I don't care how much a fella learns in school, each and every position you fill will need it own skill set. Schools can teach the why for's, formula's how to use tools, machinery setup and operation, etc...
Every job you go to will require more experience On The Job. The Foreman should step you through what they expect once or twice anyway. No matter how you do something, it isn't going to be just the way they want it done every time.
To get anywhere to start with, you have to show initiative. This goes for just about any job. Show them that you want to make money for the Boss. If you have long cycle times, ASK what you can do in the meantime. It may be that you need to observe the machine. They may want you to help out somewhere else. You need to show the initiative though and realize once you've hit the start button, you are costing the man money if you aren't doing anything else.
Prove to them you are willing to do more. They would be more likely to keep you around.
They made the first move by hiring you. It's your move next.
Grab assing and gossip as well as *****in will or at least should get you fired from any place with machinery. It can be incredibly dangerous if your attention is not where it should be. In such cases, when guys are let go for these reasons, they are possibly saving someones life or limb.
The sooner these things are learned by a new worker, the sooner he or she will start climbing a ladder to higher pay and better benefits and may actually earn him or her some respect from Peers and management. Okay......maybe not management, but you get the idea.
Good luck on the high wire act. You'll likely be working directly under some of those same types of people there as well.