Change of Career.

Indigo

Indigo

Indigo

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Joined
12 Feb 2011
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Hi everyone,

I'm currently working as an glazing technician for a high street opticians. I like my job and love the people I work with but it's not really going anywhere for me and the money is not what I should be earning (being underpaid for what I do).

For these reasons I am thinking of leaving unless my progression and wage issues can be solved. Been looking into doing an apprenticeship possibly or learning how to drive and applying to be a British Gas smart energy specialist.

The apprenticeships I've looked at so far have only been for the energy companies, going to look into this further but also want some ideas for other areas people think could be a good choice?

My qualifications are:

4 GCSE's at grade A-C including Maths and English.
AVCE ICT Double Award A/B.

Dave :)
 
What is it you enjoy doing? Wouldn't you rather look for a job doing that (within reason?)
 
Can't you raise this issue with your boss?

If you enjoy what you're doing but think you're getting underpaid I'd have a talk and see what they can do, always worth a try.
 
Luke said:
What is it you enjoy doing? Wouldn't you rather look for a job doing that (within reason?)
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Outside of work I enjoy running, cycling, and listening to music and spending time with friends. Nothing I could really make a career off. Plus I like the idea of having an interesting career but then my own things outside of it.

Edit:

Just been looking at apprenticeships and I think I'd probably enjoy an engineering / manufactuing based role or a construction based role.
 
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Sinny said:
Can't you raise this issue with your boss?

If you enjoy what you're doing but think you're getting underpaid I'd have a talk and see what they can do, always worth a try.
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I have already spoken to him and I have had a pay rise but was only a token gesture more than anything else to be honest. As for progression there isn't any really as the lab manager will be there till the end. Only other option is stick with it and hope for a lab managers position somewhere else when I have more experience.

I could be waiting for this oppurtunity for a while though, where as a new career and a new start should see me progress in a gauranteed period of time.
 
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Anyone else done an apprenticeship at all or any other ways to go about completely changing career?
 
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IndigoGorilla said:
Anyone else done an apprenticeship at all or any other ways to go about completely chaging career?
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Currently doing a Process control and automation apprenticeship at a steel company, switched from a mixture of tech support roles and unemployement.
Best thing i have ever done, people are tidy, work is as challenging as you want it. Lots of option to move up when its completed, only issue is the pay check aint great
 
You will have to take a massive hit in pay for an apprenticeship, often less than minimum wage with the hope it turns into an above minimum wage job.
 
Abraxaz1 said:
Currently doing a Process control and automation apprenticeship at a steel company, switched from a mixture of tech support roles and unemployement.
Best thing i have ever done, people are tidy, work is as challenging as you want it. Lots of option to move up when its completed, only issue is the pay check aint great
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Just did a quick Google on your apprenticeship. Have you done this through Tata or someone else? Also, whats your current package like if you don't mind me asking? I can't seem to find what Tata are paying for there schemes.

In terms of the pay I'm not on a great wage either at the moment (£13300) so as long as it's around that figure then I'm fine at first. Obviously want something leading to more though in time.
 
UK-AL05 said:
You will have to take a massive hit in pay for an apprenticeship, often less than minimum wage with the hope it turns into an above minimum wage job.
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In this respect would it be possible to claim any benefits at all such as income support / tax credits to aid me in doing an apprenticeship if it is less than minumum wage? I'm 25 in December so I know I'd be eligible for it under normal conditions.
 
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IndigoGorilla said:
In this respect would it be possible to claim any benefits at all such as income support / tax credits to aid me in doing an apprenticeship if it is less than minumum wage? I'm 25 in December so I know I'd be eligible for it under normal conditions.
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"Yes. In some limited cases, apprentices can claim additional benefits. You can find out more on benefit claims at www.dwp.gov.uk."

I don't know, never done an apprenticeship, but that's what it says on the website.

I went to university.

Be very careful what apprenticeship you go on, I hear stories of SME's abusing apprenticeships, like firing them as soon as the low pay period runs out, then getting more apprenticeships. Don't get screwed.
 
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Aren't you only allowed to claim income support up to a certain amount? For over 25s I think it's £320 right? So I think you would be allowed to do this if your apprenticeship paid less then £320 but this would be the limit they would pay you, so if you make £250 a month they would top that up to £320 I think.

I might be wrong but I don't think there's much you can claim when you're working, it really is a poisoned system, when I was 18 I struggled financially as well since I moved out at quite an early age and didn't receive any parent support, unfortunately I was working 40 hours a week at minimum wage and I did ask for advice/help but there was nothing they could do, I think their answer was something like I worked too much actually. (Not even joking)
 
IndigoGorilla said:
I have already spoken to him and I have had a pay rise but was only a token gesture more than anything else to be honest.
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Exact same boat i'm in, asked for money as i'm struggling financially, and I get a pay rise with added workload...great

Now working my arse off doing two jobs most of the time something like £40 extra a month
 
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