Training: is it worth putting in the hours?

[equationgirl]

Naw. It's very casual. On paper I should be able to do it using the experience I already have if I write up but you need "professional contacts" ie it's who you know not what you know. It's not expensive to do either, so that's not an issue. I could probably do it in a couple of months if I can persuade people to like me Probably getting tetchy with my boss isn't helping either. I need to get 2 important people to vouch for me, you see (it can't be my boss though).

I'll get my arse in gear tomorrow! (I haven't been studying for 12 years but have 12 years of experience, you see).

They don't recognise unions. Does anywhere these days?!

Doesn't mean you can't join one, it generally means that the union won't be recognised for collective bargaining issue such as pay increases. Might make you feel better if you know a union is supporting you.