Discussion
A little bit of a back story from my working life. Graduated Uni in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science. Work for 10 years as a Software Developer. I then change careers after being made redundant. I’ve done an Electrical course up to Level 3 and then decided to gain experience tried Fire and Security. Done my apprenticeship 4 years. Changed companies last year. I’ve been at my new place for 9 months now.
It’s better money, long hours, on call and travelling up and now North West England. No training, and the teams take it or leave it. I’m just not really enjoying it. I suspect changing company won’t fix it.
I’ve had a passion for a while in Car Detailing. I’ve been working on developing some of my own products too with an Automotive Chemist. I also enjoy buying and building LEGO sets. I’ve a fair few cars.
I’m just after some advice.
It’s better money, long hours, on call and travelling up and now North West England. No training, and the teams take it or leave it. I’m just not really enjoying it. I suspect changing company won’t fix it.
I’ve had a passion for a while in Car Detailing. I’ve been working on developing some of my own products too with an Automotive Chemist. I also enjoy buying and building LEGO sets. I’ve a fair few cars.
I’m just after some advice.
I enjoy detailing/cleaning my car.
But I can feel it after 6 hours of cleaning and that sates the appetite for a while. Made me realise I'd struggle with it doing it everyday. There's also a lot competition out there. Not intentionally putting a downer on it just thinking of some of the realities. If you can get to a point where you've got a reputation and nice premises to work from and maybe a bit of help I can imagine it's a pretty good job.
But I can feel it after 6 hours of cleaning and that sates the appetite for a while. Made me realise I'd struggle with it doing it everyday. There's also a lot competition out there. Not intentionally putting a downer on it just thinking of some of the realities. If you can get to a point where you've got a reputation and nice premises to work from and maybe a bit of help I can imagine it's a pretty good job.
I’m also in fire and security, you just need to find a company with better terms
I’m at a national with 3 letters in the name, I was on the install side
I used home at 8:30 everyday and I’m back by 5 at the latest, car, all tools etc, moved onto design now and don’t like being at home all the time so going back on the tools
When I was on the tools I was earning 45-50k a year with very little overtime
I’ve been at small companies where you work your balls off for no gain but here is different, I feel it’s a good future proof job and there’s loads of scope into other stuff,
I’m at a national with 3 letters in the name, I was on the install side
I used home at 8:30 everyday and I’m back by 5 at the latest, car, all tools etc, moved onto design now and don’t like being at home all the time so going back on the tools
When I was on the tools I was earning 45-50k a year with very little overtime
I’ve been at small companies where you work your balls off for no gain but here is different, I feel it’s a good future proof job and there’s loads of scope into other stuff,
Edited by Quattr04. on Monday 3rd March 21:08
Quattr04. said:
I’m also in fire and security, you just need to find a company with better terms
I’m at a national with 3 letters in the name, I’m on the install side
I leave home at 8:30 everyday and I’m back by 5 at the latest
I’ve been at small companies where you work your balls off for no gain but here is different
Anything available job wise? I’m at a national with 3 letters in the name, I’m on the install side
I leave home at 8:30 everyday and I’m back by 5 at the latest
I’ve been at small companies where you work your balls off for no gain but here is different
I think you'll find a better opportunity within the Fire and security game. I used to do the same job a while back. I hated on call but it's unfortunately part of the job the trick is getting paid correctly for it.
The detailing game is totally beyond saturated everyone in know on that game is struggling people are changing cars less etc.
The lads I used to work with in security started making proper money with contracting. Six figures is possible with graft.
The big plc companies are the worst to work for with low pay and poor terms. I used to work for a small regional family owned firm one in 8 on call I could never find better than that. The lads doing service and install there are on about 45k per year. The big money is in doing install on contact basis I know a few lads doing this and they have very successful careers earning very respectable money.
If you can get involved in access systems and electric gates you'll be laughing it's an really easy stuff as well. I did all of it without stepping foot in college as well !
The detailing game is totally beyond saturated everyone in know on that game is struggling people are changing cars less etc.
The lads I used to work with in security started making proper money with contracting. Six figures is possible with graft.
The big plc companies are the worst to work for with low pay and poor terms. I used to work for a small regional family owned firm one in 8 on call I could never find better than that. The lads doing service and install there are on about 45k per year. The big money is in doing install on contact basis I know a few lads doing this and they have very successful careers earning very respectable money.
If you can get involved in access systems and electric gates you'll be laughing it's an really easy stuff as well. I did all of it without stepping foot in college as well !
fridaypassion said:
I think you'll find a better opportunity within the Fire and security game. I used to do the same job a while back. I hated on call but it's unfortunately part of the job the trick is getting paid correctly for it.
The detailing game is totally beyond saturated everyone in know on that game is struggling people are changing cars less etc.
The lads I used to work with in security started making proper money with contracting. Six figures is possible with graft.
The big plc companies are the worst to work for with low pay and poor terms. I used to work for a small regional family owned firm one in 8 on call I could never find better than that. The lads doing service and install there are on about 45k per year. The big money is in doing install on contact basis I know a few lads doing this and they have very successful careers earning very respectable money.
If you can get involved in access systems and electric gates you'll be laughing it's a really easy stuff as well. I did all of it without stepping foot in college as well !
That sounds good. I suppose my only issue is if I move company, would it be the same or any better. I’ve just fallen out with it all being honest. The detailing game is totally beyond saturated everyone in know on that game is struggling people are changing cars less etc.
The lads I used to work with in security started making proper money with contracting. Six figures is possible with graft.
The big plc companies are the worst to work for with low pay and poor terms. I used to work for a small regional family owned firm one in 8 on call I could never find better than that. The lads doing service and install there are on about 45k per year. The big money is in doing install on contact basis I know a few lads doing this and they have very successful careers earning very respectable money.
If you can get involved in access systems and electric gates you'll be laughing it's a really easy stuff as well. I did all of it without stepping foot in college as well !
But as you say the detailing is saturated. Hence the reason for selling products.
Mr.Nobody said:
Anything available job wise?
Loads, they want engineers in every area, as do most national companies, I would avoid service though, they have to do call out and work like dogs, but install is another world of easy. One job a day etcTake a look at the careers website on Johnson controls
Also if you just apply for any on indeed you’ll get recruiters calling you, the industry is desperate for engineers and you can name your price currently.
essayer said:
Is there any work in the overlap between fire/security hardware installation and your software development experience? Home automation, building management systems, etc?
Seems a good combo to work in high end/high complexity projects that might be interesting and better paid
The only area I know of is possible Home Automation. Control4 etc. not many offer it. Seems a good combo to work in high end/high complexity projects that might be interesting and better paid
essayer said:
Is there any work in the overlap between fire/security hardware installation and your software development experience? Home automation, building management systems, etc?
Seems a good combo to work in high end/high complexity projects that might be interesting and better paid
Yes.Seems a good combo to work in high end/high complexity projects that might be interesting and better paid
In a past employment I used to contract the services of a fire alarm commissioning engineer. £450 a day in 2018 and we had to provide an apprentice for him to do all the running about, carrying steps etc.
It can get a little complicated with cloud services now entering the scene but most systems are very simple to commission once you know your way around them.
If I were the OP or any other F&S engineer in the thread then that's the way I would be heading. The hardest part is getting access to closed protocol systems licensing but there are ways around it. Either that or become an enterprise systems specialist engineer. Again, simple work but very well paid due to the scarcity of trained commissioning engineers.
dci said:
Yes.
In a past employment I used to contract the services of a fire alarm commissioning engineer. £450 a day in 2018 and we had to provide an apprentice for him to do all the running about, carrying steps etc.
It can get a little complicated with cloud services now entering the scene but most systems are very simple to commission once you know your way around them.
If I were the OP or any other F&S engineer in the thread then that's the way I would be heading. The hardest part is getting access to closed protocol systems licensing but there are ways around it. Either that or become an enterprise systems specialist engineer. Again, simple work but very well paid due to the scarcity of trained commissioning engineers.
Johnson controls can offer that too, they have a big BMS and HVAC offering, and open blue connected building solutions which they are pushing hard currently, they’re willing to train people too. In a past employment I used to contract the services of a fire alarm commissioning engineer. £450 a day in 2018 and we had to provide an apprentice for him to do all the running about, carrying steps etc.
It can get a little complicated with cloud services now entering the scene but most systems are very simple to commission once you know your way around them.
If I were the OP or any other F&S engineer in the thread then that's the way I would be heading. The hardest part is getting access to closed protocol systems licensing but there are ways around it. Either that or become an enterprise systems specialist engineer. Again, simple work but very well paid due to the scarcity of trained commissioning engineers.
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