There is a big shortage of lift/elevator engineers in the United Kingdom i was wondering if there is the same shortage in other countries.

-- harry bhua (hiteshbhua@yahoo.co.uk), January 25, 2002

Answers

it is the same in other countries

-- (asd@sdd.ge), January 26, 2002.

shortage

yes there are definetly shortages of mechanics in australia.....last year and over the last few years apprentice numbers have been getting less and less....its almost to the point where they have to hire normal electricians and train them for a year or 2...but there is one good point to make...it will keep us in a job for years to come and eventually we will be able to demand a higher pay rate each year as the experienced ones get older.

-- phil (phil@hotmail.com), January 27, 2002.

Hi Phill, thanks for your response, you are right. Our jobs are very safe in this industry and the pay is getting alot better. I have been in the lift trade for 14years now(since i was 17) and never been out of a job. Like you said over the last few years apprentice numbers have been getting less and less. I have been trying to get lift engineers to come and work for our company for the last 2 years. I have advertised in the local newspapers, national newspapers and even on the radio but have had no luck what so ever. So if you or anyone else got any ideas let me know. p.s Any lift engineers in the UK who fancy a move contact me by email

-- harry bhua (hiteshbhua@yahoo.co.uk), January 27, 2002.

While it may be apparent to us who actually work in the field that there is a shortage of trained personnel, it isn't apparent to those who actually do the hiring and firing, i.e. management.

As long as their budgets are met, management wouldn't give two shillings worth whether lifts are actually being maintained fully, or whether the customers are happy.

Those of us that care about old fashioned service, we try manfully to give our customers the best we can. But when the proverbial hits the fan, and the customer is upset, who is the first in line for a shellacking?

Us.

Why didn't you get there last month? Why is that seal leaking like a sieve? Why are the doors noisy? And so it goes on.

Having been subjected to this at one building, I don't find it fun. Especially when the company told me the maintenance was bi-monthly, ( every two months ) and they told the customer it was monthly.

Who are we to kid ourselves, this sort of thing happens in every industry. It's unfortunate that lifts are one of the most under estimated and mis understood pieces of plant in any building. Try explaining an intermittently open circuit flex on an Otis selector to a customer who has problems getting his head around the idea that a lift is not a plug in device like a toaster.

C'est la vie....

-- Justin Ward (transitive@hotmail.com), January 29, 2002.

shortage

Very true Justin aboout management....budget is met...boss is happy, custome pissed off and where the jam in the sandwich. Every industry is facing this problem from planes to trains. The lift industry is survivng for now but in a few years time there will b a problems. 1) shortage of mechanics will mean less maintenance which means more pissed customers..but this leads me to the second problem 2) there hasnt been a major accident in Oz for a passenger in quite sum time where the lift mechanic and company is to blame....i think this will change and then as usual the change which we desperately need will cum to little to late! just my thoughts ne way.... ps, r there alot of job vacancies for lifties in england and whats the pay like???

-- phil (phil@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

Shortage

I guess that swhy we get paid the big bucks. We can handle the whingingand whining, after all, nobody speaks to us unless something is broken anyway ! Supply and demand should see us in increasing demand and higher pay...Don't tell anybody how these wonderful machines really work ! Actually, I dont think Jesus Christ really knows how a lift really works. Let's keep guessing anyway.. Greetings to all lifties from Australia !

-- (kwsmc60@yahoo.com), March 15, 2002.

Hi.I stumbled across this site and thought any of you could shed some light or offer me some advise. I am a 25 year old male, working and living in the UK. I currently design the elctrical control panels for the life industry and would relish the chance to learn how to istall, service etc as you guys do but even with my experience in the 'up-front' design , no- one seems to want to give me a chance even with a shortage . Any advise will be grealty appreciated. Thanks, Alun.

-- Alun Williams (awilliams@liftstore.com), June 17, 2003.

SUB:SEEKING A JOB IN ELEVATOR FIELD

sir, i am seeking a job in elevator field.so kindly request to see my resume and inform me about your job through mail. I have send my resume to your mail id's. THANKING YOU,

-- SAHUL HAMEED MOHAMED USMAN. (sahul1@indiatimes.com), April 07, 2004.

I have been a trainee lift engineer for nearly two years now. I am nearly 21 With a HNC in electrical Engineering fingers crossed (I find out after summer) I feel as if i am safe and know what i am doing enough to be out on service at least. But not quite confident enough to be a repair engineer would i be better waiting to become one by sticking on referb with my elder or going on service by myself and doing call out and small repairs by myself. DO you learn more by yourself is the question really

-- Adrian Thomson - Massey (addymassey@lycos.co.uk), May 20, 2004.

adrian..there is no way your ready to go out alone after (nearly) two years!!!..i think all trainees should spend a minimum of a year on construction a year on service /call back a year on major refurb a year on minor repairs and then a final year on whichever they chose to go into upon completion, this is the only way we will produce the qulity engineers we require, i know of a recently 'qualified' engineer who genuinely believed electricity runs only downhill...no shit....

-- (pielacey@hotmail.com), May 25, 2004.

there does seem to be a shortage of fresh blood in the trade, but the wages paid by companies still leave engineers needing lots of overtime to make good money. the pay structure has not progressed , companies are pricing jobs like fitting inductors at 1000 pounds for a part that costs a couple of hundred pounds and a couple of hours work , which means an engineer gets about 25 to 30 quid.I worked for Otis for nearly 20 years on and off ,but my wages when i left ,were near enough what i was earning 10 years ago and my hours longer. Why do we not get full sick pay like office staff and why is our flat pay so low and if you know different, has your firm got any vacancies

-- craig stevens (kgostevens@aol.com), May 30, 2004.

I would love to be a lift engineer. At the moment I am a pro pianist, but am looking for a day job. Does anyone know where in the UK you can train to do such a thing? Kind regards Carl

www.carlsmusic.info

-- Carl Lewis (Carlsmusic@hotmail.com), June 06, 2004.

Shall be settling down in Chicago area shortly.Any one around who can tell me about some vacancy tht exists for an Elevator Engineer with 10 years of service both in Construction and Service.Will be there from October onwards,

-- Shankar (l_shankar41@hotmail.com), June 10, 2004.

Hi, i am 17 and have been offered ,among others, an apprenticeship in the lift engineering industry. I am trying to find out as much about this sector as i can before i make my desicion and would be grateful if you could answer a few questions. On completion of this course if i am not kept on will be finding employment hard, and is it likely i will have to travel abroad (i live in glasgow, scotland). Also, i have discovered there are several aspects of lift engineering and would like to know which is the best to specialise in(i.e. repairs, construction etc). thanks

-- james boyle (james_boyle88@hotmail.com), July 23, 2004.

I've been working at Otis now for over 5 years and there is definitely a shortage of apprentices. Prior to Otis, I was a sub- contractor for over 10 years gaining experience on construction, small repair, call out and service - also on stairlifts. For anyone thinking of joining the industry, I would say get a good all round experience and don't just emphasise on one area such as service - ps i'm interested in now moving abroad to either australia or canada - anyone with work give me a bell!!

-- vincent johnson (vinnyjohnno@AOL.com), August 17, 2004.

i am working for mitsubisi elevators as an installation engineer in india for past two years. if there is any requirement for lift engineers i am interested to work.

-- fahim tirandaz (fahim_t@rediffmail.com), September 27, 2004.

Hi I am a second year mechanic-in-training in Ontario, Canada. In Canada there is a definite shortage of GOOD mechanics, basically a qualified mechanic can quit a company and have a job the next morning.

However, it is an completely different ball game with regards to helpers, ( I am currently laid off ). The bigger companies in Canada play numbers games as a helper your job is never secure, basically no matter how good you are or how eager you are to learn layoff's will happen. To me its a part of life, but I know in the end the ultimate payoff will come once I do get my ticket.

I envy alot of you apprentices in the U.K, I would give my left nut to actually work 8 months in a year.

Dave

-- Dave (lepricon@rogers.com), September 27, 2004.

I am a recruitment consultant and have a couple of service engineers who are looking to move but I am having no joy at all. Anyone know of anyone that is looking for london based guys? Or if you are looking to move yourself, let me know.

-- Chris Cleaver (chris_cleaver@hotmail.com), October 18, 2004.

If there is a shortage in britain of lift engineers, why is it that lift companies when you write to them about vacancies say there is no work, yet on web recruitment sites there is hundreds of vacancies.

-- kev (kaph9@aol.com), October 26, 2004.

I am wondering if there is vacancies in South Australia. As I hope to be there early in the new year. I regulary check the job web sites and have only seen jobs in Queensland. I have 18 years experience as a Lift engineer in the U.K.

-- Jamie (jamie@19bridge.freeserve.co.uk), October 28, 2004.

sir,i'm seeking a job in elevator field. i'm working for KONE elevator as an installation mechanic in CYPRUS last two years.more than ten years working in this field. if there is any regurement for elevator mechanic i'm interested to work.

-- biju mathew (bijuch.biju@rediffmail.com), December 22, 2004.

Why has it taken so long for people to recognise the shortage of engineers this seems very short sighted or is it recognised that less trained engineers less pay therefore more competitive. We are driving the industry into a state of customer mistrust and a constant striving for a company that can provide a good service with a long term relationship. Lets start the revolution and make this industry great again. Your support is awaited and interested in your comments.

-- Andrew Jeffers (andrew.jeffer@alliedlifts.co.uk), January 08, 2005.

I am an elevator mechanic with over 30 years in the trade. I am selling my company in Las Vegas, Nevada and would like to work in Australia, New Zealand, or the UK for the next 5-10 years before I retire anyone know who needs an experienced mechanic? I have done construction, modernizations, service, repairs just about everything. In the US we give test approx every 2 years for anyone interested in getting into the trade. Then those that pass get placed on a waiting list to be called to work. If you really want to work you usually have to go where the work is to take the test and get hired. My son had to go to Seattle, Washington to get in the trade when he was 18 because the building boom was there at that time. Its in Las Vegas now so my son-in-law took the test and is waiting to get picked up by someone.

-- James B Underwood (haujbu@aol.com), January 18, 2005.

Andrew, I note your comments about an industry that has to strive to build long lasting relationships with it's customers and I'm proud to say that I work for such a company. This company recognises the shortage of suitably trained engineers and is paying for me to train as a lift engineer whilst I continue with my office duties, I am a mechanical engineer by trade so I have the right background.I would advise anybody with an engineering background to approach Lift Companies personally, even if it means starting an office job first, just make sure you get your foot in door, a lot of vacancies are posted internally first.

-- Simon Starr (thehatman@blueyonder.co.uk), January 19, 2005.

I am a fully qualified lift engineer from Ireland. I have worked for Irish lift services for the last three years, however I am currently in Sydney and cannot find work in this area. I specialise in construction rather than maintenance. If anybody would have any advice on finding work in this area it would be greatly appreciated.

-- Michael O' Sullivan (jenstallard23@hotmail.com), February 02, 2005.

i am a lift engineer made unemployed jan 05, i have been an engineer for 8 years and in the lift industry for nearly 5 years carrying out installation, modernization, refurbishment and hydraulic/electrical repair, i have L2 NVQ mechanical engineering and i am 95% complete at L3 NVQ lift installation. i am also an experinced welder yet i am still finding it very hard to find work. there is supposed to be a shortage but i think its just hear say. if there are any vacancies available please contact me at max_waterton69@hotmail.co.uk

-- max waterton (max_waterton69@hotmail.co.uk), February 10, 2005.

Where r u based- UK or elswhere as I have seen vacancies not advertised-word of mouth-e-mail me if you want details

-- (Groucho0@aol.com), February 11, 2005.

we do need more TRAINED, QUALIFIED lift engineers, the company's are responsible for sending any tom, dick or harry to collect signatures for profit. If I was a customer paying for servicing I would expect more than 30 minutes on site by an oiler.

-- jim miller (firmillers@aol.com), February 21, 2005.

Dear Max,

if you have all this experience & qualifications why are you out of work ? any liftman worth his salt can walk from company to company. not to be rude but i am sick & tired of hearing from so called skilled lift engineers whom once you employ turn out to be as much use as tits on fish! one simple test i use to guage liftmen from fish with tits is:-

1. get them to explain a bridge rectifier 2. get them to draw a car top controller on a piece of paper

(including electrical interlock) 3. get them to draw a common safety cicuit using all the main safety's

(cgc.lgc,sgs,pitstop,overtravels,pffr etc. etc.)

number two usually foxes them

i dont know if its the same in the rest of the world as it is here in blighty but with such a shortage of skilled tradesmen all kind of retards are getting "skilled" jobs which is making it harder for us real lift engineers to negotiate decent rates

long live the liftman

-- liftman (liftgenie-liftgods@yahoo.com), February 25, 2005.

i,ve been a real lift engineer for several years now and new jobs usually find me. Yes there is a shortage of professionally trained if some of the above people cant find work then I know of a few companies crying out for properly trained lift men. p.s "be careful in there..."

-- barry m (bazza35_2001@hotmail.com), March 02, 2005.

ok barry-name them-r they in the uk.........

-- (groucho0@aol.com), March 02, 2005.

i agree barry most think that they can sit a few L.E.I.A. courses and thats it your a Liftman.(What a load af S**t). I will tell you a small story.Once when working on site in the U.K. we were having a little difficulty building the car sling(a little to tight aligning bolt holes)The apprentice (Three Years In Mind) was dispatched for a file!. He returned some Twenty minutes later proudly carry a file under his arm.The numpty had only fetched the site file containing all the dwgs. etc If thats the calibre of engineers coming into the field god help us.As of certain companies taking on so called engineers i know of one company in England that "FAST TRACK" (SIX MONTHS) unskilled people and are fitting 250+ units per annum.This will eventually efect all the quality engineers in the field as the market becomes saturated with idits who can talk a good job.To all the real engineers thanks for listening to the rest go and drive buses.

LONG LIVE THE LIFTMAN

-- Liftman (bigupthelift-genie@yahoo.co.uk), March 02, 2005.

Our company is in Canada and looking for experienced people. The only problem is finding someone that has experience and actually has something to offer. Most of the good guys with experience and good are happy where thay are and their employers treat them well so they don't leave. The best luck we have is hiring college grads and training them ourselves but that takes 4 years.

Yes if you are good and have experience in this industry you won't go hungry.

-- Brian (m428rl@hotmail.com), March 02, 2005.

My apprenticeship lasted the full 4 years with block release, 6-8 weeks at a time, at college on a Lift Technology course. I spent what seemed like ages doing re-rope after re-rope and then stripping gearbox after gearbox. 6 months doing nothing but call-outs every day 6 months replacing controllers 6 months installing etc etc.It wasn't until after I had finished my apprenticeship that I was shown around the service route I was to take over and even then I was with another engineer for 6 months. I now have qualifications for electronics, lift technology, electrical wiring regulations, plant and heavy motors, rope testers certificate as well as management certificates,and even a certificate that allows me to rivet brake linings onto shoes,as well as other certificates, all of which I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to take,(and even more grateful to have passed) Even after I passed all these exams I continued at college to get further higher qualifications. I now spend my days writing specifications for service, repairs, new lifts, etc and in doing so I spend all my day sat on my arse in front of a computer on which I have never been trained???? Isn't life strange?

-- geoff judge (geoffjudge@bchtgroup.org), March 04, 2005.

Thats a fab answer geoff- reminds me of a story I heard about a well known otis man in scotland- I been in the lift trade 40 years-now retired-whats a comperputer and whats it for-thats a true story and if everyone is good i will tell you his name......

-- (groucho0@aol.com), March 04, 2005.

I work for a leading recruitment consultancy and one of the areas I recruit is the elevator and escalator market in the UK, recruiting for a number of market leaders. I am currently looking for Sales Engineers and Service / Lift Engineers throughout the UK. If anyone is interested in talking about a change of employers or knows of anyone who is actively seeking employment within the sector then please contact me on 08707 560597 or email richard.mann@midas- selection.com. Many thanks.

-- Richard Mann (richard.mann@midas-selection.com), March 07, 2005.

I am a elevator engineer having 10 years experience in elevator field i can installation& commissioning,break down calls,maintenance of all kinds of lifts.if there is any vacancy pls inform to me.

-- subbarayalu nandakumr (snandakmr@yahoo.com), March 12, 2005.