Is It Just Me?

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Aug 31, 2007 | 02:37 PM

#31

ASM

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From: California Central Coast

Quote:

Originally Posted by herman391

I was the same way when I was in school (Only been out for about 2 months), I figured I would be getting into a trade and the need to be able to communicate cleary would be used but not very much, it didn't matter to me though because I knew that I was able to do it anyways. Now that I'm looking over job postings for trades (diesel mechanic particularly) they ALL say that you need to be able to communicate cleary both verbally and in writing.

Well, I'm just a dumb old sheet metal worker but I've worked in a number of jobs and positions where clear and concise communication was essential to the success of the project.

I worked for 12 years straight as a Detailer which is a guy who draws shop drawings on CAD for the purpose of review of the design team for approval, shop fabrication and field installation. I had to identify mistakes and/or problems with the design drawings or documents and write RFI's (request for information) for resolve of those issues. I had to accurately describe the problem so that the engineers and architects could come up with a viable solution.

I've also worked in a nuclear power plant where poor communication can be potentially disastrous. Written instructions had to be 100% accurate and followed to the 't' in critical path.

So don't think that good speaking and writing skills are any less important in blue collar jobs than they are for doctors and lawyers, etc.

Aug 31, 2007 | 02:42 PM

#32

herman391

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From: Leamington, Ontario

ASM, thats very true and I agree with you there. I guess I should have made myself more clear. The jobs that I looked at included carpenter, electrician and mechanic. Not quite as advanced as the jobs you spoke of in your post. Obviously you need to be able to communicate clearly in any job, it's just that some jobs need you to be able to communicate on a much higher level than others.

Aug 31, 2007 | 02:58 PM

#33

ASM

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From: California Central Coast

Quote:

Originally Posted by herman391

You may misunderstand my meaning. I worked in those places and positions as a sheet metal worker, just another common construction worker. Half of the employees in the nuclear power plant were electricians. They also had carpenters, engine/equipment mechanics and common laborers, all of which were required to communicate accurately.

As a detailer I had to interface with the architects and engineer's in fact, they often relied on my knowledge and experience when searching for conflict resolution. It was quite a heady feeling telling a mechanical engineer why his design would not work and then have him ask me how it should be done. I would merely offer suggestions which they would accept and implement as their own.

Heck, clear and accurate communication at McDonald's may be essential for the preservation of life itself if you are serving a man on the brink of psychological breakdown with access to lethal weapons! You just never know these days who might snap and go postal!