Reading all this about the way apprentices' are employed really impresses me, in the UK its literally, can you count to 10 and write your own name and as a result of that mates (apprentices') can barely find a safety circuit when they go out on the tools, i work for what is known in the UK as "one of the big 4" (otis, thyssen, kone and schindler) and everyone is interviewed by a manager(non engineer) and by the senior technician whos not even a qualified lift engineer. Its a pretty poor state here....
My advice for any mate/apprentice is PAY ATTENTION! Understand the mechanics of a lift and the electrics/circuitry and get to a position where you know where you know what tool/part your fitter needs before he needs it and have it there ready.... If not you will be paying for tea at lunch :-)