How does the Apprentice Role work with Repair Café Toronto (RCT)?
Definition:
An apprentice as defined by RCT is anyone who wants to learn a new skill or increase their knowledge of an existing skill they may have. An apprentice works in a learning capacity under the supervision of an experienced fixer.
How does the learning happen?
Hands on:
Hands on learning takes place during a repair café event. The apprentice shadows a more experienced fixer to observe, assist and eventually repair side by side on a separate item. This informal type of learning is generally unstructured and relies upon the experienced fixer to demonstrate and discuss what they are doing as they repair. Normally, the fixer is already talking through the repair with the item’s owner but would be especially explicit about the use of tools, safety issues and common failure mechanisms when working with an apprentice. An apprentice will not be asked to repair an item by themselves without supervision/support.
Workshops:
Workshops can be made available for groups of apprentices in a specific repair area such as troubleshooting an electrical device, hand sewing, sewing machine maintenance, jewellery repair, and many more. Safety issues are number one and always part of any workshop training.
A workshop provides a more formal training approach with an instructor providing concepts and practical procedures to a group of participants. During the workshop, the apprentice has an opportunity to apply what they have learned by fixing an item on their own or with others in the session, with the support of the instructor/s in attendance.
The apprentice can then apply their new knowledge at a repair café event, alongside more experienced fixers.
Becoming a full-fledged fixer:
There is no test or qualification process to decide when an apprentice can start to work on their own with a visitor’s item at the repair café. It is up to the apprentice to decide when they feel confident enough to work more independently in the repair café’s supportive environment.
The strength of the repair café is its collaborative approach in fixing. All fixers are more or less skilled in undertaking a repair depending on the item they are fixing. Working at a repair café allows all fixers to consult with each other when they are unsure of how to proceed and allows a fixer with more experience to contribute to the problem at hand.
Note about youth:
RCT welcomes young people to participate at repair events. However, it is required that any youth under the age of 16 be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout the event. This is to ensure the safety of the young person as RCT cannot be responsible other than to ensure that they are working safely on any repair as per our safety procedures.
To participate:
Sign up here.