Hello, everyone.
This is Enta.
It seems everyone around here is incredibly busy—we really need a slope contractor!
It seems there's a greater shortage of slope engineers than of anchor installers.
We get calls quite often, too.
If they're calling us, it must be pretty serious, lol.
But I'm really grateful that you called!
I'm sorry I keep turning you down, but...
But that's beside the point.
I had a conversation with a young craftsman.
He seems dissatisfied with the current situation and wants to hear the opinions of the people in charge.
He sent me an email saying that since I also do craftsmanship work, he’d like to meet and talk, taking that into account.
At a coffee shop, we spent three hours talking about all sorts of silly things, as well as the current state of the company and my own situation.
What can I do to get a raise?
I guess this was probably my biggest complaint, lol.
I'm working this hard, and I'm doing more than my senior colleagues.
Slope stabilization work can handle all sorts of things.
Despite that, this is all I've gotten. I can't even get married on this!!
Man, I totally get where you're coming from.
I used to think that, too. Why the hell do I make less than that old geezer who never leaves the office!?
(Especially since coaches around that age—around 28—had an annual income of around 3 million yen at the time.)
But as a member of management, I’m going to ask you some tough questions here! (Not that I’m really being tough, lol)
When it comes to construction, we can do this, and we can do that.
So, can you plan everything from the beginning and see it through to the end?
When I ask about that, they say they've never done it. (They aren't allowed to.)
So, do you know why this construction project is doing things like this?
Why is this rebar installed like this?
He said he knew absolutely nothing about that.
From the management's perspective, he is considered to be doing the work of one person.
But it's only one person.
A skilled craftsman can handle the workload of 1.5 to 2 people.
1 In a world where artificial intelligence is taken for granted, it’s hard for salaries to go up. That’s just the way it is.
Even if they pass as a general worker, don't you think they lack the depth required of a true craftsman?
That's the advice I gave.
Many skilled craftsmen have a deep understanding of their specific field of expertise.
I understand why we do things this way and why we make them look that way.
If you're a craftsman looking to get a raise, please strive to deepen your mastery of your craft.
Why are we doing this work? Why are we using this material? And so on.
This is what elevates the quality of a craftsman's work.
If you want a raise, improve your skills as a craftsman!
Next, if you can do the work but can’t plan it out, you’re only doing less than half the job.
For a long time8 minutes of setup, 2 minutes of workis what they say.
Most of the work is about planning.
"Dandori" refers to preparation.
When you head out to a job site, the foreman says, “We need this,” “We need that,” and so on, and you select the equipment, load it onto the truck, and get everything ready, right?
Once we get to the site, the machinery will be here, the rebar will be placed over there, the rope will be taken from here, and the safety equipment will be...
The construction sequence goes like this and that...
That's what you're doing, right?
After that, we'll all rush in and get the job done, and it should wrap up with a big bang.
Are you just casually saying something like, “This job was a breeze,” lol?
That isIt was all because everything was well organizedWhat's that?
It's really easy working on set with a talented director, isn't it?
It's because everything is set up to run as smoothly as water flowing!!
It's the same with craftsmanship.
Craftsmen who can't plan ahead won't become foremen, and their pay won't go up!
If you want a raise, you need to be able to handle every step of the process!
Will we be able to manage with just the slope maintenance workers going forward?
I think it'll be fine for now.
However, we are entering an era where workers with only a single skill will absolutely not be able to succeed!
Specialized workers are also needed in this area.
I don't object to pursuing that alone.
However, for a young man like him,We Recommend Multi-Skilled WorkersThat's it!
You should take on challenges precisely because you're young!
If this person is 55 or younger, I would recommend becoming a multi-skilled worker!
As long as they're still coming to ask, it's still okay! lol
Why be a multi-skilled worker?
Simply put, from a director's perspective, it's really convenient!
Just suppose, for example.
1. There are two types of work at the site: Method A and Method B.
If we place an order with Contractor X, they can perform Construction Method A but not Construction Method B, so we’ll also need to bring in Contractor Y, who can perform Construction Method B.
However, since Contractor Z has workers who can perform both A and B, we will place the order with Z.
It’s actually more beneficial for the client to pay a slightly higher price to one contractor rather than paying two contractors.
It's simple.
What's more, both the meetings and the subsequent project planning proceed smoothly.
I've been in this industry for 25 years, but even as far as I know, they're just a handful.
However, using such contractors makes the supervisor’s job much easier in terms of scheduling and coordination, which leads to better construction management.
And it also significantly reduces the stress on contractors.
It's all good.
I recommended that multi-skilled worker to him.
While working on the slope, I'll also install anchors and rock bolts. If possible, I'll take some photos, too.
I'll also get my construction management certification.
If you go this far, it's only natural that your salary would be high!
It can't be helped! I can do it, after all!!
However, there are also obstacles.
Older people don't usually just tell you things that easily!
When it comes to learning how to drill holes, they start saying things like, “You need three years of experience at a plant,” or “You need to have worked on the production floor for X number of years.”
Since that would make things quite difficult, if you're aiming to become a multi-skilled worker, you should either look for a job at another company or find a company that will train you.
That's the only way. If you work on slope stabilization for two years, then move on to anchors for two years, and keep going like that, in ten years you'll be a fully-fledged multi-skilled worker!!
From then on, if you keep working on a wide range of tasks, even if only superficially, you’ll surely become a seasoned professional.
If you're worried about the future, you should become a multi-skilled worker!
Can anyone become a multi-skilled worker?
It's possible.
However, people who are most likely to succeed are those with a broad perspective on life.
An important aspect of construction is the ability to look at the big picture and gain a general understanding of the whole project.
Spatial AwarenessThat's the one.
Can you understand the situation and relationships on site?
This is very important.
However, since this is something you can improve by being mindful of it at all times, try to get into the habit of constantly checking the situation on the ground.
And,Someone who can take responsibility for all sitesThat's it!
Almost everyone who can become a jack-of-all-trades is a master craftsman!
The foreman is in charge of the job site.
You must take responsibility for mistakes made on the job, even if they were made by your subordinates.
Supervisors Are Responsible for All Human Errors Committed by Their Subordinates!
Anyone who can think this way is a true master!
So, does that mean it’s all the foreman’s fault? Actually, it’s the company’s responsibility.
It's the company president's responsibility!
I believe that is the structure of responsibility inherent in a hierarchical organization.
That’s exactly why the boss takes responsibility and shows courage to really drive profits for the company.
Young artisans follow in the footsteps of that wonderful master craftsman.
I feel like this structure is the most sound.
Only people who can see the big picture and take responsibility can become multi-skilled workers!
This is the kind of conversation that took place between me and the young person.
And I talked a little bit about my family, lol.
In our case, we can handle everything in-house—from shotcrete to anchor installation, rock bolts, and rope net installation.
That's my selling point right now lol
Naturally, we can handle construction management for everything from the construction plan to the completion documents and the Construction CALS.
We have almost every type of machine available.
I think it will eventually become the norm.
However, for now, the team is still divided into the Slope Team, the Anchor Team, the Mesh Team, and the Construction Management Team.
However, we are now in the era of multi-skilled workers.
We are looking for craftsmen who, even if they can’t do everything perfectly, can still handle tasks to a certain extent.
While single-skill workers are certainly necessary, they simply can't compete with multi-skill workers.
This is the best right now!(I think so)
If a single-skill worker becomes a multi-skill worker, they’ll be the strongest—at least for the time being.
Not everyone will be able to do it, but I hope young people will give it a try.
If you don't have the right environment, just find a workplace where you can take on new challenges!
I hope that more companies like that will emerge in the future.
I learned a great deal from a story about a young person this time.
I want to become a top-notch craftsman with a sky-high salary!
There are still some out there!! Young people who seriously want to become artisans!!!
It reaffirmed my resolve to build a company where we can stand on our own two feet and support those who speak their minds.
When in doubt, move forward! by Senichi Hoshino
See you later.
