Need some employment/career advice

[Rik]

After spending the past 2 weeks off work I'm starting to enjoy the unemployed lifestyle, alas it's time to return to work. Unfortunately I'm dreading this as the 2 weeks off has given me time to contemplate things a bit. It feels like the current job isn't the best for me, and I'm looking at options.
To give you the details, I'm 24 and am 2.5 years in to a 4 year apprenticeship as a toolmaker. Returning to TAFE and comparing my ability with other students leads me to believe I'm not progressing as well as I should with on-job training. Another concern is the company looks to be sinking slowly and the general negativity amongst workers is making for a very unproductive and creativity crushing environment.
Whilst I could hang on until things become terminal and rely on my employer finding me another job, I'd like to jump ship sooner rather than later.
Finishing the apprenticeship is pretty important to me as I'd like to gain some sort of qualification, but I don't mind changing to a somewhat similar trade if I can be credited for the work I've done so far.

Anyway, where this is leading to is I'd like some options suggested as to paths to walk down. Unfortunately manufacturing just doesn't seem all that viable in Australia anymore so I don't expect or plan to be a toolmaker all my life, I'd just like the qualification and experience to transfer to other areas in the future. Finishing the trade as a toolmaker is the current plan then do some other things (travel/study) afterwards, but if I can open up my options now it'd be good.
Are there many options for engineering/machining-based jobs out there for someone in my position? Also, what's life like as a fitter/machinist? Even jumping to something more theory orientated might work as that's my strong area when compared to other workers and students.
I'd like to be in a work environment that is a little bit cleaner than mine is now (more a workshop issue than the trade itself), and wouldn't mind scope for constant progress, variety and learning throughout the job.
Am I being a bit picky about my employment? Maybe, but if I could get some ideas as to where I should focus my effort it'd be great.

[Doggy]

Couldnt agree more with you on the whole manufacturing going down the gurgler Rik. I was in the same boat 6 years ago when I kicked off my first apprenticeship as a fitter and turner. I was thoroughly enjoying it but in around 6 months about 8 companies either went arse up or were heading that way due to manufacturing being cheaper o/s. I jumped ship after weighing up the options and am now a sparky with work coming out of my arse.
Jumping ship to another trade is an option but as far as getting RPL for what you have already done, if you jump too far out from toolmaking about the only RPL you will get is WH&S and maybe maths or such. I basically only got the WH&S side of things RPL'd .
I hope the manufacturing side of things picks up again when everyone relises the quality of the Aussie made stuff is alot better but me thinks that the $$$$$ signs dangled in front of peoples faces will leave the o/s shite coming in:rolleyes:

[NCR600]

Unfortunately the manufacturing industry IS going down the tubes.
If I didn't decide to go to uni at the start of the year I'd be unemployed now. We've only finished one mould this year and have been relying on maintenance and little general engineering jobs to keep the place going. Fortunately my boss likes to spend a good percentage of his time running various sporting clubs for his kids, so I get a couple of days a week out of it, but he reckons it's never been so quiet. And according to the reps, everyone is like that right now.

Fitting/Machining is generally easier work, just as dirty as working on scummy, greasy old injection moulds and pays better. In the olden days when I did my apprenticeship, you could do the toolmaking course at night and effectively get a dual trade. Maybe it'd be worthwhile swinging to the F&M 3rd year course in the day and do toolmaking at night to immediately broaden your opportunities.

If it's possible, it'd be worthwhile, you and I know that toolies can do anything F&M's can, and other stuff besides, LOADS of employers, particularly agencies haven't a clue and won't interview a toolmaker for a F&M job spec, even though toolmakers really are just a better class of F&M.

Most of our trade is on the job learning, so I can see how being under utilised at work is affecting you, but don't be in too much of a hurry to jump off. Take a look around, see what is on offer about the place (start with the big end of town, they'll be less likely to be concerned financially at this stage, and might consider an apprentice instead of paying a tradesman top dollar... Places like Broens or Bennett Precision Tooling, really upscale toolrooms like that generally survive the tough times)


So keep with the toolmaking, but talk to the teachers and see if there is any way you can combine the tooling 3rd year and do the F&M 3rd year at night or something. It'll be pretty hard work I'd imagine, but ultimately it'll give you a broader range of prospects.

[Grip]

Good advice so far. Another option might be to investigate the TAFE option of doing either the Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Engineering Technology at the same time as your apprenticeship. Broadens employment options 10 times... leads to cleaner work...

[NCR600]

I'd think carefully about doing the certificate or advanced diploma in Mech Eng. I've done both and never got a job out of them. Most places want degrees, even though the work involved can be done by a competant tradesman.

I'd go so far as to say that they were a complete waste of time for me, particularly now I'm at big school and can't remember any of the maths I got taught (I wouldn't say learned!) durning the Advanced Diploma.

[Doggy]

Good advice so far. Another option might be to investigate the TAFE option of doing either the Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Engineering Technology at the same time as your apprenticeship. Broadens employment options 10 times... leads to cleaner work...

This is the line Im taking hopefully next year. I want to due an Elec engin. degree to broaden my employment opportunities and give me a chance to get off the tools if the need strikes me. I like to think Im covering my arse a bit as well, because doing a job that is physically demanding if I hurt myself riding, soccer, bodyboarding...whatever, Im screwed. No able body, no work. Last year I lost about 6 weeks of work with injuries due to sports but if Im am more into the engineering side of things, its not as physically demanding on the body. Gives me a bit of leeway then

[scblack]

Rik, just because there is some negativity among your fellow workers does not necessarily mean there is problems at the company viability level.

It MAY be worth enough to stick around until you finish the apprenticeship, then evaluate options.

But at the very least do not let on you are looking to jump ship, to ANYONE at the company. Keep the current job unless you are set elsewhere.;)

[Rik]

Thanks for the advice so far, big thanks for the couple of PMs I've received too :)
The option of doing a Diploma course is tempted, especially since the practical elements of the trade will give me credit for about 15% of the modules... but as NCR600 said they don't get you as far as they should anymore and I'd only do such a course as a stepping stone to uni. That said I have considered doing one as a night course but so far haven't been inspired enough.
If I could get a company that was willing to be flexible I'd love to do the F&M trade as there's alot of shared modules, and I've even contemplated the idea of doing the press tools part of toolmaking in the 4th year if I had the chance.

Doggy I hear what you're saying. This year I've lost a month's work already, due to suffering a knee injury and the subsequent operation and recovery. Being physically active doesn't go hand in hand with a physically demanding job. Forget riding in the arvos after doing hard work for 8 hours, and Mondays are made even more painful if a good weekend of riding (and crashing) has been had. Being a princess again, probably... but I work to live, not live to work. But when one is imposing on the other in some way, no fun can be had.

And SCBlack, you're right there but in this case the negativity is coming from everyone knowing their pending fate. I don't like badmouthing the company openly but if I did say what's going on you'd laugh and cry at the same time... I know I would if I wasn't working there, but when we found out (last day of last year) we could only cry.

Tomorrow is TAFE day, I'll talk to the teachers about options. They're generally helpful and in the know, so that'll be the first place to start.

[alpinestar12]

Throw it all in the bin, move somewhere comfortable and live off the land. :D

[Rik]

Update for those that don't care:
I've given my company notice of my intentions (to get the fark out of there ASAP, probably 3 weeks) and have spoken to a firm that looks promising.
They're general engineering, everything from selling and servicing ride-on mowers and landscaping machinery to making packaging/automation machines and anything else that pays. It's only a young firm that's growing greatly so jumping on board now should open many doors for the future.
It'll be rougher and harder work than what I'm doing now, but I'll also be given more room to learn and progress and can see promise for a decent role in the company soon enough.
Interesting times ahead nonetheless, if it's the right choice or not is something I'll only find out at least 3 months down the track...

Thanks to those that gave me advice, I appreciated it. Even though I'm making a jump now I might still need the advice in the future so it won't be forgotten.

[bazza]

Update for those that don't care:
I've given my company notice of my intentions (to get the fark out of there ASAP, probably 3 weeks) and have spoken to a firm that looks promising.
They're general engineering, everything from selling and servicing ride-on mowers and landscaping machinery to making packaging/automation machines and anything else that pays. It's only a young firm that's growing greatly so jumping on board now should open many doors for the future.
It'll be rougher and harder work than what I'm doing now, but I'll also be given more room to learn and progress and can see promise for a decent role in the company soon enough.
Interesting times ahead nonetheless, if it's the right choice or not is something I'll only find out at least 3 months down the track...

Thanks to those that gave me advice, I appreciated it. Even though I'm making a jump now I might still need the advice in the future so it won't be forgotten.

sounds pretttyyyy good to me! have fun at the new job when you get there!

[Cúl-Báire]

Good stuff Rik, I know moving on from something you know well is tough - I have been there before; in a very similar situation. However by keeping an open mind, and playing your cards right it will lead to much better doors being opened for you.

You sound like you already know what you want to do - I would certainly keep working on your trade; and look into further study sometime in the near future. The words "Currently Studying" not only look good on the resume, but will open a few more of them doors. :)