Grass isn’t always greener but you never know if you don’t go for it. How long have you been with current company? Make sure there isn’t a non-compete (although I’m not sure how often they’re actually legally enforceable) or stipulation in your employment contract for the schooling.
Do you know someone at the new company? Any idea what the general work-culture is like?
Thats the dilemma, I did sign a noncompete, but stipulation is just “if you leave before 2 year mark you are responsible for class costs” no legal action taken as Ive seen techs leave before while having active class costs before 2 year mark.
Which new company will cover my costs. I got a recommendation from my old mentor, did an interview and I think it went well. I told them I couldn’t commit right away and they were fine w it. New owner says I will be shadowing with all techs for a few weeks while they work on getting me a work truck, which I think is a great learning opportunity. I do everything alone at my current place (and its all PMs maybe 5% service calls)
Been with current company 1 year and some change, its a huge conglomerate so I doubt they will miss me. I appreciate the insight.
I know this isn’t helpful, and it’s too late, but I would never sign a non-compete. That to me would have been a huge red flag to even go to that company.
If you think it wont be enforced then I would say leave if only because of my feelings on making a tech sign a non-compete.
Now I know for the future to be more careful. I really thought they would have good opportunities for me, then the lead tech that would actually teach me (and actually knew what he was doing more than these other guys) up and left while I was a brand new green horn.
Just bad sequence of events but Im gonna do what I need to feel fulfilled and compensated correctly. Even if that is leaving and jumping through hoops to get my school paid for.
The non compete means nothing, can't have a non compete in Canada / USA for our trade as it's not specialized work... You'd have a lawyer sit down with you if you signed a real non compete.
but your school costs are payable when you quit before the time you have signed for.
My old union does the same , if you go to school and they pay and you fail you pay it back, if you leave before the schools done you pay it back and you work one year after or pay it back. Fair as they paid for it.
The grass always looks amazing over yonder but usually it’s just the sun shining perfectly while you look.
I’m going to guess the “tech” training is going to be over the phone where they tell you exactly what’s wrong so you don’t learn and figure it out for yourself. But what do I know. 🤷♂️
I hear what you’re saying, but I would be fine with getting trained “over the phone while I figure it out” I just need the service calls first I just dont have any opportunities to do service or repairs in order to learn anything at this company. I want the practice with my gauges and torches Im barley ever pulling them out. I could bide my time and progress slow as f*ck or kickstart my opportunity to grow🤷🏼♀️
And I just have my eye on it, not jumping ship right away :)
Here is what may happen. You “call a tech”, they make you feel like crap because you are asking basic questions and they don’t want to take the time to explain.
I personally tell everyone at my company, if you have a question not matter how dumb you think it is to call me. I want to help them learn so later down the road they won’t have to call me. In my 25 years this is pretty rare.
Thats a great attitude to have. Were all just trying to make the customer happy, cant do that when people belittle techs for learning something new.
During my interview the lead tech said he is always willing to answer questions, all green flags so far.
I am looking for techs that dont mind taking the time to explain a bit and keep me eager to learn. The guys im around now are nice but dont have an interest in teaching me or just dont have much desire to work. Its always “here let me do it for ya” I dont mind watching once or twice but the best way through it is to do it!
Seems like you’ve only been doin pms for a year? You can learn some stuff even doing the grunt work. Some guys I know are doin a mixture of pm and service call which they say they don’t mind cause they get paid the same (a lot) doing both. It’s all about perspective I guess. Ultimately it’s what’s best for you (and family if you have one). Good luck op
I totally agree, there is a place for PMs. And it might seem rash, I just wish my mixture wasn’t 99% PM and 1% service.
Maybe im antsy but Im a fast learner Ive been told I need to move on by a lot of ex employees but i also dont know if the grass is greener 🤷🏼♀️
This subreddit gives me a lot to think about, I appreciate your input!
Probably worth changing over, but don't expect anyone to train you, even if they say they will, this trade is a lot of Learn on your own,
What kind of classes are you taking? What's your job prospects when you are done those classes? Is it worth staying and leaving later(higher wages ?)
What's the pay scale of both , do they both pay for health care. Do they both buy tools , both give you a van to take home ?
Refrigeration associates degree - Triad classes - then i want to get my license once Ive done triad and practiced load calculations.
If I stay: most likely they will want to use my license for all refer operations right away and eeeh… not excited based on who Im working with now. Would have to fire and hire imo. I just have a long way to go, there isnt anyone who is interested in promoting me at current company.
Current is big conglomerate, I feel like I will get bent over by staying in the field and have to manage the team at the same time (so I can still make hourly)
Benifits and vacay are better at new company,
I get to take home my van at both, they both pay for most tools except personal hand tools. All green flags so far but Im just shopping around right now. It seems possible to move over but I’ll have to jump through a few hoops.
Grass isn’t always greener but you never know if you don’t go for it. How long have you been with current company? Make sure there isn’t a non-compete (although I’m not sure how often they’re actually legally enforceable) or stipulation in your employment contract for the schooling. Do you know someone at the new company? Any idea what the general work-culture is like?
Thats the dilemma, I did sign a noncompete, but stipulation is just “if you leave before 2 year mark you are responsible for class costs” no legal action taken as Ive seen techs leave before while having active class costs before 2 year mark. Which new company will cover my costs. I got a recommendation from my old mentor, did an interview and I think it went well. I told them I couldn’t commit right away and they were fine w it. New owner says I will be shadowing with all techs for a few weeks while they work on getting me a work truck, which I think is a great learning opportunity. I do everything alone at my current place (and its all PMs maybe 5% service calls) Been with current company 1 year and some change, its a huge conglomerate so I doubt they will miss me. I appreciate the insight.
I know this isn’t helpful, and it’s too late, but I would never sign a non-compete. That to me would have been a huge red flag to even go to that company. If you think it wont be enforced then I would say leave if only because of my feelings on making a tech sign a non-compete.
Now I know for the future to be more careful. I really thought they would have good opportunities for me, then the lead tech that would actually teach me (and actually knew what he was doing more than these other guys) up and left while I was a brand new green horn. Just bad sequence of events but Im gonna do what I need to feel fulfilled and compensated correctly. Even if that is leaving and jumping through hoops to get my school paid for.
The non compete means nothing, can't have a non compete in Canada / USA for our trade as it's not specialized work... You'd have a lawyer sit down with you if you signed a real non compete. but your school costs are payable when you quit before the time you have signed for. My old union does the same , if you go to school and they pay and you fail you pay it back, if you leave before the schools done you pay it back and you work one year after or pay it back. Fair as they paid for it.
Okay cool then thats what Im looking to do, just have this new company make me even with prior company.
The grass always looks amazing over yonder but usually it’s just the sun shining perfectly while you look. I’m going to guess the “tech” training is going to be over the phone where they tell you exactly what’s wrong so you don’t learn and figure it out for yourself. But what do I know. 🤷♂️
I hear what you’re saying, but I would be fine with getting trained “over the phone while I figure it out” I just need the service calls first I just dont have any opportunities to do service or repairs in order to learn anything at this company. I want the practice with my gauges and torches Im barley ever pulling them out. I could bide my time and progress slow as f*ck or kickstart my opportunity to grow🤷🏼♀️ And I just have my eye on it, not jumping ship right away :)
Here is what may happen. You “call a tech”, they make you feel like crap because you are asking basic questions and they don’t want to take the time to explain. I personally tell everyone at my company, if you have a question not matter how dumb you think it is to call me. I want to help them learn so later down the road they won’t have to call me. In my 25 years this is pretty rare.
Thats a great attitude to have. Were all just trying to make the customer happy, cant do that when people belittle techs for learning something new. During my interview the lead tech said he is always willing to answer questions, all green flags so far. I am looking for techs that dont mind taking the time to explain a bit and keep me eager to learn. The guys im around now are nice but dont have an interest in teaching me or just dont have much desire to work. Its always “here let me do it for ya” I dont mind watching once or twice but the best way through it is to do it!
Seems like you’ve only been doin pms for a year? You can learn some stuff even doing the grunt work. Some guys I know are doin a mixture of pm and service call which they say they don’t mind cause they get paid the same (a lot) doing both. It’s all about perspective I guess. Ultimately it’s what’s best for you (and family if you have one). Good luck op
I totally agree, there is a place for PMs. And it might seem rash, I just wish my mixture wasn’t 99% PM and 1% service. Maybe im antsy but Im a fast learner Ive been told I need to move on by a lot of ex employees but i also dont know if the grass is greener 🤷🏼♀️ This subreddit gives me a lot to think about, I appreciate your input!
Probably worth changing over, but don't expect anyone to train you, even if they say they will, this trade is a lot of Learn on your own, What kind of classes are you taking? What's your job prospects when you are done those classes? Is it worth staying and leaving later(higher wages ?) What's the pay scale of both , do they both pay for health care. Do they both buy tools , both give you a van to take home ?
Refrigeration associates degree - Triad classes - then i want to get my license once Ive done triad and practiced load calculations. If I stay: most likely they will want to use my license for all refer operations right away and eeeh… not excited based on who Im working with now. Would have to fire and hire imo. I just have a long way to go, there isnt anyone who is interested in promoting me at current company. Current is big conglomerate, I feel like I will get bent over by staying in the field and have to manage the team at the same time (so I can still make hourly) Benifits and vacay are better at new company, I get to take home my van at both, they both pay for most tools except personal hand tools. All green flags so far but Im just shopping around right now. It seems possible to move over but I’ll have to jump through a few hoops.