Promotion

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 1:46 pm

Yesterday I got to retake my SMETS (Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications) Test. This is a proficiency test that everyone has to take before they get the chance to move on. I failed it last time, but was assured that most people fail the first few times. The thing is, they couldn't give me the score or which questions I got wrong. Yesterday I learned that I only failed by a single question, but this time, although I couldn't be given my actual score, I was told that I "Busted It" (Team Leader's words), with a very high score. Within half an hour I was told I do my training next week for First Contact. This is the department that deals with new customers that still have the older Prepay Key & Card meters in their properties.

Despite being quite happy doing what I'm doing already, I do feel a sense of achievement that I've been promoted before I've even completed my 6 Month Probationary Period, but at least, if need be, I can always downgrade. This is the way the company works. Everyone starts at Entry Level (SMETS) & then does further training in order to increase their skillset. Only once proficiency in each skillset has been demonstrated are you able to train for another. Each skillset you take on, therefore, make you more valuable to the company, as it makes you more adaptable & interchangeable between departments, should the need arise. Because of this, each additional skillset also incurs a nominal increase in pay (I'm told about £500 p.a). To be honest, I wasn't expecting to be moved on. That morning I wasn't even expecting to take my Smets Test (they don't give you any advanced warning). I was just happy to get it out of the way. To get the promotion was a bonus.

Post by **Momus** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 2:50 pm

Many congratulations. It sounds like you have worked hard for it.

Wandrin · Post by **Wandrin** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 4:21 pm

Congrats!

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 4:46 pm

Like I said, it's no big deal as everyone eventually progresses with the company, but it took me a bit by surprise that I wasn't looking for promotion. I wasn't even expecting to move at least until I completed my 6 month probation. What makes it funnier still, in a way (sort of karma), is that the (asst) manager from my previous position with the Care Company starts her entry level training on the 7th, so I will have seniority over her both by rank & time worked there. To be fair, she's ok & I reckon she'll be good at the job. And on top of that there's 2 others from there. One of whom was a Supervisor, and she sees herself as working towards being a supervisor here. Time will tell there, I think. So far, then, 4 of us moved on to the same company.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 8:04 pm

Fourpart

Congrats - that's a big deal...! You should be very proud of yourself.

Every Positive brings on more positive.:-6

Good for you

Patsy

Post by **LarsMac** » Sat Oct 29, 2016 8:15 pm

Good news. I am glad that things are working well for you in your new job.

cars · Post by **cars** » Sun Oct 30, 2016 1:00 am

Well done, onward and upward!

tude dog · Post by **tude dog** » Sun Oct 30, 2016 8:27 am

Happy for ya. Keep up the good work.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Tue Nov 01, 2016 4:58 am

Congratulations - maybe "everyone passes eventually" but that's not the point, be proud of what you've achieved.

magentaflame · Post by **magentaflame** » Tue Nov 01, 2016 5:53 am

Well done you ! And congrats!

Heres a sun:-6 becauce i cant find any gold star stickers.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Tue Nov 01, 2016 1:15 pm

And I knew you when you were jobless and on two wheels..........................onward and upwards.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 3:01 pm

Wednesday was the day from Hell. Not only did I suffer a major setback in my personal life on Tuesday night, but when I started taking calls in the morning, they were all nightmare ones. Wednesday's is usually the calmest of the week. Then, just as I'm about to leave to start my training I'm told it's had to be rescheduled as the trainer had called in sick so, for now I'm still in my original position pending rescheduling.

After that the calls steadily got worse. While I was busy I managed to hold it together. Then it got to lunch break, and I folded & just went into full meltdown. It wasn't any one thing, but everything became part of the domino effect & went totally out of control. Fortunately I'm not working this weekend, so I'm able to spend some time with my trusty companion, Johnnie Walker.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 5:21 pm

Don't let Johnnie dominate.................he's only a part time friend..........he can be your worst enemy.......spoken while I sup Johnnie's poor relative McKendrick's ....on offer at my local super market.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:35 am

Bruv;1502307 wrote: Don't let Johnnie dominate.................he's only a part time friend..........he can be your worst enemy.......spoken while I sup Johnnie's poor relative McKendrick's ....on offer at my local super market.
The friend who introduced us proved to be deceitful & went off with another friend. We had planned a little group get together. However it ended up to be just me & Johnnie.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 8:59 am

Rapidly running out of JW - gonna have to start on the cheap stuff soon.

Post by **LarsMac** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 12:08 pm

FourPart;1502341 wrote: Rapidly running out of JW - gonna have to start on the cheap stuff soon.

A friend of mine, here, just commented that he though JW WAS the cheap stuff.

Saint_ · Post by **Saint_** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 12:47 pm

Isn't it true that an accomplishment that is first failed, and then passed is all the more rewarding? Especially if that accomplishment is highly technical and difficult? Great work, four!