A tradesman does trades work according to his muster, without supervision. I.E. a fitter- machinist should be able to do any work of a fitter whether it is in a mine or a laundry. A labourer, trades assistant, or process worker works under direction and supervision. For a tradesman, unless the job is highly specialised, all jobs are the same, witihin his training. Experience means he MAY be able to do the job quicker or better than a tradesman inexperienced at that process for a short time.
As an old Fitter-Machinist first Class, I object to "multi-skilling". If a fitter or boilermaker needed a five year apprenticeship to do his job, then a "multi-skilled" worker needed a bloody sight more. "Fitter-Welders" are an example. I never came across a tradesman fitter who could weld like a good boilie, in fact, most of us never wanted to do any more than basic welding if we had to. In big shops or yards, quite rightly, we were never allowed to weld.


Reply With Quote



Bookmarks