If i'm required to use new technology on the job, should i be trained?

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5 Comments

I have a love/hate relationship with my current job. On one hand, they're allowing me to work with technology that I've always wanted to use, but it's fairly deep and requires a lot of knowledge. I'm self-motivated enough to learn new things on my own and I have, but I'm still missing I think a major foundation. We're talking about computer programming and development (OOP) - which I've never done or had training on.

Problem is, I'm constantly given tasks that are just above my current knowledge. I work to figure out the problems but still they're just a tad bit out of my comfort zone... and often I have to pass the work on to an outside developer more experienced.

It's frustrating on many levels considering I don't feel useful when that happens, I feel like I'm wasting time, I feel disrespected, and I feel like I'm always going to lose my job... on the other hand -- I get to learn this stuff that I wanted... but I guess I didn't think in this way. I was really hoping that I would be taught project by project starting with small things than working up to more sophisticated applications. Instead I'm given moderate apps that frustrate.

I've asked for training several times and even for an hour or two with a more sophisticated developer but have been denied each time.

So, with this economy now I feel stuck and am trying to make the best out of the situation.

I just wanted to know if it's normal to receive training in a company for things like this... or, if I'm the only one that thinks it's a bit unfair to be walked down the plank each project with no support.

Thanks

Voting Results
63% Normal
Based on 32 votes (20 yes)
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Comments ( 5 )
  • [Old Memory]
    14 years ago

    It has less to do with the economy and more to do with the mindset of many businesses these days, which is, to invest little in employees.

    You are right to think this is a bit unfair. And it is a bit stupid. Someone summed one side up: they don't owe you anything. The flip side, obviously, is you don't owe them either. And so that is the state of employer/employee relations - no loyalties, no investments, no returns. Wonder why the North American economy is in the toilet? There's one reason.

    You do need to look outside for the educational foundation you lack & it is great you recognize that need. When you've done that look to an employer with a different mind set.

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  • theamerican
    14 years ago

    This is the way it works very often, you learn my doing projects, unfortunately our world (computer programming) is a bit difficult

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    • theamerican
      14 years ago

      I meant *by doing projects

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  • andrian007
    14 years ago

    Not necessarily just in programming, generally it's normal for employers to push their employees to the limit especially in current economic times. You'll just have to learn quickly, it's a sad fact, but this is what all of us (myself included) would have to do to avoid losing our jobs.

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  • Jim_Pfoss
    15 years ago

    In your position, I would get training on my own. Your employer doesn't owe you a living, and times are kind of tough right now.

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