Hi all, just posting a quick hello after finding the place while looking up an unknown error code for a Fluke MFT on my 'smart' phone, so big thumbs up to you all as you enabled me to complete some testing work without the need for a return trip! To be perfectly honest I was surprised a place like this would even exist, so just signing on to say thanks for the above and to get to know the knowledge I may not be too savvy on.
Anyways about me - I'm Ben, 28 years old, live just outside Newark in the East Mids with my partner and 2 year old lad, and have been sparking since the middle of 2005. Currently work for the contracting arm of one of the 'Big 6' Energy companies doing electrical and mechanical maintenance under contract to East Midlands Trains.
Never had intentions of sparking, I did in fact go to Uni, qualified in Biochemistry in 2005 and went straight into a job working for a family friends' facilities maintenance firm. Started as a handyman, got placed with a spark on a long term contract for a big client, who asked if they could put me through some basic electrical training (C&G 2330 L2) to cover their arses as I was going in subs etc. After being told that 2330 L2 actually qualified me to do very little, I asked my boss to send me on 2330 L3 to finish which he did, much to my surprise. As I was completing L3 the contract I was on was didn't get re-awarded so I was on dodgy ground for a while, but thankfully being still on mate money but being fully qualified saved me from the axe when it started falling.
Thankfully I ended up working as a spark on the maintenance contract for a railway company my boss had, and when he eventually lost that as well, I was fortunate enough to have accrued enough working time to be eligible to be TUPE'd over to the company that won the new contract, who are my current employers.
Although I never realised my Biochemical ambitions of curing Alzheimers' - which arguably would make me a richer person than I am presently - I do actually have a job where I am by and large my own boss, the pay is good and my boss is a decent bloke. Also as this lot are H&S mad they don't hesitate to put you on a course so your can "operate this, build that" which although is a pain in the arse at times, but being qualified to plenty works in my favour.... especially when I haven't had to pay for it! But can't help thinking I could be serving some greater purpose either with this company, someone else, or for myself! But in these current times I'm grateful to have it as good as I do presently, so until things pick up I guess I shall be treading water and keeping my nose clean where I am!
I have had a dabble in self-employment, when my old boss started losing contracts got put onto a 4-day week, I was fortunate enough to be able to find enough work to make the hours up myself and actually was better of for it, I think I was the only spark who did a forehead slap when the gaffer said "Great news lads, you're all back on a 5-day week!"
Anyway, I'm going on, as I often tend to, so I'll leave it there. Look forward to getting to know you's all better!
Ben
Anyways about me - I'm Ben, 28 years old, live just outside Newark in the East Mids with my partner and 2 year old lad, and have been sparking since the middle of 2005. Currently work for the contracting arm of one of the 'Big 6' Energy companies doing electrical and mechanical maintenance under contract to East Midlands Trains.
Never had intentions of sparking, I did in fact go to Uni, qualified in Biochemistry in 2005 and went straight into a job working for a family friends' facilities maintenance firm. Started as a handyman, got placed with a spark on a long term contract for a big client, who asked if they could put me through some basic electrical training (C&G 2330 L2) to cover their arses as I was going in subs etc. After being told that 2330 L2 actually qualified me to do very little, I asked my boss to send me on 2330 L3 to finish which he did, much to my surprise. As I was completing L3 the contract I was on was didn't get re-awarded so I was on dodgy ground for a while, but thankfully being still on mate money but being fully qualified saved me from the axe when it started falling.
Thankfully I ended up working as a spark on the maintenance contract for a railway company my boss had, and when he eventually lost that as well, I was fortunate enough to have accrued enough working time to be eligible to be TUPE'd over to the company that won the new contract, who are my current employers.
Although I never realised my Biochemical ambitions of curing Alzheimers' - which arguably would make me a richer person than I am presently - I do actually have a job where I am by and large my own boss, the pay is good and my boss is a decent bloke. Also as this lot are H&S mad they don't hesitate to put you on a course so your can "operate this, build that" which although is a pain in the arse at times, but being qualified to plenty works in my favour.... especially when I haven't had to pay for it! But can't help thinking I could be serving some greater purpose either with this company, someone else, or for myself! But in these current times I'm grateful to have it as good as I do presently, so until things pick up I guess I shall be treading water and keeping my nose clean where I am!
I have had a dabble in self-employment, when my old boss started losing contracts got put onto a 4-day week, I was fortunate enough to be able to find enough work to make the hours up myself and actually was better of for it, I think I was the only spark who did a forehead slap when the gaffer said "Great news lads, you're all back on a 5-day week!"
Anyway, I'm going on, as I often tend to, so I'll leave it there. Look forward to getting to know you's all better!
Ben
