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Your First 90 Days on the Job

Getting hired was step one. Keeping the job — and turning it into a career — is decided in the first 90 days. Sixteen habits that separate the apprentices who make it from the ones who don’t. Check them off as they become automatic.

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Week one

Arrive 15 minutes early — every dayOn a jobsite, on time means already dressed and ready when work starts. Nothing builds a reputation faster. Learn the names of your foreman and journeymenKnow who you answer to and who’s teaching you. Use their names. It matters more than you think. Stage your gear the night beforeBoots, PPE, lunch, water, tools. Morning scrambles cause late arrivals, and late arrivals end apprenticeships. Learn exactly how your hours get loggedYour raises and your credential both depend on documented hours. Know the system from day one.

Every day on the job

Phone stays put away until breakThe single most-cited reason young workers get cut. Out of sight until the foreman calls break. Ask before you assume“Show me one more time” earns respect. A hidden mistake costs materials, time, and trust. Write down what you learnA pocket notebook marks you as serious — and the notes become gold at credential-exam time. Own mistakes immediatelyEveryone breaks something eventually. The ones who say so on the spot are the ones who get kept.

Money & paperwork

Understand your paycheckKnow your rate, your deductions, and any union dues or benefit contributions. Ask payroll if anything looks off. Track your own hoursKeep your own record alongside the official one. Discrepancies are much easier to fix in week 2 than month 6. Know your raise scheduleRegistered apprenticeships have wage progressions written down. Know the next milestone and what triggers it. Build a starter emergency fundEven $500 turns a dead battery from a crisis into an errand. Small, automatic transfers add up fast.

Set up your growth

Ask for one new task each week“Can I try that next time?” is how apprentices become journeymen. Volunteer for what stretches you. Find your mentorOne journeyman who answers your questions honestly is worth more than any manual. Earn it by showing up. Keep your certifications currentOSHA card, first aid, licenses — know the expiration dates and the next credential in your path. Ask how you’re doing at day 30Don’t wait for a formal review. A simple “what should I do better?” at 30 days sets you apart.

Not hired yet? Start with the Apprenticeship Readiness Checklist.

Your First 90 Days on the Job

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