A Good Job in America.

[devino246]

I heard a while back that there might be a shortage of hands-on jobs when the 'boomers retire. i.e plumbing, carpentry, etc. This is because their is such emphasis on technology and a college degree that not alot of kids are going into that line of work.

Sure there are plenty of oppurtunities even without a degree and there will always be some guys doing those kinds of jobs, but in certian areas, there might be some problems. (kinds like China not having enough people to take care of the elderly.)

Uh, yeah, big time. Before this economic trough, there was an enormous shortage of welders. Not sure if that shortage is still there, but I suspect it is.

I actually (hope) to take advantage of the Boomers' retirement in 10-15 years.

 

[FatCat]

Go to college guys. Trust me. Don't let anyone tell you different. I really regret not going. Even if you decide to go another route. Once you get tied down with the family thing it's really tough to go back. Do it right after high school while your still in the habit. You'll never regret having that degree. Even if you decide to be a plumber it's nice to have another thing to fall back on. Also most don't believe it but you can be a student without the loan. Student loan debt is bad news. Go to community college and work and pay your way through it. You'll be setting yourself up to win.

 

[machinist@large]

Americans are becoming professional consumers. We produce nothing. We want to make our money buying and selling forign products.

The skilled trades and core workforce of North America (which I'm a Proud Member of) is the leanest, most productive, most efficient, most tech savvy workforce in the world (did I mention the most productive?).

If you're willing to get your hands dirty, we've got jobs to fill.

 

[devino246]

Go to college guys. Trust me. Don't let anyone tell you different. I really regret not going. Even if you decide to go another route. Once you get tied down with the family thing it's really tough to go back. Do it right after high school while your still in the habit. You'll never regret having that degree. Even if you decide to be a plumber it's nice to have another thing to fall back on. Also most don't believe it but you can be a student without the loan. Student loan debt is bad news. Go to community college and work and pay your way through it. You'll be setting yourself up to win.

College isn't what it used to be. 50% of college graduates can't find a job in their career field. It's no longer an investment in yourself, it's a gamble.

 

[devino246]

The skilled trades and core workforce of North America (which I'm a Proud Member of) is the leanest, most productive, most efficient, most tech savvy workforce in the world (did I mention the most productive?).

If you're willing to get your hands dirty, we've got jobs to fill.

Same here

What we need is vocational training in high schools.

 

[machinist@large]

Same here

What we need is vocational training in high schools.

We used to have the best apprenticeship system(s) in the world; that was starting to be torn down when I was in High School; I got my basics (enough to get a job) at Kent Skills Center (now Kent Career Tech). When I got my 1st real big job at a Machine Building company, they didn't even offer an apprenticeship; I've had the lack of that pc. of paper thrown back in my face a few times.

In a perfect world, we'd have the old system that actually worked; if we have to start from scratch, let give the German model a good look over.

 

[devino246]

I was lucky enough (I guess, long story...) to transfer high schools to go to one of the few schools in my county with an automotive technology class. Graduating with 3 credits of automotive technology (405 hours of NATEF instruction in general automotive systems, brakes, and electrical), I was able to find an entry-level job as a mechanic within 3 months of graduating. The way it stands, this could be the only employer I ever have.

Money spent on education? $0.

 

[souperman000]

What we need is vocational training in high schools.

The budget shorteges and cuts to schools did that in for me. All we have is a woodshop, and only certain schedules comply with it. The Auto shop got replaced by the band room. I would have loved to be in auto shop.

Now these classes are filled with those considered "left behind" (politically correct?) and today's ideaologies do not view someone like me (AP classes and stuff) as "supposed to" take that kind of class. IMO, today's education system, at least in my area, is focused on higher education. All of my friends freak out about every little thing. How you have to stay in this class for four years to show colleges that you have "commitment." I think that is just stupid. I feel like you should take the classes that interest you and that will make High school fun and memorable for you. I would not suffer through four years of something that I don't enjoy or am not interested in (probably getting bad grades because I am not interseted) just because someone told someone that colleges look at your commitment. I really hate it.

I could go on for hours about this kind of stuff. How the ideals and opinions and how one should lead his or her schooling career like someone in my situation are so stereotyped that there it seems there is no movement or flexibility allowed just because someone thinks it shows you are successful doing and taking certain classes.

kind of lost myself at the end. Rant over.

 

[landuse]

College isn't what it used to be. 50% of college graduates can't find a job in their career field. It's no longer an investment in yourself, it's a gamble.

It is the same here. Having a college degree doesn't mean a thing. I got a 4 year college degree, and then still did an masters degree after that. It took me 3 years to get a job in the field I studied for. I had to take odd jobs in the meantime. Tough times....

 

[devino246]

I could write an entire book on why the education system is so screwed up, but i'm at work right now, so i'll have to hold off.

 

[devino246]

The budget shorteges and cuts to schools did that in for me. All we have is a woodshop, and only certain schedules comply with it. The Auto shop got replaced by the band room. I would have loved to be in auto shop.

And yet they'll gladly replace older computers (that still work fine) with brand new ones. The schools aren't really that broke, they just can't manage money worth a ****. A good automotive program won't require hardly any money to run the shop. We charged $30 an hour for labor and used that money for new tools and equipment.

 

[fowler]

the problem with the modern automotive world is u pretty much need an ET computer

its not like u can clean the carb or ingectors or just change the plugs and clean the points

i tryed to fix a freinds 2011 carrola sport, it lost its get up and go, after removing 6 ton of plastic covers and doing some basic tests i ran out of time. He took it to the dealership where they told him the computer was trying to screw with the engine to lean it out and make it effiecent
thats whats killing off alot of all round small motor shops
u pretty much have to go to the dealer becuase they have the "genuine tooling"

i do agree they could use some more real world training at schools
basic crap like changing tryes and jump starting cars
just basic common sense is somthing that isnt bred in anymore it has to be taut
going out at night to change a trye for a 22yr old guy is just bad
i consided leaving him there for being hopless

iv got a few feinds that are currently trying to find jobs in there respective feild during uni because if they dont have the experiance straight out of uni then they simply wont get a job
i was luckly that our school ran a work placement program so i had a apprentaship before i finished school

 

[landuse]

iv got a few feinds that are currently trying to find jobs in there respective feild during uni because if they dont have the experiance straight out of uni then they simply wont get a job

I had the same problem when I came out of university. I had no experience cos I nobody would give me a job, and I couldn't get a job cos I had no experience. Go figure....what are you supposed to do?

 

[devino246]

the problem with the modern automotive world is u pretty much need an ET computer

its not like u can clean the carb or ingectors or just change the plugs and clean the points

i tryed to fix a freinds 2011 carrola sport, it lost its get up and go, after removing 6 ton of plastic covers and doing some basic tests i ran out of time. He took it to the dealership where they told him the computer was trying to screw with the engine to lean it out and make it effiecent
thats whats killing off alot of all round small motor shops
u pretty much have to go to the dealer becuase they have the "genuine tooling"

i do agree they could use some more real world training at schools
basic crap like changing tryes and jump starting cars
just basic common sense is somthing that isnt bred in anymore it has to be taut
going out at night to change a trye for a 22yr old guy is just bad
i consided leaving him there for being hopless

iv got a few feinds that are currently trying to find jobs in there respective feild during uni because if they dont have the experiance straight out of uni then they simply wont get a job
i was luckly that our school ran a work placement program so i had a apprentaship before i finished school

A $200 scan too could have gotten you that info...

 

[FatCat]

The skilled trades and core workforce of North America (which I'm a Proud Member of) is the leanest, most productive, most efficient, most tech savvy workforce in the world (did I mention the most productive?).

If you're willing to get your hands dirty, we've got jobs to fill.

Most skilled? I agree. Most productive? The ones who work are very productive. Overpaid? Absolutely. Like I said the unions bargained themselves out of a job. Ive got several friends in thr trades. Plumbers, electricians, millwrights. Theyre liscenced in their field and ones working as a cashier at a gas station and bartending on the side to survive. Problem is they're used to making $45 an hour. Imagine trying to pay for that lifestyle off of $9. Maybe if their trades paid a more reasonable wage the scabs wouldnt be getting all the work. I never said you would need the degree. I said you won't regret it. Always smart to leave yourself options. My buddy who is a plumber says they've got these new guys in the apprentiship are half assing stuff. See how long people will pay $45 an hour for screw ups. They can find them for $9.

 

[machinist@large]

Most skilled? I agree. Most productive? The ones who work are very productive. Overpaid? Absolutely. Like I said the unions bargained themselves out of a job. Ive got several friends in thr trades. Plumbers, electricians, millwrights. Theyre liscenced in their field and ones working as a cashier at a gas station and bartending on the side to survive. Problem is they're used to making $45 an hour. Imagine trying to pay for that lifestyle off of $9. Maybe if their trades paid a more reasonable wage the scabs wouldnt be getting all the work. I never said you would need the degree. I said you won't regret it. Always smart to leave yourself options. My buddy who is a plumber says they've got these new guys in the apprentiship are half assing stuff. See how long people will pay $45 an hour for screw ups. They can find them for $9.

$45.00 AN HOUR?!?

The only time I've ever come close to that was working on New Years day for double time & a half. I can't say about most union's, but the riggers and millwrights down the street from my shop are only making in the mid $20's.

I've never worked for a company that had a union; just smaller shops that were/are always hungry. But as an amateur historian, I stand by my earlier statement, about how if you have any benefits, thank the unions.

 

[OzFab]

the problem with the modern automotive world is u pretty much need an ET computer

its not like u can clean the carb or ingectors or just change the plugs and clean the points

i tryed to fix a freinds 2011 carrola sport, it lost its get up and go, after removing 6 ton of plastic covers and doing some basic tests i ran out of time. He took it to the dealership where they told him the computer was trying to screw with the engine to lean it out and make it effiecent
thats whats killing off alot of all round small motor shops
u pretty much have to go to the dealer becuase they have the "genuine tooling"

i do agree they could use some more real world training at schools
basic crap like changing tryes and jump starting cars
just basic common sense is somthing that isnt bred in anymore it has to be taut
going out at night to change a trye for a 22yr old guy is just bad
i consided leaving him there for being hopless

iv got a few feinds that are currently trying to find jobs in there respective feild during uni because if they dont have the experiance straight out of uni then they simply wont get a job
i was luckly that our school ran a work placement program so i had a apprentaship before i finished school

I had the same problem when I came out of university. I had no experience cos I nobody would give me a job, and I couldn't get a job cos I had no experience. Go figure....what are you supposed to do?

... & as if our education system isn't bad enough, the state government had announced $1.7billion in cuts to education. Hang on, shouldn't they be adding that much?

Combine that with the fact that we have to import labour due to a lack of skilled labourers, is it any wonder our country's in a mess?

On the up side, high schools & TAFE colleges (state run trade school) have a program running where students can go to TAFE one day a week to learn the things you would normally learn in wood shop, metal shop, auto shop, etc, in pretty much any trade you want

 

[devino246]

... & as if our education system isn't bad enough, the state government had announced $1.7billion in cuts to education. Hang on, shouldn't they be adding that much?

Combine that with the fact that we have to import labour due to a lack of unskilled labourers, is it any wonder our country's in a mess?

That'll get y'all down to our level.

 

[Rustydog2010]

A trade is the way to go IMO. Here, the more paperwork you have the better you 'supposedly' look. I have heaps of friends that are only just coming out of Uni, they cant find any work. Its like Landuse said, employers want experience. How can you if know-one will take you on?

These friends gave me **** for doing a trade. They pay 10k a year for what? 4 years?
40k. As a first year apprentice, I made 40k before tax. Admittedly I worked some mega hours that year. My training is payed for as well. They still have to live aswell.

Doing a trade seems to be the best IMO. I enjoy being a Mechanic, so maybe its just me.

Don't even get me started on the education system. I went to an international school. When I said I wanted to be a apprentice they said 'why?'. Doing career advice, whatever. They couldn't even help me, they instead tried to convince me to go to Uni.

At that point, I pretty much lost all hope for the human race.

 

[fowler]

Doing a trade seems to be the best IMO. I enjoy being a Mechanic, so maybe its just me.
.

ha this is exactly what iv gone though with my freinds

i got crap all thought the last year of school for being dumb and not thinking though my future because i put my time into getting an apprentaship rather than my final exams

end of that year iv got a full time job
half of them are looking for a uni to accept them and half of them didnt get high enough marks to go to uni and are scrambling like hell to find a job or career to follow

then theres the case of working in a mining boom
so im on a good wage and they are still racking up a huge bills with no way to pay it

but there comment is "yeh but after a few years on the job ill be on 120 k a year" well this is a boom so so will i

" but when the boom ends u will loose your job "
granted we will be the first to be affected but
u think they are going to pay architechs and engineers to make them huge machines and buildings when they cant afford the staff to fix it

"but our degree will let us travel the world"
no all the building codes and licences will be differat between each country it will be alot of work to retake those tests in each country
nothing is as universal as mechanics

out of a group of 24 students that finished in our year
3 of us are in differat trades
12 are at uni
3 dropped out and are unemployed
4 are doing casual work
im currently organizeing 2 of then to get a job in our company as TAs with the chance of an aprentaship later