IE position R18-20 k

[Isetech]

Talk about a kick in the teeth, now I remember why have been self employed for over 30 years.

Reading an ad looking for an IE with years of solar experience to take "responsibility" (signing off solar project big and small) for a ridiculous R20 000.00. That's an insult, really is that all these okes are getting paid. This could explain why the industry is in such a mess and the workmanship is of such a poor quality.

This is the very reason I stopped busting my butt off working for a company back in 1990. nothing has changed.

I earn almost that if I work a Saturday and Sunday at the rate, at the low rate I charge.

I was chatting to a solar company about checking a site, they wanted R1200 per hour plus travelling to come to site.

Lets do the maths and see if you getting a good deal.

If the company charges R1200 for you as a IE who will be doing these type of callouts.

Lets say you can only work for 6 hours a day max - 1200 x 6 = R7200 per day

Lets say you only work 5 days a week - R36000 per week

Lets say you work the whole month - 36000 x 4.33 = R155880.00 per month.

You going to earn R20 000 per month before deductions, taxes, medical aid and all the other bits and pieces.

Talk about exploiting labour

When I worked for a company back in the day, I booked 9 hours everyday worked just about ever Saturday and Sunday

Being self employed is not easy by a long shot, but working for R15000 or less a month as an IE, no thanks.

I take it an MIE earns R25k what a joke.

[Isetech]

Some will say its not cheap to run a company, this is where you need to understand the your value as a trades person.

IF you doing a single phase testers job or working in the domestic market, rewiring kitchens for example and not doing the type of work you are qualified to do, then you need to do what I did when this became a problem. You hand in you resignation and you move to a place that is suitable for your qualification. If you are lazy person who just goes to work to get a pay check at the end of the week, then R20k might be the correct salary for you.

The way I see it is if you have gone to the trouble of spending all that time and money getting to the point were you are an IE or MIE, you should be the kind of person who is a little more motivated that the flock who are happy to just get through the day and put your hand out at the end of the week.

I jumped from one company to another within a short period of time and didnt miss a days work even between moving companies.

I moved to gain experience which would allow me to apply for the IE card and then again to get my MIE card.

What a lot of people dont know, is what it takes to become an IE or MIE. How many years of training and experience required.

It took me years of training , tech blocks with piles of books which you have to study and pass with over 50 % on both days, working in all sectors of the industry from domestic to commercial to industrial, including hazardous locations like paint stores, oil refineries, pharmaceutical, hospital theatres, you name it I have worked in that environment.

If I was offered R50 000 per month as a salary, I would take it as an insult.

[Andrew_van_Zyl]

I have to agree. I'm new to the industry on a single phase tester ticket. My work ethic, instruments, tools and transport have equipped me to do a first class job. This coupled with the things I learn every day is earning me a fair living. I will never go back to IT and corporate life.

[Dave A]

Reading an ad looking for an IE with years of solar experience to take "responsibility" (signing off solar project big and small) for a ridiculous R20 000.00. That's an insult, really is that all these okes are getting paid.

For someone with years of experience and doing it right, probably not.

Apart from the fact that R18 - R20k per month is below minimum allowed pay for an IE in many areas, feedback I get is that even in areas where that would fly, you're not going to hire an IE at minimum rates in many instances.

On the exploitation argument - you're missing a few costs that go with putting an IE on the job.
Like vehicle, fuel, assistant, about 30% in indirect payroll costs, insurance, cell phone etc.
And then there's the stuff that shouldn't happen, but can and does. Like the bill when they blow something up, or the bill that lands one day when they signed off something that isn't up to standard.

And getting R150k per month out of an IE's billable hours?
Maybe some are, but I'm pretty sure most don't. In my case not even close
(My fault maybe?)

[Isetech]

Doing PV installation has certainly rattled my little secure cage.

I have to increase my rates with immediate effect, due to insurances that I have had to take out, for faulty workmanship (I know you suppose to have it) and all the other stuff that being a little guy, you can shuffle along without an issue.

Suddenly there are a whole of things, that when I was doing million rand contracts were in place, and everything was covered.

The first issue is the VAT threshold, man I didnt want to go done that road again, thank goodness financial year end is almost here. Another 2 months at this rate we going to have to register.

Trust me I know what you are talking about with staff expenses, been down that road.

Lets not even start with the vehicle story.

People say why dont you just employ more staff, I am sure there are a few bosses who would disagree that paying an IE 20K is an insult