Q: I've been working as a general laborer at a construction company for two months now. I cold-contacted the company, asking if they needed construction helpers. I was honest about my basic experience and skills. Since being hired, all I've been allowed to do is sweeping, mopping, demolition, heavy lifting, hauling, picking up, putting things away; they haven't trained me in anything that requires skill. I would like to learn carpentry, electronics, plumbing or any of the skilled trades. I'm assigned the same duties when we move from project to project.

Last week, the company was short several men for a massive drywall job, so they brought in carpenters from other states to do it. I see all these guys do jobs as painters, electricians, plumbers, technicians and sheetrock installers, and most of them have no licenses. They are just journeymen. They didn't go to school to learn their skills; somebody trained them. We are a nonunion company, but all the men are paid more than I am. I do make more than minimum wage, so I am grateful for that.

I get along with everyone and I learned all their names on the first day. But I'm starting to resent the other workers. I'd like them to all get stuck on the train for five hours so the boss would have the time to train me. Other than that, I don't know what to do.

A: You created the rut you are in the day you interviewed and accepted the job. If you want on-the-job training, ask before you start a job. You said you knew only basic skills, but it doesn't sound like you told the boss you want to learn specific skills. Even if you had, that wouldn't mean he'd assign another worker to train you.

The reality is that work is not school. Most employers are not willing to pay a new employee to learn a skill, especially employers with tight schedules in busy seasons. Generally, when you don't like or understand a boss' actions, put yourself in that position: All bosses have to work within their budgets. Without a formal company training program, you would probably not pay to train an employee in an area many others already know. You would, however, train employees for skills needed only by that company.

Somebody trained your skilled co-workers, but they could have learned in slow construction seasons, at other companies or even by friends who took the time to help them advance. Your boss hired you for what you know. If you want to do specialty work, invest your own time to learn those trades to show the boss what you are capable of doing. Waiting for on-the-job training is futile, and resenting your co-workers hurt you over time. If the boss had promised to train you, you could ask about the timing and your future at the company.

Email your questions to workplace expert Lindsey Novak at LindseyNovak@yahoo.com and follow her on Twitter @TheLindseyNovak. To find out more about Lindsey Novak and to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.