Advice for a Production employee

[RoofUs]

Hello, After 11 years in residential construction I started a job as a on-line production employee at a manufactured home plant. I have 3 years with the company and am 32 yrs old. After a year of siding I was moved to roofing and have been there since. I excel at jobs that I am given, I love the pace, the work,and after some research have become fascinated with the industry. I have little in common with others in production and am resented simply because I go hard. I feel that I am in my prime as an employee and want to stay on-line in production as long as i physically can, yet, I'd like to be seen differently than the workers who I've had to show how to put blades in their utility knife, or teach to read their tape measures. If it's necessary to get paid the same as employees who don't do half as much than so be it... but how about some more responsibility or the chance to go help another group that is behind instead of bringing in two or three temps. Is there a place for someone like me in the profession? How do I get to the next level?

[rmurray]

Have you thought about talking to your plant's production manager. Most will value a good worker and would be happy to have a line foreman waiting in the wings..The best way to get ahead is to promote yourself to those who can help you..

[fredcdobbs]

As rmurray stated make sure the company is aware that you wish to advance with the company and that you have skills that will benefit the company. If you want to advance don't blend in, you need to stand out.

Depending on what direction you want to go, in our industry it is generally not required that you have a degree to be a manager in certain departments. In fact I know a few General Managers and Engineering managers that do not have a degree as well as other department managers (including myself) A large number of people on the MFG side have moved through the ranks, starting out on the line. (again including myself)

Management skills are the key to success as you must manage people, time, materials, provide training and make good decisions that benefit all involved being customers, company and employees.

That being said I would reccommend that you learn all you can on the tech side of the industry such as the HUD standards, your plant's DAPIA, the QA process, and the materials used . Make sure you know and understand the manufacturer's installation instructions of all material that you come in contact with. Tech knowledge is beneficial in all positions throught the plant.