Apprenticeship Interviews: Five Questions to Ask

Congrats! You’ve managed to get a few call backs after tirelessly applying for apprenticeship jobs. Now you’ve just got the interview. These five questions will help you figure out what the job is all about, and whether it’s the right fit for you.

Let’s get into it.

Disclaimer: This article is written for people who will be directly hired by their company, rather than contracted out through an apprenticeship organisation. I have always handled my own employment contracts.

1. Are you offering me an Apprenticeship Contract?

Why this matters:

• This should be your first question. Many companies will disguise a position for a Labourer or Trade Assistant as a ‘potential apprenticeship’.
• If you do not sign an apprenticeship contract with your company and your training provider, you are not legally considered an Apprentice.
• You cannot get a Trainee Practising Licence without an Apprenticeship Contract. You cannot back date your apprenticeship.
• Know your hours and the expectations around work.

Things to look out for:

✅ You are explicitly told that your interview is for an apprenticeship contract.

✅ Hours are outlined and clarified when you talk about the job in the interview

🚩 The boss says that if you prove yourself as a Labourer, you may get a contract in 6 months. Even though it was advertised online for apprentices, you will not be hired as an apprentice.

In this case, you have to ask yourself, “Am I willing to spend three months to a year waiting for a chance that may not come”? Some people do find electrical contracts while labouring. If you do choose to do this put a time limit on how long you wait.

2. Are you starting me on Training Wage or Minimum Wage?

Why this matters:

• You have to know how the company pays its apprentices throughout the course of their apprenticeship.
• There is a big difference between the two. Training wage is lower (yes, lower) than minimum wage.
• Choosing to start on training wage may greatly disadvantage your wage growth later on in your apprenticeship.
• Some employers choose to start their apprentices on training wage initially, then bump up it up above minimum wage based on performance. Many companies also consider the circumstances of the applicant. Some only put school leavers on Trainee Wage, while adult apprentices often start on minimum wage.

What to look out for:

✅ The boss puts apprentices on a steady pay progression. While it’s usually skill-dependent, there’s a clear idea of what pay increases look like over time.

✅ You can foresee that you will be earning above minimum wage for most of your apprenticeship.

🚩 No clear pay information is given beyond, “Maybe, it depends on the individual.” Most companies have an idea of a pay structure, unless they’re taking on an apprentice for the first time — which is fairly common.

🚩 This is a personal opinion of mine, but keeping apprentices on training wage throughout your entire (or for most of) their four year apprenticeship is a bit of a red flag. Imagine earning below $24.00 NZD (pre tax) per hour for most of your apprentice ship. Is that liveable with rent, kids and groceries?

Personally, I am not an advocate for training wage, when the average salary in Auckland is $85k p.a. Do the math.

3.What type of work will I mostly be doing?

Why this matters:

• The type of company you join will determine the skills that you build – not all Electricians learn the same thing. 
• You’ll want to know if the project aligns with your interest. This could make or break your decision to continue with your apprenticeship later down the line.
• Allows you to decide the field of work you want to specialise in – residential, commercial, industrial.

One field of work is not better than the other. It all depends on your attitude as a Tradesperson. Companies usually specialise in certain kinds of work, so you won’t be trained in everything. For example, industrial electricians may do a lot of factory work, but many have never wired a house.

What to look out for:

✅ The Boss gives you a clear description of the project. You’ll know roughly what you’ll be doing, and you can foresee what you’ll be learning in the year to come.

🚩 No real details are given about the work — just vague answers like “first fix” or “second fix,” or they aren’t sure at all. It’s important to make sure you’ll actually be doing electrical work, not just non-electrical tasks like pulling cables or cable tying.

🚩 You’re just told “the boys will look after you,” but no further details on what kind of job they will be showing you. Shows you that the boss is possibly out of touch with the project.

Many apprentices don’t get to touch a switchboard in their first year, however, you should at a minimum be terminating wires and fitting off electrical outlets.

4. What is your Tradesmen to Apprentice ratio?

Why this matters:

• You’ll have to ensure that you’ll be working along side a licensed electrician on a day-to-day basis (especially for the first two years).
• You don’t want to be in the scenario where you’re learning from other apprentices. It is very common to be working in a team where there are more apprentices (and trade assistants) than tradesmen.

Things to look out for:

✅ Good Tradesman to Apprentice Ratio. In my personal opinion, ideally one Tradesman to about three apprentices.

✅ You’ll be working with them everyday, on the tools.

✅ Having multiple Tradesmen working on a job site is also a good sign. Tradesmen often jump sites as assigned to them, with one main person supervising the site. Many are able to quickly pick up work, and it shows they are adaptable.

🚩 Jobs with one tradesperson supervising ten apprentices and trade assistants can be a problem. Your tradesperson will be too busy running the site to properly teach you.

🚩 You may end up learning mostly from third-year apprentices, who only have a couple of years more experience, and are still learning the basics themselves.

5. How long have your current guys been with the company?

Why this matters:

• This helps you understand the type of person they’re looking for and whether you’ll get along with the team.
• You’ll want to know if the new role is to expand the team or to replace someone — both are valid reasons to hire. Sometimes it’s simply not the right fit.
• It shows whether management invests in the company culture. You’ll want to work with a team who’s looking out for you, not looking to tear you down.

Why this matters:

✅ Apprentices and Tradesmen stay in the company and complete their training. Shows that there is investment in staff.

✅ Supervisor talks well about the team, and emphasises the importance of good company culture.

🚩 Companies with a high turn over can often indicate problems. If there is a high turn over, ask why. Apprentices often leave companies half-way if they aren’t happy, or want to drop out all together. Some companies mass hire apprentices and let them go after a project stage. Know what kind of company you’re working with. You deserve to be treated right. 

A lot of Tradies choose to move to Australia for a pay increase, after getting their licence. This is fine.

Finishing Notes (You made it to the end)…

Above all, trust your gut feeling. Be open, but don’t be afraid that you’re missing out on a job if doesn’t ‘feel right’. Being in control of your own interviews means being in control of your apprenticeship contracts. There are many companies out there, so keep just going!