What is your trade

[chris vickery]

Well, at the tender age of 42 how do I relate my experiences? Firstly, I must say that I have never been fired from a job, the uncertainties of todays world and youth employment dealt me a diverse range of oppprtunities.
In a nutshell, according to the government, I am qualified at nothing as I do not hold a recognized trade license. Realistically, I suppose I could call myself a millwright. I currently work for one of the largest electrical manufacturing and service industries in the world, ABB. I travel extensively servicing large power electrical transformers for power generation, utilities, mills, mines etc. I am not an electrician as many assume, but our work includes a lot of mechanical stuff.
I studied industrial arts in high school (skool??/) specializing in metal machining, fabrication, welding and mechanics. After high school I have attended continuing ed programs of industrial nature on my own as well as employer sponsored.
I began working in industrial and commercial sheet metal work, worked in home construction, plant maintenance, machine shop, industrial supply sales, truck driving, public works, factory assembly line work, lumber yard and transformer building, contruction and maintenance work. Phew.
I have been accused of being a "Jack of All Trades" which is somewhat fitting. I am proud to say I am a survivor, I never go hungry, I always pay my bills and I ask no one for handouts. I always find a job and have done plenty of s**tty ones to make ends meet.