The skilled trades haven't caught as a career choice with Gen Z

Post by eropple » Thu, Jan 05, 2023, 11:04 PM UTC

mfer wrote: post #95

ogre_battle wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> it might be a bad area or a bad employer. Outside of big cities, there may not be enough demand, esp. consistent demand, to justify good pay and bennies. My uncle is a welder, has a lot of specializations including some underwater stuff. No shortage of offers... for 6 weeks of work in nowhere-ville, often requiring you to supply your own transport and housing. 3 months in FL, 6 months in NC, 8 weeks in GA. And they…

> Outside of big cities, there may not be enough demand, esp. consistent demand, to justify good pay and bennies. I guess that depends how far outside cities. In the suburbs there is demand. There is a shortage of trades and many trades folks are older in age. When they retire there isn't the back fill behind them. And all of this is happening as the population is growing.

Post by ClumsyPilot » Thu, Jan 05, 2023, 11:04 PM UTC

keybored wrote: post #397

falcolas wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a semi-retired craftsman I watch regularly on youtube - Essential Craftsman. Almost all long-term success stories in the trades which he tells directly or gets from his friends involve transitioning from a tradesman to an employer. You're selling your health and body as a tradesman. If you can make the transition to running a trades business, then you're selling your brainpower more than your body. Success st…

> You're selling your health and body as a tradesman. If you can make the transition to running a trades business, then you're selling your brainpower more than your body. Selling your brainpower meaning managing the people who will sell their health and body as tradesmen. A minor racket.

Post by datavirtue » Thu, Jan 05, 2023, 11:06 PM UTC

nullsense wrote: post #220

SoftTalker wrote: post #163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

New home/residential wiring jobs are basically the entry point for electricians. It's about as mindless and simple as it gets. I'm not sure what the licensing requirements are but those are the sorts of jobs that an electrical contractor puts their new/junior people on.

I know nothing about the industry, but out of curiosity... what are considered the more interesting jobs?

Post by ClumsyPilot » Thu, Jan 05, 2023, 11:07 PM UTC

jasondigitized wrote: post #323

nullsense wrote: post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know nothing about the industry, but out of curiosity... what are considered the more interesting jobs?

Higher voltage = Higher wages

Post by ummonk » Thu, Jan 05, 2023, 11:07 PM UTC

UncleMeat wrote: post #127

mfer wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This isn't the case for all trades people. It might be a bad area or a bad employer. I've know trades folks who are electricians, plumbers, carpenters, work in road construction, etc. They typically work reasonable hours, have medical, and are paid at or above the median income for where they live. They didn't rack up debt getting into this either. This is not a bad deal for many people.

It might be a bad area. There aren't better employers in the area. He knows he is being abused. He used to live and work as an electrician in another country where he was treated considerably better. He spends his days wiring new homes that sell for 1.5M+ and gets treated like crap. Moving is unfortunately not an option because my sister's career is very location-dependent. "Well if you aren't in one of the good area…