[tdotwriter]

Hello. This is my first time posting on the City-Data forum. Basically I'm a young adult with a high school diploma who is seeking career opportunities in the state of Florida through post-secondary education with a good path to long-term employment in Florida. I've been considering carpentry, electrical and welding and would like to build a career in your rapidly growing state's vibrant economy. I am aware that there are laws to be respected and legal procedures to be followed with regards to education and any form of labor in the US (visas). Can anybody familiar give me any recommendations with regards to schools and programs? Thank you.

[cfenn006]

Originally Posted by tdotwriter

Hello. This is my first time posting on the City-Data forum. Basically I'm a young adult with a high school diploma who is seeking career opportunities in the state of Florida through post-secondary education with a good path to long-term employment in Florida. I've been considering carpentry, electrical and welding and would like to build a career in your rapidly growing state's vibrant economy. I am aware that there are laws to be respected and legal procedures to be followed with regards to education and any form of labor in the US (visas). Can anybody familiar give me any recommendations with regards to schools and programs? Thank you.

You really have to look up the legal barriers to acquire training, then evaluate the cost of getting it here vs in Canada. If you dont have these skills already, you will be competing with accomplished, established, jorneymen, and apprentices... and most if not all have no residency restrictions and aregoing to be more attractive hires than you. There are A LOT of people coming here thinking the same thing, which does 2 things: 1) Reduces wages... which were alrealdy fairly low compared to the rest of the US and 2) Drive up costs of things like housing and rent which was already unaffordable for many.


You have to do a lot more research of what you want to do exactly, and get some slills first. People coming to Florida with no skills often find themselves living in poor conditions and even their cars.

[warhorse78]

They have tons of programs for apprenticeship for electricians, plumbers and the big one, heavy machine operator. They can even help you with citizenship. Best thing to do would be to relocate to Florida and the city you are living in, start looking up either of the organizations in that city that in charge of one of those vocations. FPL is also a great place to look into as well.

[tdotwriter]

Originally Posted by warhorse78

They have tons of programs for apprenticeship for electricians, plumbers and the big one, heavy machine operator. They can even help you with citizenship. Best thing to do would be to relocate to Florida and the city you are living in, start looking up either of the organizations in that city that in charge of one of those vocations. FPL is also a great place to look into as well.

Are there any particular cities I should focus on with regards to careers in those fields? My understanding is that Miami is at the heart of your state's economic center and has the benefits of being the largest city and by a wide margin the largest metropolitan area in the state, but I would assume the likes of Jacksonville and Orlando to be more affordable. Heavy machine operator is an interesting option that I never considered before. Any specific schools I should look into?

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by tdotwriter

Are there any particular cities I should focus on with regards to careers in those fields? My understanding is that Miami is at the heart of your state's economic center and has the benefits of being the largest city and by a wide margin the largest metropolitan area in the state, but I would assume the likes of Jacksonville and Orlando to be more affordable. Heavy machine operator is an interesting option that I never considered before. Any specific schools I should look into?

May I ask why you are looking to move to Florida? Doesn't seem like you really know much about the state at all (no offense meant.)

[tdotwriter]

Originally Posted by Arcenal352

May I ask why you are looking to move to Florida? Doesn't seem like you really know much about the state at all (no offense meant.)

Basically many of the same reasons that many other people are, including the poster of a specifically COVID-19 related topic in here. We've been in and out of lockdowns here (Ontario, Canada) for the past year and I want to get on with my life and make something of it somewhere where I'll be able to. I have many political and philosophical viewpoints that lead me to believe I'd fit in better in Florida (as well as other U.S states) and enjoy a greater sense of belonging. I don't want this to be a political discussion, so I'll leave it at that.

[jghorton]

There is nothing 'magic' about Florida, other than being warmer than most other states (and Canada) during the winter. Many people move here for just that reason, only to discover that finding a good job, a place to live and moving on with one's life ... is about the same as where they came from.

In this sense, it might be better for you to figure-out your vocational interests and get the requisite training, prior to simply moving to a new city in Florida - and hoping for the best. At least you have a familiar support system and network there, while you would be starting from zero in Florida.

The Florida vaccine situation seems to have COVID-19 on its way out and Florida 'lock-downs' haven't been too onerous. However, there have been COVID spikes due to 'business-as-usual tourists' who have seemed to confuse the beach and sun with a COVID cure!