To think I’m being phased out?

[BatshitAlso]

Hi. Need some advice.
5 years ago started a part time job for flexibility whilst I have a young family. Not a career choice but fine. After only a few months I was praised by my manager and his manger to my commitment and work ethic, small but appreciated pay rise.
After another year I was taking in more and more- some of the more skilled work which in this industry has official training for and despite asking I was never ‘trained’ properly I had to learn on the go as it were!
Then out of the blue someone left- it was decided I should be the one to take on this entirely new ( to me) area of work again with little training and expected to just work it out. Of course I made errors- I didn’t know what was doing, but I struggled through and was never blamed for mistakes. I got to a point I was running it by myself and fairly comfortable- was advised I would be having another member or team ‘help me’ to progress it further.
it never transpired and in fact it was all centralised to another depot. I was back doing (sort of) what I was doing before. I hadn’t done my origional job for 18 months and in this industry, a lot changes. It felt like I was the new staff member again and had to rely on my team to help me get it to speed with new processes.
Another year down the line and it’s now decided I’m not doing that either now. I’m told it’s because of my part time hours and it’s hard for clients to have me dip in and out of their live jobs.
Im now going to be doing very very basic work. The type I was doing when i started…..5 years ago.
Its really not sitting well with me. I feel I can ever get in the swing of things when it keeps changing. I’m worried that a small system change would mean I’m not needed at all.
Does it sound like I’m being pushed out or am I reading it wrong and they’re trying their best to keep me despite constantly changing business needs.
Of course I could look for more work- I don’t feel I should. I have had the job long enough and it works for me and my family. I also wonder what I’m actually qualified for!
Any advice?

I think somewhere in the middle. I don't think they're trying to get rid of you. But I also don't think they're trying to develop your career. They're just fitting you in wherever they can. And since you're flexible and willing to learn on the job it more or less works. But it might not work forever.

It's possible to get stuck with being seen by your employer as the "part-time fill-in person". Do you still need the same flexibility about hours or are you ready to move on now? Because if you're ready to move onwards and upwards then you need to be proactive about asking for training and moving to a fulltime role. Or about looking for another job where you can be part-time and still take on more challenging / better paid work.

I’d agree. I wonder if you could take the qualifications for the role you had been doing. Maybe investigate doing them in your own time but asking the company to contribute? Or do the qualification and leave.

I think the key is that you say this was never a career choice, and you knew from early on that they weren't good with training or development, so you've gone along with things as the business has changed and they've done the same, putting up with the downsides because the upsides suited you both. It's never going to be a fulfilling career type role but you get the flexibility, and you're not going to get plum roles there because of the part-time issues with clients.

Only you know the intricacies of the relationship and whether they're the types to be phasing you out or if this is just the latest phase of the business and where you fit into it. It sounds like they're keeping you around for now but no one knows the future and as you're not integral, you're more at risk if cuts come up.

You can stick it out there as long as possible if you still need flexibility over other factors, but after 5 years and back to square one I'd be feeling frustrated and ready to go elsewhere with more development opportunities for the future. This isn't that place and has never been so you've done well - as have they - to get this much out of it so far. At the very least, as it's making you feel insecure, I'd take some control by looking at training opportunities in your own time and looking at where you could go next and what a timetable for that might look like.

Sounds like it’s because you’re part time and they’re slotting you into places you’re needed, which can change.

Thanks all.
Was Very worried but things seem calm.
going to make the best of it I suppose!

I think you have the answer you needed but more jumps out at me. You clearly want more. You are capable of more. Why not invest in yourself and undertake the training? Decide what you want from your career and go for it. Do not be stuck being the part timer who just picks up work because the hours are not enough for continuity. You could end up doing that forever and not fulfilling yourself.
When I do annual reviews I always ask people what training or personal development have they done for themselves in the last year (even if it’s a musical instrument!) and i can honestly say less that 5% of people tell me they’ve been developing themselves. Honestly it’s absurd. I work for two companies and been doing this for years and it never changes. Take the bull by the proverbial horns (I did, with kids etc) and go for it. You deserve more!