Behind on work

[Pyrolee]

Hi, I'm new to beyond blue. I've moved careers from the science industry to Plumbing. In the science industry I worked with great people but the work was more like factory work and didn't really learn or progress as a career. I changed careers to plumbing as I found I was good hands on and liked the idea of using tools. I worked for a company for 3 years 4 months during my apprenticeship, lots of politics but the pay was good for me and got incentives which made things easier for me, have left that company as the training was very bad and they did very little to no plumbing. I've joined a new place and they've said I'm still a beginner after working with them for two weeks and said for me to be a proper plumber that I'd have to start from scratch which means dedicate another 3 years of my life. I'm finding it extremely difficult because I'm not smart, I can't read books, retain and understand information, I'm very slow in terms of learning even the very basics and I've found plumbing is alot of reading and understanding regulations and comprehending which I'm not good at at all. My new place is having second thoughts about having me work for them. I feel like I've failed and wasted all these years and don't know how to pick myself up and where to go from here. I feel like I took a chance to better my life and it just all crumbled. What should I do from here?

[MidnightOil]

Hi Pyrolee,

Welcome to the forums. I hope that we can help you through what seems to be a difficult situation and I'm glad you feel comfortable sharing here.

It's can be a difficult thing to advise from the outside because you know a lot more about the situation than I do, but I'll throw out some suggestions and you can decide if any of them sound like they might be useful.

- can you talk to some higher-ups about whether there are different positions or different pathways which would be better suited to you? I understand if you feel like this would cause them to reconsider your employment but maybe there's a chance they can accommodate you.

- are you close with any of your coworkers who may be able to help you? Maybe talking with other people in the field will help you to retain information better than reading.

- along that same line, is there another way to get the information that works better for you? (for example videos, audio, slideshow presentations)

As much as it can feel like it, you haven't failed or wasted time in your previous employments and I'm sure you gained valuable insights and experiences from them. I think personally that taking risks in life is very important but sometimes it doesn't go in our favour. I hope you have people in your life to support you and you're always welcome to come back to the forums and let us know how you got on 🙂

All the best

[Pyrolee]

Thanks for your advice Midnight Oil
The company only has 4 people including myself, 2 boss's and one 3rd year apprentice who I always get compared to every time my boss's speak to me.
I was very clear at the start with this new company that I need the training and I'm underskilled. They said that's fine they'll look after me and train me up and the culture is that they look out for each other. After working with them for 3 weeks with this new place, the tone had changed and they said we're here to make money that's the culture etc can't afford stuff ups etc. The company has already put an advertisement up for my replacement so I don't think I'll be with this company for much longer. I've tried watching youtube videos online on Australian plumbing but there is nothing, tried speaking to my school about getting resources such as videos but they won't help. I've seeked help on learning methods and hasn't really helped as much as I wanted it to. I want to finish off this apprenticeship but because of the position I'm in as being nearly qualified but having very little knowledge and skill it's hard for me to get employment elsewhere for this field.

[MidnightOil]

That is so frustrating that the culture changed from what they told you when you joined and I'm very sorry that all your efforts haven't seemed to get you where you want. You're obviously willing to work hard for this and I think that in the end that will be a great asset to you wherever you end up.

If you do end up looking for employment elsewhere, maybe the scientific fields you mentioned working in could give you more options? I'm sorry I can't give more practical advice and I'm sure the current covid situation isn't helping job hunting as well. I sincerely hope that you can find a way to finish your apprenticeship and an environment in which you are happy and supported. Feel free to keep us updated.

All the best

[Abby-C]

Hi,

Sometimes, we face hardships in some situations because it's not meant for us. Look beyond what's in front of you. Who knows you're meant for greater things.

Stay safe!

[Pyrolee]

Just giving an update. I've worked for this new plumbing company for about 1 month now. I'm wanting to resigned tomorrow because I can't handle the stress of the business and work. I sleep and sweat, my minds constantly on work, I feel panic attacks coming when I think about going into work. Even during weekends my minds on work. As an apprentice I'm supposed to be with a qualified who trains me and there's an award that's supposed to be followed as in paying for overtime and paying for travel and fuel if you use your car for work which I'm not getting. Once I resign I feel like there's going to be a new stress of finding work or income. I feel like it's just been a constant cycle of stress and I'm losing touch on how to come out in a positive mindframe. I left my last company as the training was poor and looking for a more positive outcome and got an even worse outcome. What should I do?

[MidnightOil]

I'm so sorry to hear that you've been so stressed and I hope your resignation will go smoothly and bring you some relief. I would also chase up those benefits that you haven't been receiving. If you're entitled to them, then you should be getting them. I know it's stressful to be between jobs and not knowing what the future will look like, but also you deserve a workspace where you feel comfortable.

I feel what you're saying about taking a risk and feeling like it was worse than what you had before, and that is one of the unfortunate facts of life. Oftentimes it get worse before it gets better though. Have you thought about going outside of the plumbing field? Is there something else you feel like you know a lot about and would be comfortable doing? Good luck! Know that even when you are struggling to find the positives, I and the other people on the forum are staying hopeful for you.

All the best

[Pyrolee]

Thanks Midnight Oil. I came into the plumbing field because I wanted to get into trades and plumbing teaches you a wide variety of trades. I still enjoy doing trades but feel incompetent in it but don't really have a backup plan if trades doesn't work out for me. I'm an introvert so I haven't really explored other options and I don't really feel I want to. In terms of chasing up entitlements I've left on ok terms with the company and I feel like I don't really want to go through Fair work and stuff and make things worse. I still want to finish off my apprenticeship as I've got about 7 months left to completion but want to find somewhere that pays as per the plumbing award, fair and can train me up as I'm underskilled. In terms of things getting worse before it gets better, I feel its been hit after hit of worse, then worse then worse, I can't find that balance.

[MidnightOil]

Yeah that's understandable. I hope you can find a place that suits your needs. Do you know other people in the field who can point you in the right direction? Either someone in a similar situation or who has been previously.

I know the feeling and it's so hard. I hope that things start looking up for you soon. And it can also feel like you don't really have control over the situation since it's not your fault that you're in this position, but I truly believe that your efforts will be rewarded in the long run. Until then, be kind to yourself. You seem willing to work hard for what you want and that is admirable. Keep your chin up mate and we're always here for you.

All the best