Read the Q&A Below to Learn More About a Day in the Life of an Apprentice
February 9, 2026 – Aurora, CO — Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of an apprentice is like? For many first-year apprentices at Encore Electric, their electrical journey begins at the Prefabrication and Tool Center in Aurora. In the 67,000 square foot facility, apprentices prefabricate and assemble electrical components, improving overall quality, safety, scheduling, and productivity on project sites.
Encore Electric offers a four-year electrical apprenticeship program that covers everything from foundational skills like basic safety, tool use, blueprint reading, first aid, and math to advanced training in wiring, troubleshooting, and leadership. Encore Electric also offers over 100 free courses through Encore University, to ensure Encore Electric has the safest and most skilled electricians in the industry.
Learn more about A Day in the Life of an Apprentice at Encore Electric by reading the Q&A below with Brandon Bashore, a first-year apprentice at the Prefabrication and Tool Center.
Question: What’s your favorite part about being an apprentice?
Answer: I love being able to learn and consume knowledge as much as I can. I currently work under Shop Foreman Kirk Small – and even my previous foreman before – both said to be coachable because there’s a lot to learn in this field, and it is consistently growing, changing, and evolving. It inspires me to know that I’m going to learn something new every single day.
What is the apprenticeship program like?
It is once every week, and we go after work for four hours. Normally, you go over your homework that you’re going to be doing later that night and you’re answering questions and reading through the book.
Tell me more about a day in a life of an apprentice. How much time do you spend on homework?
It really depends on what the subject is and how much of it I’ve either already learned from previous lessons or what I’ve learned from the actual shop. Some nights I can knock out the entire homework in an hour. Other times, I’m doing it throughout the week in 30-minute intervals.
What has been the most challenging part about being an apprentice?
I feel like the tools you get told you need vary a lot. When I was working at the tables, all I needed was my wire snips and my drill. But on One-Line, I need a drill, impact driver, wire snips, lineman pliers, needle-nose pliers, beater driver…I need so many more tools. That has been the biggest thing is making sure I have all the proper tools to do my job.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering becoming an apprentice?
If as a child you liked to build things with your hands, or you can’t sit at a desk, or you can’t necessarily focus while you’re in school then working in the electrical field or any other trade job is very, very good.
You’ll have more hands-on learning. It’s a great opportunity to come in and learn a different way than what has been previously pushed on you.
Is there anything you would like to add?
If your mindset is super closed, you’re going to find it a lot harder on yourself and find life a lot harder because you’re going to pay more attention to the negatives than the positives and the opportunities. But, if you’re more open-minded and accept everything you can, you’re going to have a lot more opportunities and you’re going to see life from a new perspective.
Favorite movie: “Holes” or “Transformers”
Favorite late-night snack: This is super weird, but if it’s the summertime then it’s got to be something salty like nachos. If it’s wintertime and it’s cold outside, ice cream.
Least favorite dessert? Anything overly sweet.