r/bluecollar

So I quit my job because I had a job lined up. It was NOT a job i could do at this point and time. But the boss offered to get me a job as a carpenter installer. I’d go through a union he knows a guy down there and could set me up!! But I have a family friend that said he can try to get me an interview soon for a private electrical company. They’re non union. I would prefer union and I’m kind of running out of time. On one hand I have an almost guaranteed job with union but doing carpentry work or I wait God knows how long to maybe get an interview and maybe get a job. What should I do? I’m a 22 year old bodybuilder sober and wanting to make some cash but I need a job help!!

Hey everyone after a rough couple years as a working cowboy. I've decided to switch career paths and go to something a little more stable. A couple things I've been looking into are electrician/lineman jobs, millwright, equipment operation but I am open to suggestions about anything. I'm currently making 3000 a month gross but also have housing and beef provided being a ranch hand. I'm 28 years old in good health with tattoos that I can't cover(throat and hands not inappropriate). I have pretty extensive experience doing a little of everything from heavy equipment ( operated dozers, tractors, excavators, skid steers, etc) I'm very competent with mechanical work and electrical both automotive and residential. A couple big things I'm looking for in a job is insurance, and what time off looks like as well as I'd like to find something paying 70k+. I can't really afford to go back to school for something so something I can do an apprenticeship for or on job paid training would be great. Thanks for any input you guys have!

I'm desperate for a job and I'm even looking to apply for manual labor and blue collar jobs. Would you hire someone that just turned up and asked you for a job, especially if they were a woman? I don't have training but I'm relatively fit and I'm really willing to do anything

I recently got a job at a decking company as a entry level carpenter. I’m 19 and this is my first step into the construction industry. I would love to join IBEW local 22 one day but for now i’m using this job to get my foot in the door and learn. My questions would be what tool brands do you recommend, drills, tool belts, etc. And what’s some advice you wish you had gotten when you first started?

I’ve done apprenticeships at auto shops and contracting work, anything in that field

Happy fourth to all my fellow blue collar workers 🙏🙏

I have been working for a commuter railroad as a locomotive engineer for the past 14 years. During this current heat wave, the locomotives have very poor/non functioning A/C. It is essentially a giant steel box with a 3200 horsepower diesel engine running at full rpm to provide electricity for the coaches and pull the train at the same time; this obviously generates an enormous amount of heat that makes it way into the cab. Newer locomotives have central A/C and have a separate head end power generator. These are old F40PH's from the 1970's. My question for you guys is why is it some macho man thing if you don't complain about it? I personally am relatively young and in shape so I simply write them up on exception reports and go about my business. Other engineers, especially older and out of shape ones, will openly complain over the radio and others with call them cry baby and what not. Does it make you some tough guy if you put up with shit like that and don't complain? The F40PH has 2 RV A/C units on the roof that work somewhat okay in 80* weather but I typically just run with the windows open. When its near 100*, its gets hot enough in there so that you'll need gloves to touch the steel brake handles just for perpective.

20yrold greenhorn here, what underwear do you guys use to keep the boys happy when working in the heat and high humidity? im a laborer so im constantly getting swamp ass and droopy sticky balls man. i know im going to get it no matter what, but ive heard bamboo is nice? im not havin it no more

I’m a blue collar wife and my husband is a Journeyman Electrician, are we the only ones buying jeans every 2-3 months??? He’s constantly ripping them out from crouching down. I’m SICK of buying jeans for $40 every 2-3 months and sometimes it’s not even that long😭please send help, so I’m asking for Jean brands or somethings that can help, he’s buying jeans in the right size so I don’t know why they keep ripping🥲

He currently buys wrangler or Lee and they both don’t last longer than 4 months.

I'm 22 and just started my first residential HVAC maintenance/service job about three weeks ago. Before this, I was a carpenter, so I came into HVAC with no field experience (I do have my EPA Universal certification). Also I'm located in the DMV area.

I spent about 3-4 weeks training as a helper riding with experienced techs, and now I'm on my own. I just got my own service van, gas card, and company tablet. I've honestly learned a ton already, and I'm grateful for the opportunity. The techs I trained with also spoke very highly of me.

After I finish my own maintenance calls for the day, I'm also allowed to go shadow senior technicians on repair calls using my company van so I can continue learning diagnostics and repairs.

My pay is:

• $18/hour during training.
• $15/hour once I got my own van.
• 10% commission on sales and maintenance services like coil cleans and similar items.

I'm trying to figure out if this is a good pay structure for someone just starting out or if it's on the low side. I know I'm new, so I don't expect top pay.

My questions are:

• Is $15/hour plus 10% commission a fair starting pay?
• Can you actually make good money with this type of pay structure?
• If you were in my position, would you stay for a couple of years to learn as much as possible, or look elsewhere after getting some experience? and how long should I plan on staying here?

Overall, I really enjoy the job and I'm learning a lot. I'm just trying to figure out if this is a solid place to build my career or mainly a stepping stone.

Well, my blue collar boyfriend had a heat stroke yesterday. He does framing but now is also doing something with landscaping also. He’s outside the whole day. He doesn’t have AC in his car so he can’t just take quick breaks in there to cool off. We’re in the Midwest. He asked me if I could buy him some clothes to help him cool off. What brands do you guys recommend?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice on finding work in the northeast, I have experience in basic construction, demolition, fencing, and on junk removal (Non-CDL).
Unfortunately, I injured my knee on a previous job, so I can’t do alot of heavy lifting (over 50 lbs). I’m aiming for around $150 to $175 a day, even if I have to work 12-hour shifts. I'm looking for something entry-level since I don't have any certifications (or money to do my courses).
I'm caring for my elderly mom and young brother so I cannot go back to fast food, retail, food delivery, Hospice (or anything involving the medical area) because of low pay and low hours that get cut by employers.

I’m a quick learner and really motivated to learn and dedicate to a new professional area high on demand, I’ve applied to some warehouse Receiving and manufacturing positions but I'm yet to get any news on the matter, I’d love any other ideas and advice you have in your respective fields, especially if you know of a type of work that runs through winter. since where I live the snow gets really heavy here I’d feel excited to learn of an industry that works around the clock no matter the season. And if you have any advice on reducing how much is taken out in taxes like if going for a 1099 or just choosing a cash pay salary job (because 25% of paycheck deductions is downright absurd) I’d be really grateful on any insights you have to be smart and lose less money on unnecessary costs that you don't have use for, any street smart financial advice is very welcome.

Thank you for your time reading this, I hope you have a good one and I wish you the best of luck!

I’m 18m graduated high school last May, I was homeschooled ever since 7th grade. During the summers since 2020 I’ve been working for a post frame company. I’ve done framing, roofing, siding, and concrete. I have a strong work ethic gifted from my Dad, I wrench on old trucks, I operate skid steer, telehandler, and scissor lift. Where I’m located in West Central Ohio it is difficult to find good trade jobs without driving hours to Columbus, Dayton, or Cleveland. I’d like to consider this trade and become self employed. Is this a decent idea? I’m wanting to do something different than plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Yes I know most of you guys will say Union Plumber, electrician is the way to go, I’m just trying to find something unique rather than working in crawlspaces and attics. Thank you for reading this. Have a good Fourth of July 🇺🇸 weekend.

For context I've been in the trades since I left high school. Cabinets and then underground wet utilities for too long. Left to go work in bars for a long time, but you can't party for a living forever.

I went back to cabinets but landed a nice gig in low voltage at a hospital.

I took this gig knowing that the trade is quite varied and I could branch out to different specialized disciplines.

Here's the thing. Every single job I've ever gotten I've immediately been promoted quickly to lead, and then been talked to about management.

I've always declined. I just always saw the money in my hand to just do my job versus the way management talked about their stress. I see it on construction related threads all the time. We all see a bunch of laid off IT guys asking about getting in the field.

I'm just a little hesitant to take this offer, even though trusted people have marked me since the beginning as someone they want to bring on board.

Fuck man I'm in my late thirties and getting out of the trenches and ceilings should happen, but I have my doubts about the culture of management positions generally.

I'd love some stories from guys who have made the jump and loved or hated it.

i, 27/m, am an electrician, from pennsylvania. i am currently working on hvac controls and we are in the midst of a heatwave. no a/c in the building i’m working in, and lunch/break is taken outside at a picnic table under an umbrella. today’s high was 101°F. is it crazy that after working all day and sweating, that i like to sit outside in the evening, even with this heatwave?

I have like one job opportunity. I’m really putting all my eggs in one basket. I’m 20f I have worked in nothing, but the service industry. I’m extremely good with people and I like talking. I do not have the funds to go to college so I’ve been looking into starting a refinery job.

I live in the south houston area. I was wondering if anyone can give me any guidance on what to do next. I really don’t want to do an easier job like fire watch or safety.

I’m really down for anything. I’d do scaffolding if they really need me to do so. But with that being said do I just apply for like a floor help job? I know that refinery’s, at least over here, are through mouth. Like some shady drug deal.

Please give me yalls guidance on wtf to do🙏