"Credit crisis" Vs Piping Jobs

Well it's slowing down here in western USA. I just got a notice from my boss to give him an up date resume so they can do some job hunting, not normally a good sign! We still have one large job, but they are already looking for way to cut costs. I think most people are waiting for the new President to step in and do his "magic" and save everybody’s A$$! …Hope he does what he's promised!!?

Somehow have managed to swim upstream and I start as "Staff" on Monday!! At this point we have let ALL our contractors go, and they have even trimmed some staff positions (design, admin, & engineering alike).

I am still very green to PDMS but have shown that I have caught very quickly (so I am told, though I feel like a noob every time I have to ask a new Q) but I have an eye for detail.

They are going to work me into AutoCAd Support, PDMS Cat/Spec & VPRM Admin as we are about to bring it on board globally. Having done some researching on VPRM I'm a little leery to how complex it appears to be... though with the right training & support I'm sure it'll be manageable.

UPDATE:

We had another round of layoffs yesterday and today we have 13 new empty desks. Somehow again I have managed to retain my seat. It sounds like the projections are getting better as if we've magically turned the corner and are headed back towards the light, but only time will tell.

Today is a good day because I am still employed!

I just said goodbye to a couple (husband and wife team) of the great Piping Designers/friends I had yesterday. I first meet them here in California back in 1985. They were told that the oil companies have NO plans to do any new work until earlier NEXT year, so they were let go! Same story I'm hearing from other sources. It's NOT looking too good out there for this year.

Anton, I can't get your link to work. Think you can "fix it" for me? ...I'm dying to feel better about the work situation!!!