Sorry guys about mentioning feminine hygiene products. Thought we where discussing this topic among construction workers. Okay now, group hugs for everyone and time to get back to work.
Andy, great to hear about your son in law getting into the best trade going. If you haven’t heard the term “plumbers apprentice” is now deemed hurtful to use. The new term is “potty training”. Much less harsh for the younger folks to handle.
Suppose Im going to catch heck for that one to.
I’ve been in the TOOL and DIE trade 2 years of Vo-Tech since 1986.
Got laid off in 2001
2002 to 04 went into HVAC .
Went back into Tool and Die 2004 to present.
HVAC RETRO you get a van drive to homes installing Furnaces and air conditioners all over metro.
Tool and Die you drive to same place everyday
I’ve worked in Union and Non Union .
If you work hard it will pay for all your toys and then some…..
OP-Some good, Some Bad, and as always the case alot of Bullshot to put up with here.
Look up the MN Building trades website, you will find links to all the trades. With a little research you should be able find what type of career you might want to get into,and what type of training it takes to get there. Apprenticeships
Vary with each trade, lenghth and schooling according to each trade.
Have at it and best of luck to you.
Post deleted.
I think the only reason to switch careers is for a pay increase. Nobody truly loves there job, if you wake up in the morning and say “oh yeah! Can’t wait for work today!” You have mental problems. Im a union welder and have been for 15 years I’m 34,
Wow, how sad of an outlook. Being that your only 34 and looking at your career this way will make for a long depressing life. I feel sorry for you.
Yes, I do wake up excited for work. There are days I despise certain tasks or individuals. But over all I get to see dreams come to life, people share in success, and kids encountering nature and seeing things that the average person never sees.
Yes, I wake up at 1am after just 3 hours of sleep and go into my office instead of going back to sleep. I get to create some if the coolest homes you can imagine, work in very remote locations, and meet incredible people.
My tournament fishing spun off to manufacture rep, product development, guiding, and various field work.
It’s not luck and it definitely isn’t fake. If I didn’t love the things I do so much, why would I share so much info on here for free? For the reports and articles I have written, James has never paid me a single cent. I do it because I enjoy it. Same with all the hours I share helping individuals.
So, yes I’m a butthurt that you think I have a mental problem. I made the life I have by doing what I enjoy the most. The old saying of “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” isnt completely true, but damm close
I have a trade school electrical degree and have been in HVAC controls for 16 years. I’d hire anybody right now who can show up to work every day on time, urine clean, drive between the lines, and take pride in their work. I can teach you the rest.
People are slowly realizing that skilled trades are just as if not more important to our future economical growth as 4 year degreed engineers, scientists, and lesbian leisure studies majors with minors in community organization.
We are literally going to high schools and recruiting. Teaching kids that there are good paying jobs with career advancement just 18-36 months out from graduation. You can tell there are some high school guidance councilors that don’t want to accept the fact that in many instances a person is better off with a 2 year degree that is relevant vs. a 4 year degree in something worthless.
tornado, hiring will get much easier after they pass a bill to legalize weed.
Well stated Randy!
Tornado –
You are spot on.
Let’s see, decisions, decisions.
Go to collage and after 4 years have pile of dept
or
Go into the trades and in the same 4 years have a pile of money.
Hmmmmmm? Let me think about that one for a while.
Go to collage and after 4 years have pile of dept
or
Go into the trades and in the same 4 years have a pile of money.
Hmmmmmm? Let me think about that one for a while.
What most people never think about is the actual cost of education. Tuitions, room, board….lets say 40k. Now, the trend id colleges are stretching that to 5 years instrad of 4…add 10k, so 50k base cost.
Now, since you haven’t worked full time for 5 years, add in your lost income. So even at 30k a year average for 5 years, add 150k.
So, if you come out of college and look at the full picture, how long will it take you to recover 200k??? Even if you average making 10k more a year, it will take you 20years to make up the difference
Not everyone is meant for college.
Not everyone is meant for the trades.
The things that should stick out for everyone who has read this thread is hard work & dedication is a plus, making money comes to those who focus on a career no matter what the career is.
Lots of restaurant owners started out washing dishes and flipping burgers.
Not everyone is meant for college.
Not everyone is meant for the trades.The things that should stick out for everyone who has read this thread is hard work & dedication is a plus, making money comes to those who focus on a career no matter what the career is.
Lots of restaurant owners started out washing dishes and flipping burgers.
I completely agree
Also, money isn’t everything….
Money isn’t everything……….unless you don’t have any. I have never met a unemployed millionaire.
I run a small metal fabricating shop for a local company. Sheet metal fab, welding and machining.
There is a very high demand for all skilled trades but if I had to make a transition, I’d go into CNC machining. We’ve got 5 vertical machine centers. It’s amazing the parts you can make with these machines. If your a smart guy with some ambition you can do very well.
I also think its physically an easier job for older guys. I had an older guy who was a sheet metal fabricator his whole career. 3 back surgeries and both knees replaced. I don’t see those issues as much with machinists. Possibly back issues but not knee issues.
Its the perfect time to make a career move. Low unemployment rates and very high demand for skilled trades. Good luck.
Relevant podcast, plumbers might feel a bit more at home with it.
lesbian leasure major!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Hey mike w., as long as you’re on your weight loss journey, how bout you take the next left at the beauty parlor? They can fix ya, but they can’t do much about your shi**y attitude.
Oh, and bearcat, since your nose is already so far up every long-time sense maker’s a** here, you probably can’t hear me, but good luck to ya brother. Self-love and confidence are both right around the corner. Just keep digging!
Well now, what a bunch of school girls. Hard work never killed anyone. Iv’e been in the trades since 1987. Roofing and framing quite a few of those years also ceramic tile.
I’m in my late 50’s and can still put a whole lotta whoop ass on the younger folk when it comes to work. Iv’e had some bumps, bruises, and lacerations but nothing to keep me down.
I’ll never except that the work is too hard on you. Never!
I’ve had a herniated disk since I was 21 due to genetics and a sports injury. I also have scoliosis. I worked construction in my late 20’s for 3 years for a friend who was a general contractor doing everything from demo, to hucking 90 pound packs of shingles up a roof in 100 degree weather. I really enjoyed it especially the physical nature of the work and the fact that I could swear whenever I wanted unlike my office job. This morning I had a hard time picking up my 2 year old son cause my back is so sore from shoveling the other day. I’ll get over it and I’m not complaining but for a guy asking for advice on entering the trades I gave him some advice based on my experience.
Uff-duh.
I’ll never accept that someone could have a different experience/opinion than mine! Nevahhhh!
Oh, and bearcat, since your nose is already so far up every long-time sense maker’s a** here, you probably can’t hear me, but good luck to ya brother. Self-love and confidence are both right around the corner. Just keep digging!
[/quote]
I see you get a little sensitive.
Hey mike w., as long as you’re on your weight loss journey, how bout you take the next left at the beauty parlor? They can fix ya, but they can’t do much about your shi**y attitude.
Would be happy to take that advice but to scared to urine off my barber. He can be really offensive.
Im guessing from some of these comments construction workers must of been forced more politically correct also. What a shame. Are you still allowed to right comments on shitter walls. That was really all we had before the internet.
Crappie,
IMHO, Entering into a physically demanding profession with a preexisting condition probably wouldn’t be the proper decision.
Crappie,
IMHO, Entering into a physically demanding profession with a preexisting condition probably wouldn’t be the proper decision.
I agree with that. If you dont feel your body can take the form of work then it’s not the right field. But as for a typical guy looking for the trades it’s a great idea. Good pay lots of learning experience and the sky can be endless
A lot of bickering going on here…
I have lived on both sides of the aisle and can say that the hardest work is reserved for the hardest working people.
My body is breaking down from the mental stress and sitting at my desk all day.
Push yourself over the edge and it will happen, no matter how you get there.
I will say that field work was great for many reasons, but mostly the camaraderie. Which seems to be what some people are trying to defend here.
Mookie,
I’ve been on both sides also.
Totally agree with the mental aspect. Randy touched don it also. Nothing like waking up from a dead sleep at 1 am, Thinking – “Did I order that or did I schedule that guy or I hope that tarp is working tonight?”
Mental stress is much worse than physical strain.
fyi – IDO helps with the Mental Stress! Seriously.
All of you may agree that money isn’t everything but, 
Being broke is the best motivator I ever had to get my arse to work! 
Been in the skilled trades (diesel mechanic) for 19 years now. Skilled trades are great, good money, minimal investment in education, and easy to get a job. Something to keep in mind, most coworkers of mine have plans for what to do if/when there knees or back go out. So I guess great jobs that can potentially last for your whole career, but it’s not a bad idea to have a plan b in case your body says your done before your 401k says you are.
Hey mike w., as long as you’re on your weight loss journey, how bout you take the next left at the beauty parlor? They can fix ya, but they can’t do much about your shi**y attitude.
Oh, and bearcat, since your nose is already so far up every long-time sense maker’s a** here, you probably can’t hear me, but good luck to ya brother. Self-love and confidence are both right around the corner. Just keep digging!
Let mommy know how you been talking after you moved out.
Oh wait bet you haven’t
I wish I could get into the Plumbers union. I tried saint paul and minneapolis last year and wasnt selected. Really really bummed me out so I hope this is the year. Did well on tests maybe my interviewing was bad. Even had a letter or recommendation. Hopefully this year.
If you like computers, math, robots and making things, definitely look into Tool and Die. If you can get in to a good company, and there’s plenty of them in the metro, it’s a great field. We have a fully automated cell that runs to 4 different machines. I can sit at home and load CAM programs into the cell from my laptop, pay isn’t bad either! There’s such a shortage in manufacturing that you may even find a company that would pay your school and give you a signing bonus just to come work for them.
I wish I could get into the Plumbers union. I tried saint paul and minneapolis last year and wasnt selected. Really really bummed me out so I hope this is the year. Did well on tests maybe my interviewing was bad. Even had a letter or recommendation. Hopefully this year.
Not uncommon to have to apply more than once. Are you working at a shop now? Stick with it. There will be plenty of BS on the way to getting your journeyman card but its worth it. Took me over 3 years to get in and I was 4th generation in the mpls local. Think my dad was even on the apprenticeship committee for a while. Might still be.
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