From tools to office

[lwalton]

You may well guest from the heading that I am going from being on the tools to the office at the electrical contractors I have work for since I left school over 15 years ago. I have always thought this was what I was aiming for but after being in the office for a month shadowing my manager who is retiring in 3 weeks I am not sure it is. I like being on site teaching the apprentices who we take on and on big jobs building large electrical distribution systems which I enjoy fabricating. It just seems that there is not much job satisfaction organising the jobs and billing once complete or do I need to give it more time?. I am just after other peoples experiences and views as most people around me all have opinions but they are biased so I wanted a independent view. Thanks lee

[Pippin]

I think it's horses for courses. I'm like you, I like to be hands on and get job satisfaction from having done the job myself, rather than managing someone else. However, I'm sure there are others who would prefer to manage.

Jer

[Edin Dundee]

Treat it like a new job, and any new job takes 6 months or so to learn. Then you can say if you like it or not.

[xvivalve]

I know many folk who have been unhappy after 'promotion' who have since reverted to the tools. Try it for a bit longer, but ultimately you'll be happy where you 'belong'.

The only consideration with manual work is its fine when you are young, but ask yourself if you still want to be doing the same at 60? If that thought doesn't phase you...carry on. Its always worthwhile gathering experience of those positions both above and below your own, you never know when either might prove invaluable!

[Venger]

I've gone from an on the tools electrician to various manager/co-ordinator/trouble shooter jobs and back a few times and I get what you're saying totally.
Big thing with the office is losing the 'mateyness' for want of a better word, I liked being in a gang, grafting but having a laugh along the way. Office for a lot of tradesmen means less fun, less camaraderie and the biggest thing of all (for me at least) to get used to - being held responsible for someone's else's mess ups and having my success depend on other people.

I also missed the cool stuff - building up a control cabinet from scratch, the sense of achievement in having physical something to show at the end of a day etc.

But, the office can be good - I usually prefer it, though it's most definitely not for everyone and is most definitely not a promotion - regardless of the job title and possible pay rise. I tend to thrive there because my old brain seems to work in such a way that I can come up with achingly obvious (to me) ideas that seem to revolutionise the place for the better, but there's no guarantee were all the same.
I try to stay as an old fashioned 'right hand man' rather than top dog boss, that helps too. I've never liked being in overall charge, a few grand extra for a bucket load of hassle is not what I'd be after.

Go with your gut feeling, office is easier long term once you get used to it, the money is usually better too; but the sense of satisfaction isn't always quite there.
To be honest, on balance, I'd say stay on the tools to any skilled worker who's had a taste of both worlds and still isn't certain. Especially if you're going to be running the whole place as the main man.

[Toledo Man]

I've spent most of my working life in an office and I've always been able to deal with people on all levels. One place where I worked, I always had a laugh with the forklift drivers so there was no "us and them" or the "ivory tower" attitude. It is good to have a foot in both camps and the experience will stand you in good stead. I echo what others have said about giving it more time to learn the job.

[lwalton]

Thanks for all the replies, some food for thought! I did say to the owner of the company I would try it for six months when I was offered the post and I will stick to what I agreed. The money is marginally better and I get the use of a vehicle for personal use which Is nice. Until my manager retires fully I don't think I can make a fair assessment but somedays it does not seem worth the hassle. The only plus at the moment is that it looks good on a cv and the experience will be very useful if I decide to go out on my own. The only niggle that is in the back of my mind is that the owner of the company will retire himself in the next 3-4 years and both his sons do not seem interested in the firm and if I loose touch on the tools it will be hard to get a office based roll as opposed to being on the tools. Quite a worry when you price a job that you know you can do in a day and the engineer you send takes two

[trackerjack]

There is a lot to take account of here.
Nice working on the tools and what you describe is exactly what has happened to myself over the years.

Office and promotion give you privilage and status that has weight on the CV and many other advantages. I learnt quickly how to defend myself with emails and board room jibes like "I sent you an email, have you not read it yet?" is a classic. The bad bit is you start cutting others too.

The office is a shark pool and many are clawing their sad little way to the top

I am back on the tools and happy too but I only have less than 2 years to retirement.
I can work anywhere easily as there is a shortage of engineers and I have refused more pay in apparent better jobs only recently.

You have to do what suits you best.
I was the chief buyer for one of the biggest toolmaking companies for a while and found that it was taking more from me than I wanted to give, however it had many good points too.

[MIG Wielder]

..... and parking your Dolomite in the company car-park every day was an immediate talking point at all levels. Except at pay-rise time.
But getting bits made up was never a problem.

[trackerjack]

..... and parking your Dolomite in the company car-park every day was an immediate talking point at all levels. Except at pay-rise time.
But getting bits made up was never a problem.

That was one of the funny bits.
My usual work car at the time was a fairly new Vectra, however sometimes I would arrive in the Sprint and Some of my fellows would be in the race of new car better car type and chastise me for using the Sprint, but on several occasions customers would ask about the nice Sprint.....................our customers were Ford Jaguar and Porsche just to name a few

Only dead fish go with the flow dont ya know