Disclaimer: this article was original published by Iron Armor Construction Machinery Network. Sources: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/lWz-8fMXQtktA4BL67Zk1A
The current excavator community is experiencing a painful process of renewal. Although many young excavator operators enter the industry every year, as the older generation changes careers or retires, there is still a significant shortage of excavator operators in the market. The veteran operators who remain are facing even more difficult decisions.
In fact, due to the shortage of operators, these experienced veterans, who have been working for decades and have mastered their skills, are very much in demand. Many employers compete to offer high salaries, hoping to bring these individuals into their companies. Thus, wherever these veteran excavator operators go, they are sought-after commodities, never worrying about finding work, with some of the best employment terms.
However, those who have been operating excavators for many years know that it is easy to develop occupational diseases. After operating for decades, many excavator masters undoubtedly suffer from various chronic conditions. Additionally, operating excavators often means spending more time away from family, seldom being able to accompany spouses and children, which is a source of distress for many established operators.
Moreover, the older generation of operators are generally already in their forties or even older, making a career change to learn other skills unrealistic. After all, they are not young anymore and can’t just pick up new skills immediately. Therefore, most of these veteran operators choose to buy their own excavators and become bosses themselves. But given the current market situation, where there are more owners than drivers, these veterans hesitate, debating whether to give up their current promising job to enter the competitive world of excavator business ownership or to continue steadfastly.
If entering this profession was “for money,” then leaving it comes down to “for love”—a sentiment perhaps only those seasoned operators, who have experienced many setbacks and hardships, can truly appreciate. Hence, whether they choose to change careers or hold on, these veterans who have dedicated their youth and sweat to construction machinery deserve our utmost respect.
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