are there a shortage of skilled fitters in UK?
- Thread starter startinghandle
- Start date
- Location
- North West
How far apart are farms round you? I think over here it’s easy to pick up a good customer base all within a short distance of travel so a man in van isn’t spreading themselves thin just traveling from job to job. I have probably 5 good customers within a 5 mile radius of home and most weeks I’ll see at least 3 of them at some point which means I’m always busy working/earning not driving which cost money.
Makes a big difference, I try not to take customers on that are more than a 30 min drive away, unless they want to bring a machine to me.
- Location
- North West
Biggest fault is teenagers wiring cb’s into them
kiwi pom
Member
- Location
- canterbury NZ
I suppose farms are a bit bigger and more spread out but you can get a lot further here in 30 minutes than you can there.
Bigger farms/contractors will probably have their own mechanics and smaller ones probably don't have much machinery so there's perhaps not as much work about for one.
Also there's quite a few engineering places about you can take things to, to be welded, straightened etc
- Location
- Lincolnshire
I do most of my own refurbishments and servicing but have nothing but respect for fitters who do it for a living. In my opinion they are greatly under rewarded for their skill and knowledge. They should be on at least £25 per hour IMO. £8 to £10 per hour is a joke for that kind of work, especially with complex modern kit. If anybody is in any doubt about this, then just try it for yourself.
Isn't it also getting to the stage where "in the yard" repairs are becoming less possible due to the need for heavy lifting or roll out gear and complex analytical equipment.
Isn't it also getting to the stage where "in the yard" repairs are becoming less possible due to the need for heavy lifting or roll out gear and complex analytical equipment.
The whole industry is struggling to attract young and keep them. I’ve seen excellent tractor drivers move into being terrible managers the. They get fed up and leave. I really don’t know what the answer is . No body with a young family should be regularly working seven days a week for weeks on end.... that’s what kills it. Technicians in ag are a rare breed that wants protecting. If they live near towns then their mates are in warm car garages and do less for more. If your machine is due a service, give it a bloody good wash. Greet him or her when they arrive. I don’t agree In offering to help as it can make the job last longer and the trained tech will worry it’s not done right and check after you. On a cold day. A warm drink and a five min chat really does make a difference. BUT during that chat don’t talk about the machine. Ask about them! Take an interest. Learn their name.
When a tech arrives to a breakdown he or she will be expecting a tense situation. A simple hello followed by their name makes all the difference. If they say come back in an hour. Don’t come back in 30 mins and ask them how it’s going....
And don’t do as one customer of mine did one bank holiday Sunday in August. Walked up to me at 2pm in 30degree heat, said you look hot while enjoying an ice cream. Then Turned round and walked off only to return 2 hours later with a cold drink saying “ god it hasn’t cooled yet has it” ...... Christ a cold glass of water would have cost all of 2pence..... never will forget that rude chap!
Remember people generally deal with “people” trust is the ultimate gesture as is respect .....
Oh and if they bend over backwards to help you , when the bill arrives. Bend over backwards to get it paid by return!
We work in one of the best people industries in the world. Few are lucky enough to realise or cherish that....
just my ramblings
When a tech arrives to a breakdown he or she will be expecting a tense situation. A simple hello followed by their name makes all the difference. If they say come back in an hour. Don’t come back in 30 mins and ask them how it’s going....
And don’t do as one customer of mine did one bank holiday Sunday in August. Walked up to me at 2pm in 30degree heat, said you look hot while enjoying an ice cream. Then Turned round and walked off only to return 2 hours later with a cold drink saying “ god it hasn’t cooled yet has it” ...... Christ a cold glass of water would have cost all of 2pence..... never will forget that rude chap!
Remember people generally deal with “people” trust is the ultimate gesture as is respect .....
Oh and if they bend over backwards to help you , when the bill arrives. Bend over backwards to get it paid by return!
We work in one of the best people industries in the world. Few are lucky enough to realise or cherish that....
just my ramblings
ACEngineering
Member
- Location
- Oxon
ACEngineering
Member
- Location
- Oxon
- Location
- North West
Yes but I don’t fix tarmac so what’s the point sitting in a van half the day when I could have got a job done for someone local.you don't charge for time sitting in van?
- Location
- Huntingdon, UK
Our vehicles get a wash before they go to the depot. The techs get offered a cuppa or a cold drink, sometimes cake too when they get here, and a quick chat. Just good manners isn’t it?
I also drop a big slab of beer and tin of chocs into the workshop every christmas.
Costs nothing over the price of a year, but worth it in the long run
Hilly
Member
- Location
- Scottish Borders.
Ive a van man who is £30hr plus millage, less than half a main dealer and makes a good living for himself.win win situation shame their are not more of these guys they getting rare.
d williams
Member
I think they learn their trade at the farmers expense not the dealers plenty lads doing their college time working at dealer being charged out at full rate
ACEngineering
Member
- Location
- Oxon
- Location
- south norfolk
Dont know if apprentices get charged out at full rate but some of em want a bomb up their arses.i know they have to learn but paying full rate is not really acceptable.maybe someone will know this.i regularly take tea or coffee to thise fixing my stuff and help in anyway possible.everything is clean and inside too
Nick...
d williams
Member
They do charge full for them I've a mate who was one there are fees dealer has to pay for college but had it back time over
He finished with dealer and dealer wanted monies off him for college fees which I think if went to court dealer would have won
Didn't get to that as a few truths came about as to hours worked as to wages paid compared to monies earned!
anythinggood
Member
Reading through this thread it also appears perception of Mechanics/Fitters/Technicians/Spanner Monkeys (been called all of these,not bothered by any of them to be honest) is also a bit of an issue,its worth bearing in mind whoever comes to fix a piece of machinery doesn't want it to be broken down any more than you do and it's very seldom their fault that it is,he is just trying to get it and you back up and running as quickly and efficiently as they can
x121x
Member
- Location
- Somewhere in the dark
If there was more of these guys who would sell ye tractors and machinery? Margins in new machinery is tight and with the overheads of a dealership, money has to be recouped from parts and service. It’s called absorption, the guys in a van have no overheads so can justify lower costs.
seedman stains
Member
- Location
- lost in france
Shortage of skills started about 30yrs ago with the demise of the heavy industries..Perhaps a bit late but the eu should be looking at decomplicating things or are they in the pocket of the large manufacturers
- Location
- North West
If that’s the case (which I know it usually is) why is that the reps get paid the big money and ride round in the fancy new car/truck and get wined and dined and just need a product brochure, while the tech’s who are expected to know everything about the product are up to there eyeballs in s*#t and grease out in all weather, driving an old vehicle that’s been to the moon and back while getting paid peanuts for the privilege Just to fund the office monkeys!
I wonder why dealers can’t keep tech’s?
Is it because they get sic of seeing how the other half live at there expense, at one point the dealer I worked for the tech’s where out numbered 2-1 by reps
is that really justified? surely if you want to by a tractor you’d just call them!
Hilly
Member
- Location
- Scottish Borders.
Room for both if you ask me.