Feeling Fed up with the trade

[Cadgey123]

I have been in the electrical trade since I was an apprentice, 12 years now and had a colourful amount of experience in the electrical trade.

I started doing domestic work again and have all of a sudden come to a point where I am actually hating it.
Apart from changing sectors, I am stumped! Does anyone else get like this?

Feel like hanging up the pliers and heading for a cushty office job!!

 

[cliffed]

It's all changed & for the worst,there ain't a lot who wants a days hard graft,it's got rougher,& those who are arrogant agessive & bullshitters.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I've been sparking for 18 years and still love the job...don't get me wrong I have bad days but couldn't really see myself doing anything else.

 

[Dozer 73]

Must be plenty of opertunities down the big smoke for a change in direction within the electrical world
Rail , underground , substations , tunnelling , cross rail

 

[Pete999]

I suppose, people, opinions all change, in my day you got an apprenticeship, did your 5-6 years, in the mean time you met your future Wife Partner whatever, you worked for the life you had planned. Jobs were easier in those days, perhaps you couldn't see further than the nose on your face, when jobs were easier to come by, I never once thought of a change, took the rough with the smooth, personally I had the Cuban crisis to worry about, changing jobs never entered my mind, my Old Man would have killed me.

Far to easy to take a course in this that or the other in order to swap careers, don't know if it's to easy, or people can't be bothered to stick at it, after all in some cases it only took 6 or 7 weeks to become qualified. I don't believe it's necessarily the individuals fault for this attitude, of I'm fed up with this lark, I need to change, it's the Governments fault in my opinion, for down grading the value of the honest Artisan, whether that be an Electrician, or whatever trade you are working in.

Sorry for the ramble folks.

 

[Dozer 73]

Must be plenty of opertunities down the big smoke for a change in direction within the electrical world
Rail , underground , substations , tunnelling , cross rail

I know what I have said is true because I have sparky mates working down there on the various things I have listed

 

[Rpa07]

That was me pressing the wrong button @Nigel Martin - changed as I agree.
OP - Once you have your papers extra courses can take take you wherever you want.
I personally would have a look at agency work for a while, it has opened up another chapter for me with new experiences everyday. The other thing is you can work as hard as you like, as neat and professional as you like and someone else does the invoicing. Use it as a holiday period, change sites if you feel inclined (I do feel some allegiance though).
Believe me, this is a good trade, @Pete999 used the word 'artisan' and I believe this is where you can show your artistic/ creative side and make something wonderful.
If you went into your apprenticeship from 16 or so, there has been no break. I had a number of jobs from school age and did each for 2 or 3 years so I never got fed up.

 

[Stspark]

Up skill diversify and move into a niche area? BMS, PLC, compex, hv, inspections, commissioning, design. All of these stem from electrical skills.

 

[Ian1981]

I like the job but at the moment I've been stuck on new builds for 2 months!!
A slight step up from rewires in the realm of domestic and that's it.
I'm proper sick!

 

[Squid]

I was bored with IT and took a year out to just chill out and thought about going back in to the trade but all the miserables gits on here moaning have made me rethink my options, I think I'd rather work in an office 9 to 5 eyeing up the hot totty in heels, stockings and short skirts at £250 per day.

 

[The Ghost]

Office jobs...had my share. Office politics stink usually there is a lot of back stabbing, snitching and jealousy. The grass may look greener on the other side, but it isn't and never usually is. Unless you are very fortunate. The other thing is a sedantry job is no good for your health even in the short term. Sitting about all day is dire and your health will suffer. Think carefully and take stock, rather than a blind impulsive move as stated above there are many other avenues, just not "cushty office job" purlease!

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I have been in the electrical trade since I was an apprentice, 12 years now and had a colourful amount of experience in the electrical trade.

I started doing domestic work again and have all of a sudden come to a point where I am actually hating it.
Apart from changing sectors, I am stumped! Does anyone else get like this?

Feel like hanging up the pliers and heading for a cushty office job!!

I've been like it a while now,like you I've come to hate the job. But there's still too many commitments to take a risky chance doing something else. At the moment it's just paying the bills, that's all I get out of it.
Sad to say it really, been in the trade nearly 40 years.

 

[Leader]

I've been like it a while now,like you I've come to hate the job. But there's still too many commitments to take a risky chance doing something else. At the moment it's just paying the bills, that's all I get out of it.
Sad to say it really, been in the trade nearly 40 years.

That is a real shame, you work for so much of your life to hate it so much. And when you get to the end what is there really? It would be a waste to spend your time being unhappy. I get the stability aspect and it wasn't until I was made redundant some years ago and got a contract job for a year that I really saw the value in being happier in my job. I now put that higher than the salary on offer.

 

[marconi]

I wonder if you are suffering from boredom and need to learn and apply something new? There are a great deal of new developments for an electrician to become au fait with.

Some ideas for you:

a. The Smart home/office/factory - see How to become a smart home installer - IET Electrical - http://electrical.------.org/wiring-matters/65/smart-homes/index.cfm

b. Modular wiring systems - Modular Wiring Systems – What You Need to Know - https://www.tradeskills4u.co.uk/posts/modular-wiring-systems

c. Become knowledgeable and skilled in special locations - electrical.------.org/wiring-matters/30/protective.cfm?type=pdf

d. Off grid electrical systems. - Off Grid - http://www.energy-solutions.co.uk/off-grid

e. Power quality - Power Quality - ADF Power Tuning – Comsys - https://adfpowertuning.com/technology/power-quality.html

f. Building Services Engineering - CIBSE - What is Building Services? - http://www.cibse.org/building-services/what-s-so-special-about-building-services-engineer

g. Commissioning and Maintenance- eg: London Underground, CrossRail,

h. Special projects - eg: Proposed refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster. BDP wins Palace of Westminster restoration job - https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/bdp-wins-palace-of-westminster-restoration-job/10021717.article

 

[PEG]

I wonder if you are suffering from boredom and need to learn and apply something new? There are a great deal of new developments for an electrician to become au fait with.

Some ideas for you:

a. The Smart home/office/factory - see How to become a smart home installer - IET Electrical - http://electrical.------.org/wiring-matters/65/smart-homes/index.cfm

b. Modular wiring systems - Modular Wiring Systems – What You Need to Know - https://www.tradeskills4u.co.uk/posts/modular-wiring-systems

c. Become knowledgeable and skilled in special locations - electrical.------.org/wiring-matters/30/protective.cfm?type=pdf

d. Off grid electrical systems. - Off Grid - http://www.energy-solutions.co.uk/off-grid

e. Power quality - Power Quality - ADF Power Tuning – Comsys - https://adfpowertuning.com/technology/power-quality.html

f. Building Services Engineering - CIBSE - What is Building Services? - http://www.cibse.org/building-services/what-s-so-special-about-building-services-engineer

g. Commissioning and Maintenance- eg: London Underground, CrossRail,

h. Special projects - eg: Proposed refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster. BDP wins Palace of Westminster restoration job - https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/bdp-wins-palace-of-westminster-restoration-job/10021717.article

...Finally,a bit of optimism

...I had just managed to jubilee the pipe on my exhaust,when this saved me...

 

[Cadgey123]

Thanks for the replies,

I always take in everyone's points which is great.
I know the industry is struggling but I think I do fall under the boredom stage.
Maybe I need to look for a new target and to progress myself to that goal.

I done a PLC Automation course last year and maybe I should restart something like that to keep my head busy!

 

[sparksburnout]

and I believe this is where you can show your artistic/ creative side and make something wonderful.

Steady on son steady on.

 

[Des 56]

To begin with,I found electrical work to be fascinating,interesting and extremely well paid
On the second day the novelty wore off it became just what I happen to do,I still feel no different 50 years down the line,it pays the bills,there are far worse occupations than this

 

[uksrevivor]

Personally i couldnt think of anything worse than sitting on me arse all day at a desk in an office environment. Not for me but each to there own i suppose you wont get soaked to the bone from the rain freeze your nuts off in the cold or get covered in mud when walking across various sites. You might get the odd ink stain from your pen or maybe a bit of spilt coffee on your shirt but i much prefer the hard and sometimes crappy working day. The grass is not always greener on the other side have a look into another avenue as others have said within the electrical field. Look at courses at college to branch out. Sometimes learning something new and achieving the final goal is more rewarding than some people think.
You worked hard to become a qualified electrician and many have failed trying.
Stick with it m8

 

[static zap]

Office jobs........ Office politics stink usually there is a lot of back stabbing, snitching and jealousy...... The other thing is a sedantry job is no good for your health even in the short term.

These two ..are oh so true ! Cheers Vortigem .

 

[satori]

I was bored with IT and took a year out to just chill out and thought about going back in to the trade but all the miserables gits on here moaning have made me rethink my options, I think I'd rather work in an office 9 to 5 eyeing up the hot totty in heels, stockings and short skirts at £250 per day.

What sort of office job do you have the skills for that'll pay 250 a day?!

 

[Pete999]

What sort of office job do you have the skills for that'll pay 250 a day?!

Where do I apply for this fictitious office job that pays £250 per day?

 

[Squid]

What sort of office job do you have the skills for that'll pay 250 a day?!

25 years of experience, self taught, I was working on moves, migrations and rollouts so working on and office moves and setting up and rolling out new equipment to the users.

Worked on the JP Morgan move as well as the Seadrill move from Stavanger to Chiswick as well as Close Brothers move.

If you want the real money then be a Project Manager in the City as they are on starting day rate of about £650 or go into database management.

This is all Limited Co so you get to keep hold of your money and not like PAYE, why do you think I have been resting since July 2016?

Developer roles up to £850 per day so thats about £18k per month.

 

[Pete999]

I was working on moves, migrations and rollouts so working on and office moves and setting up and rolling out new equipment to the users.

Worked on the JP Morgan move as well as the Seadrill move from Stavanger to Chiswick as well as Close Brothers move.

If you want the real money then be a Project Manager in the City as they are on starting day rate of about £650 or go into database management.

This is all Limited Co so you get to keep hold of your money and not like PAYE, why do you think I have been resting since July 2016?

Developer roles up to £850 per day so thats about £18k per month.

View attachment 38189

Lots of pressure and stress then Mate

 

[Squid]

Where do I apply for this fictitious office job that pays £250 per day?

Lots of pressure and stress then Mate

Funnily enough no, I did the work someone else planned it, the guy on £650 per day took the stress (he was ex Rolls Royce), I came in at 09:00 took my one hour lunch break and went home at 17:00 best one was Chiswick as it took me 12 minutes to cycle home but I took a short lunch break left at 16:30 and as at home before 17:00 in the summer so cranked up the BBQ and had a few beers whilst everyone was still at work.

 

[Squid]

Trouble is sparking is like IT its a continuous learning curve and a money earner for the companies that push out certifications that you need to pass to keep on being relevant.

I got sick and tired of IT and the knob heads and ----ers in higher management and seeing as I had too much time off I may find it awkward to get back in.

In the time off I did work as a sort of PM a job to turn a property around.

From this,

 

[Squid]

To this,

 

[Pete999]

Funnily enough no, I did the work someone else planned it, the guy on £650 per day took the stress (he was ex Rolls Royce), I came in at 09:00 took my one hour lunch break and went home at 17:00 best one was Chiswick as it took me 12 minutes to cycle home but I took a short lunch break left at 16:30 and as at home before 17:00 in the summer so cranked up the BBQ and had a few beers whilst everyone was still at work.

 

[Squid]

And they gave me two top of the range laptops just a year old with 3 year cover from Dell did a deal with Dell as I had bought in a lot of stuff and changed the Norwegian keyboards over to UK for free the other half is still using hers, mine is in the wardrobe and only used when I need to log in to a network switch or use W10.