Trying to get an apprenticeship

darrenmcc

i'm from Scotland, and im now 28 years old. I had done a degree in network computing but having no experience in 2003 being 18-19 with a degree, i found myself in and out of call centre's, doing jobs from basic customer service, to sales and retentions and team buddy roles, i got sick of the whole call centre thing. In 2010, I decided it was time for a change, a real career, something i enjoyed doing. So i started back at college in Plumbing and Building maintenance. Loved the course, doin central heating as an extra because i done so well at my bathroom install, even got to do a bit of lead welding because the head of the department asked if there was anything i would like to do, and i basically said "i didnt know what I would want to know, because i hadnt done the job before" so he gave me some old school tips etc.

In march 2011, I had been in a relationship with a girl from dublin since the november 2010 and had been applying for apprenticeships in ireland. I spoke to a company that I wouldnt want to full name, but K***y group, I had an interview, so flew over with only a few days notice (knowing apprenticeships are rare) and done the interview. everything went great, and i came back home after a few days. hadent heard anything after a couple of weeks so i rang the company up and was told "don't worry, you'll be getting a phone call". another couple of weeks, rang again, still the same. My course finished at the end of May to which I phoned, receptionist put me onto one of the guys that done my interview and his exact words where "you've got the job, we're just waiting for someone to come back from holidays and we'll get you sorted". So i asked about moving over then and he said "it would be a good idea" so i sold abosolutly everything, bedroom furniture, a 6 month old recline leather suite, kitchen appliances etc and moved over. got settled down and foned a few weeks after i got here and gave the receptionist my details (new mobile number etc) and asked again about a start date. said she would get someone to call me. few weeks later, hadent heard anythign, called again, same "i'll get someone to call". few weeks again, spoke to the receptionist who then told me to contact a limerick office as they deal with the recruitment side. contacted them, said she didnt know anything and best bet would be to speak to dublin office. rang again and told "i'll get someone to call you" and finally i gave up. its now been about 5 months since i last contacted them. got my partner to call and receptionist told her the same thing "i'll get someone to contact you", even took her mobile number and still nothing. they have really screwed me over (well thats my feelings). I have now been on the fone to approx 60 different plumbing companies and nothing. a few of them have really tried to help me out and point me in the right direction, i've spent approx €100 on telephone calls and i'm now stuck in a rut. I really cant go back to call centres as people shouting abuse on a daily basis over bills and managers on my back about targets etc isnt for me.

I've tried going into some plumbing suppliers to see if they know anyone that would consider helping me out. I wouldnt even mind working for like €100 a week for a month just as a trial to show my worth (my only issue is some people mite take advantage and take me on with no future) and that i'm keen on gettin into the career. it annoys me sittin at home, not working when i could be earnin money for a pension etc.

I dont suppose anyone would have any contacts or any methods that could help me out. I'm tryin daily to keep positive but after almost a year of the first interview, i feel wasted

p.s, sorry for the long story. just needed to get that out.

pieface_ie

http://jobseeker.fas.ie/

under job type --> apprenticeship and then press search.

All apprenticeships go through FAS in Ireland.

Marcus_Crassus

As you well know, it's an absolute nightmare trying to get an apprenticeship.

I really don't know what to say. You'd obviously love to do this and it's a shame you've been onto so many companies and had little luck. Keep your eye out for any big jobs and find out what plumbing company has the job and keep calling them! The days of getting an apprenticeship with anyone but a large company are pretty much dead for the moment. Most of the smaller guys simply cannot afford apprentices.

I've been doing this since November 07 and have worked with four different companies and I'm only just coming to the end of my time. I started right as everything went tits up. (I'm an electrician). And I won't lie, it's been a monumental struggle to get this far! There's nothing worse than being made redundant in the middle of an apprenticeship -- you're trapped in limbo.

By the way, they CANNOT take advantage of you. Some companies say "Oh, we'll take you on for a few months and see how it goes!". That's not allowed. It clearly stipulates on the FAS website that they can take you on for a maximum of two weeks trial and then they HAVE to register you.

Long story short: it's not an easy road, but if you've got the passion, keep going!

And I know of people who've started apprenticeships in their forties, so don't get too down.

I wish you the best. Sorry I couldn't help more.

darrenmcc

thanks for the comments above. already registeredd with fas but told me i'd be best lookin on my own

thanks for the clarification marcus, wouldnt wanna offer a trial and then have the pi$$ ripped as i've heard alot of places do when it comes to placements and apprenticeships.
just really dont wanna end up back in call centre's. i'd prob do any job if the horus where mon - fri finishing at the latest 6. something stable and no shifts but plumbing side is where i wanna be. hopefully something will come up

thanks again for the comments

HoggyRS

have you seen this darren? http://jobseeker.fas.ie/Default.aspx?q=B+fomdowzS8kaDnSlUDk1zaMUPiFEeNrNWjviinu490thmC2C0u+DIbullMUMajel9+iAntpcZAkeycXiFVdEjLPAy5H6maaUGd/QCPHGSYVD9AR5MjFQOADAoh/pqMb8+kNc26PPhq0tu/QBRKAAxGkUd99dr/QA/xJGaJ5ERiJfETiQaXsgrFNd7FySBZXTEhVFj7XloBXBjkV9/ipXtAwV9harxt30BoofquqGCk0OUhMFWzXnyUxO5T1wl2zHqJ4cqdf7KgsqGYL0uOGoq+i8h3zHzMa2eL3OUtdKmFf9uKiX8DkElX6bgz99Vt83JV+rSvsU3Utcz8+tluTaPMjuGSWGFtSoKAtIp6tdVgxTPpZZUF+bc1Hu+zZgkxW5rKjVY75TKtqGlgwVl5Sv4WfXFhssChlnNev+B8fYWsiry4Z/FLAoJUnffmubQXeSo0JFn/bW5G9dem1PGIJhw==

Someone looking for a first year apprentice plumber in Killarney.

Good luck with it man. Hard game to be in, my old man closed down our family plumbing business last month after over a 100 years in business.

darrenmcc

yeah hoggy, i had seen that, but ive just moved from mullingar to dublin thinkin i'd be better up this neck of the woods to get something, so havin signing a lease and deposit etc, wouldnt be able to move away over the other end of the country

yeah lookin really to get a trade n maybe head to canada or aus or something. mostly just want to do some hands on work tho

thanks again