Skills Shortage

[old_mate]

Originally Posted by bob^

I'm about to finish my Adv Dip Electronic Engineering and just got an electrical apprenticeship at Ford. Yeah the money won't be the best for the first couple of years, but the papers at the end of it will make up for all that.
I've gotten into it a bit late (I'm 23), and can get into a half decent paying electronic job with the qual's I have now, but as others have said, think of the bigger picture.

Finish that diploma. It'll come in handy when you have your trade (ie try finish it at night/correspondance)

[JG66ME]

Originally Posted by robjh80

I agree 100%, how can anyone complain when a company and it's current tradespeople have gone out of their way to give some young person the best start possible to their working life, even if they don't realise it!!....."that's gratitude for ya"

When I started my apprenticeship some 25 years or so ago I knew that the money intitially was going to be garbage, but at least I had the foresight to understand it was only a short term issue.....after successfully completing the 4 year apprenticeship I then started to reap the rewards of being a skilled tradesman whereas some of my mates were still in dead end jobs on poor money and conditions with limited means of diversifying as they were of course by that stage getting older......too late to start apprenticeships by that stage etc.

I cannot understand the lack of patience or vision of todays young people, they seem to be the "I want it and must have it now generation".......they have to have the fancy car, plasma tv's, latest gadgets, the very latest mobiles, designer lables etc.....usually all on high interest credit cards and personal loans etc just waiting to send them bankcrupt........what the hell is wrong with them?......we were never like this.

100% Correct

[XR Martin]

Not all apprentices are a 'useless'.
When I was a 1st year mechanic I was doing full services, engine replacements, brakes, suspension and general repairs. I was pretty much doing what the qualified guys were doing, and I had only been there a few months.
What **** me was that the boss and the two mechanics were getting a great bonus from all the business we were doing, yet I got nothing. I asked about it and they said only 4th year and the qualified guys would get it, so i basically told them FU and im only going to be an 'apprentice' and just observe from now on. I decided to only wash cars for a week or two then quit.

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by MO

Now you have a lot to say that I agree with however in this case I think you need 1300 655506.

Lol... im not sure what that phone number is... nor am i adventurous enough to dial!

[Walkinshaw]

Originally Posted by old_mate

lol

seems the youth of today (possibly the past decade actually) just want the big bucks now without putting in the hard yards. there are some very valid points, especially the ones about those that go to uni for 4 years only have part time work at best, then usually have a substaintal HECS debt to sort out. There isnt very many tradesmen in this country that havent had to do an apprenticeship and put up with the low bucks for a few years...come on guys, man up.

Very good point.

Whilst i believe some tranee/aprentice wages should get a bit of a lift up, the end result is you are being paid to be trained. My 5yrs at uni cost me a significant ammount (read: 30k+ debt) for which im just expected to accept. If i was paid $x/hr for the time i spent at uni i sure as hell would'nt be whining.

[bob^]

Originally Posted by old_mate

Finish that diploma. It'll come in handy when you have your trade (ie try finish it at night/correspondance)

Ah I am finishing it this year. I only have a month or so of classes left. I'm going to go further with it and do uni off campus to get my Bach of Engineering.
I should mention the new job doesn't start till next year.

[MO]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Lol... im not sure what that phone number is... nor am i adventurous enough to dial!

Put it this way..it will be the beginning of a new reading and writing experience.

If you were up with my posts you would remember I have given this number to a few who prefer sms instead of english.lol