An Apprenticeship Experiance : anvilfire guru

An Apprenticeship Experiance

Apprenticeships are a tricky thing. As an institution they are a thing of the past (legally indentured for 7 years). And even when they were a governed institution there were abuses. A few states still have laws on the books covering them, but most do not know they exist or apply them. However, the IRS expects taxes to be paid on both parts of the "trade".

I took on an blacksmithing apprentice once many years ago. We both didn't do a very good job of holding up the deal. I provided room & board, he provided labor. He expected a lot of attention from me, and I expected him to take the opportunity he was given to study on his own as much as possible. He expected a lot of exciting lessons, I expected him to take advantage of my extensive library. He expected technical jobs, I gave him simple mundane jobs. He expected structure, I expected self discipline. We both had the same goals but neither had the same methods. A two year arrangement fell apart in a few months.

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