Discussion
I have been randomly looking on the job pages in my area and a type of job keeps coming up over and over.
Some kind of AC engineers for buildings, I suppose it makes sense with all the big buildings using it.
Money seems ok to me, probably not so for the goatied director types we get around here I suppose!
Anyone do it? Is is rubbish hence the big demand? Is it really hard to get into?
Basically, anyone got any information?
Some kind of AC engineers for buildings, I suppose it makes sense with all the big buildings using it.
Money seems ok to me, probably not so for the goatied director types we get around here I suppose!
Anyone do it? Is is rubbish hence the big demand? Is it really hard to get into?
Basically, anyone got any information?
Using the word 'engineer' is enough to start a fight on here but anyway.
It's a trade that used to be set apart from plumbers, sparkies etc and more properly would be Refrigeration Technician. Smaller systems (like you might find as a one off unit in a shop or similar) have become some reliable that the servicing can be completed by a semi skilled person with a few days regulatory training and that has smacked the arse out of the rates and T&Cs. Larger systems such as those in big offices, shopping malls etc are still a specialised task and realistically require several years experience before you could be considered competent. Most people either start as a trainee out of school or convert from another discipline within Building Services. Not sure of your age but there is no reason why you couldn't be an adult trainee but you would have to accept a few years on poor salary.
Rates now, salary no O/T etc London 35K plus, everywhere else 28K plus.
I think the best days are gone but I did enjoy it and never had a day out of work in 15 years
It's a trade that used to be set apart from plumbers, sparkies etc and more properly would be Refrigeration Technician. Smaller systems (like you might find as a one off unit in a shop or similar) have become some reliable that the servicing can be completed by a semi skilled person with a few days regulatory training and that has smacked the arse out of the rates and T&Cs. Larger systems such as those in big offices, shopping malls etc are still a specialised task and realistically require several years experience before you could be considered competent. Most people either start as a trainee out of school or convert from another discipline within Building Services. Not sure of your age but there is no reason why you couldn't be an adult trainee but you would have to accept a few years on poor salary.
Rates now, salary no O/T etc London 35K plus, everywhere else 28K plus.
I think the best days are gone but I did enjoy it and never had a day out of work in 15 years
Thank you for the reply
Yes, I realise that engineer is used a lot! But that is how its been advertised, so I went with it.
I am 30, coming from IT. Sadly a lot of IT it seems is where possible is being outsourced or removed, so I am not seeing the same scope as previously available.
I'm in Birmingham so the 28k is more likely and comparable to what I earn now. I am concerned by the best days behind it thing though.
Yes, I realise that engineer is used a lot! But that is how its been advertised, so I went with it.
I am 30, coming from IT. Sadly a lot of IT it seems is where possible is being outsourced or removed, so I am not seeing the same scope as previously available.
I'm in Birmingham so the 28k is more likely and comparable to what I earn now. I am concerned by the best days behind it thing though.
DervVW said:
Thank you for the reply
Yes, I realise that engineer is used a lot! But that is how its been advertised, so I went with it.
I am 30, coming from IT. Sadly a lot of IT it seems is where possible is being outsourced or removed, so I am not seeing the same scope as previously available.
I'm in Birmingham so the 28k is more likely and comparable to what I earn now. I am concerned by the best days behind it thing though.
Best days behind it !!! Yes, I realise that engineer is used a lot! But that is how its been advertised, so I went with it.
I am 30, coming from IT. Sadly a lot of IT it seems is where possible is being outsourced or removed, so I am not seeing the same scope as previously available.
I'm in Birmingham so the 28k is more likely and comparable to what I earn now. I am concerned by the best days behind it thing though.
one of the funniest things I have read on here and that's saying something.Mate,I've been a fridge man for almost 25 years now and I earn substantially more than 28/35k. I was earning that 15 years ago!
It's a good trade for them young 'uns ,think about it
What do you eat,drink,live or shop in that isn't either refrigerated or air conditioned nowadays ??
Pm me if you need anymore info. I run a ref/AC firm nowadays and business is good. Sorry ph;)
squeezebm said:
Best days behind it !!! one of the funniest things I have read on here and that's saying something.
Mate,I've been a fridge man for almost 25 years now and I earn substantially more than 28/35k. I was earning that 15 years ago!
It's a good trade for them young 'uns ,think about it
What do you eat,drink,live or shop in that isn't either refrigerated or air conditioned nowadays ??
Pm me if you need anymore info. I run a ref/AC firm nowadays and business is good. Sorry ph;)
lol good post made me chuckle one of the funniest things I have read on here and that's saying something.Mate,I've been a fridge man for almost 25 years now and I earn substantially more than 28/35k. I was earning that 15 years ago!
It's a good trade for them young 'uns ,think about it
What do you eat,drink,live or shop in that isn't either refrigerated or air conditioned nowadays ??
Pm me if you need anymore info. I run a ref/AC firm nowadays and business is good. Sorry ph;)
squeezebm said:
Best days behind it !!! one of the funniest things I have read on here and that's saying something.
Mate,I've been a fridge man for almost 25 years now and I earn substantially more than 28/35k. I was earning that 15 years ago!
It's a good trade for them young 'uns ,think about it
What do you eat,drink,live or shop in that isn't either refrigerated or air conditioned nowadays ??
Pm me if you need anymore info. I run a ref/AC firm nowadays and business is good. Sorry ph;)
Glad I made you laugh one of the funniest things I have read on here and that's saying something.Mate,I've been a fridge man for almost 25 years now and I earn substantially more than 28/35k. I was earning that 15 years ago!
It's a good trade for them young 'uns ,think about it
What do you eat,drink,live or shop in that isn't either refrigerated or air conditioned nowadays ??
Pm me if you need anymore info. I run a ref/AC firm nowadays and business is good. Sorry ph;)
You have misinterpreted me somewhat though
Best days are gone? As an employed engineer (where the OP would start) yes. Pre tracker, pre PDA, pre large companies 'multi-skilling' (
) everyone, it was a much more enjoyable role than it is in most employers now. With your 25 years in the trade, you must have started around the same time as me and can remember when the man in a van had a good deal of trust from his employer, sadly disappearing that one.The industry itself is in good shape in term of workload, especially with regulatory changes and phase outs
I'm sure you did earn more than 28k 15 years ago. I'm also sure you know the difference between salary (the figures I suggested) and total earnings.
Whilst I'm long off the tools now, I'd recommend it to anyone. Was seriously thinking of going back to it for a couple of years (to the level of writing a business plan for a potential partner)then striking out on my own but something else came up.
Edited by mfmman on Thursday 30th May 17:23
mfmman said:
Glad I made you laugh
You have misinterpreted me somewhat though
Best days are gone? As an employed engineer (where the OP would start) yes. Pre tracker, pre PDA, pre large companies 'multi-skilling' () everyone, it was a much more enjoyable role than it is in most employers now. With your 25 years in the trade, you must have started around the same time as me and can remember when the man in a van had a good deal of trust from his employer, sadly disappearing that one.
The industry itself is in good shape in term of workload, especially with regulatory changes and phase outs
I'm sure you did earn more than 28k 15 years ago. I'm also sure you know the difference between salary (the figures I suggested) and total earnings.
Whilst I'm long off the tools now, I'd recommend it to anyone. Was seriously thinking of going back to it for a couple of years (to the level of writing a business plan for a potential partner)then striking out on my own but something else came up.
Maybe I'm just old fashioned,but you trust your lads and as long as they don't take the mickey and they work with you rather than against you then all is good. I know what you mean tho' with the multi nationals looking at cashing in. It doesn't work out in the end.....but bless them for trying. I know of a rather large and established lift company that tried this by the name of Pickerings a few years ago........lasted less than a year at it You have misinterpreted me somewhat though
Best days are gone? As an employed engineer (where the OP would start) yes. Pre tracker, pre PDA, pre large companies 'multi-skilling' (
) everyone, it was a much more enjoyable role than it is in most employers now. With your 25 years in the trade, you must have started around the same time as me and can remember when the man in a van had a good deal of trust from his employer, sadly disappearing that one.The industry itself is in good shape in term of workload, especially with regulatory changes and phase outs
I'm sure you did earn more than 28k 15 years ago. I'm also sure you know the difference between salary (the figures I suggested) and total earnings.
Whilst I'm long off the tools now, I'd recommend it to anyone. Was seriously thinking of going back to it for a couple of years (to the level of writing a business plan for a potential partner)then striking out on my own but something else came up.
Edited by mfmman on Thursday 30th May 17:23
Another example of which there are many......public sector customer,a good customer after 8 years with me goes down the national route to end up calling us back in to sort out an a/c fault which had cost them a whole stack of cash.......a loose neutral to an indoor unit,oh how we laughed.......and then invoiced!!
The trade is doing well,take the food sector when will it ever stop growing?? All needs refrigeration.
Still take my holidays in the winter, always have done and its just habit. Only difference is now its the Maldives and not Mallorca
I did three years at college,one day a week and one evening and ended up as a qualified spark and qualified fridge man.
Also had to work every Saturday for free to make my time up.......can you imagine that happening now!!
Ultimate goal was always to work for myself,learn the trade and learn it well......including the long hrs,3am call outs and 18hr days. You can never stop learning in the fridge game you just get more knowledgable which is always good.
And it is always a pleasure laughing at the 6 week fridge men
Just re-read this and realise I am old.......
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