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Networking is an important aspect of building your reputation. As an apprentice, it can be helpful to develop contacts with others in the industry as well.  If you are an apprentice carpenter or apprentice builder; Architects, contractors and suppliers are all examples of people of whom getting to know would be beneficial to an apprentice as they establish their niche in the market.  Learning to network as an apprentice can reap results over time that can help establish a firm foundation in business.

Networking is not as hard as it may sound, in the end; it is simply meeting new people and introducing yourself to them.  There are lots of ways to get plugged in with different people in the industry and the more sociable you are, the more success you will have with developing long lasting and productive contacts.

Starting in school, if you make friends and acquaintances it will be helpful to make a note of these people and keep in contact with them as your classmate’s journey into their particular jobs.  Keeping in touch with them can open doors through word of mouth that would otherwise be impossible.  Additionally, maintaining contact with some of your instructors can be a plus, especially if you stand out as a solid and promising apprentice.

Unions and trade groups are also important to consider as they usually offer a wide range of opportunities to mingle and develop contacts.  While each group caters to their particular trade members, it is easy to get connected with various members by contacting them and simply introducing yourself.

Taking the initiative and going to sites and talking to managers is another way to get a leg up on your future.

The point of networking is to get plugged in with as many different people in a wide range of areas that you may fit in with.  The more people you introduce yourself to, the more opportunities you will have down the line.  As an apprentice, you can sell yourself virtually anywhere and your skills can be applied to many different areas. In the end, it’s all about personal contact, and the more you do now, the better off you will be later.