Fashion Girls

The Apprentice System is Alive and Well

Work on our kitchen is progressing.  (And yes, I'm sparing all of you an account of my meltdown during the past 48 hours.  I'm actually quite pleased with where the kitchen is heading now.  And the cabinets are gorgeous.)

Today, I have been struck by how the apprentice system of education continues to function. 

The construction crew for our project consists of three people.  Two have been in the business forever.  One, N., is a recent high school graduate.  He still lives with his parents.  He has a lip piercing.  He is unfailingly polite, and he is often sent to ask me questions about details.

This morning, one of the senior people is working on another job, and the other senior person, F., is out picking up flooring samples.  N is here alone, patching holes in the floor.  Before F left, he told N how to do the job, reminded him of potential pitfalls, and asked him if he had any questions.  N has been steadily working away. 

I've resisted the urge to check on how things are going. I remember how much I worried the first time I was given a motion to draft, a brief to draft, a filing to make on my own.  I'm sure that N is alternating between pleasure at a job well done and worry that he's not meeting F's expectations.

Forget about guildhalls and glasswrights.  Apprentices are still alive and well.

Mindy, looking forward to her new kitchen

Comments

I'm glad that things appear to be going well.

Yes, that young man was likely nervous. But it is...neat.

Resist

Resist the impulse to check up on the apprentice. We were talking with the honcho of our kitchen job, and he was telling horror stories about clients who literally stood over the workman, watching and eventually asking to help. To the point where the workman had to call the boss and ask him to get the client off their backs.

All will be well. That's what punchlists are for.