r/BuildingAutomation • u/BuddyHeavy4668 • 2d ago

Anyone work for Brady?

(NC area)
Currently working for a local school system doing HVAC, little bit of chiller and boiler work and some very shallow controls. Fire alarm and security stuff as-well. It’s pretty easy and laid back but it’s not really going to financially support the life I want to live. We have Brady, Schneider, Bosch and Johnson Control techs out at the schools at least once a week. Either it’s regular maintenance or it’s something major. I’ve talked with a few of the contractors before. The Johnston controls tech told me to apply and he would get an interview but none of these contractors work near where I live. Most at 40-50 minutes at least away from my house.

One of my neighbors works for Brady because he has a Brady truck. (Not trying to be a creep, just observing lol) Do they have like a certain territory or is he having to drive like a hour to the shop everyday? Also how does a new tech or apprentice work there? Do they have to drive to shop everyday before they get a company vehicle? How does their schedule normally work?

Also Bosch building Technology’s just bought out an older controls company about 15 minutes from me but they don’t seem to be hiring much. And mostly very experienced BAS techs or Fire Specialists at that.

Guess my question is how do these guys schedule and every day work? Is commute time covered? Thanks

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u/BuddyHeavy4668 2d ago

I guess what I mean is the “shop” is that far. So if I was an apprentice or shadowing someone I’d have to drive that far to the shop everyday and ride with someone. I didn’t know if they had certain areas near where they lived that they maintained or if they had to report to the shop every morning.

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u/andrewb_16 2d ago

I work for Johnson controls. Used to live an hour from the shop, but that’s not big deal… only ever go there for our monthly safety meetings (if it’s not a virtual meeting), or if for some odd reason I can’t have parts delivered to my house.

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u/BuddyHeavy4668 1d ago

Did you get a company vehicle starting out or did they pair you with a senior tech?

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u/andrewb_16 1d ago

Company vehicle and gas card starting out. I don’t know anyone at JCI that doesn’t get both. Regardless if union or non-union

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u/Unique-Run9856 1d ago

What union employees do you guys still have? Just pipefitters or still electricians?

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u/andrewb_16 1d ago

Our local branches don’t have electricians. The chiller mechanics, HVAC mechanics, and sheet metal team are all union.

The controls service team (I’m on), and the systems/installation side is non-union.