Apprentice.

I didn't watch the series but did watch the final as I was interested to see who won. I went to uni with Alex and was in some groups with him. He's a really nice bloke and he has a good work ethic. Nothing more spectacular than that.

I have mixed feelings about the apprentice. On the one hand I think it's a complete waste of the licence fee, Alan Sugar has enough money to conduct interviews without getting the BBC to do it for him. BUT, I know a lot of people that love the show so I guess it's no different than the BBC spending money on the FA cup which I like to watch.

I think most of the people on it are chancers with their heads up their own ar5es and no more business sense than the average person, but I guess you've got to be in it to win it and anyone that says 'I could do better than that' doesn't really know until they're in the room with Alan Sugar.

There's no way I'd want to do it, I can think of much better things to do with my life than spend 20 hours a day working for Alan Sugar; and easier ways of earning a six-figure salary!

Cheers,
Matt

Originally Posted by cartwrim

and easier ways of earning a six-figure salary!

Cheers,
Matt

care to share them with us then?

Originally Posted by keithd

care to share them with us then?

+1. I'm waiting!

Originally Posted by Filipe M.

+1. I'm waiting!

and 6000 other org members too

Without divulging too much, just go freelance in rail or construction and you'll get close to that. In my job I could work 7 days a week but only do 5. If I did work 7 I would be over 100k gross. I know some people who work so many hours they put in for 8 days a week and are thus earning around £110-120k!

I've been doing it for three years since uni and it's quite a comfortable existence.

That's it, I've said too much!

so you earn around ?70k then? yeah i'd say that was comfortable.

and the hours worked?

[tigersaw]

You could always drive a fuel tanker for £40k per year, plus the considerable bonus you get for selling your 'spillage allowance'

What's the point studying for years. I've realised at the grand old age of 47 that, for most people, it simply isn't worth it. Fine if you want to be a GP. Or maybe an actuary. Otherwise forget it. When I was 18 my cousin told me to become a plasterer, he would've trained me. Wish I'd taken him up.

Originally Posted by cartwrim

Without divulging too much, just go freelance in rail or construction and you'll get close to that. In my job I could work 7 days a week but only do 5. If I did work 7 I would be over 100k gross. I know some people who work so many hours they put in for 8 days a week and are thus earning around ?110-120k!

I've been doing it for three years since uni and it's quite a comfortable existence.

That's it, I've said too much!

So which IRSE license do you hold then?

Originally Posted by keithd

so you earn around ?70k then? yeah i'd say that was comfortable.

and the hours worked?

Most days 8am til 4pm. Never there past 5pm. I reckon the 'apprentices' would be expected to put in at least double that for a few years. It's a day rate so obviously I don't get paid if I have leave / sickness, etc. No pension contributions or 'training' from the company but it suits me fine.

Chunkyftg, no IRSE licence, I just got lucky with a placement from uni to a rail contracting company and developed a skill set that is in demand.

Believe me, I count myself very lucky