59 replies to this topic

[unionman]

I too work with my hands on a daily basis. As a Journeyman Union Ironworker I have learned valuable skills such as welding(mostly stick and mig), rigging, reinforcing, stuctural, bridge, and ornamental field applications. I come from a family of tradesmen. I was encouraged to attend college as a youngin too but would have to finance the "gamble" myself. Yes i said gamble. Most college grads dont even get a job for which they majored in. Then your in debt for yrs.... Just wasnt for me. I need to be ourdoors working hard with my body AND mind. Even if its cold...After a couple yrs of deciding if i wanted to join the military or not, i finally went to my local ironworkers union hall and put in an app. Been in for seven yrs now. Made some great freinds. Ironworkers are a very close brotherhood. Our daily dangers force to look out for eachother and become close. I wouldnt trade it for the world!

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

I have been out of school for going on 15 years. I just started college courses in January. While not exactly a trade, I had a great job. I worked as a department manager at a boat manufacturing company. Making great money, especially for a manufacturing job, and for the area. I managed the engine department, and I DID work. Installing engines, overseeing other aspects of hull construction, and testing new engine/drive boat combos. (Was working on design of our first twin engine boat)

That company went out of business.


Without a degree, even higher end manufacturing jobs were harder to get. You need that little something extra to get you into the door, and that I believe is a degree.

So I took some crap jobs to make ends meet.

THIS IS THE BIGGEST REASON FOR GOING BACK TO SCHOOL=This may sound hokey, but after the wife and I became much more dedicated to living a christian life, I found myself distancing from the type of atmosphere I see in manufacturing jobs. Foul language, convicted felons, convicted sex offenders, filthy rest rooms including unmentionable writing on bathroom walls, METH addicts, the list goes on.
I just don't care to be around that. NOT ALL MANUFACTURING JOBS ARE LIKE THIS. The boat company wasn't. But many are.

In 5 years I'll be teaching. Not getting rich, but I'll be getting payed OK, in a much better enviroment, doing something I have wanted to do for some time, and have summers off.

[Captain Obvious]

Just to keep up with the theme here is a great article I saw today on yahoo finance.

http://finance.yahoo...-145600750.html

I think it makes a vary valid point. Part of the reason the trades are shunned is because they have a bad image and get a bad rap from pop culture. What needs to happen is the trades need to get a new brand image.

Guys if your really want to do something about this then its up to you to make it happen. You guys are the people that represent the trades so you are the people that kids need to see. For example how hard would it be for some of you to maybe volunteer some time and give a talk at the local high school or community college about the trade your in? Tell them about what you do and what the job opportunities and salaries are like in your trade.

The kids in my generation and the generation following are getting hit with cold hard reality that a college degree doesn't get you as far as it use to. If you guys can show them that good jobs and high pay are available outside of a college degree I'm sure many would go to trade school.

Its not going to be easy but the only ones who can make the trades "cool" again are the men and women who are in them. I truly believe that if America is ever going to get back on its feet its going to do it on the backs of its small business owners and trades people and not its scientist,engineers and business people.

Capt.O

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Just to keep up with the theme here is a great article I saw today on yahoo finance.

http://finance.yahoo...-145600750.html

I think it makes a vary valid point. Part of the reason the trades are shunned is because they have a bad image and get a bad rap from pop culture. What needs to happen is the trades need to get a new brand image.

Guys if your really want to do something about this then its up to you to make it happen. You guys are the people that represent the trades so you are the people that kids need to see. For example how hard would it be for some of you to maybe volunteer some time and give a talk at the local high school or community college about the trade your in? Tell them about what you do and what the job opportunities and salaries are like in your trade.

The kids in my generation and the generation following are getting hit with cold hard reality that a college degree doesn't get you as far as it use to. If you guys can show them that good jobs and high pay are available outside of a college degree I'm sure many would go to trade school.

Its not going to be easy but the only ones who can make the trades "cool" again are the men and women who are in them. I truly believe that if America is ever going to get back on its feet its going to do it on the backs of its small business owners and trades people and not its scientist,engineers and business people.

Capt.O

I couldn't agree more. We do need to rebrand our image. I've been thinking recently about going to some schools to tell them about the trades. I just got to find the time with the hours they are having me work. As far as competing with pop culture and the influence of the "hip hop culture" that's going to be a bit harder. Any ideas would bey appreciated. Cause I'm kind of at a loss for that one.

[d3bf48]

In 5 years I'll be teaching. Not getting rich, but I'll be getting payed OK, in a much better enviroment, doing something I have wanted to do for some time, and have summers off.

What do you plan on teaching?

[Captain Obvious]

Raider I can't help with the hip hop part.

I see the the hip hop culture as one of the biggest problems with my generation. It promotes a lifestyle of greed where hard work and respect for oneself and others is an after thought. Where being "gangster" is cool and being proud to make a living is so 1990's.

The only way to defeat it is to beat it in your own area. Something tells me that when kids see good upstanding people working in the trades making money and living well, they won't see starving and wearing their pants and the ground being as "cool" as it once was.

Capt.O

[Root beer]

Let's do it! Let bring good image back to the trades. This will be our theme song.

[Scorcher214]

I say, Mike Rowed for president!

But on another, I graduated highschool last year and decided to take a year off and just work, save up some money and figure out what I want to do. I dont feel like college is right for me. I took a constructions class where the class actually built a house from the foundation up. I thought it was actually fun. I liked working with my hands. My teacher told me the same thing mike rowe was saying. That skilled trades were being looked down on and most of the skilled labor force was getting old. I definitley want to get into a skilled trade, a desk job is not for me. Just not so sure about living in michigan.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I say, Mike Rowed for president!

But on another, I graduated highschool last year and decided to take a year off and just work, save up some money and figure out what I want to do. I dont feel like college is right for me. I took a constructions class where the class actually built a house from the foundation up. I thought it was actually fun. I liked working with my hands. My teacher told me the same thing mike rowe was saying. That skilled trades were being looked down on and most of the skilled labor force was getting old. I definitley want to get into a skilled trade, a desk job is not for me. Just not so sure about living in michigan.

Well then, Homie. Might I recommend Electrical?
The residential side of it is actually pretty laid back. Not too hard, not too easy. Biggest drawback is attics in the summer and crawl spaces. Still it ain't bad work. Pays the least of the 3 catergories.
Commercial electrical isn't too bad either its a bit harder, but still pretty fun. Biggest draw back. Extremely fast paced. It's run and gun almost constantly. pays pretty good is mid range of the three.
Industrial is where its at though in my opinion. Especially Industrial construction when its available. It's definitely the harder and more dangerous of the three. Not as fast paced as commercial but the material is larger and takes more time to install. Pay is the highest of the three. Plus you get to work with tools and equipment that would make Tim "the tool man" Taylor drool.
I think its the best of the trades to be in. If I can advise you or help you at all I would be more than happy to. This is just the three basic catergories each one has its own sub catergories.

[Lund Explorer]

I say, Mike Rowed for president!

But on another, I graduated highschool last year and decided to take a year off and just work, save up some money and figure out what I want to do. I dont feel like college is right for me. I took a constructions class where the class actually built a house from the foundation up. I thought it was actually fun. I liked working with my hands. My teacher told me the same thing mike rowe was saying. That skilled trades were being looked down on and most of the skilled labor force was getting old. I definitley want to get into a skilled trade, a desk job is not for me. Just not so sure about living in michigan.

You're only about 5-6 years too late for Michigan and quite a few other places as well. Look into new housing permits issued in your area and if possible see if you can get those numbers for the same time period. With housing starts down so far, all of the related subcontractors (plumbing, electrical, etc..) went down right along with the builders.

Best bet would be to look at areas that are either booming like Minot ND or the whole bunch of towns rebuilding from last year's storms. My clients say they aren't looking for any kind of rebound for several more years. Most are trying to scrape by with remodel or repair work, and then that isn't constant work.

Have you considered a few years of "Civil Engineer" training that the military might have?

[Scorcher214]

You're only about 5-6 years too late for Michigan and quite a few other places as well. Look into new housing permits issued in your area and if possible see if you can get those numbers for the same time period. With housing starts down so far, all of the related subcontractors (plumbing, electrical, etc..) went down right along with the builders.

Best bet would be to look at areas that are either booming like Minot ND or the whole bunch of towns rebuilding from last year's storms. My clients say they aren't looking for any kind of rebound for several more years. Most are trying to scrape by with remodel or repair work, and then that isn't constant work.

Have you considered a few years of "Civil Engineer" training that the military might have?

That is also what my teacher said to me haha, to look in areas other than Michigan. I do not mind moving for work. Nothing in michigan is really keeping me from moving. He has also suggested going to places that had just been hit with natural disasters that need help with rebuilding.

Carpentry is what I really want to do, also electrical and welding seem pretty sweet too.

I've heard of civil engineering but will have to do some research on it to get a better understanding.

Well then, Homie. Might I recommend Electrical?
The residential side of it is actually pretty laid back. Not too hard, not too easy. Biggest drawback is attics in the summer and crawl spaces. Still it ain't bad work. Pays the least of the 3 catergories.
Commercial electrical isn't too bad either its a bit harder, but still pretty fun. Biggest draw back. Extremely fast paced. It's run and gun almost constantly. pays pretty good is mid range of the three.
Industrial is where its at though in my opinion. Especially Industrial construction when its available. It's definitely the harder and more dangerous of the three. Not as fast paced as commercial but the material is larger and takes more time to install. Pay is the highest of the three. Plus you get to work with tools and equipment that would make Tim "the tool man" Taylor drool.
I think its the best of the trades to be in. If I can advise you or help you at all I would be more than happy to. This is just the three basic catergories each one has its own sub catergories.

Industrial sounds like it would be right up my alley haha. Big tools, bit of danger, and highest pay. I'll have to look into that some more. Is there any part of the country that would be better suited for this kind of work? Im willing to move, for work. Shoot, if I can move somewhere that I can fish all year long, that would be sweet.

[Lund Explorer]

That is also what my teacher said to me haha, to look in areas other than Michigan. I do not mind moving for work. Nothing in michigan is really keeping me from moving. He has also suggested going to places that had just been hit with natural disasters that need help with rebuilding.

Carpentry is what I really want to do, also electrical and welding seem pretty sweet too.

I've heard of civil engineering but will have to do some research on it to get a better understanding.

Here's a link that describes some of those duties. An Air Force recruiter is going to give you a pretty rosy picture if you walk into their office blindly, so I'd start by studying this. Many CE duties cover what you're thinking about in a civilian career. Decent pay and benefits while the economy is slow, and after a tour you'll have on the job experience others won't. Notice that the CE's work on plumbing, electrical, HVAC, which could all be good trades in your future.

For God's sake though, don't tell your folks I'm suggesting EOD because I can get in enough trouble on my own.

http://usmilitary.ab...s/a/afjobce.htm

[clayton86]

EOD would be cool I wanna reclass to the air force an do JTAC then guys are sweeeeeeeet callin in birds to drop bombs being attached to spec ops.

If your serious about going the service route do your home work and don't be fooled by the recruiters there's alot of us here in the service or are prior service and could probably answer a good share of questions. I can give this advice right now DON'T go 11B infantry I love my job in the army it's a blast I like the dirt and blood and sweat but u can't apply it to a single thing out of the military.

[Scorcher214]

Lol, ya my ma wouldn't be very enthusiastic about that. Im not a military guy and have never thought about it to be honest. I wouldn't be interested in joining the infantry but CE seems like something that I could get into. I do not know anything about the military so bear with me haha. Would I be going over to places like iraq with this job, building stuff there. And am I going to be getting shot at?

[basscatcher8]

I dont look down on the trades. I had the most fun when I was working in that field. I went to college for computer programming because thats what really interests me in life not because I was pushed into going. When I got out in May of 09 things were tough and I spent the summer working in a welding shop and began learning the trade there. Then I was hired out at a chemical plant and spent 6 or 8 months as a fire watch for the welders there. Most of those guys are still really good friends of mine. Through working in the plant like I was able to land a computer job in the plant and thats what I'm currently doing. I love what I'm doing now but if things went south I wouldnt think twice about going back to the welding shop. I still do work for them on the side if they need my help with their computers. Id start there tomorrow out in the shop if I had to. Traveling as a welder and Pipefitting in the plants is good money and might get old after awhile but work is definitly available.