I’ll keep this simple. If you don’t have these 3 things sorted out before you leave your career, to start an apprenticeship, you’ll have an extremely hard time.
1. Have an Emergency Fund
Sort your finances out and budget for a lifestyle below your means. The drop in your payslip. Unexpected doctors visits. Taking work off due to injury. These are things that you have to account for before you.
An emergency fund should cover you for a few months, should you have unexpected expenses, have a drop in working hours, or be made redundant from your job.
Especially if you have a mortgage or kids, you’ll need to sit down and ensure clear communication with your spouse on how you can work through this. Do a monthly budget review because it is very easy to fall behind.
Personally, I had at least 3 months of savings incase I had to exit the industry. There were a lot of unforeseen expenses that I was faced with as a result of becoming an apprentice. I’ve spent about $15,000 NZD on tools alone during my apprenticeship.
Some other expenses that you’ll have to cover include:
- Paying for your tools – you’ll have to invest as you progress through your apprenticeship.
- Gas – Apprentices usually don’t get company cars or gas money. Sometimes you’ll be switching sites or driving pretty far away, so that adds up.
- Doctors and Physiotherapists – you’re going to have a lot of injuries. So you’ll have to budget in for a physio therapist. You cannot just ‘walk it off’, because you’ll soon find out that you cannot work if you ignore your injuries. (Soon to come article – Dealing with Injuries: Visiting a Physio for the first time.)
- Health Insurance – ACC only covers accidental injuries for a year. You’ll want to make sure that you’re geared up for the future. Only some companies here in NZ offer health insurance for Tradies.
2. Have good Friends
The construction industry is filled with toxic people. You’re going to need a good support system if you want to make it in this industry. The Construction industry has the highest suicide rate in New Zealand.
My female sparky group, family, and parter are my main support system. Without their support on a daily basis, I was an emotional wreck. I constantly faced anxiety and would regularly breakdown emotionally in the car due to stress. I am where I am today because of their support.
Company politics, bullying and even fights are pretty common in the industry. Your coworkers won’t always have the best interests for you. Be sure that you can separate work and life so that you can have a good balance.
Think about:
- The type of people you’ll hang out with for fun – If you’re partying and on drugs a lot during the week, you might find it hard to consistently focus on your job.
- How you’ll treat your support system on a daily basis – you don’t want to take out work on your spouse or kids.
- Social Activités that you’ll do – Make sure that you have a healthy social group that will support your lifestyle.
3. Get your meal prep game and life admin sorted.
You’re going to be broke for the next 4 years, so you’ll need to live like you’re broke. Beside to tidy up any life admin issues that you may have, so that you won’t be stuck when you start.
Some things include:
- Co-ordinating childcare – you’ll have to figure out who picks up the kids etc.
- Meal prep nights – you’ll have to stretch every dollar, and taking out lunch won’t be financial viable anymore. You’ll no longer be eating out twice a week or ordering UberEats.
- Cutting off any subscriptions that you no longer use – you’ll need to simplify your lifestyle because you’ll be too busy studying and too tired from working.
- Having a car – you’ll be driving to site, so make sure that you ahem a license and car organised. Many places don’t have public transport, especially if you’re working on new infrastructure.
Meal prep is an incredibly important part of my life. I now meal prep for weeks in advance, and rarely buy lunch. I spend an average of about $4.00 NZD per meal. I am much healthier as a result. (This is a topic I would like to cover in the future.) I do eat out for dinner once a week at my favourite restaurant that costs under $25.00 NZD per person.
You’re at the end…
You won’t be financially comfortable for at least 4 years, and your routine will keep changing depending on your job. Preparing yourself as best as you can, and taking care of your health is the best way to do well in your apprenticeship.
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