What would you expect from a trainee ?

[Matthew87]

Evening guys, im looking for a little bit of advice and guidance for my current situation please

I currently work full time as a trainee electrician, and have had this job for the past 6 weeks while studying my 2365 level 2 at college on evenings

what I would like to know, is from your experience with trainees, what would you expect from somebody at my stage of training ? And at what rate would you expect the trainee to be progressing with jobs they are able to do ?

I always try my best, and at the minute my jobs are basically sweeping up and carrying tools, which im fine with

I just want to make sure im doing everything I can to make it worth his while having me as a trainee

Thanks very much

Matthew

 

[Hawkmoon]

It seems to me this guy is not complying with employment law (late pay etc), even if you are on zero hours contract (assuming you have a contract at all).

I would contact ACAS, explain your situation and they will advise:

Acas - Acas Helpline

 

[Diddy]

Trouble is at the moment he has a "chance" to get through a "proper" and varied apprenticeship. I would not advise you to take any rash decisions. Yes you are being taken for a ride - but you also say the guy stops what he is doing to actually teach and explain stuff to you.....that is gold dust mate. But on the other hand you are being left on your own....that is not so good at such an early stage....if you were in late 2nd stage or third stage I would be telling you that you are on plan....but it does sound as if cash may be an issue here. I would be sending out CV's all over the place and see what feedback you get. Then when you know what position you will be in if he turned round and got rid of you....you can then be in a position to know how far to push any discussion with the man.
His cash flow issues are not your problem but you have to weigh up if he is likely to come good when times are better.

 

[shanky887614]

Remember there will be slow, boring tedious days but grit your teeth and think of the end goal.

Ive got to do that today, finished one book on kindle app and im reading too damn fast cause ive nearly read the next book today

 

[Chrisuk]

Like I said before if this job is your only income then I can't see how someone can live on £35 per day, pay for college, food, rent, travel, tools etc
But if he's paying you cash, is it your only income

If not, stick at it because like I've been told many times on here, the experience and what u learn on site is priceless

After 6 weeks I started being left in my own running cables, drilling joists, doing first fix, I wasn't happy about it but he said he needed to go finish another job off so I wasn't going to argue
He never said what time to finish either so me not wanting to look like I did naff all I.always worked till at least 7:30/8pm

 

[Razzmond]

While I was initially learning I was working 80ish hours a week at an office so I could pay my bills as well as doing my course. I have realised the learning stage of this work can always be hard in lots of ways but it is worth sticking at it and riding it out.

Providing you enjoy the work that is...

 

[trev]

I'm wondering if it's worth having a word at the wholesalers. If he's short of cash it'll be having an affect there because he won't be paying them on time either. Plus, a lot of guys talk to each other while picking kit up and who knows what one of them might have heard.
Be very careful though.

 

[SPARK2B]

Hiya wozz, thanks for the reply mate

Well to be honest its getting a bit worse the last couple of weeks

At the end of the week, im basically getting paid whatever he has in his wallet, and getting told " i will sort the rest with you next week " which is ok but when ive got rent and bills to pay I need a regular income and thats just not happening at the minute

I did mention it to him a few week ago that I needed a full wage at the end of every week but it hasn't changed anything unfortunately

The last week or so, ive also started been left on my own for full days on jobs, basically just drilling and P clipping cable and wiring up LED lights on a warehouse ceiling....which I dont mind, but for £35 a day I feel like im getting the p*ss taken out of me a little, or am I asking too much here ?

Im just not sure what I should do as I know how hard it is to get a chance like ive got, its a 1 man band, a mix of domestic, commercial and industrial, and he does take the time to stop and explain things to me which is great..

Decisions decisions lol....

Thanks everyone

you know my views mate, ...you can only take so much, he obviously aint poor,.....and next week it could be,...."sorry, iv gotta put you on £30 a day,....where does it end,...look for summin else, keep @ it until u find summin,.......getting you to work and not paying you is just plain wrong,.....he would have gotten the nut off me by now!.....best of luck...

 

[Matthew87]

Thanks guys, I have enough savings to see me through at the minute, but obviously that doesn't last forever

The only downside to my job is getting paid on time

we get on, have a laugh, I enjoy the work and he's more than happy with how im progressing

Trev, I know he has just opened up a new account at a different wholesalers so that could say something I suppose

Im going to have another chat with him tomorrow and see what he says

I know how hard it is to get a opportunity like I have which is the only reason for stopping me junping ship at the minute

Cheers

 

[trev]

Lay it on good and thick mate, he sounds as if there's a decent bloke somewhere at the bottom of him. If he knows what problems he's causing you he may be guilt tripped into doing something.
If nothing changes then make sure you get something good to go to.

 

[Matthew87]

Cheers Trev I will do mate

Will keep the thread updated mate

Thanks again to everyone for the advice, its appreciated

 

[Matthew87]

Evening all,

welll I had a word, and today got paid in full

His reply was " i was waiting for some cash to come in "

Now tomorrow, ive been sent on my own job to disconnect 2 outside lights, which after only been a trainee for approx 9 weeks, could be taken one way or the other

hope everyone is having a good night !

Cheers

 

[Matthew87]

Thank you for the like Ray, what would you say about the situation if you dont mind me asking ?

Thanks

 

[R G]

It pays to be straight with anybody you deal with , if not you will find the other person has one over you ,
In this case it has worked for you but I would be careful that your not being used in place of a skilled guy , see how it goes really in the next few weeks , but don't let it get out of hand ,,
I wish you all the best ,,,,

 

[SPARK2B]

..... which after only been a trainee for approx 9 weeks, could be taken one way or the other

hope everyone is having a good night !

WHAT THAT SAYS TO ME MATE IS YOUR THE DOGS ******** WHEN IT COMES TO A TRAINEE ELECTRICIAN!!......NICE!! (-: (JUST DONT LET HIM TAKE THE PART-P!!...

 

[Matthew87]

Well lads, after my last comment nothing has changed to be honest

Came to the end of last week, and the usual " oh ill sort you out next week sometime if thats ok as im waiting for some cash to come in "

Great...

So guys, a couple of questions please...

Is it legal for me to take cash in hand payments ? And if so who is responsible for paying my tax and N.I ? Im not self employed but dont have any sort of contract with him either..

I think im just going to be better off getting something else on the books to stop all this hassleand messing about !

thanks lads