Plumber

Pete’s story:

Pete left school in year 12 to pursue his dream of becoming a plumber. He did work experience with a local one-man band plumber for a while, who ended up employing him as an apprentice. Pete at the time was really excited as he was working hard and doing what he loved to do. He was gaining lots of knowledge and building his skill sets. Being a small business, they worked on all types of plumbing; maintenance, bathroom work, renovations, new housing. By the time Pete was 3rd year, he was pretty much running the show and had become a highly skilled technician. He won various awards throughout his apprenticeship and was considered an exceptional plumber amongst his peers.

Pete went on to complete his apprenticeship through the business and was then offered an opportunity to continue working there as a fulltime tradesman, which he accepted. The hourly rate and conditions weren’t the best, but Pete was a loyal guy and was reluctant to seek out other opportunities.

Several years later, Pete found that he just wasn’t getting ahead in life. He was working extremely hard, didn’t have much of a personal life, and was on minimum wages which wasn’t allowing him to get ahead in his life, and to realise his dreams.

Pete had finally decided that it was time for a change but was scared. He was apprehensive and nervous about looking for another job as he didn’t want to let his boss down, and wasn’t sure how his skill sets would be perceived in the greater plumbing community. But nevertheless it was time for Pete to take action.

Being a loyal and dedicated guy, Pete had made a promise to himself that he’d seek employment with a professionally run organisation that would challenge him and provide opportunity for growth, and somewhere that he could work for the next 10 to 15 years.

He knew he had a lot to offer and that it was time for him to also start thinking about his own life.

Pete began searching online for opportunities and attended several interviews but the businesses weren’t to his liking. They just didn’t fit with his vision and he wasn’t prepared to just settle for anything. It wasn’t just a career move he was looking for, but a life change.

Eventually, Pete struck gold and found a reputable and honest plumbing company that paid well, offered opportunity, provided safe, friendly, team environment in which he could excel in, and that he saw was a perfect fit for both the business, himself and his new life’s direction.

When Pete was offered the opportunity, he immediately accepted and was comfortable and content that he had taken the first step towards his new life. This made the thought of telling his boss and friend that he was leaving him so much easier.

Two years later, Pete is a highly respected and valuable member at his new workplace and has gone on to build his life outside of work also. He still catches up for a beer with his old boss.

His only regret is that he didn’t do it sooner.