What does an apprenticeship involve?

popecatapetal

Denizens of boards, I have recently been afflicted with a desire to become a piercer. I know this is going to be very difficult, but I shall keep pestering Mark at InkWell til he agrees to take me on after his current apprentice.

However, I am quite curious to find out what an apprenticeship would actually involve. I know there are a couple of piercers and apprentices on this forum, and others among you might know what happens.

So, what course does the training tend to follow? The way it is in my head is:
1. learning about sterile techniques and how to work the autoclave
2. lots of cleaning and doing jobs the piercer doesn't like doing
3. observing the piercer doing piercings
4. practicing piercing - but on whom?

Do you get your friends etc. to be your guinea pigs (in a totally non-animal-cruelty sense) or do you practice on members of the general public? And if so, why would members the afore-mentioned public volunteer for being pierced by someone who's never done this piercing before?

I came across a 'piercing school' in the states who did 3-day piercing courses, with you having to perform at least 4 piercings before qualified, and the piercees still had to pay! (For those that are interested, here is the link to the devil school - http://www.tattoo-school.com. My favourite bit is the part where they say "Our course is only $1,600 and includes enough equipment to earn approximately $3,000. Your tuition includes instruction, certification, equipment, and a discount with our suppliers... Upon completion of the program, our graduates are able to work right away, whether for themselves or another establishment" but don't include a bloody autoclave!)

I realize this is quite a long post, and I apologize, but I like knowing things, and this is a subject which I know of no-one better to ask. Except possibly a piercer...

Thanking you in advance.

truthinwords

Check out the A.P.P. (Association of Professional Piercers) website I remember them having a pretty good article on what an apprenticeship should involve. *http://www.safepiercing.org/becomePiercer.html

xtruthx

Reku

popecatapetal wrote: »

4. practicing piercing - but on whom?

My guess would be yourself, AFAIK this is the case for tattoo apprentices. I'm not certain though so hopefully someone with definite knowledge will be able to confirm/correct this.

amazingemmet

popecatapetal wrote: »

4. practicing piercing - but on whom?

Friends, neighbours, relatives, small animals that can't say no and yourself.

You summed up most of what you do being a piercers apprentice in the first half of your post

popecatapetal

Cheers for the replies everyone:) Twas really just out of curiousity and to see if what I had thought was correct. Hurrah, I was!

Purple Person

Hi,

When I did my apprenticship, I did it at a APP registered studio in Hull. I had to do a First aid course so that I knew how to deal with bleeding, fainting and vomiting customers, how to deal with diabetics and learn who it was safe to pierce in regards to health issues such as heart conditions etc. I also did a Blood Bourn Pathogens course and had a course of Hep B vaccinations and a tetanus and diptheria vaccination. I also did a course on Health and Safety, learning how to transport and store chemicals.
A basic knowledge of anatomy is useful, to learn about where veins and arteries run and learning the technical names of the parts of the outer ear and other body parts. That was all during the time I was cleaning, learning about cross contamination and learning jewellery sizes, componants and compounds.
I then had to learn how to prep skin and mark it before I was allowed to even pick up a needle.
The first piercing I did was on myself and most new piercings were done on myself first before attempting them on willing friends.
One of the most difficult things during my apprenticeship was learning to live on zero cash, as during the many months I was doing it I did not get paid. I was so keen to learn and happy to be doing a job I loved though and I had a very supportive partner at the time that helped me financially.
One thing that sucks about becoming a piercer though, you look at everything and analyse as to whether it's clean or not, door handles in public places, resturants etc more so than normal.......oh and the fact that if you ever go out to a pub or a club you will get work questions and queries from people when you aren't at work, you don't really get a break from the job if you are out where there are pierced people. (some do have interesting stories to tell though!)
I hope this gives you a bit more info!

popecatapetal

Cheers for that, Purple person! That's brilliant info, I'm really grateful. Thanks:D

popecatapetal

Do you know of anywhere in Ireland that does the blood borne pathogens courses? I do zoology and microbiology at college, but I'm only going to end up with a degree in zoology, so it'd probably be handy to have a cert to say I know about the ole microbes... Also, what are the best first aid courses to go on for a piercing apprenticeship? The red cross do an occupational first aid three day course, but I think that's just for businesses.

If I were to get a piercing apprenticeship *all crossable body parts crossed tightly* would the studio send me on the courses, or would I have to organize and pay for them myself? Cos I was thinking of doing them over the next year and a half, while I'm still at college, so that when I graduate, I'll be a more desirable potential apprentice - batteries included, so to speak:)

All help and info greatly appreciated!

Will

most apprenticeships dont involve pay, do you think they will pay for your courses that you could take? i doubt it very much but would love to be told otherwise

I know the APP run courses but well theyre only in america/canada where they hold em.

Purple Person

I did a 5 day first aid course which covered everything and my BBP course I did online through a company called eduwhere. It was very good, done in modules and there are people online to help and answer your questions. The final exam was done at a comunity centre under exam conditions, but that was all when I lived in the UK. I paid for the BBP course myself and the first aid course was free through my local job centre. I was only signing on for my N.I. contributions though, I wasn't eligable for financial help, so they helped me as much as they could. They also got me on my H&S passport course. That was wierd, I was in with a load of lads wanting to be brickies and labourers and the course was fairly irrelevant up until the bit about hazard stickers and chemicals, and the general lifting and carrying stuff. I hope that answers your question!:)