An observation - a prediction - somewhat off-topic

[Doug Mahard]

Hi Phil and all,

The PTG Survey that we - ahem - all filled out backs up everything you're
saying basically.  The largest % of new techs coming into the trade are 40
years old or older, something like 60% + if memory serves me correctly.  BUT
the 20 year old and under bracket comprises of only 2% of new techs coming
into the trade!

How I read this is my business will never lack for work unless I turn into a
total screw up.  As the older techs retire in my area that leaves techs like
me (age bracket of 40 to 50 yrs old, I'm 45) sitting mighty pretty in
picking up at least part of the customers these retirees are leaving.

I owe a lot to these older techs in my area for showing me the ropes so to
say.  It amazes me how much knowledge they have and are very free in sharing
it in order to make me a better tech.

This trade is one of the best kept secrets out there.  How many kids in high
school sit at there desks and day dream about becoming a piano tech and
associating a descent pay with it?  Talk about debunking mode.  Sure it is
up to us as individuals to promote PTG but if we as an organization were
really serious about it we would be going into high school career fairs or
getting involved in the "shadowing programs" , this is were an interested
individual follows you around for a day as you go about your work (add your
own one liner here).  Also a little TV advertisement wouldn't hurt either.
Get a spot in on a broadcast with piano music on it.  I know this is major
bucks, but for all I know the PTG might have it or should consider raising
it and then spending it.

Yet, all this might be shooting ourselves in the foot as the trade is
flooded with new people that we end up competing against :)

All this might be shooting off at the mouth too (see grin above).

Doug Mahard

----- Original Message -----
From: Phil Bondi <tito@PhilBondi.com>
To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, April 21, 2000 6:18 AM
Subject: An observation - a prediction - somewhat off-topic


> Good Morning all - and a Happy Easter/Passover to everyone.
>
> Using the people on this list that have responded to the 'age' thread as
my only
> guide, I would say anyone who is in their 30's and 40's had better stay in
good
> physical condition - you are going to be more in demand in the coming
years.
> There does not appear to be an influx of young people entering this
trade - now I
> know this is the kind of business that lends itself to being 'handed
down', and
> there is the possibility that there are more people in the trade schools
than I
> am aware of - I hope I am wrong - I hope young people see our profession
as a
> good, honest, in-demand type of field.
>
> Is it wrong for me to say that almost all of us entered this field from
another?
> From my vantage point, this profession is something that some people
'fall' into,
> or realize after years of inability to get happy in another
field(guily,musician)
> that we find this field to be quite the opposite from the field where we
were.
>
> Speaking for myself, when I was a working(?) musician, I had to make my
'phone
> ring' - by hustling and doing 'the hang', which I truly despised. Since
becoming
> a Piano Technician, I find myself not hustling for work...the work seems
to be
> coming right to my lap - that's a big change from what I am use to..and
frankly,
> I love it!
>
> When I chose to learn this field, it was my hope that it was the kind of
field
> that I could be productive in in my later years and still be somewhat in
> demand..it looks like being productive is what you're going to be
comfortable
> with..being in demand is something that will precede your
reputation(?)..but from
> the general age group of this list, those in their 30's and 40's should be
> thinking that the work will only increase in time if you want it to - that
means
> that you will be in demand.
>
> Did anybody else observe this, or should I just go back to bed???
>
> Rook
>
>