can't win

[luke_c]

i've had a pretty awful last 2 months it never ends always one thing after another, it all started at work 2 months ago when i was getting overwhelmed by finances and my job and just life in general, i went to wrok one day when i should of been at home and just wasn't feeling it, smoko came i droved out to get smoko then i get a text saying we got a meeting in 15 minutes, short notice so i was a little late, i sat there upset with everything and then i just walked out and slammed the door and walked downstairs sobbing then went home for the rest of the day. i have a mental illness and i felt like i wasn't supported by this employer enough, i think i was upset not just of my debts i'm paying off but also the fact that work was getting overwhelming and what they expected of me as a first year apprentice and just dropping tools and jumping from breakdown to breakdown all the time and getting told to go quickly and i'm busting my ass off there basically trying to take everything in, me having autism spectrum doesn't help, i got a warning for my walking out but truth be told i never once took my problems out on anyone there. fast foward 3 weeks later and i cut my thumb with a kitchen knife, went to the doctors next morning and was told to take 2 days off work which i provided a medical certificate for. no worries, i come back to work for two more days then it's the weekend. on the saturday, i was working on my car and used a wrench and my hand slipped off it and it hit the body of my car breaking my thumb, went to hospital that night then got surgery the next day, i was in hospital worrying about my finances and my job. so went home next few days and was on antibiotics painkillers, had a meeting with my group training company saying there were performance issues. met with them again the next week and the company i worked for decided to get rid of me saying i got sacked because of what i metioned here, i'm still trying to chase payments from them from trade school as well. i'm still with the group training place, but to get sacked like that when i gave it my all at work and saying i'm not good enough without being given the opportunity to develop my skills was a dagger in the heart, i'm still depressed and upset over it, i mean why do i go thru this badluck with apprenticeships, all i want to do is go to work and learn my job, that's the 2nd employer in the space of 12 months, i feel like when something happens i can't control there's big consequences 

[Bob_22]

Hi Luke_c

Thank you for sharing your post. It sounds like the last few months have been a struggle for you. I know apprenticeships can be tough as you are learning new skills, faces and processes as well as getting accustomed to the work culture/environment. You shouldn't feel any shame for having to take a break or take any sick days from work. Burn out is very high in the industry especially for young tradesmen. Have you considered taking some time away from your apprenticeship and trying something else which you may be passionate in? It doesn't have to be long term but you could try an entry level job just as a change of environment. If after a few months you feel you're ready to return to your trade then you can quit perhaps?

I've tried this in the past and it's helped give me perspective and take a break from my career without stopping earning money all together. Regardless, keep us updated please.

Bob

[Croix]

Dear Luke_c

Nice to hear from you again, even if the reason is not good. Life has certainly handed you a hard time and anyone would feel overwhelmed and it's out of control.   I guess having injured yourself, the second tme seriously, will have not only drained some of your resources but also made trying to cope at a job more difficult, at least in the short term

Bad luck does sometimes come one thing after another for a while and trying to deal wiht each thing becomes a pretty big task. You did mention in your previos posts you have anxiety - and has I have that too I know it can make everything seem even worse than it is . I've found looking back that some things I thought were going to be disasters are now over and done with.

Are you trying to cope with all this on your own? If so may I suggest you go see a GP and talk about your anxiety in an extended consultation. If you think that talking face to face might make things more difficult, or you might forget things or not explain clearly then do as I've done and take a couple of days to write your circumstances down in point form and had over the page to the doctor. You write well and I'd expect you would find that quite effective.

Apart from getting help coping is it possible ot get some financial counseling to assist you with  your debts, they can be a real constant worry. Several charitable organizations are available that will give professional advice for free, Anglicare Financial Counseling is one that seems to operate in most states

You can find a lot of information on this government website, it even has a map to show where financial counseling and other services are placed, you just scroll to your area.

https://moneysmart.gov.au/

You have brains (your writing shows that), are willing to work and have already gained some experence - you are also able to try to smooth difficult people and if that does not work have the  courage to leave.  With all those strengths I'm sure you will find another place for either a continuation of your apprenticeship or a new one

Incidentally Bob's suggestion of changing hte type of work you do for a while sounds like a good one.

If you would like to let us know how you go that would be great.

Croix

[luke_c]

hi bob, yea i can suspend my apprenticeship for 6-12 months, i catch up with my group training mob on wednesday and will ask them if there's any admin jobs available for the time being since i'm not bad at typing and with microsoft word, probably the only other job i don't mind apart from mechanical stuff and welding. i'm still employed by my group training mob and they have close contacts with a lot of local businesses and have already contacted those places for me. i'm confident i will finish my apprenticeship, it might just take a little longer than 4 years, the group training mob are awesome and are not for profit and they beilive in me. i also have support from my local disability agency and their on board now too.

[luke_c]

like i said in reply to bob my group training mob have got my back and are there with me all the way. the recent business i was with used them as my employer, but that business is not even on the list that the group training company work closely with. i'll ask them and my disability agency to see if there's any temporary admin jobs going as i'm not bad on the computer, but don't ask me about IT stuff that's double dutch to me lol. my apprenticeship has been suspended not cancelled and i think it can be for up to 12 months, but the the group training company have already contacted the businesses they work closely with to see if i can continue my apprenticeship with them, i'll be in my second year in a week too, i'm too far into it, so i don't want to throw away my fitting career.

[Croix]

Dear Luke_c~

I'm glad you are getting help from your group training organisation and hopefully you will resume your apprenticeship soon. The idea of a spell in an office does not sound a bad one, it would give you more skills for your CV and also give you a break while waiting for another placement.

Good luck, and if you would like to let us know how you get on that would be good

Croix

[Bob_22]

Hi luke_c,

Thanks for the update. That sounds like a good plan and I hope you have a good catch up tomorrow. There's nothing wrong with taking extra time for your apprenticeship. I myself took an additional two years to finish my bachelor degree due to mental health. It was tough at the time but ultimately worth it in the end.

Bob