Author Topic: What's your brew, as in life trade  (Read 11909 times)

Offline Mag1

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What's your brew, as in life trade
« on: June 03, 2017, 08:33:02 AM »
I have seen some varied life's of some folk come and go, and thought it be interesting to find out our forum members trades in life, no name dropping unless your happy to do so of companies you work for past and present. Just a bit of crack. Me,

Started life in joinery from 17yo, did my apprenticeship working on building sites and jobbing Clarkes of works. From there went into boat building, fitting out trawler boats from decking to all sorts, everyone mucked in. Then depression of government in early 90,s Brought this all down and lost job, took ages to find a job, and even then guys with engineering degrees and trades were working on farms or whatever they could to put a hot meal on the table, me included. It was the most depressing time of my life. But when a chance came along I went off to college and learnt something new, engineering!. Did this for 3 years and landed a job in oil industry, in Aberdeen so moved lock stock and barrel, rig hopping around the North Sea as cementing tech. Got absolutely bored with this within 12 months, good money, but bored out my skull. So jacked and went back to college and did degree in quantity surveying and been doing this since nearly 20 years. Worked for some big firms and travelled mostly around Scotland, now work for major international cables company, love my job and the people I work with, good bunch of guys. Would I change anything, maybe I should of stayed offshore, as I may be retired by now!, nah sod that.
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Offline Spitfire

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2017, 09:37:52 AM »
Pretty boring compared to your CV, I started to work for Shell at age 16, they sent me to college for 2 years to get a background in Process Operations, then I started at Stanlow Refinery as a junior process operator, worked my way through several Operations departments and ended up as a Shift Supervisor.
I stayed at Stanlow Refinery in operations for the next 22 years, all on shift work which I loved but my friends could not get their heads around me working weekends and bank holidays, I can remember being on top of a distillation column holding a steam flex onto a frozen pressure transmitter to thaw it out when all the ships sirens went off, frightened me to death, it was midnight on New Years eve. Then all the phone calls from girlfriends/wife with party noises in the background.
Then I applied for and got a job with Shell in Thailand as part of the start up crew of a brand new refinery in Map Ta Phut.
I was given the job of writing the commissioning and start up procedures for a section of the refinery and then worked as a shift supervisor on the start up in charge of a shift team of expats and Thai trainees.
Once the refinery was running it was to us expats job to train the Thais to take over the running of the refinery, which we did. I then spent a couple of years organising and writing the procedures for the first major refinery shutdown, which was carried out successfully.
In all I was there for 7 years and they were great years, I loved the work and my wife loved the lifestyle and the shopping.
I did not fancy coming back to the UK to work as working as an expat you are allowed to use whatever skills that you have and you are rewarded accordingly (and promoted) the UK tends to be a bit more stiffling, dead mans shoes style.
So it was off to Australia to work at Clyde refinery (Sydney) as a Plant Controller, working on days not shiftwork, looking after a large chunk of the refinery.
This was a great job but it was full on, 12-14 hours a day and on call 24 hours a day seven days a week but the lifestyle in Australia was grand, the pay was about the same as the UK once my UK costs were taken out, UK mortgage etc.
Stayed there for another 3 years and then decided it was time to come home as the family were all growing up and the father in law was getting on (87 years young), he used to come and stay with us for 6 months a year so that he missed the English winter. And the stress of the job was far too much, when I left they split the job up into three.
Came back to the UK and there was no job for me at my pay grade so in 2005 I took early retirement and have not looked back since.

Cheers

Dennis
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1977 CB750F2 In bits

1964 BSA A65R In bits

Offline mike the bike

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2017, 10:13:02 AM »
I started off s a TV repairman then went sideways into fruit machines and jukeboxes.   Lost my job then despatch riding for a bit, then learned carpentry and joinery.  Helped rebuild the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay.   Work went slack so I repaired domestic appliances for the next 15.  Fell off a ladder and broke my back and got retired off.  Went to uni and qualified as a design and technology teacher.  No jobs except supply work.  Went back to fixing stuff - commercial dishwashers.  Struggling now because of the back injury so I'm training to be an ADI.  Having done my IAM tests on a bike,  car and a minibus, and the teaching degree, teaching people to drive is the way forwards.  Just waiting for my ADI number from DVSA so I can do my part one.
Where's that 10mm socket got to?

Offline Mag1

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2017, 10:51:47 AM »
Oil industry is now starting to get more busy, thank god, but won't be same as it was when everyone was on big bucks. Tv repair man, very handy. Good luck with new venture
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Offline kevski

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2017, 11:57:32 AM »
I started out as butcher for a number of years, needed more money and ended up working in site engineering in pharmaceuticals, managed to get a dose of mercury poisoning, went back to butchery, then thought no and became a metalurgical chemist in the plating industry, I am now semi retired at 55 and walk peoples dogs to pay for my hobbies.

Offline Niko

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2017, 01:48:58 PM »
I started off s a TV repairman then went sideways into fruit machines and jukeboxes.   Lost my job then despatch riding for a bit, then learned carpentry and joinery.  Helped rebuild the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay.   Work went slack so I repaired domestic appliances for the next 15.  Fell off a ladder and broke my back and got retired off.  Went to uni and qualified as a design and technology teacher.  No jobs except supply work.  Went back to fixing stuff - commercial dishwashers.  Struggling now because of the back injury so I'm training to be an ADI.  Having done my IAM tests on a bike,  car and a minibus, and the teaching degree, teaching people to drive is the way forwards.  Just waiting for my ADI number from DVSA so I can do my part one.


Very versatile....good luck to you with the adi


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Offline Niko

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2017, 01:54:25 PM »
I've always been involved with manufacturing management, improvement and training. Worked as a change consultant in automotive and aerospace companies up and down the uk for 7 years...but 70,000 miles a year and living in hotels isn't much fun.
Worked at rolls and Bentley...which I liked. Now I work for an engineering company that specialises in sheet metal and precision machining 7 miles from home.


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Offline Bryanj

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2017, 05:48:47 PM »
Merchant navy engineer apprentice from 70-74 stayed in for another year found i didn't enjoy Vietnam in 75(still shooting) with 400 ton of liquid propane in a tank on the foredeck. Came to land and worked on infernal combustion engines ranging from mm to meter bore and MOT tester till became a technician at Stroud college on motor vehicle/construction plant, was off work for 6 months with severe dermatitis(stay away from safety clean and brake/hydraulic fluid folks) and for  the past 20 odd years been piloting 44 toners around at nights and fixing Honda's when time alows

Offline Honda Al

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2017, 06:52:18 PM »
If I have half the experience that you guys have when I retire, I'll be a fortunate man.

At only 36, I'm probably only half way to retirement unless I win the lottery. I stayed on in college not really having an idea of what I wanted to do, took a part time job in a pharmacy as the 'Saturday boy' whilst trying to decide, and found myself enjoying the work there. Trained as a pharmacy technician and found myself in a training roll for a company that took me around Kent and East Sussex. The company was bought out by Boots (hate them) and I stayed on for a year before working in the NHS.

Still in the Pharmacy Dept., but started to work at a ward level speaking with patients, doctors, nursing staff etc. about medication, prescribing, etc and eventually managed the team of people that did it. After a few years switched to mainly dispensary management and now manage two pharmacy dispensaries across two hospitals.

Not sure of the next big step/move yet. Kids are young, the job is local, and it pays the bills so for the moment it suits.


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Offline mike the bike

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2017, 07:16:41 PM »
severe dermatitis(stay away from safety clean and brake/hydraulic fluid folks)
I know Arial / Persil / Daz is good for cleaning hands after doing washing machine bearing changes but now I'm allergic to bleach.  That's why so many mechanics wear rubber gloves these days.
Where's that 10mm socket got to?

Offline Johnwebley

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2017, 07:43:58 PM »
started as an apprentice typewriter engineer in the mid 60's,
that went on to doing service calls to offices filled with lovely typists,

 went into office supplies sales,made lots of friends and clients,
but glad I am retired now,
with the internet, customers pick your brains,ask advise ,then buy online,

 even had a customer complain the printer she bought online was the wrong one for her,so I asked,why did you buy it?

 typical reply,because it was cheaper !!!!!
 
lifelong motorcycle rider,and fan

Offline Mag1

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #11 on: June 03, 2017, 09:05:42 PM »
started as an apprentice typewriter engineer in the mid 60's,
that went on to doing service calls to offices filled with lovely typists,

 
Well John, you can't end there mate, you must have some good stories.
 
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Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #12 on: June 03, 2017, 09:50:29 PM »
Qualified Nurse since 1981. Last 'proper' job before retirement was a Senior Clinical Specialist Orthopaedic Nurse specialising in complex joint replacement surgery.
Nursing has always paid the bills but was never my real passion. I have led a double life......as a Car Dealer. I have worked at New and Used car dealerships, I have been a self employed used car trader and have been a co-owner of a Franchised Land Rover dealership employing over 50 staff. Cars and motorbikes have always been my real passion in life and although I would call myself an extremely competent nurse, I would say I am  s**t hot at buying and selling anything on 2 or 4 wheels.
« Last Edit: August 17, 2017, 05:06:26 PM by Nurse Julie »
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

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http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline Green1

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2017, 09:55:52 PM »
Double life indeed strange mix there Julie
Current bikes
Honda CB750k1 Valley Green Metallic
Honda CB750k1 Candy Gold
Honda CB550k Candy Jade Green
Honda CG125
Aprilia Pegaso 650
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Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: What's your brew, as in life trade
« Reply #14 on: June 03, 2017, 10:08:26 PM »
Double life indeed strange mix there Julie
Strange mix for some maybe but I never wanted to be a Nurse. I had hoped to do a Mechanics apprenticeship at the local Honda dealer in Tunbridge Wells but they wouldn't take me on because I was 17....and female (this was in the late 70's!!!) anyway, the hospital was opposite the bike shop so I went over and applied for Nurse training and got accepted. I was buying bikes and selling them whilst doing the Nurse training to get extra money and it carried on from there. So it all seems very normal to me
Oh, and as much as I love these old Hondas and really enjoy owning them and more to the point , riding them, Brit bikes are really my thing.


« Last Edit: June 03, 2017, 10:23:09 PM by Nurse Julie »
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

LINK TO MY CB400/4 ENGINE STRIP / ASSESSMENT AND REBUILD...NOW COMPLETE
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

 

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