Frustration!!!!

No...not that kind! I'll leave that for another post!

As I wrote in an earlier post, I'm a huge fan of Jamie Oliver. I'm watching with great interest his programme on the setting up of "Fifteen" restaurant here in Melbourne. You all know the format, I imagine...taking disadvantaged kids (whether from drug abuse, family abuse etc.) and giving them a chance to change their lives around.

Work in a restaurant kitchen is not easy. It's stressful, demanding, time controlled...it commands and demands concentration and commitment.

Watching the show unfold and these kids who have been chosen (remembering they made a choice and applied for the positions advertised) is making me tear my hair out from their lack of commitment. So many of them don't turn up to the classes or are continually late. The lack of respect to their tutors shown by some angers me.
Their disinterest during the theory classes frustrates me to the point I feel like jumping through my tv monitor and shaking them by their collective shoulders! I spend the whole time during the show grumbling and growling at them! ;)

I've trained apprentices. I've also trained office staff, resort staff, amongst others. And yes...sometimes these kids can be so damn annoying. It doesn't take long to sort the sheep out from the goats, though. However, during the process one has to somehow retain one's sanity...and it's not an easy job!

I just hope the kids who really want to turn around their lives aren't pulled down by those who couldn't care less. I think there are some amongst them who are committed and I wish them well. They have a long, hard road ahead but it will be a worthwhile journey if they are able to knuckle down.