You don't need to be a teacher. You need to be the person who knows this trade and wants to pass it on.
As a guide, around five hours a week of mentoring keeps an apprentice moving — but for most experienced tradespeople that's already happening naturally as they work alongside you, not extra time set aside.
The best mentors communicate clearly, give feedback that builds confidence alongside correcting mistakes, and connect theory to real work — “this is why that calculation matters.” Your training advisor can give you practical coaching tools if you want them, but most employers are already doing the important things.
What makes the biggest difference is consistency. A regular check-in — even ten minutes a week — keeps an apprentice on track and lets you catch small things before they become bigger ones.
Regular visitsYour advisor visits the workplace throughout the year. Not to inspect — to keep training on track.
Assessment coordinationSets deadlines that work for your production schedule. Manages the assessment process.
eLearning + block coursesCoordinates Canvas access and block course scheduling. Handles logistics.
Milestone trackingMonitors progress via Competenz Central. Flags if someone's falling behind before it becomes a problem.
Training is a long commitment — three to four years for an apprenticeship. Life doesn't stand still during that time.
If your apprentice hits a rough patch — confidence, health, something going on at home — it affects their training and it affects your workshop. Your training advisor is set up to help with this. They check in with the apprentice regularly and are the link to any extra support that's needed: study groups, wellbeing resources, learning support.
You don't need to manage this alone. Let your advisor know early and they'll work through it with you.
