Seeking Career Advice
Discussion
Hi All,
First of all a bit of background on myself. I joined the RAF at 17 as a mechanical aircraft technician, spent 6 years in working on Hercules and Tornado. I left due to family commitments, took a contract job working on Hercules after this for a few months.
Then I moved to my current employer, we overhaul and repair industrial gas turbine engines, after a couple of years moved up a grade. This is like a senior technician role with some supervisory and training aspects to it.
A contract came up with terms that I couldn't really refuse, it would allow my wife and I the opportunity to get on the property ladder and set us up. So I discussed this with my current employer, we parted on good terms. This job was back on the aero side, I enjoyed this despite working with some difficult characters, the job went well and I did learn alot. I was offered a permanent role with the company, however I didn't want to move my family to a different part of the country.
After 14 month I returned to my role with the industrial gas turbine company. I've been back there just over a year now.
My question now is what do I do next?
There is little hope for promotion from my current position, the two chargehands above have been at the company their whole lives. They are both around 40 years old and lack any ambition to progress further up the ladder, they are also highly unlikely to leave. In theory I would be waiting 25 years minimum for the position to open up.
I've found myself in a bit of a niche role for the southwest of England with very few similar companies around. My skills would transfer well to other areas, however this would likely lead to a reduction in pay (I'm not paid massively well anyway). With a young family this might be an issue.
My thoughts were to possibly gain some management qualifications and skip a step on the promotion ladder. I would be interested to hear any other views on this situation and hopefully some opinions from others that have found themselves in a similar position.
Cheers
First of all a bit of background on myself. I joined the RAF at 17 as a mechanical aircraft technician, spent 6 years in working on Hercules and Tornado. I left due to family commitments, took a contract job working on Hercules after this for a few months.
Then I moved to my current employer, we overhaul and repair industrial gas turbine engines, after a couple of years moved up a grade. This is like a senior technician role with some supervisory and training aspects to it.
A contract came up with terms that I couldn't really refuse, it would allow my wife and I the opportunity to get on the property ladder and set us up. So I discussed this with my current employer, we parted on good terms. This job was back on the aero side, I enjoyed this despite working with some difficult characters, the job went well and I did learn alot. I was offered a permanent role with the company, however I didn't want to move my family to a different part of the country.
After 14 month I returned to my role with the industrial gas turbine company. I've been back there just over a year now.
My question now is what do I do next?
There is little hope for promotion from my current position, the two chargehands above have been at the company their whole lives. They are both around 40 years old and lack any ambition to progress further up the ladder, they are also highly unlikely to leave. In theory I would be waiting 25 years minimum for the position to open up.
I've found myself in a bit of a niche role for the southwest of England with very few similar companies around. My skills would transfer well to other areas, however this would likely lead to a reduction in pay (I'm not paid massively well anyway). With a young family this might be an issue.
My thoughts were to possibly gain some management qualifications and skip a step on the promotion ladder. I would be interested to hear any other views on this situation and hopefully some opinions from others that have found themselves in a similar position.
Cheers
I can't speak from experience of your industry but I think you need to sit down and work out a realistic plan.
You are currently employed in a niche role with promotion prospects limited by those above you.
Even if you re-skill to an extent it is unlikely you will be able to leapfrog your line managers - does such a new role exist, is there a need and what will your employer do about replacing you?
I'd say it seems unrealistic to expect to improve your lot in this current role - when you have worked out some other options it might be worthwhile speaking to somebody senior in the organisation to let them know how you feel - no harm in trying as long as you have a back up plan.
Only you can weigh up whether it is better to make a sideways move to another local company (seems unlikely from what you have said) or whether you have to seek work further away. You could work away during the week for any probationary period and then move the family to a new location if it works out. I know you've tried that once before but this, realstically, is what everyone else has to do to progress their careers.
You are currently employed in a niche role with promotion prospects limited by those above you.
Even if you re-skill to an extent it is unlikely you will be able to leapfrog your line managers - does such a new role exist, is there a need and what will your employer do about replacing you?
I'd say it seems unrealistic to expect to improve your lot in this current role - when you have worked out some other options it might be worthwhile speaking to somebody senior in the organisation to let them know how you feel - no harm in trying as long as you have a back up plan.
Only you can weigh up whether it is better to make a sideways move to another local company (seems unlikely from what you have said) or whether you have to seek work further away. You could work away during the week for any probationary period and then move the family to a new location if it works out. I know you've tried that once before but this, realstically, is what everyone else has to do to progress their careers.
I don’t know the industry very well but thought the south west was the leader for what you’re describing, with Rolls Royce, Airbus & BAE all around the corner from each other in Bristol?
I’d start with a chat with the boss of ‘where do you see me in X years’, if they’ve been good with you leaving/taking you back in the past you’re clearly of value to the company. There may be things they’re considering that you don’t even know of yet.
I’d start with a chat with the boss of ‘where do you see me in X years’, if they’ve been good with you leaving/taking you back in the past you’re clearly of value to the company. There may be things they’re considering that you don’t even know of yet.
You could do any mechanical engineering job really, I work as a fitter the water industry and we have people from all backgrounds, ex steel workers, coal workers, Diesel engine mechanics.
I don’t think every mechanical engineer / fitter job will expect years of relevant experience.
Maybe move into a larger organisation as there seems to be more scope for internal progression / side movements once you are in?
I don’t think every mechanical engineer / fitter job will expect years of relevant experience.
Maybe move into a larger organisation as there seems to be more scope for internal progression / side movements once you are in?
Gooose said:
You could do any mechanical engineering job really, I work as a fitter the water industry and we have people from all backgrounds, ex steel workers, coal workers, Diesel engine mechanics.
I don’t think every mechanical engineer / fitter job will expect years of relevant experience.
Maybe move into a larger organisation as there seems to be more scope for internal progression / side movements once you are in?
I think this could be the way I'll go. I don’t think every mechanical engineer / fitter job will expect years of relevant experience.
Maybe move into a larger organisation as there seems to be more scope for internal progression / side movements once you are in?
rog007 said:
Might also be worth separating promotion by role and promotion by salary. If you’re skills are in short supply, you should be able to negotiate a pay rise without necessarily a position rise.
Unfortunately the company I work for insist on rigid levels of pay for the shop floor workers. In theory this keeps everyone happy, however there are vast differences in our knowledge base and skill sets.As the pay at this company is reasonably poor for the role they struggle to attract the right people. Over the years this has led to a workforce lacking experience in areas, this also leads to more pressure on people like myself carrying these individuals.
For example they have hired a restaurant manager, a storeman and numerous electricians all into technical mechanical roles. This has obviously had the expected results and our rework rate is through the roof. Keeps me in overtime I suppose.
All of this makes it more frustrating for the guys that are qualified that the company insists on hiring these people and paying them the same rate as experienced individuals.
Couple of options
Discuss with your boss what other options there are
Give some thought yourslef to what role you might do in teh company that woudl add value ( write your job spec) and then propose it . Worst he can say is no
Ask for some extra responsibility / or extra projects or sideways move - so that your skils become broader , and you look like a good bet for a bigger role of something come s up
Option 2 - get used to it . if you don't want to or can't think of anything else to do and you don't want to or can't move companies or locations - then this is it . Not such a bad thing - we all reach a ceiling at some stage , amybe find some more satisfaction outsdide work
Options 3 - do some extra study, then move ( lots of people in my field do an MBA , then use the Business school contacts to find them a bigger better job)
Option 4 - start your own company - maybe consulting , or sign up to alrger consulting company . This usually involves better pay but more travel and nights away
Option 5 - explore teaching / lecturing / speaking either locally or at one of the bigger schools. You can start this part time and see fi it suits , and there is work in UAE with the right skills ( I did this , it was fun , but not very lucrative fro me )
Option 6 - consider a short contract in UAE - my friend did this for 3 years, and never came back , and now has 2 propertise in th e Uk virtually paid for
Discuss with your boss what other options there are
Give some thought yourslef to what role you might do in teh company that woudl add value ( write your job spec) and then propose it . Worst he can say is no
Ask for some extra responsibility / or extra projects or sideways move - so that your skils become broader , and you look like a good bet for a bigger role of something come s up
Option 2 - get used to it . if you don't want to or can't think of anything else to do and you don't want to or can't move companies or locations - then this is it . Not such a bad thing - we all reach a ceiling at some stage , amybe find some more satisfaction outsdide work
Options 3 - do some extra study, then move ( lots of people in my field do an MBA , then use the Business school contacts to find them a bigger better job)
Option 4 - start your own company - maybe consulting , or sign up to alrger consulting company . This usually involves better pay but more travel and nights away
Option 5 - explore teaching / lecturing / speaking either locally or at one of the bigger schools. You can start this part time and see fi it suits , and there is work in UAE with the right skills ( I did this , it was fun , but not very lucrative fro me )
Option 6 - consider a short contract in UAE - my friend did this for 3 years, and never came back , and now has 2 propertise in th e Uk virtually paid for
Thanks everyone for the advice given. I have had a chat with my current employers, it's a no go for progression within my current role, they are trying to cut staffing costs.
I've found a possible lead within the rail industry, however it would require shift work and nights. However it would be a foot in the door of a different industry. So definitely something to consider.
I've found a possible lead within the rail industry, however it would require shift work and nights. However it would be a foot in the door of a different industry. So definitely something to consider.
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