r/skilledtrades

Trade school is a scam, and the reason for that is because Trade schools don't provide adequate skills to the students that are willing to learn their respective trade nor do they provide anything useful or of essence regarding their careers on the trades.

I'm a student of a trade school myself and I specialize in electrical installations and while they do teach us a couple of stuff both theoretical lessons and hands on work they are very negligible and insufficient when you actually work that trade in a real job site providing no useful knowledge or manual skills.

Also those lessons in school are very boring, which not only means the students don't give attention so they don't learn anything in the first place but I've also noticed that these boring lessons drift away many students interest from the trade they've chosen because they develop a bad impression of those trades due to the long boring and uninteresting school lessons.

And I know you might tell me about certifications and licenses but they are also useless, I've talked to many craftsmen like plumbers and electricians that have have been doing these jobs for 50+ years, that have told me that they haven't graduated from high school they don't have any licenses for their trade jobs and neither has anyone ever asked them for a license at work, and one quote that a plumber told me and stuck with me was "licenses don't make the masters, work does"

And to top it off, I work construction myself and I can assure you that learning a trade at the job site is much more effective and much more enjoyable than at a trade school, the things I've learned it trade school haven't benefited me or any other student I've talked as far as work goes, doesn't make you get a job any easier and it doesn't learn you the trade.

To summarize it, like that plumber said, books don't make the master the work does.

I just started a job at my local shipyard, so I need to wear a hard hat, but between the sweat on my forehead and the general feeling that the hard hat is gonna slip off if I turn my head around too hard, I think a skull cap might help with that and protect my hair. But, before I go spending money, I'd like to see if there's something tried and true. I don't have a big afro or anything, but it's curly and gets poofy when it's humid. If anyone here can relate, how'd you deal with it?

Hey guys. I’m 20 and college hasn’t been working out for me, and I really want to do something to keep me busy. So I’d like to go to trade school. However, I need some wisdom from you guys.
My parents recommend either HVAC or electrician, but I’ve personally got my eye one becoming a machinist. I wanna start learning to work asap, but before that I need to decide what trade I should go into. Is machinist a good idea? Or should I listen to my parents?

Hey guys,

I’m currently an apprentice at a pool company and have been in training for about two months. Today my boss gave me my first big solo job replacing, replumbing, and wiring a new filter pump. I got to there, plumbed everything in, but started running into issues with the electrical. My trainer came out to help me with the wiring. As we were walking back to the equipment pad, I mentioned, “It’s weird their water feature pump is running, but the new filter pump isn’t. It’s almost like they’re both wired to the same relay.” He paused, walked up to the pumps, and asked, “That’s the pump you replaced?” I said yeah, then he said "that’s the water feature pump, not the filter pump.”

I immediately felt sick. He called my boss right away and told him what happened. He was obviously disappointed, but he told me not to beat myself up over it. He said we might be able to reinstall the old water feature pump, but if that doesn’t work, we’re in a tough spot those specific unions aren’t made anymore. The alternative is tying the water feature plumbing into the filter’s return line and removing the old pump entirely, which will likely upset the customer.

I feel like a complete idiot. I went off a few pictures and assumptions instead of thoroughly inspecting and confirming which pump actually needed to be replaced. Lesson learned the hard way.

Just needed to vent morale is pretty low right now and preparing to get fired.

I wouldn't say im the smartest person but I'm definitely capable of reaching a trade or a degree. But I do truly have no purpose or any goals, if I was able to I would just drop out of high school, but I need to do something. All I would actually care about is being able to provide for a family, but my family is pushing for me to go to college but I don't feel like I would take it seriously and would probably flunk out. If it matters I currently reside in Florida but I have no plans on staying here.

Hi. I am a Grade 10 student in Alberta, and I like to think that I am a pretty high achiever. I have high 90s in math, physics, chem, and so on. Recently, I got really interested in blue collar jobs, instrumentation in particular. However, I just can't the feeling of me wasting my own potential. Sure, I could go into engineering or nursing, but I feel like they will put a huge burden on me. Yet, I have the same feeling for trades. I don't mean to be offensive, and I apologize in advance for those who are in the trades but the sterotype around trades especially for immigrant parents and people are like "damn, this kid must have dropped out of school" or "probably a recovering drug addict going back to school". Like I don't want to have this sterotype around me, as I want to be in instrumentation. Furthermore, the acceptance standards for trade school are extremely low, so I could laze around all day and still get into trade school, and this feeling has been ripping my motivation and my will to study. What is the point of studying when I am going into a lowly trade while lower achievers go into engineering or nursing? The COOP options are measely, only 4 - 8 months compared to the uni grads with 24 months of experience, but I think instrumentation can be a very lucrative career, but I just feel like I am wasting all my potential right now. I already lost my potential by choosing not to take Partial IB, and I don't want to repeat the same mistake again. I plan to pivot into OT security using my instrumentation ticket but idk, its a really long process I have to go back to school to study IS, get my certifications. What should I do?

Hey all,

This morning I was watching an interview with Ford's CEO on CNN where he said,

>"We have a huge crisis with all this AI going on of all these skilled trades."

He specifically mentioned plumbers, electricians, and machinists.

I understand AI is and will impact most industries, but I always thought the trades would be more difficult for AI to upend in terms of replacing skilled tradespeople. Isn't the bigger threat that as tradespeople retire, those positions are not being filled, as there is a deficit of skilled labor to take over these vacancies?

Curious what you guys are seeing in the field with respect to AI and/or skilled labor shortage impacts?

Thanks for answering.

context:

24 year old female, pregnant, and expecting but have had a very easy pregnancy and am now thinking about how to provide for me and my baby once it is out of the newborn stage, or once my government benefits run out; whichever unfortunately happens to be quicker.

My childs biological dad has only opened up to paying for basic meals in the last three months of my pregnancy- with this, him saying he will provide for us goes in one ear and out one ear as so far, I still with government benefits have mostly prepped for baby, and pick up a lot for the house- cleaning supplies, grocery trips to make meals (he has bought protein for the house which was a big help) but when it comes to day to day items I mostly use, that’s on me. That makes sense to me, but without having the ability to work right away, I know him supplementing what I give now, will not last long. It never has prior and another mouth in the picture won’t change that.

I for myself have worked since 16.

I have my food safe, my level one first aid, an early childhood assistant ticket which I do not plan on continuing to an educator as the wage here for such, doesn’t pay off for the treatment and judgement you get in our semi conservative/religious society in which where we live. I have done pre nursing for myself to which I got a 82% in, but was advised out of due to having a generalized anxiety diagnosis as a minor years prior; so I did ECE and felt very under stimulated.

My question is;

With also in this time gaining experience in trades as it is the most funded and available work force in our economy/country, would a traffic control person ticket be worth my time? it is only 2 days long and $300. I have the needed PPE. The trades experience I have is more office admin, and this feels like a horrible step down compared to project coordination, but it’s the only thing I can see that will get me a job in a relatively quick manor for so cheap. Unless I do not know of a cheaper course that helped someone else out and got them into a work force quicker?
Temp labour really looks for traffic control mostly here, as well as skilled certified tradesmen, which I do not fall under.

Hi , I'm having a hard time going up 15 stairs 8 times in a day, sometimes carrying stuff and afterwards walking on level ground I feel so tired afterwards. This is also moving 6 foot ladders in tank, climbing up ladder both on a frame and permanent ladders.

I try to keep caffeine at 400mg but I'm just getting so tired

What do you guys recommend?

I also pull heavy welding cables as well

I'm not in the sun all day but I can tell like a jet engine where I'm at 90° degrees farenheight and above I notice not a sudden drop but a noticable loss in power(therefore I'm calling it flex temp like Commercial Jets encounter in 90 degree weather and above)

Besides hydration which I did about 48 oz still no power even after adequate hydration

What do you guys do when you have to constantly lift sometimes a lot and in the direct sun or indirect in a ventalated confined space?

I like to stay in the trades if I can because I'm used to sweating for a living and it will be a drastic change to leave the trades.

Recently switched from outdoor work to factory work, and I'm burning through boxers at a crazy rate due to the increased step count and heat. What do you wear that holds up on the day to day? I find the crotch on mine are blowing out from rubbing/sweating

I want to drop out of college, as i have decided the career path i am in is not going to be a good fit for me. However, i am considering staying at my college for business on top of a trade school. The only thing is i am very inexperienced with trade work, should i know anything before starting? And could you all give me some recommendation's on trades to look into and what my next steps should be to start. Thanks.

kinda looking into becoming a stationary engineer but I am a soft spoken dweeb with glasses, never had a girlfriend

I run marathons and stuff like that and used to deadlift over 400lbs but generally have been described as "kind of an effeminate dude"

problem is I like to work with my hands and my college degree didn't really work out for me (I feel like having a degree already means I'm not a good fit) but like in general it kinda seems like the type of dudes that work in the trades are the types that got into fist fights in highschool and do wheelies on their sport bike on the Bay Bridge whereas I basically just run up mountain and listen to shoegaze

this is not a troll post I am 100% serious I'm genuinely worried about how well I would fit into the culture of the trades, the way people talk here it kinda seems like you have to be an ultra masculine tough guy and if you are not that then it seems like even if you do like fixing stuff or whatever then it is absolutely not for you

I really want to work in trades but I don’t have any experience that matters for most companies. They usually require past experiences but the only experience I have was working with my dad when fixing houses for his house flipping business but I can’t count that for experience because that’s just me helping my dad out.

Hey all, first post on reddit. Just want some advice from non AI and rather real people.

So a small summary of my background. I am 34 right now. Father is a chef, started working at 14, was told to not take any breaks and lead by example.. most people never know im the 'bosses kid' and I hate that term lol. So after I was kitchen manager ages 17 (graduated grade 12 at 17) to age 28 in various places. Got a degree, did a BSc in comp science and psychology. Hated office life, I want to do physical and used to long days (8 hours is easy, im used to working 8 hours nonstop no break, no food, barely a washroom break in a constant rush lol, quit smoking also). Worked a janitorial operations manager for even longer days (12+, and irregular hours and highway travel) for a couple years as well and dealt with all the client bs. Im not afraid to get dirty lol. Lead by example.

My goal is to finish trade school age 36. Work as a grunt age 36-40/41 (im fine with that as above) and hopefully get into controls in my mid-late 40s. I am in saskatchewan, canada for context, im fine with -40C. I want to get into FIFO mining world, im single, no kids, no relationship, I like being independent. AI gives me all the thumbs up but im super skepical of that yes-man bs AI software google released lol. I want objective truth from people in this world. I am most worried about my age (35) but with my background I know I can work circles around many people my age (outside of trades, im not that conditioned yet but chef life helps). You all think I have potential to actually get hired? I realize in this world you basically need pre-employment unlike most trades. That is fine, I want refrigeration over all that I researched, I find it very interesting and I could go on but thats not my question.

I guess I just fear is 35 too old to get that chance in this world? I was a hiring manger, I know bias exists, especially the influx of life long office workers thinking they can cut it. Im thinking ill leave my office experience off my resume and focus on my physical jobs, or would that be a detriment? I am not a normal office worker, im born a pirate and will probably be a pirate my whole life lol. But pay sucks (with that said, apprentice wage? Please.. thats easy to live off of here I budget my life around 18/hr and still live alone and have a car etc), refrigeration lets me be in the world sometimes but not cook.

I have heard that plumbers don't need to repeat the first 2 levels if they were looking to get their HVAC ticket and start an apprenticeship. Any insight?

I am currently 18 turning 19 very soon, I live in Oakland California, and I currently attend college at ucsc, I am going into my second year in college for business management and economics. I'm on track to graduating in 2 more years, I want to pick up a trade, specifically wielding, but I don't want to pick up a trade after college.

Right after highschool I was offered to attended a good school for basically full ride, and I didn't want to turn it down obviously a degree is still valuable. Had my sights on becoming a financial advisor after college, but honestly, Ai doing a good job at scaring me away from white collar jobs and the way the world operates (or "system") is rapidly changing. I don't plan on switching to being something like an engineer or a doctor or some crap like that, I am thinking about just obtaining my bachelor's and then going straight into a trade. That is what I was going to do if I hadn't receive the opportunity in the first place anyway.

Is this a good idea? Is it even possible? Let me know please!

I’m 18m, been working for a small post frame building company for about 7 years now during the summers. I’ve done all kinds of work: framing, roofing, siding, concrete, I also wrench on old trucks and tractors. I’m trying to find a new path for my future. Yes, I know, a lot of people are going to ask “Why Non Union?” Well, where I’m located in Ohio there is very little Union companies near me. I would have to drive an hour to Columbus everyday, or even further to Cleveland. Your input is much appreciated.

Ask a union guy how much rhey make they tell you their total package.

Ask a guy at a wholesaler how much they make they refuse to tell you for reasons???

Read on reddit how much x trade makes and they always post some insane number without mentioning where they work, if they own their own company or if they work a shit load of overtime.

If we were all transparent in our own trades about what we do and how much we make we could help others who are trying to advance in their trades. Probably not targeted to people here but I've helped countless apprentices find work and will always stick out my neck for people who try to better themselves by getting a skill because I was in their shoes once when I was desperate to learn a skill that noone could take away from me.

At that time my journeyman took a chance and because of it I'm not longer working some general labour job.

The worst personally for me was wanting to learn hydronic heating but getting pigeonholed into service plumbing and wasn't allowed to go on any heating calls. Really stunted me developmentally. Now I'm in the 16th year as a plumber and jumped to a company finally willing to train me in areas I want to be trained in.

Tldr; join a union if you can.

Hey, I'm 27 and looking at stable careers. I was looking at a healthcare-type route for a bit and it's still in my mind since I'm already doing college classes for it, but I've also been thinking about trades. I've heard they're rough on the body but are stable routines most of the time, and I've had union jobs before, so I know I like the safety net they typically provide. I like routine, organization, and working with my hands to see actual progress. Plus I assume (so correct me if it ain't correct) being an electrician builds up some skills you could use in everyday life– freaking love efficiency like that.

So what I'm wondering is what the usual 9-5 is like for a 'sparky' (idk if that term is still used) nowadays? Or whatever hours you're on the clock for. How social do you have to be, or can you be quiet while focusing solely on the work? Are some titles better than others/specialities I guess? What's the math like– crazy stuff, not all that used, maybe some basic algebra, etc? I don't know if I'm too old to make this a career or not, but I'd like to hear from those who have.

Hello im a ca certified journeyman electrician. I know that recipricocity is not everywhere, other then Nevada, Arizona and Louisiana. I will be proud to take any tests.

If you guys have any experience with moving out of Cali, to go somewhere else, where they pay well. Its crazy how traffic, taxes and everything is here, and would love to go anywhere else.

If anybody knows, any companies that hire, or states that have good housing and just better overall.

I like Texas, because of what I hear but dont know much.

Any info would help. Thank you.