Artisans needed
11/03/09 02:42 Filed in: Rant
Maybe the economic downturn will rattle some of the potential trainees off of the couch and they will come looking for a trade.
I have been whittlin’ on logs and timbers for over 30 years now.
Employees have come and gone, some to do their own work and others to different vocations.
The difference between candidates for employment back then and now is alarming to say the least.
In the 1980’s there was a resurgence of interest in the Log and Timber building craft.
Training schools were popping up and being filled with eager disciples.
Some 8 week graduates tried to start their own businesses or work for established craftsmen.
These hard working apprentices started peeling logs or stacking timber or whatever would get their feet in the door of a timber shop.
After a while they would rough-cut some notches, learn to sharpen some tools and eventually be granted the honor of whittlin’ on some production pieces.
It was the classic story of apprentices in all manner of crafts in most countries.
Fast forward to 2009.
Once in a while we are visited by a job seeker.
Perhaps their mom drove them up to our worksite.
They want to know how much per hour we are paying and what the ‘benefits’ are.
We tell them that the work is labour intensive, the starting wage is minimum but pay raises are determined by how quick you catch on.
If you want to try it out, bring your safety gear and start piling/peeling or whatever.
They don’t come back.
If the odd one does show up, they want to be VP in charge of something, within a month.
And yes the lilly soft hands will blister even through gloves if your work history was mostly Nintendo games.
Maybe the economic downturn will rattle some of the potential trainees off of the couch and they will come looking for a trade.
That’s if their Mom can drive them ............
End-of-Rant
Employees have come and gone, some to do their own work and others to different vocations.
The difference between candidates for employment back then and now is alarming to say the least.
In the 1980’s there was a resurgence of interest in the Log and Timber building craft.
Training schools were popping up and being filled with eager disciples.
Some 8 week graduates tried to start their own businesses or work for established craftsmen.
These hard working apprentices started peeling logs or stacking timber or whatever would get their feet in the door of a timber shop.
After a while they would rough-cut some notches, learn to sharpen some tools and eventually be granted the honor of whittlin’ on some production pieces.
It was the classic story of apprentices in all manner of crafts in most countries.
Fast forward to 2009.
Once in a while we are visited by a job seeker.
Perhaps their mom drove them up to our worksite.
They want to know how much per hour we are paying and what the ‘benefits’ are.
We tell them that the work is labour intensive, the starting wage is minimum but pay raises are determined by how quick you catch on.
If you want to try it out, bring your safety gear and start piling/peeling or whatever.
They don’t come back.
If the odd one does show up, they want to be VP in charge of something, within a month.
And yes the lilly soft hands will blister even through gloves if your work history was mostly Nintendo games.
Maybe the economic downturn will rattle some of the potential trainees off of the couch and they will come looking for a trade.
That’s if their Mom can drive them ............
End-of-Rant