Well, it has been a couple weeks since I have posted my first update about ones self and thought I would start doing a little diary from time to time of my new employment as an apprentice warehouse worker to discuss what I've learnt, what's happened etc and how things are going. Now I will admit it won't always be the most interesting of diaries as it is warehouse work and there isn't much too it although it is a challenge in itself, not because the job is difficult but the mass of the work that is involved it certainly isn't for the faint hearted if you don't like to work hard.
My day started out like it would should I have been going to work or college with the sound of my alarm clock going off at 6am and had my breakfast and a couple cans of pop to start my day off. Unfortunately for me I never had the sugar rush to keep me awake but as soon as I stepped out the front door the breeze was enough to keep me awake. Watching my phone to see the time go along waiting for my ride to come pick me up and low and behold my mate turned up and we was on our way to Clipper Logistics in Selby my new employer. Today being my induction into the company discussing everything that me and the other two apprentices needed to know about the company and the different rules and regulations. Although all of it was pretty much common sense anyway and would have to be pretty daft not to understand it.
I went into the main reception to be told to sign a bit of paper to say I arrived and that if there was a fire they would know whether I would be at my fire assembly point or not and somehow burnt Jonny wasn't what I had in mind! After I signed the papers it was a quick trip into the rather full canteen with workers staring at me, it was like I was on the 'Who wants to be a millionaire' with everybody staring at me with the expression of their faces of wonder to who I am. Surprisingly enough me living the furthest away of all three apprentices I made it there first although I kind of wish I hadn't, watching the morning news is like asking one person 'How can I depress you today' to be honest I will admit I ended up watching Thomas the Tank Engine before I came out the door this morning and I have no shame in admitting it although it isn't as good as it used to be!
The clock just about turned 9:07 when the HR woman who was dealing with the apprentices that day made it through to come take us upstairs to start what seemed like an eternity for what was to me stuff that seemed like common sense although I learnt quite a bit about Clipper today and I think even surprised her at how much I knew although when you are passionate about haulage and logistics and anything involving trucks you are likely to know a few bits and bobs! When us three got asked to describe ourselves in three sentences I thought well I may as well be honest about it.....'Well I'm Jonny, the first thing you will get to know about me is that I like trucks and I am here to save up for my hgv training' Well the reply I got was somewhat shocking although at the moment I am taking it with a pinch of salt as most big companies aren't too keen on having young drivers but who knows, just a case of letting the plane take off the ground first!
So as you could probably imagine all three of us were in the conference room for a good few hours from around 9:00 and didn't get out of there until 12:30 - 45. We were told after the very long and very boring Health and safety talk/induction to go into the canteen as we would have someone come get us around 13:00 - 13:15 well needless to say they only managed to remember us and got us 15-20 minutes away from 14:00 which to be honest was annoying us all because we were just wanting to start work!
We started on the mini tour on our way to the office in the mean time we were shown the machine where we clocked in and out on a morning and night, which sort of baffled me a little bit and when we were having our talk apparently the machine runs to every 15 minutes and you mustn't clock in over 15 minutes before your shift as it can mess about with the times etc which is very confusing for me but I'm sure within time it will come to me although.....I wouldn't count on it though! Eventually we got into the Tesco office as me and one of the other apprentices didn't have safety boots and if anyone is thinking 'You of all people should/would have had them on!' well I can safely say I didn't own a pair I could wear! So my boots were handed to me, VERY comfy but they are not what I am used to (And a pain in the arse to fasten up when you get out the box!!!) I must say but I'm sure they'll grow on me.....Not that they could get any bigger at size 12 though!
We were eventually set our assignments and me and the guy who didn't have safety boots were set on doing the stock checks, now when I say that the job is not easy, the clothes in the boxes when you count them, if the box is a mess (Which often is!) It is annoyingly difficult and if you get muddled up easy with numbers and lose count easily you would find the job difficult while being a pain in the arse! and if you get shy/embarrassed easily you may not like having to pull ladies bras out of the box to count how many are in there and it isn't bad in general but when you're working in a warehouse full of females it is very weird to say the least. Now like anything I had my problems, as I have already said I lost count of the number of things in the boxes on several occasions also not to mention some of the clothes not being labeled up properly or in the places as they should have been including some of the boxes being that close together to pull one out you had to pull them all out.....Not to mention my arm being cut to bits from the cardboard but the challenge that came with the job in order to get the stock check done which I will tell you in due course whether I managed to complete that challenge or not.
Eventually carrying on with my work, one of the supervisors (I think anyway..) Came round asking if we were okay and whether I had any questions with me asking when we would be getting our uniforms as I hated going into work for a company not having uniform it made me feel a bit of an outcast and a little scruffy even though I dressed smartly for it. Where me and the other lad on the same bit as me ended up getting tour of the place as well as being issued with rather very smart uniform if I do say so myself. The uniform I have been issued with is as follows:
1 x Fleece
1 x Sweatshirt
1 x Pair of trousers
2 x T-shirts
2 x Polo Shirts
1 x High Viz Vest
1 x Pair of Safety boots
So plenty of uniform to go at and again the little confidence booster in being apart of the team as cliche as that sounds. Anyways after being issued with uniform and the tour of the warehouse it was back to work for me, and believe me or not the time just FLEW by! In fact I was still working when someone came and told me it was 10 minutes away from 6pm (Finishing time!) Unfortunately I didn't finish the full list of stock to be checked in fact I was 4 pages from completion which I was rather disappointed with because I knew I could have done better but I'll have to make that up tomorrow as it is something new tomorrow!
But all in all the first day, was fantastic and a real eye opener. The work isn't terribly hard and although it is harder than my previous job and I am actually doing more it is a great feeling to be working once again and to be honest it's a hell of a lot more enjoyable even the staff are amazingly friendly which I couldn't knock for dust! So well all that is left to say on this boring write up if you have managed to stay awake is that the new job fits in rather greatly. I am still yet to find out what shifts I am going to be working and I am yet to be issued with my cards for recording my hours etc and my locker key but that is to come! But my first impressions of this company, I couldn't fault them and the fact I've had a smile on my face all day shows it's a weight lifted off of my shoulders to be off of the unemployment line.
Monday, 30 January 2012
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
A New Beginning - Including Pics!
Well, it's been a long time coming since I have posted on here and I have taken down all of my previous posts and shall be starting from scratch with this being the new year and all I suppose you could call it a new beginning. And being away for so long, a lot has changed! Now those changes include some very crucial and some not so very crucial.
Through the past year or so there have been so many ups and downs, there are too many I care to mention which I probably just mention some of the good things that happened last year as there are less good than bad so I won't start on a depressing note or this year. Last year I completed my year at college studying GCSE's gaining extra qualifications that I was too stu.......unlucky to not gain in school as well as developing a new hobby, that hobby being photography and writing of all things! And within a year of having my skills as an amateur photographer, I have successfully managed to get two articles published in two of the top trucking magazines within the UK.
The first article being featured in the Classic Commercial and Vintage Vehicles magazine (October 2011 issue) which was titled 'Enthusiasm Rewarded' which featured some of the pictures that I got in a photo shoot for my final project that I completed at college for my exam so it was an excellent time for me to celebrate my work from my GCSE times. My second article, a little bit frustrating to say the least but that was probably down to me being a stubborn little pratt throwing his teddies out of the pram because I thought I knew best! The article posted in the very best trucking magazine in Britain, Truck and Driver (January 2012 issue) which was titled 'A Day out with Dad' which included some of the pictures I had on a day out with my dad in the lorry and a bit of a write up about the day which I thought originally was cut down way too short before I even saw the full article but I was soon put right with the backing of the trucking forums and fellow photographers/journalists!
So that was that, and you are probably wondering now 'Well what did you get in your GCSE's, seeing as you're banging on about them!' Well my results are as followed,
English - C
Psychology - C
ICT - Distinction (A)
Photography - A
Not bad considering I only started college with 2 GCSE's which included Maths and Business which maybe a bit of a shock to those who would have originally thought I was a little thick. I have other GCSE's but they are the only ones above C grade which count most although most never consider the experience you got while learning the subjects just the grades you gained (My first mock Geography exam I got a B in the real thing I got an E......Explains a lot if you ask me)
I left college, in December after starting A-levels for many reasons with the many reasons including such as my ex girlfriend (Stupid reason I know, but necessary.), the work load being way too much for me to cope with and I have no shame in admitting I couldn't cope with it. The last reason being me not having any money and probably one of the reasons why I have been so down as of late, not being able to afford things which can probably bring anyone down if you have long enough to think about it. Now I didn't leave college just like that, I made sure that I had something to go too although by the first day of working I was already having doubts considering that I was messed about from day one but I won't go into that on here for personal reasons, I'll leave it at that.
Needless to say, it is the new year and well I am no longer at said employers and I am currently unemployed, *Awaits the comments of 'Get a job you prick!'* Well I have got a job, and you are going to be wondering what that job is. Well the job I left college to do was to more or less pack sweets ready for the Easter holidays for the kids which probably sounds like one of the easiest jobs in the world and I could say it is and it isn't. It's easy if you can stand listening to the same music over and over again on the radio, and don't mind hurting your back to make sure that one last pallet has been stacked then that's fine. And depending which end of the warehouse you are, the difficulty of jobs differ and the job was pretty easy but just plain boring!
My new job, is more or less doing something similar although my new job I won't lie when I found out I got it I was thrilled. The job entails picking and packing clothes that have been returned to the warehouse and placing them in the right place ready to be used however and it certainly opened my eyes just how many clothes that gets wasted in this country! But finding out all the clothes that are not of use for the company anymore, they get sent away for charity which I think of a company like the one I work for is pretty amazing. The new job's benefits include company uniform, safety equipment and excellent pay considering it's just an apprenticeship that I am doing (Which for those who are unaware, it's a learn while you earn kind of thing. Getting qualified in something while you earn some money!) plus it's extra experience in my pocket even if I don't get a full time job at the end of it although there is a high possibility of doing so.
Now with this all being said, the thing that is most important to me. The trucking industry, and how long it is going to be until I get behind the wheel of a truck? Well that will all depend on circumstances but with me finally gaining employment with a very good company, I will be saving money to go towards my driving lessons and my tests to gain my full car license. Now most people usually go for the 1 - 2 lessons every week for a few months and bare with it until they can get their tests. Me being me, I don't go about things the oh so normal way of doing things. Instead I will be going through a week intensive driving course (Ensuring I pass my theory test first!) with a driving test at the end of it simply because I want to get behind the wheel of a truck as soon as possible. It's that simple. Although many will wish against it, people learn at different paces. I am not one to learn in parts, you either teach me everything at once or it will be lost in bits in the future (which was found out when doing accountancy at A-level!)
But as for right now, it is wayyy past my bed time and I need to be up in the morning to go into town and sort some very important stuff out! So in the mean time, keep reading, Keep on trucking and I have posted my Flickr Photostream in this post so you can take a look at some of my hard work! (The rest of the photos will be up when I can afford my Flickr Pro membership!) In the mean time stay safe folks!
Through the past year or so there have been so many ups and downs, there are too many I care to mention which I probably just mention some of the good things that happened last year as there are less good than bad so I won't start on a depressing note or this year. Last year I completed my year at college studying GCSE's gaining extra qualifications that I was too stu.......unlucky to not gain in school as well as developing a new hobby, that hobby being photography and writing of all things! And within a year of having my skills as an amateur photographer, I have successfully managed to get two articles published in two of the top trucking magazines within the UK.
The first article being featured in the Classic Commercial and Vintage Vehicles magazine (October 2011 issue) which was titled 'Enthusiasm Rewarded' which featured some of the pictures that I got in a photo shoot for my final project that I completed at college for my exam so it was an excellent time for me to celebrate my work from my GCSE times. My second article, a little bit frustrating to say the least but that was probably down to me being a stubborn little pratt throwing his teddies out of the pram because I thought I knew best! The article posted in the very best trucking magazine in Britain, Truck and Driver (January 2012 issue) which was titled 'A Day out with Dad' which included some of the pictures I had on a day out with my dad in the lorry and a bit of a write up about the day which I thought originally was cut down way too short before I even saw the full article but I was soon put right with the backing of the trucking forums and fellow photographers/journalists!
So that was that, and you are probably wondering now 'Well what did you get in your GCSE's, seeing as you're banging on about them!' Well my results are as followed,
English - C
Psychology - C
ICT - Distinction (A)
Photography - A
Not bad considering I only started college with 2 GCSE's which included Maths and Business which maybe a bit of a shock to those who would have originally thought I was a little thick. I have other GCSE's but they are the only ones above C grade which count most although most never consider the experience you got while learning the subjects just the grades you gained (My first mock Geography exam I got a B in the real thing I got an E......Explains a lot if you ask me)
I left college, in December after starting A-levels for many reasons with the many reasons including such as my ex girlfriend (Stupid reason I know, but necessary.), the work load being way too much for me to cope with and I have no shame in admitting I couldn't cope with it. The last reason being me not having any money and probably one of the reasons why I have been so down as of late, not being able to afford things which can probably bring anyone down if you have long enough to think about it. Now I didn't leave college just like that, I made sure that I had something to go too although by the first day of working I was already having doubts considering that I was messed about from day one but I won't go into that on here for personal reasons, I'll leave it at that.
Needless to say, it is the new year and well I am no longer at said employers and I am currently unemployed, *Awaits the comments of 'Get a job you prick!'* Well I have got a job, and you are going to be wondering what that job is. Well the job I left college to do was to more or less pack sweets ready for the Easter holidays for the kids which probably sounds like one of the easiest jobs in the world and I could say it is and it isn't. It's easy if you can stand listening to the same music over and over again on the radio, and don't mind hurting your back to make sure that one last pallet has been stacked then that's fine. And depending which end of the warehouse you are, the difficulty of jobs differ and the job was pretty easy but just plain boring!
My new job, is more or less doing something similar although my new job I won't lie when I found out I got it I was thrilled. The job entails picking and packing clothes that have been returned to the warehouse and placing them in the right place ready to be used however and it certainly opened my eyes just how many clothes that gets wasted in this country! But finding out all the clothes that are not of use for the company anymore, they get sent away for charity which I think of a company like the one I work for is pretty amazing. The new job's benefits include company uniform, safety equipment and excellent pay considering it's just an apprenticeship that I am doing (Which for those who are unaware, it's a learn while you earn kind of thing. Getting qualified in something while you earn some money!) plus it's extra experience in my pocket even if I don't get a full time job at the end of it although there is a high possibility of doing so.
Now with this all being said, the thing that is most important to me. The trucking industry, and how long it is going to be until I get behind the wheel of a truck? Well that will all depend on circumstances but with me finally gaining employment with a very good company, I will be saving money to go towards my driving lessons and my tests to gain my full car license. Now most people usually go for the 1 - 2 lessons every week for a few months and bare with it until they can get their tests. Me being me, I don't go about things the oh so normal way of doing things. Instead I will be going through a week intensive driving course (Ensuring I pass my theory test first!) with a driving test at the end of it simply because I want to get behind the wheel of a truck as soon as possible. It's that simple. Although many will wish against it, people learn at different paces. I am not one to learn in parts, you either teach me everything at once or it will be lost in bits in the future (which was found out when doing accountancy at A-level!)
But as for right now, it is wayyy past my bed time and I need to be up in the morning to go into town and sort some very important stuff out! So in the mean time, keep reading, Keep on trucking and I have posted my Flickr Photostream in this post so you can take a look at some of my hard work! (The rest of the photos will be up when I can afford my Flickr Pro membership!) In the mean time stay safe folks!
jonnytruckfest1's photostream on Flickr.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)