Best trade to learn before coming to ND

[GregW]

I think anyone interested and knowledgeable about machines and machine controls could do well anywhere but really well around the oil patch. Machine repair, like building up a worn shaft and machining it back to specs for instance, is becoming a lost art. It is different from programming a NC machine tool. Some times a customer cannot wait for a factory made part to be shipped. I once had that skill but am retired and no longer have the measuring tools needed to do the job (think STARRET catalogue).

I would guess the oil patch could keep someone with these skills busy on a 25 hours a day 8 days a week basis. It takes a good school and lots of practice to learn these skills but watching a broken machine you just repaired running and earning its keep can be very satisfying.

[Wndy]

This has been an interesting discussion.

I'm curious about being an electrician... how portable is it? How do you get into it? Do you go to a union first and ask them, or a trade school, or a business? Basically... what's the first step?

As for portability.. for example, in many fields, say, being a teacher, you go to college, then you get a state license. So when you move states, you have to get another license (from my understanding). Or law, you need to pass the bar in the state you want to practice in.

So for being an electrician, if I were to start down that path in Minnesota, and I moved to Oregon at a later date, what kind of penalty would I pay? ( I live in Minnesota, but want to move West someday)

Also, what's it like for women. I know the trades tend to be male dominated. I looked at elevator/escalator trades, but most of the jobs require lifting 100lbs due to the nature of the work. I'm a typical female so I can't lift 100lbs. I've worked in lumber/building materials so I can lift roofing shingle bundles and 80lb bags of concrete (80lbs is the max I can do). I assume height isn't an issue with ladders/stepstools.

Thanks all for the help!

(also, with regards to HVAC... I worked with a guy who retired from commercial HVAC and he said when you're good, you're fast, and when you're fast, you make a lot of money (you can win bids b/c of your speed). I know nothing about HVAC, but he worked with sheet metal... anyhow, on a good year he could pull in 250K. He also had his health and looked much younger than his years. So without knowing much about HVAC, I would recommend it!!)

[ElkHunter]

See the Union Office first. You need to get signed up with them, and they may know of openings. When you start out, you will get training. You'll be given assignments and a supervisor will keep an eye on what you do After a while, the supervisor, having inspected your work will sign off on you and you'll be able to test for the next level.

As far as transferring to another state, first thing is to check in with the Union again and they'll take care of transferring your cr essentials. Also, the Union will guide you on any licensing requirements with the state.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Get a Class A CDL, with all endorsements...Hazmat, tankers, doubles. Spend as little money as possible on the training, for example, through a community college. California used to have a CDL training course through ROP, which was free, and, of course, no longer exists. But, don't spend top dollar for training.

[rod crowley]

Commercial trucker.