Michael G
1st Aug 2017, 10:14 AM
I always like it when I see someone help out someone else, smxas gesture to Michael G is an example.
I appreciate it too. I'm already looking at Spiro's issues and should be able to get a positive result for him.
Have you thought Michael G of contacting a few Engineering Shops that are local to you with the view of doing sub-contract to them on the fiddly or time consuming jobs...This could hold you over till you find a job again or be the start of your own business.
Several people have suggested doing something like this, Kryn being another member here on the forum suggesting it as well. I was self employed for a few years back in the early 2000's and struggled because although I could do the work, convincing others holding the purse strings was another matter. Adelaide is going through some turmoil at the moment with regards to employment - the much heralded high profile defence projects are yet to kick in (and may not for a couple of years) and in the mean time a lot of automotive is shutting down. All the businesses I talk to are telling me that times are tight and although some are hiring there are probably around 4 times the applicants that there would have been say 5 years back. Even contract work is difficult to scratch up. I know a few people in small engineering shops and they tell me the same thing with regards to these smaller jobs - they are around but they are few and far between. While some would point to the standard of work I post on the forum as being of high quality or of an innovative nature, the sad reality is that not many places are prepared to pay for that, especially when they have in-house people who are meant to be able to do the same thing.
Not being a qualified tradesperson and working out of my shed I have to be careful too - I don't want to upset the neighbours or aggravate council by conducting an intrusive business from home. I don't have CNC or the training that you would receive in a trade so I'm probably doing things 'the long way'. While there are some things that are quicker/ easier on manual equipment there are not many of those out there. I have done a few small jobs for people and some 'interesting' repairs but not anything that could provide a sustainable (full time) income.
I would like to thank members for their support though, both publicly on the forum and privately (email, PM and in person). It does help. I've been retrenched 5 or 6 times now, never with large payouts and patchy super so retiring is not an option for me. Being over 50 I'm starting to run into barriers with age 'too much experience' as well. The biggest issue I have at the moment is how long I try to pursue a 'career' in engineering vs getting a job at somewhere like Bunnings (or (shudder..) a franchise). It's not an easy call to make as if you ignore the engineering skills I have, in employment terms I'm just another unskilled over 50's worker - even if I do have dazzling wit, a sparkling personality and good problem solving skills:U.
Michael
I appreciate it too. I'm already looking at Spiro's issues and should be able to get a positive result for him.
Have you thought Michael G of contacting a few Engineering Shops that are local to you with the view of doing sub-contract to them on the fiddly or time consuming jobs...This could hold you over till you find a job again or be the start of your own business.
Several people have suggested doing something like this, Kryn being another member here on the forum suggesting it as well. I was self employed for a few years back in the early 2000's and struggled because although I could do the work, convincing others holding the purse strings was another matter. Adelaide is going through some turmoil at the moment with regards to employment - the much heralded high profile defence projects are yet to kick in (and may not for a couple of years) and in the mean time a lot of automotive is shutting down. All the businesses I talk to are telling me that times are tight and although some are hiring there are probably around 4 times the applicants that there would have been say 5 years back. Even contract work is difficult to scratch up. I know a few people in small engineering shops and they tell me the same thing with regards to these smaller jobs - they are around but they are few and far between. While some would point to the standard of work I post on the forum as being of high quality or of an innovative nature, the sad reality is that not many places are prepared to pay for that, especially when they have in-house people who are meant to be able to do the same thing.
Not being a qualified tradesperson and working out of my shed I have to be careful too - I don't want to upset the neighbours or aggravate council by conducting an intrusive business from home. I don't have CNC or the training that you would receive in a trade so I'm probably doing things 'the long way'. While there are some things that are quicker/ easier on manual equipment there are not many of those out there. I have done a few small jobs for people and some 'interesting' repairs but not anything that could provide a sustainable (full time) income.
I would like to thank members for their support though, both publicly on the forum and privately (email, PM and in person). It does help. I've been retrenched 5 or 6 times now, never with large payouts and patchy super so retiring is not an option for me. Being over 50 I'm starting to run into barriers with age 'too much experience' as well. The biggest issue I have at the moment is how long I try to pursue a 'career' in engineering vs getting a job at somewhere like Bunnings (or (shudder..) a franchise). It's not an easy call to make as if you ignore the engineering skills I have, in employment terms I'm just another unskilled over 50's worker - even if I do have dazzling wit, a sparkling personality and good problem solving skills:U.
Michael