I'm still a bit amazed that at age 57, I moved halfway around the world to a very small rural agricultural community, and found a good paying job 5 minutes from home! Helped that fitters are scarce out here and I happened by the day after the sole fitter gave notice... Have been very well accepted and get along great with everyone. But the work can be pretty physical and demanding. The Keith presses are the worst. Cage halves weight some 250 kilos, the shaft around 240. Wrestling these suckers in and out takes a toll on the bod. I'd made it known that I was interested in moving up the ladder somewhere down the track, a softer job extending my working life.
Well, we have a new maintenance manager, and probably the first the company has ever had that really knows what he's doing. I was trying to put together a maintenance program for the rendering plant just before he hired in, if I'd had time to fill it out, it would be but a small part of what he's putting into place. Recognizing a winning plan when I see it, I signed on in full. He's found himself, in addition to getting maintenance up to snuff, acting as Project Manager. Under new corporate ownership, there are massive upgrades and additions going on. Faced with an overload, he tapped me to start moving into the office to assist. I thought sure I'd have to pay my dues for several years before getting this chance. Handling all ordering right now, and will be dealing with a new program, Job Permits. These have to be filled out for any and all work done outside our shop, something many larger companies are implementing here. Have also signed up as the maintenance rep to the safety committee. This will entail 3 days training, and is a ticket item, meaning that training would be a bonus anywhere else I chose to work (not that I plan to look!).
Last cool item, next week I start training for my advanced boiler operator ticket! Both my father and grandfather were boiler operators, so I'll be a 3rd generation boiler man! Once I have that, some additional training, and I'll be qualified to operate a steam locomotive. And there happens to be one nearby that does special trips now and then. Always wanted to run a steam locomotive!
At the home front, got a nice inverter welder and grinder w/cutoff disks, now can start working on the carport, walling it off and have someplace to put my stuff finally.
Jon