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Tomorrow is my last day at work, due to redundancy.
It feels weird, sitting here, still at work, knowing this is the end of about 22/23 years in the construction industry. I'm not going back, it's dying.
Years ago I had a job I hated soooooo much, and I had the chance to go and do something I enjoyed but I didn't because I thought I'd end up hating the only thing that kept me sane at the time. That was a mistake.
This is now my one and only opportunity to go and do exactly that. I've got a bit of money coming and the time to retrain. But I cannot mess this up.
As a few of you may have realised I've been applying for bike related jobs (not got one yet) and as I've said partly in jest for a long time, I don't know weather I like riding bikes or fixing them more, I've already started on my Cytech qualifications and I have level 2 booked for late February.
Deadly seriously, if anyone knows of a shop within striking (riding) distance of Farnborough, Hants, that has a job going, please let me know! But come 2nd January I'll be getting out to each and every shop in turn, and selling myself (no s****ing at the back)
It may take time, I might have to take a shit job to pay the bills for a while, but the chances are that one of you lot is going to be riding round on a bike that I've built or serviced at some point in the future.
Scary thought, huh?
๐
[i]Scary thought, huh?[/i]
Not at all and good luck finding something.
*makes mental note to avoid bike shops around Farnborough* ๐
Buy a van and go mobile ๐ก
Mobile.. not a bad idea.. come to people's offices. You could also go around their bike sheds leaving cards on the crappily maintained bikes ๐
Good luck tho.
Good luck.
I am in a similar-ish position but am about to leave an LBS (not enjoying it TBH) and may start again fromn scratch.
Why can't you go for another job doing what you have been doing or are you sick of it anyway " I get that"
Trekster, I'm seriously thinking of doing just that. Problem number one being that there's already a mobile mechanic in Farnborough......
But, if anybody wants their bike serviced, email in profile, I can pick up and deliver. Seriously. ๐
Why can't you go for another job doing what you have been doing or are you sick of it anyway " I get that"
Sick to the back teeth. There's no future in it. I've had a good run for 11 years with Hanson and they seem to value me. I've had good opportunities with them. But there's simply no job for mr any more.
good luck PP
My missus works for the Brett group (same industry). If you want me to keep tabs on vacancies let me know.
If you go mobile I would give you business.
Good luck with it.
Good luck , there's an apprentice position i know of in a bike shop in Daventry, but I think it's a bit far!! Hope you get sorted soon
Yoss, much appreciated thanks. I'll never say never but I will say hopefully not!
I don't think Brett's have any presence round here do they?
Trimix, thanks for the vote of confidence! ๐
waheyy more time for cycling, Jammy git!
Why not offer Bike valeting? There must be a gap in the market esp.in winter. Wish someone would do mine!
Wash and lube and a quick safety/wear and tear check.
I don't think Brett are in Hampshire at present but depending on your background (i'm guessing you are a quarry site supervisor?) they are always on the lookout for experienced industry people.
Best of luck PP. Starting again from scratch is a great opportunity to give yourself and can be very rewarding.
Good luck PP!
Keep [url= https://www.bikebiz.com/jobs/?q%5Bk%5D=&q%5Bc%5D=0&q%5Bl%5D=0 ]THIS[/url] bookmarked ๐
No, not that far up the chain. Weighbridge Clerk. I decided I didn't want to be a quarry manager, too much responsibility. I've done all sorts of stuff in the past, technician, concrete plant supervisor, shovel driver.....
I've wanted out for years but Hanson pay and treat me well, and it's easy to just keep turning up and taking the money isn't it?
The whole industry is falling apart. And it's not going to improve in the near future, sadly.
So that's why I'm chucking some of my redundancy money into Cytech qualifications. We can get by with me on a lower wage, especially if we have a bit of money in the bank, and I've always been a tinkerer. I love fixing stuff and taking it to bits, so why not get paid for it?
Dez, that's my new homepage mate! ๐
I've Got a list stuck to my screen at home of around 22 bike shops I can feasibly get to. I'll be visiting them all in the new year.
good luck mr.
Good luck with the bikeshop search, but don't you have SAP skills/knowledge?
These will be transferable to other industries and may offer you a stop gap until the bikeshop thing works out.
PP ,just remember the wise donkey
"Once you take a bite of the apple ,you will never go back to carrots"
It will all be fine ๐
Best of luck. Nothing like striking out with nobody to get your back but yourself. I did it years ago. Will it make me rich? No. Am I happier? Yes. So, get out there and JFDI!
fair enough. I'll keep my ear to the ground and let you know if anything surfaces. I think a number of the major players are looking at JVs in the short and medium term, particularly on specific projects.
Sounds like you have a great opportunity to move into a area that a. you are good at and b. that you really like. Take it with both hands cos it might never happen again.
I seem to remember you created a mod for rebas didn't you? Perhaps you should try and start up a kind of home-tuning service for forks rather like trout does with lights?
may the force be with you
i to am being made redundant tomorrow
hopefully find something relatively soon in the new year
i dont think ive got the balls to follow my dreams and retrain though!
Good luck dude, if you need help setting up customer databases/websites you know where I am.
edit:
I need a wheel building so let know which shop I need to ring when you get the job!
Cycle surgery have a vacancy in Chertsey (short hop up the M3 for you). It's on the Snow and Rock Careers page.
Good luck - all the good karma from bike charity thing you have been working at will pay out no doubt.
Personally love the idea of a traveling valet company, my bike would definitely benefit from that.
But, if anybody wants their bike serviced, email in profile, I can pick up and deliver. Seriously
I'll be in all am tomorrow if you want to pick up from Aberdeen. ๐
Some of our staff used www.onyabike.me.uk and www.bike-support.co.uk for mobile mechanics.
There is a need for them from some, and I reckon lots of people who are stuck in an office but need their bike fixing before the next ride would pay for it.
I normally fix mine fine, but sometimes I just run out of time. Work all day, only have one bike and ride Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Weekends.
Cycle surgery have a vacancy in Chertsey (short hop up the M3 for you). It's on the Snow and Rock Careers page.
Application was in yesterday, but many thanks for mentioning it anyway. ๐
Pete, yes, I do have SAP Trainer as an arrow in my quiver, but it's not me really.
Pete - how about mobile/freelance mechanic?
Might work similar to medical Locums. Get known locally, and maybe not be employed by the shop permanently, but can 'locum' (i.e come in at late notice) to help out in busy periods.
Bike valeting sounds good too, perhaps?
I think you'd love to work from home/back of a van - if you could get happy doing 'simple' fork servicing and brake bleeding 'on site', that might appeal to some? I.e. they book up a slot in an evening, and you come and basically sort the hydraulic/oil filled components - things most people don't want to get involved in?
Can set up the forks/shocks too... People simply don't get sag/rebound do they!
Good luck bud!
If you want to come down to Sussex in your free time, gimmie a shout!
DrP
I seem to remember you created a mod for rebas didn't you? Perhaps you should try and start up a kind of home-tuning service for forks rather like trout does with lights?
That's already covered by TFTuned and LoCo etc, but I can certainly do basic lube services on forks and aircan + bushings services on shocks at waaaaaaay cheaper than they can right now.
There is some kind of funding deal for Cytech isn't there ? Pretty sure someone I know undertaking a Level 3 course soon had secured it.
*applauds MrsP*
DrP, yes, back of a van, that would suit me. Well guessed. ๐
But first I have to be qualified and maybe experienced. I know a lot about certain things, and little about others.
I don't know whats going to happen. I'd love to give it a shot, I've even got a 'brand name' in my head, and more, but it'd be stupidly hard work, 7 days a week, to get myself known and respected.
But never say never.
Rich, cheers, don't suppose you can do websites can you? ๐
That onyabike one is pretty pathetic IMO.
It may take time, I might have to take a shit job to pay the bills for a while, but the chances are that one of you lot is going to be riding round on a bike that I've built or serviced at some point in the future.
Scary thought, huh?
already do, i bought your mrs's old tourer. Still going really well, hasnt missed a beat and done lots of miles. ๐
from the responses above sounds like youve the skills to go mobile.
good luck.
LOLs at t'missis ๐
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Pies, tell me more, any chance you could ask your mate and let me know please?
already do, i bought your mrs's old tourer. Still going really well, hasnt missed a beat and done lots of miles
Good bike that Trek ๐
As it happens, it's my last day on Friday, too!
I'm leaving my job due to a re-org and it seemed like an excellent time to go do something different with a bit of a cushion to fall back on.
I'm going to do some web freelance work to start with and see how it goes. Got a couple of contracts already and should have enough work to last till April when I'll be unable to work for a couple of months anyway.
Still a bit scared, though!!
EDIT - oh, probably should say, Drupal web development, Information Architecture and Agile Project Management ๐
Rachel
That's already covered by TFTuned and LoCo etc, but I can certainly do basic lube services on forks and aircan + bushings services on shocks at waaaaaaay cheaper than they can right now.
Easy tiger!
How about a niche - brompton servicing praps?
Good luck with it Peter - I've been saying for several years that you are my bike mechanic of choice ๐ Would be happy to pay you for it and hey..... you've even got a proper bike mechanics head set press ๐
Cheers Anna, love ya, ๐
This just came my way.......
[i]There has also been talk within the borough council and with Hants County Council about setting up a 'bike hub' in Aldershot. This might be based around a cafe, but also offering bike repairs, bike recycling etc. There might be some money available to cover set up costs, but it would have to be mostly self sustaining. They're particularly excited about the idea of using it to train NEETs (those not in education or employment) as mechanics.[/i]yy
I think I'll stick my name in the hat for that, eh?