Well, when I left school, three years ago, lots of my friends went to university, but it was too expensive for me to go. I was unhappy because they seemed to be having a great time. I just had a job at a building company in my home town. It was okay. At least I got paid. I was planning to save up money to go to university, but then I read about the apprenticeship in a magazine at work, and applied for it and got it! It’s the best of both worlds, I think. 

Well, the apprenticeship is for a big construction company and it’s four years long. I work in a different department every four months and learn what happens in each one. I’m in my second year now. Last year I worked in planning, safety and administration. Now I’m working in the environmental department, and next, I’m going to be working in services. I do three days a week in the office or on site, doing a normal job. Then for two days per week, we have lectures and classes at the company’s offices. 

They take on twelve a year, so at the moment there are, I guess, just under fifty of us altogether, over the four different year groups. Then the twelve people in my year are divided equally among the three departments, so there are three other people currently working in the environment department with me. The twelve people in my year group meet up together on study days and we learn the same things.

Well, I agreed with the company to work for them for three years after I finish the training. But that’s okay. I can decide which department I work in. So far, my favourite department to work in has been planning, so I might work in that. There are opportunities to work abroad too. The company does a lot of projects in Indonesia. So, I’d like to go there. After those three years, I don’t know.  

JAMES: I've been working as a sales executive for almost five years now. It's a full-time job and can be quite hard at times. I often have to do overtime, especially when there's a big project. I'm in charge of a small team, and it isn't always easy, but I enjoy the responsibility. I have recently applied for a promotion, and if I get it, I'll have even more responsibility. Many people want the same promotion, but I have more experience than most, so I'm hopeful.

LINDA: I used to work in a car dealership, but after nearly six years, I decided to quit and pursue my passion for graphic design. Now, I'm self-employed, working as a freelance designer. I love the job, and being my own boss has its advantages –I can work from home and choose my schedule. However, it's not always easy. I don't have a steady income, and I need to find clients all the time, which can be stressful. Despite the challenges, working on creative projects and seeing my business slowly grow is rewarding.

CARLOS: After years of working night shifts as a bartender, I finally decided to change. I got a part-time job at a bank, which has been a big step up. The work is less tiring, and I'm learning new skills that will help me in the future. I'm also studying part-time to get the necessary qualifications for a full-time position. Balancing work and studies is no easy task, but I know it's worth the effort.

EMILY: I was fired from my last job, and now I'm between jobs. Getting sacked was a blow to my confidence, but I've been applying for jobs and trying to stay positive. In the meantime, I'm taking online courses to gain new qualifications and improve my resume. It's not easy to stay motivated during this time; most job offers I see are for part-time or temporary jobs, but I'm determined to find something soon.

NADIA: I plan to retire next year after over 30 years of working as a nurse. I love my job, but I'm looking forward to spending more time relaxing and being with my family. I'm a grandmother now, and I want to have plenty of time to enjoy with my grandchild and help my daughter. Retirement will be a big change, but I'm ready to embrace this new phase of life and make the most of every moment, enjoying activities I love, like trekking, reading, or cooking.

BEN: I've been working as a builder for over a decade now, and while the job can be physically demanding, I enjoy it. Every project is different, and I get to work on challenging tasks that keep me engaged. I often work overtime, especially during big projects, but the extra pay makes it worth it. I'm also considering starting my own business in the future, maybe opening a small construction firm. I've learned a lot on the job, and I think I could offer a quality service.