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I'm hearing a lot lately about job openings in "the trades", and how there are a shortage of qualified workers and that many trades jobs pay well. Off hand I'm thinking of plumbers, electricians, jobs in construction... what other trades jobs are there and if you work in one of those do you enjoy it to a reasonable degree?
I'm hearing a lot lately about job openings in "the trades", and how there are a shortage of qualified workers and that many trades jobs pay well. Off hand I'm thinking of plumbers, electricians, jobs in construction... what other trades jobs are there and if you work in one of those do you enjoy it to a reasonable degree?
I think it looks tedious, especially intricate patterns, but he likes it and it’s well paid. It’s obvious how proud he is of the jobs that are intricate, he sends me pics while he’s working. It’s nice to see results of your labor right away. He does a little residential but mostly commercial. Commercial pays more but is harder I think. On the other hand dealing with residential customers is probably more difficult (in any trade).
I think it looks tedious, especially intricate patterns, but he likes it and it’s well paid. It’s obvious how proud he is of the jobs that are intricate, he sends me pics while he’s working. It’s nice to see results of your labor right away. He does a little residential but mostly commercial. Commercial pays more but is harder I think. On the other hand dealing with residential customers is probably more difficult (in any trade).
Good for him! There's something to be said for pride in a job well done. Plus, he doesn't need to join a gym.
Good for him! There's something to be said for pride in a job well done. Plus, he doesn't need to join a gym.
Yes, but he gets a lot of issues with his neck and back. I think these jobs keep you in shape in terms of muscles and endurance, but it's hard on your joints and has a limited span you can do it. He's 50 now and I am hoping he can make another 15 years or so, lol. Like I said in the opening post, he often needs helpers and ends up sometimes working alone, including getting all the tile into the building. It makes me worry, and those nights he comes home exhausted. My 16 year old great-nephew just starting helping him on weekends (yes OP you will work weekends in some trades, like I said sometimes they need the work done while the business is closed), and if he sticks with it and learns he will have a skill he can always use.
I don't think it's a bad idea for someone to ask someone they know who works in the trades, if they need any helpers or can apprentice with them.
Yes, but he gets a lot of issues with his neck and back. I think these jobs keep you in shape in terms of muscles and endurance, but it's hard on your joints and has a limited span you can do it. He's 50 now and I am hoping he can make another 15 years or so, lol.
Not saying this is the case, but a lot of construction and finish laborers are reluctant to use something as simple as a hand truck. They could carry an 80-pound crate of tile when they were 20, bygod they're going to do it now.
As far as your body aging you out of a job, sometimes you can take your practical experience and use it in a less phyiscally demanding way. My Son in law was an electrician for many years (made excellent money BTW for a guy with only a HS education). He now sits in an office and reviews building plans and decides what sort of supplies they’ll need and how they are going to do the work to get the desired results.
Or you can be like a plumber I knew almost 50 years ago when he often came into a restaurant I worked at. He started his own business and grew it into one of the biggest plumbing firms in the Kansas City area. He’s not getting cozy with pipes and toilets anymore. He’s making TV commercials.
Not saying this is the case, but a lot of construction and finish laborers are reluctant to use something as simple as a hand truck. They could carry an 80-pound crate of tile when they were 20, bygod they're going to do it now.
Yes, I keep telling him to let the young guys do the heavy lifting, but he's reluctant to look like an "old man" in front of them. Men, lol.
I'm hearing a lot lately about job openings in "the trades", and how there are a shortage of qualified workers and that many trades jobs pay well. Off hand I'm thinking of plumbers, electricians, jobs in construction... what other trades jobs are there and if you work in one of those do you enjoy it to a reasonable degree?
Thanks!
I'm a HVAC service technician; I have to be proficient with electrical, controls, welding, plumbing, and general mechanics.
And I really enjoy my job most days. I get a tremendous sense of satisfaction when I leave my customer's site and their chiller is back up and running. As a unionized technician, I get good pay, great benefits, and and solid protections from bad managers.
On the other hand dealing with residential customers is probably more difficult (in any trade).
Dealing with homeowners is always terrible. I was able to move into commercial/industrial HVAC work after about 4 years in the trade, and I'm glad I did; I don't think I hated anything worse that dealing with a person's filth to get their heat working only to have them try to cheat me out of the bill.
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