Training in new job was awful

[Rowantree76]

I recently started a new job in Feb.. after quite a few years as a Sahm. Its a public sector customer facing role. The training has been less than good. There has been no structure to it, noone is directly responsible for it...I feel i have to a large extent been left to it.....as customers come in and things crop up I ask whoever is around at the time....this may or may not be experienced staff. My line manager does not often come into the public domain. I have been asked by him to do a very small project but I am unfamiliar with using word which I need to do it. I have never said I could use word......I have just never had to use it. Is this how work is now? I feel a bit demoralised. It's not even well paid. I have on several occasions been " left in charge" simply because I am the only permanent member of staff in the building. I am still on probation. I always worked in the private sector before. Just wanted to get it off my chest I guess.

There's probably (rightly or wrongly) an assumption that most people can use Word these days. Have you looked for any online Word training - there are lots of options. Once you are competent with the basics, it's easier to learn the other bits on a need-to-use basis, rather than trying to learn absolutely everything it can do when 95% of it is stuff you'll never use. The online help in Word itself is quite good if you want to do a specific thing, e.g. setting up chapter headings in a document.

Can you schedule a meeting with your manager, and take with you a list of the training you need? Would it be an option to have an experienced colleague as your 'buddy' so you always have someone competent to ask rather than asking people at random?

I actually feel too embarrassed to say I couldn't use word. Over the weekend I did do some online training ..and asked my ds to help!

I agree with @Antarcticant in that the assumption was probably that the vast majority of people are familiar with Word. It’s pretty self explanatory and has a in built help feature so you should pick it up absolutely fine. Have you started the project yet? If not, give it a go and Google or ask here if you get stuck on anything.

I imagine it’s very daunting to jump into something unfamiliar but it sounds like you’re doing well (asking Qs when needed etc).

But if it’s not well paid and you’re not happy there then my advice is to see it as a learning experience and keep your eye open for other jobs in the meantime.

Don't be embarrassed - I expect a lot of people are winging it. I have never been formally trained on Word but I was already working at the time it first started appearing on computers at work and we all just fumbled our way through it together. There's still things I wouldn't know how to do on it even after all these years because I have never needed them. You will soon pick up the basics, and no one will think anything of it if you ask for help with anything more complicated, people do it all the time.

Thanks for your replies.....I just feel like I have been fumbling around at work since I started...my confidence has been really knocked...I guess what I am really asking is..it it me ot them?

It sounds as though your training has been lacklustre and no one is checking in with you, you've just been left to get on with it - so I would say it's them, not you. I would expect a structured training plan and once this came to an end, regular check-ins with a manager and some kind of ongoing development plan for you.

Thank you...I have never worked the public sector before.....to be honest its very different working environment....and having been out the workplace for a few years I feel very unsure of myself.

It's natural to feel like that after being away from the workplace for a long time, and the Covid aftermath when everyone is so stretched in the public sector is going to be a particularly hard time to go back.

You will get used to it over time, but as the pp said, if you don't feel happy there when you've given yourself time to get used to it, there's nothing to stop you looking round for something else.