r/skilledtrades

I’ve been working installing solar panels and construction for the past 25 years. Before the summer, I quit my job because being on the roof all summer along and waking up at 4 o’clock in the morning to drive all over the place was killing me. I got a job bartending at a bar on the beach. I made really good money installing solar panels, but make quite a bit more bartending, working about half as much as I did doing solar. My life has completely changed and I’ll never go back to the trades.

I’ve been passionate about plumbing and HVAC for over a year. I have read multiple code books, guides and manuals. I also often assist a plumber who recently started his business.

The biggest issue I have is the culture. I’ve read that plumbing culture is rough, involving bullying. I don’t pick up on shouting, banter or hazing well.

I want to know from people who are in these fields. Does the bullying get better with experience? How would it change if I’m a master, journeyman or inspector? I'm mostly interested in residential service or institutional maintenance.

This is all I want to do to be honest, but getting constantly bullied will distract me from learning the trade.

edit: I deeply appreciate these responses. I would absolutely love to be a plumber and this has given me invaluable help in figuring this out.

I’ve been trying for the last year to get into the trades. All of my previous experience is in food service industry, operations and upper management. Im in my late 30s trying to change my career. I’ll go through the unions and pass their aptitude tests then when I interview I get told they like me and my attitude but I don’t have enough experience. But I always thought an apprenticeship was HOW you got experience. At this point would a trade school be my best option?

So far I’ve interviewed with sheet metal, pipefitting, and elevator repair. All have said the same thing about my experience.

Hello, I’m going to be graduating HS soon and I’m interested in becoming a lineman, I loved doing all my tech and electronics classes in school and the career itself has interested me for a long time.

I was wondering if any women could tell me about their experience, or anyone really. I’m worried I’d be treated differently but I have a genuine interest and I’m ready to learn, I know it’s hard work. It just worries me as I’ve heard stories and I don’t want to let that stop me from pursuing this career.

Thanks

I'm 26, live in SoCal (Redondo Beach, CA)and just graduated college in May with a business management degree (BS). Honestly during my last two semesters of school I realized I might've messed up because I have no interest in sales or sitting at a desk all day. I love working with my hands and have installed stereos, amps in my vehicles which doesn't excite me but i've always tried to make it look clean and professional. I also work on my dirt bikes and trucks installing suspension, parts, and general maintenance. Even though I hate sales I've made a lot of money flipping dirt bikes for profit, usually 800-1000+ profit each time. I also love how rewarding it is to build/ fix something and look at your finished product, I love seeing something start at the bottom and looking at it completed and looking amazing. (like legos or even minecraft) I tried getting into the electrical field through local 11 and other private companies for the past 6 months with no luck. WECA still hasn't contacted me for testing and its been a year and a half. I pretty much gave up on that. Then I started looking into plumbing and HVAC. All the companies I call aren't looking for a helper or gopher that will work me everyday like I need/want. I have a fantastic work ethic and am willing to start from the bottom up but I need some advice on how to get into a trade, preferably a rewarding hard working trade job. Anyone have advice for me? I feel like I'm running out of time, and would drop everything for a long term career. Seems like no one wants to hire in CA right now with no experience and I get it but damn. If anyone reads all this can you please point me in the right direction of what I may enjoy doing in the trades? Right now personally I think I would actually enjoy doing HVAC and plumbing. But I want to fully commit to one and go after it. I just don't want to fee like I'm wasting my time again like how I feel about going to college. My BS degree is meaningless right now... My true end goal would be to be a work horse for 5-10 years and then have my own company

52 male. Owned my own business for 18 years. Tired of my business and tired of having employees. I plan to sell my business in the next 12 months and I won’t clear enough to retire. There are a few TCAT (Tennessee College of Applied Technology) campuses close to me that offer various trade programs (welding technology, tool and die machining technology, pipe fitting and plumbing technology, machine tool technology, HVAC and refrigeration, industrial maintenance, industrial maintenance integrated automation, industrial electricity). My body is a little worn down, but I can do most things. Considering my age and stage of life, what could I realistically do for 10-12 years and what’s the fastest path to over 100k/yr? TIA for helping the old guy out.

Hope this is OK to post, admins feel free to remove if not.

I got fed up checking five merchant sites every time I priced a job, so I built a website that does it for you (undercutrade.co.uk)

Put in an item or a whole materials list and it shows the cheapest UK supplier, price per metre or per unit, ex or inc VAT. When I checked today, 100m 2.5mm cable was £41.69(42p p/m)at the cheapest place and £114.99(£1.15 p/m)at the dearest.

It's brand new, so I'm after honest feedback from people who actually buy this stuff:

1. Did it find what you searched for?
2. Were the prices right?
3. What would make you actually use it?

Not trying to sell anything, the main bits are free. Rip it apart in the comments 😂

interested in the trades and narrowed down to these. Beggars can’t be choosers but I’m coming from a totally different career and will probably take a pay cut at first. For those in inside wireman, pipefitting, or sheet metal, how often is OT available? Just wondering how realistic it is to make up the difference or more with OT.

I’m an apprentice plumber and tomorrow I start my new job. I’ve only ever worked for my dad’s shop so I honestly don’t know what to expect at this new shop I’m gonna work for. I’m in the service side of plumbing and there isn’t much I can’t do. Working for my dad I could get treated like absolute shit no matter how good of a job I did just cause he’s an angry man. I guess what I’m asking is in your Guy’s experience. What should I expect? I do good work and I can sell. I’ve been full-time for a little over three years and have another four years of experience as a helper.

I'm a fairly new electrical apprentice. My journeyman told me I should probably get myself a good flashlight. I'm looking for a headlamp with a strap and a magnet in case I want to stick it on conduit or something.

I was looking at a Milwaukee one on Home Depot, but people were saying it used micro-USB which is kind of gross for 2026. I had my eyes on some Coast ones as well but apparently the "Turbo" mode is kind of a scam, as it only lasts a couple minutes then auto dims.

Looking to switch trades. I'm between Heavy Equipment Technician and AG Equipment Technician, have an interview on Wednesday at a place hiring for either apprenticeship.

They seem pretty similar, especially since I have no intention of working on highway trucks. I live in a heavily rural farming area. What do Ag techs do that HET don't? Is there any point in picking Ag over HET even if I plan to mostly work on those?

And what do Ag techs do in winter? My current trade is also seasonal but in winter we mostly do larger insurance claims to keep everyone employed, I'm not sure if that's similar in Ag?

Hey everyone,

I’m 38 and just left my job after 6 year working in a jail. I’m a USMC veteran and got out in 2011 after 4 years. Wondering about doing a trade with no construction background of any kind. Leaning towards an.HVAC trade school cause there is a year program nearby and helps with finding work afterwards. Not sure if this is the field for me but I need something and did do a walk through with them. Family members have recommended being an electrician and others a less physical demanding job but I am unsure of anything else. I guess can anyone give me pros and cons about being in HVAC at almost 40?

Sorry idk if this a good topic point to post here but
I am a family farmer 24 years old been farming with dad 6 years now we got oranges only rn and have a large operation almost 300 acres oranges planted however the plan is to sell almost half of that as it’s 1 hour away from home and I don’t want to deal with work that far as I get older n have a family and also want a trade to have under my belt in case I would want to move as I don’t live anywhere near a city.

Auto electrician is a trade that’s stuck out for me have done basic accessories fitments on tractors trailers and Utes and cars and always found an interest in it what is the work truely looking like rn and what’s future ? Ideally I would still run farms once qualified and do a side mobile business.

Also a concern is with immigration but I feel in this field they are more light n diesel mechanics coming here than auto elecs I wish the mechanic trades were regulated as well

I'm in high school in Alberta. I'm interested in becoming a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic or residential HVACR technician.

I've applied to a few apprenticeships and am lucky to have a program at school that connects students to employers after teacher recommendations, school background/attendance checks, and all the other stuff employers are looking at since apparently there's a government incentive behind it.

I'm basically starting from a blank slate when it comes to HVAC. I'm willing to learn and work, but I don't want to show up thinking I know more than I actually do. I'm working on a workplace safety course that is required for any highschool student to work in Alberta and I do have experience working with hand and power tools. I'm decently built and am aware of the demands of the trade, but im confident in my ability to handle it.

I'd appreciate advice from people actually working in the trade, especially anyone who started young.

If anyone could let me know what an employer might expect from me as an apprentice, if there's anything I should come into the job knowing, what would want you to keep a young apprentice around, and if there's anything you'd wish you knew before starting in this trade it'd really mean a lot to me.

If you have to be blunt just say it; I'd rather figure out some of the "bad" parts of the trade from people that were in my position how ever many years ago now than find out myself later when it's going to be hard to back out.

Thank you.

(I cannot find the "stickied thread" if someone would point it out I would be happy to take this post down and move it there!)

I see the Mike Rowe ads but see now apprenticeships as implied. I search the govt apprenticeship site and barely find anything and nothing in my area.

When i search job boards I see the word "apprenticeship " thrown around worse than a drunken prom date but no listing for a DOL apprenticeship on the company's website nor job posting. It almost feels companies want to call it an apprenticeship only then lure you in on the pretense of the current main stream narrative of "join the trades".

Anyone got any input on this?