Safe work and travel key to elevator constructors

Feature - by Mark Sproxton

Placing a protective barrier around the outside of the downtown office tower elevator, the mechanic knows what's ahead. He's going to be bombarded with questions and comments from those working in the building who will now have one fewer elevator car to take them to work. The comments will range from the ridiculous, offered by people who believe it is his fault the elevator is out of commission, to the genuinely curious.

And it's that kind of interest which first drew Merv Godfrey to the vertical transportation industry. "I always had an interest and curiosity of what was on the other side of the square box I was riding up and down in, and what made the escalator steps go round and round," explained the elevator mechanic who works for Fujitec Elevators.

"(There's) a sense of value that goes with working with your hands and tools knowing thousands of people for years to come will benefit from the product you have built."

Now he spends his eight-hour days ensuring elevators and escalators in downtown high rises are properly maintained and operating correctly. As Godfrey says, working for his, his co-workers and the public's safety by ensuring these devices operate properly give him much job satisfaction. "(There's) a sense of value that goes with working with your hands and tools knowing thousands of people for years to come will benefit from the product you have built," he said.

In the 28 years Godfrey has worked on various types of vertical lifts, thousands have already benefitted from his mechanical aptitude, his ability to read plans, schedule maintenance and log work performed. Armed with a Grade 12 diploma and a desire to work, Godfrey contacted the International Union of Elevator Constructors about getting into the industry. The union lined him up where he received training on-the-job from experienced tradesmen and completed night school and home-study courses geared to the trade. Others looking to become elevator constructors can enrol in an apprenticeship program to take courses offered by the Canadian Elevator Industry Educational Program.

"I enjoy everything about the industry," Godfrey said. "(There are) new challenges every day. (It) has been a very good experience and lifestyle in the elevator industry." His typical day goes something like this: arrive at work in the morning and check to ensure everything is running as it should, begin completing reports on work that has been done and has to be done, and plan the day's work based on maintenance/repair schedules. The day may also include talking with the public, or the building operator, ensuring things are running as expected.

And there'll be the odd time where unscheduled repairs are required. These repairs could include repairing wiring for the control system or fixing pieces in the hoisting system. Most of the time, however, the regular maintenance work will catch these issues before they become problems.

Elevator constructors entering the workforce after completing their apprenticeship can expect to earn in the neighbourhood of $40,000 a year to start. Depending on education, experience and location of employment -- constructors work worldwide in buildings, mines, ships and elsewhere -- earnings may reach as high as $100,000 a year.

For Godfrey, he's happy to work safely in Calgary's downtown core and pass on his knowledge and experience to newcomers to the field. His advice for anyone considering this line of work: "Complete all the education provided for you and take on all challenges. Have a good work attitude, you are selling a product to companies, which is yourself. Work safe (is) the number one rule."