Taking over the bike shop...

[Andy in Germany]

My work experience student, on the other hand, has carefully removed the lights of all the broken, scratched and incomplete luggage racks, and we've scrapped them. The working racks are now stacked more neatly under some new tables, on top of which are a lot of parts boxes.

This means that not only do we avoid a deluge of racks whenever we try and ger one out, we also aren't reaching up to a 2m shelf to get the heavy boxes down.

My WE student has been complaining at the meanness of Occupational Therapists to poor unter appreciated work experience students. I told him that's a qualification.

 

[Jameshow]

My work experience student, on the other hand, has carefully removed the lights of all the broken, scratched and incomplete luggage racks, and we've scrapped them. The working racks are now stacked more neatly under some new tables, on top of which are a lot of parts boxes.

This means that not only do we avoid a deluge of racks whenever we try and ger one out, we also aren't reaching up to a 2m shelf to get the heavy boxes down.

My WE student has been complaining at the meanness of Occupational Therapists to poor unter appreciated work experience students. I told him that's a qualification.

Sounds like quite a harsh environment esp if your bottom of the rung?

The upside is that everyone? Has a skill and calling and thus less skills shortage, and less mental health issues due to unemployment???

 

[classic33]

My work experience student, on the other hand, has carefully removed the lights of all the broken, scratched and incomplete luggage racks, and we've scrapped them. The working racks are now stacked more neatly under some new tables, on top of which are a lot of parts boxes.

This means that not only do we avoid a deluge of racks whenever we try and ger one out, we also aren't reaching up to a 2m shelf to get the heavy boxes down.

My WE student has been complaining at the meanness of Occupational Therapists to poor unter appreciated work experience students. I told him that's a qualification.

You could have said the best things in life are free. And you've plenty of good things to pass onto him.

 

[annedonnelly]

Client was a "no show".

Probably better to find that out now rather than when he's been with you for a few weeks. (Assuming there wasn't a good reason for him not to turn up.)

 

[HobbesOnTour]

That's a bummer about the no-show but ....

the workshop isn't really working yet; this could be interesting.

Now you have an incentive to finish the job?
The last few % are normally the most difficult.

And on that subject...

now he puts me to shame every day; tools lined neatly and floor clean. It's quite embarrassing.

Is there anything to be said for asking for a bit of help?
It sounds like this guy is thriving at the basics and from what I understand with all your various responsibilities (in other parts of the store too) the basics for you are a bit low in priority.
You could ask them to tidy up your area before they leave or, better still, ask them what they think you could do better - and then get them to remind you to do it. That voice from the corner or well placed post it might just be the difference in getting you to do what you know you should be doing.

As for that customised recumbent I echo all the voices that it deserves a proper home. Something like that could be a life changer for someone.

Good luck!

 

[Andy in Germany]

Sounds like quite a harsh environment esp if your bottom of the rung?

The upside is that everyone? Has a skill and calling and thus less skills shortage, and less mental health issues due to unemployment???

He's can't be suffering too much as he came for a six week internship and he'll soon have been here for ten; not bad for someone who has a history of dropping out of internships.

After six weeks was over he asked for another two weeks extension; now it's two weeks later and he wants to stay until Christmas. I've told him and his caseworker that they need to talk to my boss to deal with official stuff like insurance, but that I'm more than happy for him to stay until then.

The grumbling was more for dramatic effect than anything; if I thought it was a genuine problem I'd give him a different task. Analysing and interpreting how people respond is a large part of what I do, so I will frequently give people a job, or try humour, or leave people alone for a few minutes, to see how they deal with it and how I can help them. It's a bit strenuous at times but I wouldn't want to do anything else.

Except possibly be an engine driver: I'd like to be an engine driver.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Probably better to find that out now rather than when he's been with you for a few weeks. (Assuming there wasn't a good reason for him not to turn up.)

It was always at least a 50% chance of a no show. We're dealing with people who really are at rock bottom so it could be any number of issues from the catalogue of psychological problems, and to be fair, sometimes it's because the person in question couldn't be a*sed to get up. They'll now get a letter from the Job Center and maybe come back in a few weeks; maybe they need an extra push, or maybe they have found something else and the system hasn't caught up.

We have people who never turn up, people who disappear after a couple of days/weeks, people who turn up mildly drunk, people who can't come unless mildly drunk, people who get kicked out for purloining stuff, and sometimes people who manage to combine the whole set, who come, cause a problem, get kicked out, clean themselves up a bit and come back, then go on to get their lives together.

And I get to work with them and fix bikes.

 

[Andy in Germany]

That's a bummer about the no-show but ....

Now you have an incentive to finish the job?
The last few % are normally the most difficult.

And on that subject...

Is there anything to be said for asking for a bit of help?
It sounds like this guy is thriving at the basics and from what I understand with all your various responsibilities (in other parts of the store too) the basics for you are a bit low in priority.
You could ask them to tidy up your area before they leave or, better still, ask them what they think you could do better - and then get them to remind you to do it. That voice from the corner or well placed post it might just be the difference in getting you to do what you know you should be doing.

As for that customised recumbent I echo all the voices that it deserves a proper home. Something like that could be a life changer for someone.

Good luck!

Hi @HobbesOnTour .

My current Work Experience student has some learning difficulties so he's currently at his limit breaking down old bikes and generally needs some help with that. He's sometimes able to deal with two simple instructions at a time, but it depends on how he is generally; it's not for lack of interest or enthusiasm on his part.

I do ask him to remind me of things I need to do, and he's very good at that; I always appreciate such help because I can generally only concentrate on what I'm looking at, which is awkward when I turn around...

Still looking for a home for the recumbent but it isn't looking hopeful. It's not helped by the fact we can't really sell it because that makes us liable if something goes wrong. I'm waiting on one institution to get back to me.

 

[Andy in Germany]

It worked. Bike waiting for transportation to the local school for children with disabilities.

 

[classic33]

View attachment 670564

It worked. Bike waiting for transportation to the local school for children with disabilities.

Did you at least try it for size, and coming over to the dark side?

Will you be delivering it in person?

 

[Reynard]

View attachment 670564

It worked. Bike waiting for transportation to the local school for children with disabilities.

That's brill it's going to a new home. Think that's going to make a bunch of kids very happy.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Did you at least try it for size, and coming over to the dark side?

Will you be delivering it in person?

Sadly, no, on either count. Our resident driver will take it there.

 

[Jameshow]

Sadly, no, on either count. Our resident driver will take it there.

Not even round the block?!!

 

[Andy in Germany]

Not even round the block?!!

A few of us tried but we couldn't figure how to make it go or steer it, which are two rather important factors.

I'm sure the school has more experience so they'll sort it out and someone will be very happy riding it.

 

[annedonnelly]

Fantastic result