Marine Fabricator September/October 2022 - 46

Shop Talk Business
Brandon Cox, BJC Covers,
Port Stephens, New South Wales
Cox has a different story to tell. He is
an incredibly talented young fabricator
in his mid-20s who says he is feeling
overwhelmed and exhausted by the sheer
volume of marine work to be done.
" I have no energy left for the business, "
" Really listening
to young business
owners and new
workers is a critical
fi rst step in reinforcing
our industry. "
Cox says. Managing the workload and
his own expectations has convinced Cox
that he needs a rest from BJC Covers, a
company he started at an even younger age.
In beautiful Port Stephens, customers
have few options for quality marine fabrication,
and Cox says his local competitors
(friends) run equally busy shops and
have long lead times to complete projects.
These challenges are not uncommon, but
the explosion of new boat owners through
the pandemic has increased the workload
exponentially, along with the burnout.
" This is a new challenge for my
generation of fabricator, " Cox says.
Supporting young fabricators
Losing highly qualifi ed young fabricators
is devastating. Cox must do
what is right for him, and we older
business owners must learn how to
help young business owners cope.
NEXT-GEN SUPPORT
Here are concrete steps you can take to support young marine fabricators:
* Listen more. All generations can teach and learn from each other.
* Mentor young business owners in business skills and consider partnership
opportunities. What young people lack in terms of investable cash can
be made up for with their creativity, risk tolerance and willingness to
embrace technology.
* Discard preconceived ideas about young people and don't be judgmental.
* Hire a young and/or inexperienced person and set aside time to train them.
* Be patient and kind. They genuinely may not know what you are talking about.
* Set people up for success, not failure.
* Guard against gender and age bias.
* Always ask new staff members to write and draw or sketch their thoughts.
46 Marine Fabricator | September/October 2022
Really listening to young business
owners and new workers is a critical fi rst
step in reinforcing our industry. It is their
time, and we need to tell them about the
rewards that are possible with careful
business/life planning and the strategic
execution of their skills. We oldsters didn't
get every situation right. We worked far
too many hours, and we should discuss
this with them.
" In my day " conversations fall on
deaf ears, and so they should. It's not
our day. In my case that's long gone,
but we can be there to help and support
the next generation. They want what we
wanted, and we owe it to them to nurture
their energies and support them. Listen
more. Encourage them. And don't be
judgmental because if we are, then our
trade is in trouble.
But I believe we are not in trouble.
Watching Michael Walker and KiRaphael
Sulkowski give presentations
and network at workshops, openly discuss
their methods and vulnerabilities, and
engage with attendees is so rewarding.
Brandon Cox is a quality young
person who will carve an amazing
career in whatever pursuit he chooses.
He recently sent me this update, " I'm
just doing a few days a week to keep my
skills up and I'm enjoying it. " I will do
my darndest to keep him in our fold and
support him on his journey.
These are three terrifi c young people,
and our trade is full of wonderful young
leaders that I am so proud of. Despite
the challenges, I can say with confi dence
that " our trade is in good hands. "
Neil Hancock, MFC, started his marine
fabrication journey as a 16-year-old in 1977.
He retired in 2018 to join the Nolan Group,
an Australian supplier of commercial and
industrial textiles, as Market Manager for the
marine and automotive industries.
For more information, visit:
marinefabricatormag.com
Search " new business owners "
http://www.marinefabricatormag.com
Marine Fabricator September/October 2022

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