Prem tech, do I ever have a chance of getting into core contract? Most of us are over a decade of service now but they’ve been only to hiring 2 year term construction and TFS. What are the odds? Any changes foreseeable or is this a dead end job unless you sip koolaid and go manager?
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Keep applying for Specials Digital Tech positions, company has transitioned that job into an installation business Prem/Wire Tech, that maintains multi-lines/legacy equipment. Most experienced core techs don’t want the position anymore but it’s a good promotion for wire techs.
Mobility is a different entity and DOES NOT have to follow the JVR process laid out in the core contract and and when they have brought on core techs they regret it quickly.
“ Not even close to reality.”
It’s the absolute reality. You have core techs who apply and interview for wireless tech jobs every year. And you have prem techs who actually get the jobs every year. And they go on to be successful while some core techs with 20+ years go on to work more weekends.
Mobility is a different entity and does have to follow the JVR process laid out in the core contract and and when they have brought on core techs they regret it quickly.
“ Alway open jobs in Furnace Creek”
Yeh…like AC repairman.
Prem techs have a better grasp of technology and work harder than core techs.
Not even close to reality.
Prem techs are only trained on what they need to know to do their job.
I'm not saying they're stupid. They're only shown a small piece of the network. Any other skills or knowledge will be obtained outside of the company training.
Prem tech, do I ever have a chance of getting into core contract?
Yes. Bid on core jobs as they come open.
Alway open jobs in Furnace Creek
Look for positions in Mobility.
I have seen more prem techs successfully get roles over core techs.
Prem techs have a better grasp of technology and work harder than core techs.
Core techs want to bring THEIR core contract work habits. And let’s be honest those habits are terrible.
There will only be fiber splicing group eventually. The rest of core is doomed as well.
Just be prepared to be at the bottom, I am with 23 years at my WC, only 2 others below me at nearest WC. Surplussed 4X, 8 surplus meetings, I’ll probably get gone again in 2024. No one thought it would ever be like this!
They’re few and far between. They’ve been hiring temp/term techs since 2008 and no one off the street. Occasionally something opens up in the core contract, but there’s a ton of people bidding on the same opening. It doesn’t help with this never ending hiring freeze that makes it virtually impossible to ever move up or even laterally. Unfortunately whatever you have now is probably the only job you’ll have at T, unless they surplus you to another location.
Hang in there, core jobs usually pop up where no one wants to move to, or dive an hour or more away to get to the office. Those are the ones to put in for to get out of prem.
Ask your local union for courses or an online class to study for the TKTII (Technical Knowledge Test). Then you are eligible for DT, ET, Systems Tech and other positions. I know a lot of long term Prem/Wire Techs make the transition. Keep applying for open positions, you will be successful eventually.
I would say dead end. If you are part of the fiber group, it had a Beginning Target and an End Target. When the goal is reached it is over.