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Unread 06-19-2012, 10:25 AM
 
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
5,517 posts, read 3,817,413 times
Reputation: 2329
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caladium View Post
One good thing about jobs like plumber, tile setter, HVAC repair, etc. is your job will never be outsourced to another country.

Thats the only benefit of it.

What happens to your job when new construction dries up? Or when nobody is building additions? What happens when the only work you can get is general maintenance?

Ill tell you what happens

Industries at a Glance: Construction: NAICS 23

14.2% industry unemployment rate as of May, well higher than the general unemployment rate.

Everything is great for plumbers when new construction is going up in waves. When your only jobs consist of unclogging toilets.....then you are screwed.
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Unread 06-19-2012, 10:27 AM
 
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
5,517 posts, read 3,817,413 times
Reputation: 2329
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caladium View Post
What about HVAC repair? I've heard you can make fairly good money doing that and everyone has ACs and heaters that need maintenance and repair.

My uncle did that for years, for some of the biggest outfits in the area, never made good money at all.
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Unread 06-19-2012, 11:31 AM
 
721 posts, read 549,179 times
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Seems like healthcare would be a good field around here. The population is aging, a fair amount of retired folks need caring for.

I also don't know any unemployed computer programmers, not sure if you are into that but computer science is a solid field and you really only need a bachelors.
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Unread 06-19-2012, 12:18 PM
Status: "Not much time for CD these days but I'll post when I can" (set 21 days ago)
 
Location: Loudoun County, VA
15,639 posts, read 8,861,279 times
Reputation: 39209
Quote:
Originally Posted by Randomdude View Post

Everything is great for plumbers when new construction is going up in waves. When your only jobs consist of unclogging toilets.....then you are screwed.
Well I freely admit that I've never worked as a plumber, so I'm not an expert. On the other hand, I am a home owner and know lots of neighbors who are home owners, and let me tell you that home owners can keep plumbers mighty busy. Everyone has toilets so IMO there would be a lot of work even if all you did was unclog them. Not to mention showers that suddenly start leaking and need replacement, outdoor valves that get damaged, remodeling work, sprinklers systems, sump pumps, you name it. I hear flooding is a problem in the area--that can bring in a variety of plumbing jobs too.

It's just a thought. It's not the right job for everyone, and might not be right for the OP at all--but it seems like desk jobs are harder and harder to find these days. Might be good to think about what other things you can do.
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Unread 06-20-2012, 12:33 PM
 
Location: Norfolk, VA
1,156 posts, read 530,972 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Caladium View Post
Well I freely admit that I've never worked as a plumber, so I'm not an expert. On the other hand, I am a home owner and know lots of neighbors who are home owners, and let me tell you that home owners can keep plumbers mighty busy. Everyone has toilets so IMO there would be a lot of work even if all you did was unclog them. Not to mention showers that suddenly start leaking and need replacement, outdoor valves that get damaged, remodeling work, sprinklers systems, sump pumps, you name it. I hear flooding is a problem in the area--that can bring in a variety of plumbing jobs too.

It's just a thought. It's not the right job for everyone, and might not be right for the OP at all--but it seems like desk jobs are harder and harder to find these days. Might be good to think about what other things you can do.
I need to think outside of the box.
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Unread 06-21-2012, 08:11 AM
 
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
5,517 posts, read 3,817,413 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Caladium View Post
Well I freely admit that I've never worked as a plumber, so I'm not an expert. On the other hand, I am a home owner and know lots of neighbors who are home owners, and let me tell you that home owners can keep plumbers mighty busy. Everyone has toilets so IMO there would be a lot of work even if all you did was unclog them. Not to mention showers that suddenly start leaking and need replacement, outdoor valves that get damaged, remodeling work, sprinklers systems, sump pumps, you name it. I hear flooding is a problem in the area--that can bring in a variety of plumbing jobs too.

It's just a thought. It's not the right job for everyone, and might not be right for the OP at all--but it seems like desk jobs are harder and harder to find these days. Might be good to think about what other things you can do.
The thing is though, there are no shortage of plumbers. Its a complete myth that because its a "dirty job" nobody will do it.

When I was in high school, I went to the votech center in Va Beach for "Construction Tech". If you arent familiar with the program, you basically start the first half of your junior year switching between "trades" (carpentry, electricity, plumbing, brick masonry), and then the second half, you pick one, and then you spend your senior year completely in that program (assuming you have transportation to get to job sites).

Amongst those 4 trades, carpentry was the most popular, plumbing the second, electricity the third, and brick masonry consisted of mostly people who were overflow from the other 3. Only 4 or 5 kids out of about 130-140 kids actually voluntarily picked brick masonry.

The plumbing class had nearly 40 students in it though, none of which got "stuck" there.
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Unread 06-21-2012, 08:16 AM
Status: "Not much time for CD these days but I'll post when I can" (set 21 days ago)
 
Location: Loudoun County, VA
15,639 posts, read 8,861,279 times
Reputation: 39209
Well, you may be right about the number of people going to school for it. I wouldn't know. I have to wonder, though, why it's so hard to find people to do plumbing and other home repairs? It isn't just me--check out this thread to see how many people are in a similar boat. Sure seems like there's a shortage of skilled workers--but maybe I'm missing something.

Contractors who never get back to you--a local problem?
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Unread 06-21-2012, 08:27 AM
 
Location: Nelson County
176 posts, read 118,270 times
Reputation: 89
If you are a good licensed plumber, electrician or HVAC person you can find work in Hampton Roads. You have to go knock on some doors but there is job availability. If you are trying to switch careers or start new it will be difficult to get started without knowing someone.
I am little puzzled by the OP goals, is it to get a job or define and start a career?
Right now I find it hard to find employees who are willing to show up consistently and on time for their agreed wages. Once I find someone who performs consistently over a period of time (think a year minimum) they are rewarded with raises and other perks. I think this is not unreasonable yet it seems hard to find good help.
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Unread 06-21-2012, 09:24 AM
 
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
5,517 posts, read 3,817,413 times
Reputation: 2329
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caladium View Post
Well, you may be right about the number of people going to school for it. I wouldn't know. I have to wonder, though, why it's so hard to find people to do plumbing and other home repairs? It isn't just me--check out this thread to see how many people are in a similar boat. Sure seems like there's a shortage of skilled workers--but maybe I'm missing something.

Contractors who never get back to you--a local problem?

This could just be an issue with terrible business practices. But just a search of "plumbing contractor" turned up 1141 results in Hampton Roads. Are they all quality or licensed? I dont know, but there are thousands and thousands of plumbers in Hampton Roads.
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