach, a master electrician and electrical trainer/instructor, is the founder of The Academy of Industrial Arts (www.taia-school.com) in Philadelphia. With more than 30 years of experience in the field, he will be writing regular exclusive content for E-Train and can be reached at [email protected].
