The job security in having 2nd Class certificate was my primary motivator…to me that’s where it’s at. Can be a supervisor if you like, can be a field guy/control room guy if you like….every plant needs them so as I see it, as long as you’re not a complete buffoon, you’ll never be out of work at that level. Currently…well I’ve been on shift since 1997 so progressing to the next level goes a long way to ensuring I can stay on day shift and learn how managing a shift translates into the challenge of managing a department. Cheers all.

Have worked a few shift schedules over the years as well…they all had pros and cons to be sure, primary benefit was a solid pay cheque which, to me, out weighed the cons. Started out on a 3-2-2 run for near 8 years - so starting Friday it was 3 days/2 off/2 nights/3 off/2 nights/2 off/…then back to 3 days. Was decent enough for a low man on union list to begin with…never a long stretch, and easy enough to swap out the two shifts mid week with someone to get a week off if needed…but the trade off was the constant switching. Did a short run on the 2 days/ 2 nights/ 4 off (about a year) and this is the one I hated most. First day off always coming off nights and who really cared about the 24 hour switch over to nights…all that was for me was a good study night since I’d stay up to 2 or 3 in the morning. Moved west and got a taste of 4 on and 4 off the way it should be done…that being straight 4 days/ 4 off/ 4 nights/ 4 off. Again, a good one with never a very long stretch at a time and two weekends a month off. By far my favourite is the 4-4-6 we work at my current employer…been here 18 years now (16 of it on shift). Starting on Tuesday it was 3 days/3nights/ 4 off/ 4 days/ 6 off/ 4 nights/ 4 off and then back to the Tuesday days. This 28 day rotation is pretty good here since our pay is averaged out to an annual salary so we don’t get the fluctuating pay periods that I know others on this rotation might experience. I find it to be a happy middle ground to the frequent switching vs the 7 and 7 (which I also worked for a while too). The obvious drawback to getting the six days off each month is the need to work that six tour, but splitting into days and nights makes it not all that bad…and I also find it a good team building stretch. Despite this one being my favourite, I must say the current schedule of 4 10’s is pretty sweet 😁 Cheers all.

Ask me next week…😉

@Jolan Dreyer no I’m doing Codes and Legislation next week. 1A2 will come in late July if all goes according to plan.

I have a pile for 1A1 I could email to you or something.