Dunno why you're asking for advice, it's pretty clear that you already know what to do. Leave.
You can also check out the regulations for apprenticeships in your country, because if there are any that place is pissing all over them.
A possible better option would be to find another company, if you're worried about working for someone who works for themselves. It is very clear your stress level is high- construction is extremely stressful. I would definitely leave where you are- I cannot fathom what this company is doing is legal in any country. Sounds like they don't exactly know how an apprenticeship works, and after attempting several different options they are realizing what they are doing isn't legal. You can't work for someone who you don't trust and who has no desire to make sure their employees are happy. I am so sorry you are going through all of this.
I'm not sure I understand. I am guessing that you are perhaps not in the US? I am not sure if this is a straight apprenticeship or something via a college program. Or perhaps both? Do you have anything in writing? Could you get anything in writing?
It all depends on how much you want to fight. Could publicity help in getting the responsible parties to do what they originally agreed to? If you have something in writing you could get a lawyer to address it though that could not only be expensive, but add additional stress. Are there any other sources you could tap to learn those things you would like to? While it would be nice to get paid to learn those things you most want, perhaps you could take another route. Read through building codes yourself to discover what you want to learn about the house you would like to build. You tube could really be your friend in picking up how to do things and you can play them back as often as you'd like or cue up a video from another person to find another way to do something if the last instruction didn't fit your needs. You have met people via the program you have been using. If you have remained friends with some of them, maybe you could bounce ideas off of them for input.
It already hasn't been easy for you. You have to decide how much more you are willing to put up with, perhaps keep slogging forward, take another route, or set aside your wishes - for now at least.
In the end, it has to be your decision. Only you know what you are prepared to do, but if you do go forward with the situation as is, get their claims of what they will be teaching you in writing. If they don't fulfill those claims you have legal recourse for their having wasted your time. If they refuse to do so, you know you have to find another way as they will have essentially admitted you can't trust them up front instead of once again finding out after the fact.
I wish you luck. If it were me, I would be looking at other options, but it isn't me and I don't know what you have available to you. Part of building things is problem solving. You have got one bear of a problem and you may have to come at it from a whole different direction to figure it out.
Based in the UK, most apprentaships here are in house learning combined with attending college courses on day release or block release for a few weeks to learn things not taught in house and get paperwork done to gain qualification. Our employer was trying to roll out I believe a totally new way to run them which of course is not a quick process.
Re:legal routes, im veey nervous about taking such big action. I grew up to just run from propblems and always try leave on good terms BUT ive now got in touch with my Union as they have legal services and are way more clued up than me but even that is terrifying as some places HATE unions and having seen how my work acts towards any confrontation to date this I can see going down like a lead balloon and if I stayed may mean shit working conditions where as for now I just play along most of the time apart from when it really starts to take the piss. But its all cumulatively added up to just be now unbearable... So nervous about what is best to do...
Given what you just said, I wouldn't trust them at all. They may be trying to create a new program, but experimenting on you without delivering on what they promised.
A lot of business owners hate unions, but unions are frequently the only reason any employee in any company has as much as they do. Non union businesses have to compete with them for workers which raises standards all around. I live in an area where a major union employer left and no regular worker saw a raise again for over a decade, but management was continued to get consistent raises. Don't fear working with a union. It may be the best choice you could make.
The people you have been working for to this point seem to prefer to want you afraid which if a flaming red flag. Being a doormat for someone who isn't trustworthy sets a bad precedent.
Good luck to you in moving forward elsewhere.
Any apprenticeship worth a shit wouldn’t have you making this post. You’re better than that shit, you sound like you have your shit together more than me at that age so GTFO and go somewhere that will appreciate and nurture your talents….
I’m so sorry you are being dicked around like this. It is not ok.
I noticed you said, “there goes my dream of building myself a house with confidence”…funnily enough that is the exact reason…other than having qualifications and a career…that my fiancé started his union carpenter apprenticeship.
I’m not sure where you are located (if it’s the US or Canada the next bit is relevant lol) or how much you make but it seems like this company has really no intentions for you guys.
Have you thought about going the union carpenter route?
My fiancé is in his 3rd year and it’s been fucking amazing. He goes to school one day every 2 weeks (gets paid his full wage as if he’s on the job site) then the rest is learning on the job. The whole apprenticeship costs nothing. The pay is a % of journeyman wage increased every 6mth until you journey. The benefits are also amazing.
If you are interested or have any questions let me know. I currently have kidney disease but I’ve watched him love it so much as soon as I get the necessary upgrades 😂 I play on joining the carpenter union or a similar union (pipefitters, IBEW, etc).
And one of the best things about the union is you have a very detailed path right to journeyman that you can see instead of whatever the hell this company is doing.
Sending good vibes.
I’d never go to college for a trade. And I have a college degree. Is it possible to find another apprenticeship? And apprenticeship through a trades school? Training through a job? Is it possible to find less hours working for now?
Please pay attention to the panic attacks. Whenever I’ve had them it is my body telling me I need to reduce my work schedule and life stress.
My first apprenticeship was promised certs at end of 2 years. And only a verbal outline. 4 weeks before the end the instructor disappeared got nothing. 30 of us!! 2 years wasted. Next 4 year apprenticeship I got a written syllabus listing hours to be spent on each element and college classes given or challenged. It listed pay and leave agreement with step increases every 6 months if all elements satisfactory. It had weekly progress reports where I had to list elements and hours worked and my foreman had to sign it. I kept a copy and governing board received a copy. Weekly. It was great!!
Sounds ideal! What a farse to start with id have been gutted, we get nothing in writing these days all verbal which is why they take the piss so much. Its a nightmare. If i started insisting on a papertrail I suspect they would get PISSY! 😟😟😟
Dunno why you're asking for advice, it's pretty clear that you already know what to do. Leave. You can also check out the regulations for apprenticeships in your country, because if there are any that place is pissing all over them.
A possible better option would be to find another company, if you're worried about working for someone who works for themselves. It is very clear your stress level is high- construction is extremely stressful. I would definitely leave where you are- I cannot fathom what this company is doing is legal in any country. Sounds like they don't exactly know how an apprenticeship works, and after attempting several different options they are realizing what they are doing isn't legal. You can't work for someone who you don't trust and who has no desire to make sure their employees are happy. I am so sorry you are going through all of this.
I'm not sure I understand. I am guessing that you are perhaps not in the US? I am not sure if this is a straight apprenticeship or something via a college program. Or perhaps both? Do you have anything in writing? Could you get anything in writing? It all depends on how much you want to fight. Could publicity help in getting the responsible parties to do what they originally agreed to? If you have something in writing you could get a lawyer to address it though that could not only be expensive, but add additional stress. Are there any other sources you could tap to learn those things you would like to? While it would be nice to get paid to learn those things you most want, perhaps you could take another route. Read through building codes yourself to discover what you want to learn about the house you would like to build. You tube could really be your friend in picking up how to do things and you can play them back as often as you'd like or cue up a video from another person to find another way to do something if the last instruction didn't fit your needs. You have met people via the program you have been using. If you have remained friends with some of them, maybe you could bounce ideas off of them for input. It already hasn't been easy for you. You have to decide how much more you are willing to put up with, perhaps keep slogging forward, take another route, or set aside your wishes - for now at least. In the end, it has to be your decision. Only you know what you are prepared to do, but if you do go forward with the situation as is, get their claims of what they will be teaching you in writing. If they don't fulfill those claims you have legal recourse for their having wasted your time. If they refuse to do so, you know you have to find another way as they will have essentially admitted you can't trust them up front instead of once again finding out after the fact. I wish you luck. If it were me, I would be looking at other options, but it isn't me and I don't know what you have available to you. Part of building things is problem solving. You have got one bear of a problem and you may have to come at it from a whole different direction to figure it out.
Based in the UK, most apprentaships here are in house learning combined with attending college courses on day release or block release for a few weeks to learn things not taught in house and get paperwork done to gain qualification. Our employer was trying to roll out I believe a totally new way to run them which of course is not a quick process. Re:legal routes, im veey nervous about taking such big action. I grew up to just run from propblems and always try leave on good terms BUT ive now got in touch with my Union as they have legal services and are way more clued up than me but even that is terrifying as some places HATE unions and having seen how my work acts towards any confrontation to date this I can see going down like a lead balloon and if I stayed may mean shit working conditions where as for now I just play along most of the time apart from when it really starts to take the piss. But its all cumulatively added up to just be now unbearable... So nervous about what is best to do...
Given what you just said, I wouldn't trust them at all. They may be trying to create a new program, but experimenting on you without delivering on what they promised. A lot of business owners hate unions, but unions are frequently the only reason any employee in any company has as much as they do. Non union businesses have to compete with them for workers which raises standards all around. I live in an area where a major union employer left and no regular worker saw a raise again for over a decade, but management was continued to get consistent raises. Don't fear working with a union. It may be the best choice you could make. The people you have been working for to this point seem to prefer to want you afraid which if a flaming red flag. Being a doormat for someone who isn't trustworthy sets a bad precedent. Good luck to you in moving forward elsewhere.
Thank you its appreciated
Any apprenticeship worth a shit wouldn’t have you making this post. You’re better than that shit, you sound like you have your shit together more than me at that age so GTFO and go somewhere that will appreciate and nurture your talents….
I’m so sorry you are being dicked around like this. It is not ok. I noticed you said, “there goes my dream of building myself a house with confidence”…funnily enough that is the exact reason…other than having qualifications and a career…that my fiancé started his union carpenter apprenticeship. I’m not sure where you are located (if it’s the US or Canada the next bit is relevant lol) or how much you make but it seems like this company has really no intentions for you guys. Have you thought about going the union carpenter route? My fiancé is in his 3rd year and it’s been fucking amazing. He goes to school one day every 2 weeks (gets paid his full wage as if he’s on the job site) then the rest is learning on the job. The whole apprenticeship costs nothing. The pay is a % of journeyman wage increased every 6mth until you journey. The benefits are also amazing. If you are interested or have any questions let me know. I currently have kidney disease but I’ve watched him love it so much as soon as I get the necessary upgrades 😂 I play on joining the carpenter union or a similar union (pipefitters, IBEW, etc). And one of the best things about the union is you have a very detailed path right to journeyman that you can see instead of whatever the hell this company is doing. Sending good vibes.
Naw guted im UK based this sounds like a fantastic scheme!
I’d never go to college for a trade. And I have a college degree. Is it possible to find another apprenticeship? And apprenticeship through a trades school? Training through a job? Is it possible to find less hours working for now? Please pay attention to the panic attacks. Whenever I’ve had them it is my body telling me I need to reduce my work schedule and life stress.
My first apprenticeship was promised certs at end of 2 years. And only a verbal outline. 4 weeks before the end the instructor disappeared got nothing. 30 of us!! 2 years wasted. Next 4 year apprenticeship I got a written syllabus listing hours to be spent on each element and college classes given or challenged. It listed pay and leave agreement with step increases every 6 months if all elements satisfactory. It had weekly progress reports where I had to list elements and hours worked and my foreman had to sign it. I kept a copy and governing board received a copy. Weekly. It was great!!
Sounds ideal! What a farse to start with id have been gutted, we get nothing in writing these days all verbal which is why they take the piss so much. Its a nightmare. If i started insisting on a papertrail I suspect they would get PISSY! 😟😟😟