Introduction
A journeyman is an experienced tradesperson who has completed their apprenticeship and has been awarded the status of “journeyman” by their guild or organization. The term was first used in the 14th century to describe people who traveled from town to town to learn new skills and trades, but over time it came to mean an apprentice who had finished his or her training period and was now ready to start working independently. It is still used today to describe someone with a high level of skill in their chosen field.
Education and Training Required for Manufacturing Journeymen
To become a journeyman, you must have at least five years of training and experience in your field. This is accomplished through apprenticeships or on-the-job training programs. Apprenticeships are offered by unions as well as private companies, while on-the-job training is available through employers in many industries. P1 Manufacturing has a robust apprenticeship program called P1 Pathways.
Apprenticeship programs provide classroom instruction and hands-on learning opportunities for students to learn their craft from experienced professionals in their field. Students who complete an apprenticeship program earn certification from their state’s labor department upon completion of their required hours of training and demonstrated competency in their chosen trade.
In some cases, employers will offer paid internships that allow workers to gain valuable experience before entering full employment with the company. P1 offers this option through our P1 Pathways Program.
Duties of a Journeyman
As a journeyman, you’ll work under a master craftsman and assist other skilled team members. You’ll be paid more than apprentices and have more responsibility, but you also must prove yourself to your employer before they’ll promote you to journeyman status.
Journeymen are expected to:
- Work independently on their own projects in addition to assisting others with theirs; this is called “working out” or “on the fly.”
- Be able to communicate effectively with all members of the team, from executives down through entry-level workers, and understand how each person contributes towards achieving goals for both individual projects as well as overall company success.
Employment Opportunities for Manufacturing Journeymen
As a journeyman, you’ll be able to work on many different types of projects. You can find employment at construction sites, factories, and warehouses as well as repair shops. You may also work for private companies that manufacture products such as automobiles or electronics, or in our case, custom parts for large OEMs.
Benefits of Being a Journeyman
- Higher wages. The average wage for a journeyman is above the average and can vary depending on the industry and location.
- Job security. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be an increase in manufacturing jobs over the next decade as baby boomers retire and younger workers seek out other career paths or start their own businesses.
- Opportunity for advancement. If you’re interested in becoming a supervisor or manager, then becoming a journeyman is an excellent first step!
Conclusion
A journeyman is a highly trained and experienced worker who has completed an apprenticeship program and can perform all the tasks required for their trade. The journeyman works under the supervision of a master craftsman, who is responsible for ensuring that the work meets industry standards.
Journeymen have gained knowledge about their craft through on-the-job training as well as classroom instruction from an accredited school or institution. They are expected to be familiar with safety practices, adhere to company policies, follow procedures set forth by management and use tools correctly while working on projects at their place of employment.
Being a journeyman is an excellent career choice and facilitates a fruitful future. Learn more at p1ind.com/pathways
