Hopefully when you put together your shortlist of candidates to interview for your CNC Programming Job, you have at least 3 good candidates that all on paper have the skills you need to do the job in hand.
But that can sometimes bring it’s own set of problems.
I want you to imagine that you’re an owner of a small engineering company.
You normally sub contract out your CNC Machining but you’ve decided to take the plunge and buy your first machine tool.
After meeting the sales rep and deciding the most appropriate tool for the job you’ve invested over 50k on a 4 Axis Machining Centre.
As you’re a sub contractor to the Motorsport Industry it’s important that you respond quickly and accurately, to the regular requests for machining work, from the various companies that supply you digital drawings to produce programmes from.
One candidate is an experienced Programmer able to use CADCAM for not only design but also producing programmes using CAM (MasterCAM) and is more than capable of programming longhand in G code.
He has more experience than you need but experience you could really use in the future.
You have plans to design and manufacture your own product. This candidate has done this before and enjoys creating new products, he’s also devised methods of production, wrote the code, proved the programme, ran 1st offs, and set up the Production processes.
Long term he’ll be looking for a higher salary than the £24k that you were ideally looking to pay, and he’ll have to move closer to you to make the commute more reasonable (currently it’s less than an hour).
In the other corner you have a candidate capable of modifying and running the programmes, and closer to the salary you want to pay, he’s more local so the commute isn’t an issue.
He’s a good immediate solution because he can do the job for the money, but maybe he’ll never be able to offer more than that.
My question is, as an owner of a medium sized engineering company what would you do?
Would you go for the immediate solution? or would you pay a bit extra and take the opportunity to hire somebody with more skills than you need at the moment?
If you have a view, leave a comment, I’d be interested to know.
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You stated yourself that you’re viewing this decision as an “owner of a medium sized engineering company”, so why wouldn’t you want to build more capabilities into your company for just a small increase in the price tag. A good programmer/machinist/toolmaker/product designer/manufacturing engineer if he has enough of each of these skill sets is enough to help grow a company substantially with the correct mindset. I have seen too many times where an operator was coddled along, and supported the entire way, only to be entirely too disappointing when given the position to “shine”.
Thanks for taking the time to comment John.
You make a good point.
Confidence is worth paying a premium for?
I agree with Johns reply. If the employee #1 is willing to travel or move and has the skills set then it looks to me to be the correct choice to grow the company into this area. He would also be a great mentor for young eager operators willing to learn. would he pass on his skills?
I would be questioning his motives for leaving his current employer. Organizations usually hold onto qualified talent in good and bad times as they are hide to find.
Good question Sean. But I can only answer with more questions! I guess it all depends on the financial position of my small engineering company, and whether I currently have sufficient “spare” profit to invest. Clearly the higher calibre candidate would be best – but can I afford him? Sadly I might have to hire the cheaper alternative and gain these skills later when I have more money. Sometimes, recruitment decisions are not so easy!
Nice post though!
All the best,
Jason
Hi Jason
Appreciate your comments
I’m sure there are other business owners that will identify with the points you’ve raised
Regards
Sean