Who is a trainer or instructor and what do they do? The job of an apprentice training officer is to teach apprentices how to perform practical activities they will carry out in their profession in the future, and to apply the theoretical topics taught in their special subjects. This practical training is carried out on the same machines and equipment as in the real occupation.
What are the activities of a trainer or instructor? – Organising and planning practical training, – explanation of practical activities that the apprentices have to accomplish and application of the theoretical topics already taught, off the job, in their special subjects, practical demonstration of individual operations as well as complete activities – supervision of apprentices’ performance during their work – compilation of the final appraisal handed over to an examination committee for the leaving exam – co-operation with teachers of the special subjects – ensuring that safety regulations are met – care of machines, equipment and other implements used in practical training – keeping prescribed records on apprentices as well as on the whole practical training.
Where is it done and under what conditions? In workshops or other areas of an operational character. The nature of this working environment will depend on the specific orientation of the field being taught (there may be increased noise levels, dirt or chemicals, etc., to be expected, in some cases).
What tools/equipment do they use? Which tools are used will depend particularly on the instructor’s professional specialisation. An instructor training e.g. lathe operators will obviously use different tools from an instructor training roofers, or chemists, shop assistants, spinners, etc.
What do you need to succeed? You should have completed secondary vocational education with a school-leaving certificate in a specialised field corresponding to the professional orientation of a particular apprentice field and, in addition, you will need to have passed 1.5 to 2-year postgraduate studies oriented towards teaching or training methodology (usually during employment as an instructor). In addition, ability to formulate, explain and demonstrate the various points of your subject and craft, personal authority, positive attitudes towards children and young people, organisational abilities, will all be important.