Our boys!

[muzza1]

Hello all, how are you?
Having been in this game quite a while now i often get to thinking!
Would any of you actively encourage your Sons/ Daughters to follow in your footsteps?
I have four Sons, (2 still at school) The older two are working with local building firms (they haven't the patience for this game. I've probably put them off it by coming home late, covered in crap etc!
I'm glad i learnt a trade but for the last few years it has been tough sometimes (getting paid, running your own business etc)
Just wondered what everyone else's views on this are, cheers...
.

 

[Spoon]

I'm an electrical design engineer. I wouldn't mind if my son or daughter doing what I do.

 

[muzza1]

I wouldn't mind if any of my offspring went into electrical design. I was thinking more about the day to day contracting side of things (time spent in lofts, under floors and searching for stuff in the back of the van!)
For me, some days are great then on others can be the total opposite. Suppose u get that in most jobs...

 

[Darkwood]

The domestic is saturated, low wages and low skilled undercutting the long course trained, if you are looking for a solid future for your offspring then get them into Electrical Engineering namely repair and maintenance, there is a 20 000 shortage as the old set retire and no-one to take over, but it may be over a decade to get the hang of it before flying solo if they are determined but it is a very hard learning curve and a lot of personal time has to be input at your own cost.

 

[telectrix]

it's the way forward. industrial installation & maintenance. sod this domestic shyte competing with Electrical Trainee's and plumbers that can connect 3 wires without being killed.

 

[muzza1]

Been mostly doing domestic, i'd say approx only 25% of what i've done over the years is away from domestic work.
I always remembered about 15 years ago doing lots of industrial and control/ panel wiring at the old Kodak factory somewhere in west london. Really enjoyed it but slipped back into domestic!
Interesting you chaps recommending industrial repair/ maintainance, (The teritory of a proper spark!)
Agree about the 10 year learning curve, similar time to train as a Doctor!

 

[drzsta]

The domestic is saturated, low wages and low skilled undercutting the long course trained, if you are looking for a solid future for your offspring then get them into Electrical Engineering namely repair and maintenance, there is a 20 000 shortage as the old set retire and no-one to take over, but it may be over a decade to get the hang of it before flying solo if they are determined but it is a very hard learning curve and a lot of personal time has to be input at your own cost.

I moved into industrial maintenance last year and its almost a different world to contracting. The pressure is intense when production is stopped but its also really satisfying when you get it back up and running. At 24 I've got so much to learn but I'm thankful that the firm took a chance and brought me on, rarity these days. I'll never touch domestic again unless I get my own house.

 

[Lagentium]

I fell into being an electrician after making a mess of everything as a lad, not getting my violin out but it was rough! I think the key is to encourage your kids to do whatever they want, it's our jobs to arm them with the knowledge of what's a decent job and what isn't!!

 

[sparksburnout]

Been mostly doing domestic, i'd say approx only 25% of what i've done over the years is away from domestic work.
I always remembered about 15 years ago doing lots of industrial and control/ panel wiring at the old Kodak factory somewhere in west london. Really enjoyed it but slipped back into domestic!
Interesting you chaps recommending industrial repair/ maintainance, (The teritory of a proper spark!)
Agree about the 10 year learning curve, similar time to train as a Doctor!

Don't talk ----.

 

[ipf]

The domestic is saturated, low wages and low skilled undercutting the long course trained, if you are looking for a solid future for your offspring then get them into Electrical Engineering namely repair and maintenance, there is a 20 000 shortage as the old set retire and no-one to take over, but it may be over a decade to get the hang of it before flying solo if they are determined but it is a very hard learning curve and a lot of personal time has to be input at your own cost.

Certainly true, as we all should know. Further problems are occurring, though, resulting in an overspill of the under qualified into the commercial and industrial spheres, way above their station. Put a low price in to get the work, it seems.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Agreed. A lot of big commercial jobs have a few proper sparks and most of the labour being made up with mates.

 

[muzza1]

Wow, you seem a bit peed.
It's only a general chat about 10 years on the job, how long is a Doctors training?

 

[sparksburnout]

Wow, you seem a bit peed.
It's only a general chat about 10 years on the job, how long is a Doctors training?

Are you seriously saying that an electrician, of any description, is on a par with a Doctor???

 

[muzza1]

No, just the fact that after 10 years good training you're going to know your stuff.

 

[ipf]

Agreed. A lot of big commercial jobs have a few proper sparks and most of the labour being made up with mates.

It's the smaller jobs that worry me mostly, though. One man bands with a pal doing work in factories. Alterations to general installations and throwing crap in to supply machinery.
Seen one in a works today where three sockets have been installed in a vehicle body shop. SWA strung up to high level sockets fitted to steelwork. No sign of rcd protection and one d socket facing DOWN fitted to the underside of a steel cross spar.