Well, having plotted and planned for a goodly while I now have my first apprentice. But let me go backtracking a bit and tell you some history of this momentous occasion.
Choosing an apprentice isn’t random
My apprentice is not a random character grabbed to fill a ‘slot’ in the business. My family has known Tim’s family for well over a decade. His older brother used to be one of my best helpers around the land with firewood cutting and other chores. He came from a fine Christian homeschooling family and was a great worker. He was morally upright, kept his word, and I knew I could trust him with anything. So, when Tim took over his older brother’s labors around the property I was pretty happy, thrilled even. Tim was a good help to me on occasion.
Take your time
For several months before Tim began as an official apprentice in my furniture building and refinishing shop I was talking first to his father and then to Tim about possibly working with me. I did not get an immediate answer. But after a few months Tim gave me a firm “yes” that he wanted to try it. I assured him that if he did not like the work (or his boss) he could quit and there would be no hard feelings. Tim assured me he was truly interested in learning this trade and wanted to take a try at making this apprenticeship arrangement work.
My most important point here might be that this was not a spur-of-the-moment decision for either of us. I needed help and he wanted to learn how to do the work. So here we are—master craftsman and apprentice traveling together in this new relationship. I told Tim that if he was willing to work cheap for some time I would teach him how to do everything I do and that he should be able to support a family from what I taught him. So that is what I am striving to do every day he is here. As for his part—Tim is a willing and happy worker. He does not complain. This has possibilities.