How to “Train” Electricians
Teaching is honorable; it takes courage, empathy, and, most of all, endurance! It's not a profession you pursue to gain wealth; you teach to "make a difference" or create change. You do it to share the body of knowledge that you've collected during the journey of your career. Now is the time if you've been figuring out when to take a leap into this profession. As a tradesman/woman, teaching is the best way to give back to the construction community. Teaching can solve a fundamental goal: "Closing The Skills Gap" Construction companies stand at the forefront of the current labor shortfall. According to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), “by 2023 there will be a shortage of 5 million craft professionals”; the skills gap affects every trade in the construction industry.
The Opportunity You Have
Teaching is honorable; it takes courage, empathy, and, most of all, endurance! It's not a profession you pursue to gain wealth; you teach to "make a difference" or create change. You do it to share the body of knowledge that you've collected during the journey of your career. Now is the time if you've been figuring out when to take a leap into this profession. As a tradesman/woman, Teaching is the best way to give back to the construction community. Teaching can solve a fundamental goal: "Closing The Skills Gap"
Construction companies stand at the forefront of the current labor shortfall. According to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), “by 2023 there will be a shortage of 5 million craft professionals”; the skills gap affects every trade in the construction industry. In the US, nearly a quarter of construction workers are older than 55, putting them at or close to retirement age. Employers need help to replace these skilled workers who are retiring rapidly. No sector of the construction industry is insulated from this challenge, including carpentry, plumbing, masonry, roofing, and several more occupations. By Teaching, you can become "a catalyst for change." and make a huge impact on the construction industry. Your unique talent and skill can help to reduce this severe shortage of skilled workers and leave a legacy behind. Stop procrastinating; do it now.
The New Instructors 1st Goal
Your first Goal is to help your audience "see and believe" that all their life's goals are obtainable through this trade, even things they didn't think were possible. Therefore, your message must be delivered and land with impact religiously and consistently; you must be an advocate for the trades. Ultimately, your message will impact the future employers, consumers, and customers of your audience of apprentices. Remember that Teaching is an opportunity to change someone's life, one student at a time. When you're tired and frustrated from your own distractions and disappointments stay focused on the goals of your audience.
New Instructors 2nd Goal
Your number two goal is to enhance the learning experience of your audience. Always use diverse mediums to keep their attention. Training "Early stage" electrical apprentices is equivalent to corralling feral cats; you must be innovative to keep up their engagement. Keep them entertained as you deliver your material. They must see that you have a plan for your message and their future. Teaching "magnetism" and electrical theory is dry and dull; so, “jazz it up”. Use various mediums to convey your message; limit the lecture time you're talking and use structured time intervals by interjecting other mediums to explain the content (E.g., YouTube, instagram, Khan Academy).
Use teaching material from various curriculums; stick with content approved by apprenticeship boards or your state's Department of Labor and Industry. It’s important to coach your students through any insecure feelings they may have about learning new subjects; remember they are trying something new. Gently encourage your students to face their insecurities; future employers will appreciate it. For example, in my classes, we take turns reading class handouts "out loud"; this process systematically and slowly builds up their confidence and patience. The average student will not read independently on their own in advance, so we do it together.
Goal Number Three
Your approach to training as an instructor must be judgment-free. Always make your students feel valuable; inspire them! Help them believe this skill is a "superpower" the world needs. Once you gain their attention, don't take your foot off the gas; keep motivated and inspired. Always invite other people who work within the industry to share insight and perspectives.
They should reinforce your message and give your audience diverse speakers. You can share war stories, but they must be relevant and short; don't lose your audience.
There's a possibility that 75% of the audience before you have never used a tape measure; they may not know the difference between a quarter of an inch to an eighth of an inch; remember teaching requires patience. Prepare lesson plans in advance; be flexible, you may not be able to teach content in the order you planned this is a new generation. Make your approach to complex subject matters "Basic and simplistic"; keep it relevant to real-world scenarios.
Demographics of your Audience
Most people who pursue building trades typically seek:
- financial freedom
- stable employment
- a constructive or lucrative way to work with their hands
Your audience are individuals who realize that they are not interested in the traditional educational path (e.g., a four-year degree, or being in a classroom again all week). These may also be individuals that may have tried that path, and it didn't work out as planned, their ready for change. You must show your audience a clear pathway to obtain their goals through this trade in a systematic approach. Keep and hold their attention by teaching them regularly, even if it’s just one day a week. Adult learners from other occupations with no prior trade experience can be a very motivated group. Young adults interested in real estate are also a very motivated group.
Teaching Is Hard but Necessary
Teaching is a platform that allows you to leverage your experience(s) for the benefit of others. Your apprentices will never forget the things you advocate for. Remember, this is an opportunity to leave your fingerprint on the construction industry and the world. Then, you're on the mark when your students begin to teach themselves. Most tradesmen/women feel they can make an impact within the construction community but need more training and skills to succeed as an instructor. Don't worry about being perfect or underqualified to begin imparting your knowledge. Teaching is a learnable skill set, just like the trade; you get better over time. If Teaching is something you've wanted to do for a long time, you need just a few things to get started, seek, and reach out to:
- Trades Based Organization or Group
- Workforce Development Initiatives
- Vocational Training Program or Organization
"Good" teachers are typically underpaid; "great" teachers don't expect compensation equivalent to the value they bring to their organizations. "Great" teachers love to teach; some even do it for free. Teaching can be exhilarating, or soul-draining based on your approach and the audience placed before you. As an instructor, you can begin to change the trajectory of someone's life immediately! In some cases, almost every word you say can matter. Always remember that your audience needs to make urgent decisions regarding their life.