What does everyone do for a living on here? Or has done? As most you probably know by now I am a CNC machinist, been doing it since I left school at 16. Four year apprenticeship followed by countless hours of experience culminating in my own business before realising some things in life are more important than money/status and going back to being employed to reduce stress and break downs!
Own businesses have so many drawbacks now. I was on the tail end of 'over reporting' and administrative requirements. We can't employ anyone anymore for fear of incurring sick pay and compo payouts, maternity/paternity leave and the like. And the costs of any premises and/or vehicles is nearly prohibitive. So yes, being a mere employee has distinct lifestyle advantages. Such a shame that 'Industrial Britain' is a time of the past, and employees receiving their 20-year-service gold watch is nearly unheard of now.
Too many people find more loyalty moving around than sticking with one place, just look at car insurance, I liken it very much to that. There are seemingly only a few companies willing to invest in their biggest asset, people.
IT, been doing it for nearly 30 years now. Was a contractor for many of them but HMRC have a major downer on them and new legislation would mean I would not be able to claim normal business expenses like hotel and train travel. As I mainly worked away from home the cost for me was too high and so went permanent. Miss the money but at least I go home almost every night, and if I never stay in another Travelodge/Premier Inn then so much the better.
All things powder handling - containment, transfer, mixing, charging and packing. Have always been staff and been with my current Swiss company for 11 years. Before that I was 7 years, 13 years and 8 years with employers all in the same line of business. Started off straight from school with a 4 year apprenticeship at BNFL and never (fortunately) been out of work.
I sell tubes. Metal ones. For oil refinery heat exchangers. Been working for the same company for over 17 years. We do still get the Swiss watch at 25 years so only another 7+ years to go
So you would understand why my time was charged as a printer in the past I mean the device and not the profession before anyone asks.
IT Did an MoD apprenticeship in electronic engineering but sort of fell into computing and IT ...I find IT mostly quite boring