First job - light hearted reminder of the past.

[Squid]

Not sure if this is in the right section or has been covered before but you first job on your journey to becoming a Sparks.

Mine was when I was indentured with EIL turning up at Whitelys Department store in Queensway to start my apprenticeship I was on a laughable .89p per hour and working with an approved electrician called Ron who would always on the Wednesday blag a £1 me as he liked to bet on the dogs at the bookies.

As it was a department store it played rubbish music done by Telstar and we'd cut the cables as it was soul destroying.

The not so fun part was being tied up in the basement with my nuts covered in swarfega.

Your story?

 

[Squid]

There you go @Specialist - something to drip over whilst you eat your cornflakes! I'm sure @davesparks doesnt mind a 'biggup'!

The screw slots should follow the cable run, nice try but not good enough ;o)))))

 

[Rpa07]

The screw slots should follow the cable run, nice try but not good enough ;o)))))

You're on your own @SWD - been nice knowing you!

 

[Rpa07]

Not my first job but I remember this in my young idiot days. Was working on a night shoot in the outside tank on the top lot at Pinewood Studios connecting some DC motors used to operate wave machines to their faceplate starters. Was freezing cold and I was pulling the cables up to the motors across scaffold boards which were frozen over and straight in the drink I went, the freezing water took my breath and luckily one of the stunt men pulled me out, those were the days.

Now I recognise you from your avatar - Magnum PI (pyro installer)! Rescued. By a stuntman - I'll bet he did it spectacularly!

 

[Specialist]

@SWD: Yes that was the way they taught in college, but very few did it in the real world. I still like Dave's install.

 

[Rpa07]

@SWD: Yes that was the way they taught in college, but very few did it in the real world. I still like Dave's install.

Now where did I put that 'diplomatic' button?

 

[Specialist]

Now where did I put that 'diplomatic' button?

Diplomatic ?, Never understood the niceties of diplomacy or subtlety. You might as well be talking in a foreign language .

 

[Rpa07]

We expect nothing less of you @Specialist

 

[telectrix]

Diplomatic ?, Never understood the niceties of diplomacy or subtlety. You might as well be talking in a foreign language .

and i'm about as diplomatic as a rottweiler with a hangover. my idea of tact is something nailed. preferably a PC adherent.

 

[7029 dave]

At 15 years old as a Saturday boy/school holidays for a little family run Electrical shop/contractors in north London. 38 years ago, blimey time has passed me by.!

 

[Specialist]

and i'm about as diplomatic as a rottweiler with a hangover. my idea of tact is something nailed. preferably a PC adherent.

You'd get my vote for prime minister tel, I'd love to see the uproar some straight talking would cause in the House of Commons

 

[Rpa07]

35 years ago at 15 I was selling bananas at 38p a pound. Today's prices 38p a pound or the equivalent in kilo. So before anyone starts moaning - remember it could be worse, bananas could have gone up with inflation.
My second real job at 16 I was working in a electrical cable warehouse packing and sending 3183y and the like - funny that 34 years later I'm now stripping and fitting the stuff!

 

[Leesparkykent]

My 1st job was a block of flats on Folkestone harbour. I had to chase, box and cap every Flat....1st day I stepped off some ladders and put my foot in a tub of paint.....ended up having to cut the trousers I was wearing in to shorts as one leg was coated. Same block of flats my boss let me have a go wiring one of them....completed it and stood back admiring my work pleased as punch then realised I had done the whole flat ring in 3core and earth

 

[telectrix]

where i did my apprenticeship, just in last year, was tasked with renewing the brushgear on the factory genny. remember it well. 144 brushes in 12 banks of 12. after bedding them in with a comm stone, came out like al jolson.

 

[Specialist]

where i did my apprenticeship, just in last year, was tasked with renewing the brushgear on the factory genny. remember it well. 144 brushes in 12 banks of 12. after bedding them in with a comm stone, came out like al jolson.

But did you come out singing Mammy ?

Still have comm cleaning sticks in my service kit.

 

[telectrix]

after finishing the apprenticeship, they put me in the contracts office. trying to match the performance of gennys to lister diesels with unachievable efficiencies specced by lister, sat on my arse all day, 20 smokes per day,calculating, filling out graphs, 4 pints in the local at dinner time.not my scene. went elsewhere as fast as my feet could run.