I decided to go into the office today, rather than working from home as I usually do. This afternoon I received a phone-call from my son asking if I was at home as he’d left work early and not taken his key. After explaining that I was out but that his mum was at the local shops, I asked him why he was home early, to which he said he’d tell me later.

A short while after, my wife called me. It turns out that he’s been told that he will not be kept on when his apprenticeship ends next month. He’s been there for over two years and done good work, making friends and getting on well with his colleagues, and achieving a Distinction pass for his apprenticeship course work. There was no indication that his contract would not be made permanent. Apparently the business has decided that they want someone with a higher level of experience to fill the role.

He’s obviously pretty upset about this. Not only does he now have to start looking for a new job, he’s also sad that he will be leaving the friends he has made. While there is some possibility of him finding another role at the same company, I’m not sure if this will happen or not, or if any vacancies there will suit his skills or be what he wants to do. I feel aggrieved and angry that someone has upset him in this way.

I feel absolutely heartbroken for him. I remember how happy he was when he first found out he’d been successful interviewing for the apprentice role. This was just after covid, and he was pretty anxious about things. He was also anxious when he first started in the role – unsure about what it would be like, or the people he would be working with – but he soon settled in and we were very pleased and happy for him that he had landed a good position. Now he will have to start the process again.

Of course, he now has two years of proper work experience under his belt, both in terms of the specialist area he’s been working in, and also his general on the job experience and skills building – something which is very valuable – so I do think he’ll be able to find another job without too much difficulty. He has also been promised help and support from his manager and colleagues (who are not responsible for the decision to not employ him in his current role). I just wish he didn’t have to go through the stress of this.

No matter how old or independent your kids are, you never stop being a parent. You just want to hug them and kiss them and make everything all right.

Apropos of nothing, a picture of a car.

Fujica GW690 & Lomography Color Negative 400. Lab developed. Home scanned and converted with Negative Lab Pro.

Taken on 18 August 2024