My suggestions for well-paying careers

[Flame_lily]

I've seen a few thread in this forum about careers & here are my picks based on my observations.

1.Plumber - you can't go wrong. I paid close to $200 to get someone to change my showerhead. I paid $450 for someone to replace the faucet in my laundry room sink and the list goes on..... Hourly rate for these guys? $100/hr. Even assuming that 30% of that goes to equipment etc it's still a pretty penny. Anyone who's had to call them also know there's almost always a waiting list for service

2. Roofing and related work - I just spent about 2 hours calling roofing companies to replace the shingles blown away by the wind yesterday. Oh joy. 70% didn't answer their phones, I had to leave a message; 20% didn't do residential; 5% wanted to charge me $300 to look at my roof, $600 to get on the roof & $1K+ to replace anything (random guy on Kijiji) & 5% (last company I called) will send crew over sometime between today and tomorrow. Did I mention I called 5+ companies in the fall and they were either booked solid or promised to return my call but never got round to it?

Morale of the post? Studying Shakespeare may be fun, it may not pay the bills. USE YOUR HANDS.

[sockboy]

Trades make good money. There is no doubt about that. I don't know where some people got the idea that trades people don't make good money. Most union trades people make more than teachers/bankers and your average white collar worker. Many Engineers and Architects make less than the trades people on their work sites.

[Bullseye]

Trades are great when the economy is good, as it has been for years now, but just wait till a slowdown comes in housing and renovations. Half of those businesses will fold, and the rest will be begging for work.

A trade can go out of work and have almost nothing for literally years. I've seen it with my uncle, an electrician. Ended up moving back and forth across the country, taking any scrap of work the union could find for him.

[manho]

there are cons to the jobs you've mentioned though. Plumbing could stink, and there are various levels of plumbing licenses. I think to be a Master Plumber, you would have do a lengthy time of apprentice, then obtaining the certificate of qualification for 2 years. Replacing shingles isn't the easiest job. Imagine standing on the roof with direct sunlight at 25+ degrees, no wind, 8 hours day for 5 days.

btw. Did you try Alpine Roofing? I've had my roof done with them last year. I think they did a pretty good job.

[manho]

Many Engineers and Architects make less than the trades people on their work sites.

i've seen this as well

[Rehan]

Trades make decent money, but the people that come and do the work are usually just employees that are getting only a portion of the hourly rate you pay. The business owners are the ones making bank (and they often don't have to do the 'dirty work').

[Flame_lily]

btw. Did you try Alpine Roofing? I'm on Ottawa. I ended up with Rainbow Roofing. The person I spoke to sounded pleasant and knowledgeable unlike the others I've spoken to in the past.

I do agree that when the economy cools trades also cool but the other benefits are hard to ignore
1. Great for entrepreneurs - after 5 years one should be able to to it for themselves. Not for everyone but much easier than say a banker
2. Flexibility - if you own your own companies within reason of course
3. Unlikely to come out with a humongous student debt. Most people with a general undergrad have to either do a Masters or train in a particular field then climb the corporate ladder then maybe start a family
4. Shorter time to start earning a decent living; due to specialized training
5. Less "office politics" - I'm imaging since the job is task oriented there's less chances to interpersonal differences and people are not stuck in little cubes breathing each other's germs

[march9]

no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment

[sockboy]

The lack of "social status" and "respect" are what prevents a lot of people from going into these fields. I imagine it would become pretty easy to not care about these trivial things when you are earning 100k/year.

As for no sense of accomplishment?? I would say that on a day to day basis the work must be much more satisfying than sitting at a desk crunching numbers.

It is hard work though, and potentially dangerous. Definitely not for everyone.

[Bullseye]

no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment

My neighbour is a tradesman, his house is one of the nicest on the street, and bigger than most of them. I'm pretty sure he doesn't care about his social status, or what anyone thinks about him at all.

So I guess don't go into the trades if you are insecure and need peer approval to feel good about yourself. You'll just have your piles of cold hard cash to console you.

[UrbanPoet]

no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment

how so...?
Eventually these guys drive the same cars, same houses, and same things as the white collar office types.
On the weekends they'd probably get into the same clubs, same resturants, buying the same drinks. Well.. Maybe nto the same drinks... Maybe those "low status trade workers" prefer a domestic beer instead :rolleyes:

[george benjamin]

no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment

How long have you been living in Canada for?

We don't have this crap here buddy.

Leave this "social status" disease which is rampant in some parts of the world (don't want to mention countries, but you know which ones).

[nogoro]

I paid close to $200 to get someone to change my showerhead. I paid $450 for someone to replace the faucet in my laundry room sink
Morale of the post?

here's another moral... DIY if it doesn't look dangerous. My dad's a total amateur handyman but the broken stuff at home is now "less broken" and won't need to call a pro. We get ready to dial 911 when he tries to do electrical stuff though :lol:

[little-fish]

no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment


Respect others how you wanted to be treated. End of the story ;)

[TN_]

no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment

lol so wrong its funny :)

[deep]

The ONLY time I have a sense of accomplishment, work-wise, is when I do something with my hands. 90% of the tech work I do is boring crap, but when I get to reno a room in my house, I stare at it for days, weeks, months!

[Rehan]

no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment ....as opposed to the glamorous life of a cubicle slave.

[dark169]

I've seen a few thread in this forum about careers & here are my picks based on my observations.

1.Plumber - you can't go wrong. I paid close to $200 to get someone to change my showerhead. I paid $450 for someone to replace the faucet in my laundry room sink and the list goes on..... Hourly rate for these guys? $100/hr. Even assuming that 30% of that goes to equipment etc it's still a pretty penny. Anyone who's had to call them also know there's almost always a waiting list for service


:lol: no wonder your on RFD you paid 650 bucks to something you could do by knowing "lefty loosey, righty tighty".

Trades can make good money, BUT you need to be a hard worker and willing to do "*****" work (doubly so for plumbers :twisted: ) But someone with a good work ethic and a good education can go alot further, hard workers should always do well.

[siriuskao]

here's another moral... DIY if it doesn't look dangerous. My dad's a total amateur handyman but the broken stuff at home is now "less broken" and won't need to call a pro. We get ready to dial 911 when he tries to do electrical stuff though :lol:
lol, my thoughts exactly when I read his post, $650 for those 2 jobs? It makes FS/BB computer setup look like a bargain.

[Flame_lily]

no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment

Dumbest thing I've heard in a loooooong time.... You don't respect people based on there education, bank balance, exceptional gift etc. You respect people because they are HUMAN BEINGS; equal but different. If you don't indiscriminately kick a dog (unless of course you do) why would you treat a person any less?

History is full of educated, rich, and/or other "respectable people" who've done idiotic things. Think Bill Clinton (Monica Lewinsky), Enron, Conrad Black and the list goes on

[Flame_lily]

lol, my thoughts exactly when I read his post, $650 for those 2 jobs? It makes FS/BB computer setup look like a bargain.

Oh ya, I'm learning. Managed to change my car battery with the assistance of a friend of course. Next up is changing a toilet. Have been watching vid clips online. Sad, I know:|

[blizzah]

Car Mechanics also make pretty good money. BMW charges 100$+ per hour, and people who open up their own shops make much more than that. It's also often something they enjoy.

Trades are great jobs except the job security is not that great and you have to not mind getting dirty.

[sleepyguy]

lol... i got a "streetfull" of tradesmen nearby. i 'lookdown' on them too... after i stare at their 500k home and mercedes in the driveway :)


no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment

[B0000rt]

Car Mechanics also make pretty good money. BMW charges 100$+ per hour, and people who open up their own shops make much more than that. It's also often something they enjoy.

Trades are great jobs except the job security is not that great and you have to not mind getting dirty.

Turnover is high but if you join the local union and you're fine. You can easily find another position quickly when in the trades!

[alysomji]

Turnover is high but if you join the local union and you're fine. You can easily find another position quickly when in the trades!

Also, there's always at least one part of Canada with a booming housing industry nowadays. Perfect environment for plumbers and some of the other trades people.


no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment

What a shame that you feel that way. Didn't you know that it's the white collar folk who rely on the blue collar folk - and not the other way around?

[BadDrafter]

Morale of the post? Studying Shakespeare may be fun, it may not pay the bills. USE YOUR HANDS.

Nonsense, actors are paid millions of dollars. :cheesygri

[axela3]

no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment

what do you do for a living?

I work in construction....i used to be an licensed architect back home, but when i moved here i never got the chance to practice it , bec of the stiff requirements of the OAA (Ontario Association of Architects) . Having a family and sole bread winner. I cant pursue the upgrading rqmts of my profession here.

So I decided to join the union and do the labor work which i never did before. Its tough physically and especially when your exposed to the elements, it even makes more harder.

I did work on the redevelopment of the Pearson International Airport, Highrise Condominiums in Bayview/Sheppard, Livings Arts in Mississauga, downtown highrises, housing subdivisions in richmond hill....etc etc....

For me, I feel I accomplished more having involved in actual work/project execution than conceptualizing and preparing the drawings.

I do missed my old work, but having big responsibilities, stress, time demanding and liabilities.... thats what make it sucks.

Financially wise, I make more money annually (10 mos) plus union benefits and pension are better.

So having said that, a white collar job doesnt mean you get respect, social status and sense of accomplishment in life....its how you treat other people, being fair and giving your full potential at work, thats what counts most.

[Bleys007]

Trades jobs are pretty damn good if:

You're part of a union, or a business that pays well enough.
You make it through the apprenticeship
You pick the right trade
You can handle the tough work/outdoor climate (if appropriate)

I was an apprentice carpenter for a while. The physical work (1st term carpenter = gofer) I got used to. The cold I probably could have stuck it out, but I didn't like it. The heights got to be too much.

For the right people, they're great jobs. Pay ends up being really nice if you get in with the union. More power to you if you enjoy it!

[masterhapposai]

quite a few girls won't marry non-university guys

you know which ones..:lol:

[Asagiri]

no social status and no respect, no sense of accomplishment
I by no means endorse his/her statement, but I do know that coming from a Asian family that trade work isn't regarded as "highly" as lets say a Teacher, Banker, Doctor, etc. Generally jobs that are seen as more "professional" are regarded more highly especially with the older generation <- I got an earful from my grandparents when I made a passing comment on how I was interested in becoming an electrician...

Though if your successful doing a trade and make a ton of cash, their opinions change ;)

[Bazooka Joe]

My neighbour is a tradesman, his house is one of the nicest on the street, and bigger than most of them. I'm pretty sure he doesn't care about his social status, or what anyone thinks about him at all.

So I guess don't go into the trades if you are insecure and need peer approval to feel good about yourself. You'll just have your piles of cold hard cash to console you.


:lol:

As an engineer who works on a site with a few hundred skilled trades people, I can tell you first hand that the AVERAGE skilled trade without overtime is making between 1.5 and 2 times my wage. With overtime they are all above twice what I make. Wages are posted and I calculate their bonus, so I know what they make.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Why am I learning all of this now? Career path changed! screw computers! here I am sitting every day in a cubicle kissing my supervisors ass in hopes of a promotion every few months when I could be making big bucks for hard work.

Edit: Actually i created a thread inquiring apprenticeships a year or so ago, I guess I chose the wrong way.

[bubble.tea]

how so...?
Eventually these guys drive the same cars, same houses, and same things as the white collar office types.
On the weekends they'd probably get into the same clubs, same resturants, buying the same drinks. Well.. Maybe nto the same drinks... Maybe those "low status trade workers" prefer a domestic beer instead :rolleyes:
is that a line from 'Good Will Hunting'?

Damon outsmarting the Haaaaaavid punk at the bar?


The ONLY time I have a sense of accomplishment, work-wise, is when I do something with my hands. 90% of the tech work I do is boring crap, but when I get to reno a room in my house, I stare at it for days, weeks, months!
That's just because it's something diferent you're doing, compared with the normal things you do on a daily that fade into the background.

....as opposed to the glamorous life of a cubicle slave.
awww, chin up Rehan! :).

:lol:

As an engineer who works on a site with a few hundred skilled trades people, I can tell you first hand that the AVERAGE skilled trade without overtime is making between 1.5 and 2 times my wage. With overtime they are all above twice what I make. Wages are posted and I calculate their bonus, so I know what they make.
ok smarty pants...then why are YOU making so little?

[Rehan]

awww, chin up Rehan! :). I didn't say *I* am a cubicle slave! :razz: I escaped a few years ago and have no plans to go back.

[Bazooka Joe]

ok smarty pants...then why are YOU making so little?

Smarty pants? I'm not sure what you're driving at but I'll take it at face value. It's not necessarily that I'm making so little, it's that the trades people are simply making a lot. There are many good reasons for that, the primary of which is supply and demand. In general, in my industry, tradespeople are simply more in demand than engineers.

The second reason is safety, there is a premium for more dangerous work. The trades are absolutely more 'dangerous' than engineering. Guys are twisting ankles, getting their hands pinched and throwing out their backs doing physical work. The last time the engineering department has had an LTI here is well over 5 years. It could be decades for all I know, the safety records don't go back that far. The last time the operations has had an LTI was less than 6 months ago.

[bubble.tea]

nothing mean. I just thought perhaps you're junior in your profession and on the climing rungszall. Was thinking that your position would be making a fair bit more if it was a senior position?

yes/no?

[sockboy]

Trades people in a hot economy earn at least the same, and usually more than all but partners in Architecture and Engineering firms.

In Calgary last year the word was that if you "worked in construction" (this isn't just unionised trades), you were "doing something wrong if you made less than 120k". Your average licenced Engineer or Architect (emplyee not partner) probably makes 70-90k.

[sockhead]

Well, I live in a pretty affluent neighbourhood. My neighbour on one side is the chief cardiologist at the local hospital. Really intelligent man, has a clean family, clean house, and I pretty much look up to him.

On the other side, the guy is a construction worker. Worked his way up so that now he owns the company. Makes a good amount of money (as much as the cardiologist), but in the end I still respect the cardiologist more.

[Bullseye]

Well, I live in a pretty affluent neighbourhood. My neighbour on one side is the chief cardiologist at the local hospital. Really intelligent man, has a clean family, clean house, and I pretty much look up to him.

On the other side, the guy is a construction worker. Worked his way up so that now he owns the company. Makes a good amount of money (as much as the cardiologist), but in the end I still respect the cardiologist more.

That's an extreme example, anyone would look up to a chief cardiologist, any highly skilled medical practitioner is essentially a pseudo-god, to me.

But if you'd respect any joe-blow CEO more than the construction guy, then I'd say that's your own shortcoming.

[Bazooka Joe]

nothing mean. I just thought perhaps you're junior in your profession and on the climing rungszall. Was thinking that your position would be making a fair bit more if it was a senior position?

yes/no?

I'd put myself at an intermediate level. Still climbing the rungs, the only question will be how high.

You'd have to be pretty darn senior to make what trades people make. Upper level management can make much more (think VP/CEO), but realistically 99% of engineers will never get there.


That's an extreme example, anyone would look up to a chief cardiologist, any highly skilled medical practitioner is essentially a pseudo-god, to me.

But if you'd respect any joe-blow CEO more than the construction guy, then I'd say that's your own shortcoming.

Well said.

[B0000rt]

I did work on the redevelopment of the Pearson International Airport, Highrise Condominiums in Bayview/Sheppard, Livings Arts in Mississauga, downtown highrises, housing subdivisions in richmond hill....etc etc....
I used to work for Comstock as an Assistant Project Coordinator (under the PM) and I tell ya, we drive around the city, and he points at all different buildings in the city "Yeah, we did the boilers here, the AHUs there, the chillers here etc etc" It's pretty amazing when you see the project from start to finish, something translated from a couple of 2D drawings to the real world physical item.

I'm in software development, and all I get to see as an end product is things on a computer screen.

[Rehan]

I'm in software development, and all I get to see as an end product is things on a computer screen. What's inherently wrong with "things on a computer screen"? :razz: Derek and Ryan run a business that's basically just "things on a computer screen", but look at how many people it affects and how so many people are able to benefit from it. There's gotta be some sense of accomplishment in that. :)

[bubble.tea]

....look at ...how so many people are able to benefit from it. ....

what benefit?

My bank account has never been this low in my life!
















:lol:

[TotallyKiller]

Well, I live in a pretty affluent neighbourhood. My neighbour on one side is the chief cardiologist at the local hospital. Really intelligent man, has a clean family, clean house, and I pretty much look up to him.

On the other side, the guy is a construction worker. Worked his way up so that now he owns the company. Makes a good amount of money (as much as the cardiologist), but in the end I still respect the cardiologist more.


If it's just the stats of each of these guys that you've based you opinion on, then that's pretty sad. I know a few cardiologists and people who have done just as much schooling and work who don't deserve any respect at all.

[Takada]

I think you guys are overblowing the "trades" income thing a BIT too much.

http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?Temporal=2001&PID=57106&METH=1&APATH=3&PTYPE=55496&THEME=53&AID=0&FREE=0&FOCUS=0&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GC=0&GK=0&SC=1&SR=1&RL=0&CPP=99&RPP=9999&d1=0&d2=0&d3=2&d4=1&d5=0&GID=355319

I think the only trades people who make a ton of money are those who own their own businesses- and that's hard in any industry.

[Flame_lily]

If it's just the stats of each of these guys that you've based you opinion on, then that's pretty sad. I know a few cardiologists and people who have done just as much schooling and work who don't deserve any respect at all.

+1
Character in my book counts for a lot more than education or bank balance

[sleepyguy]

Show me the light! :)


I didn't say *I* am a cubicle slave! :razz: I escaped a few years ago and have no plans to go back.

[axela3]

Why am I learning all of this now? Career path changed! screw computers! here I am sitting every day in a cubicle kissing my supervisors ass in hopes of a promotion every few months when I could be making big bucks for hard work.

Edit: Actually i created a thread inquiring apprenticeships a year or so ago, I guess I chose the wrong way.



Go for it/give it a shot....once you go through apprenticeship period and gain enough experience, you'll be laughing after :)...On my part, I got lucky... i received journeyman rate right away when i started....probably bec im well versed in technical drawings so that gave me the leverage.

trust me, after 2 yrs of work it will be easy and at the end of the day you dont have to worry about anything, (unlike office work).

you dont need to kiss your superivisor ass for raise, coz its the union who will fight for it...we get raised yearly so there you go. ONce youre good in what you do, supervisors/foreman wont bug you!!!! you'll be fine...

[bubble.tea]

...
you dont need to kiss your superivisor ass for raise, .....

yes, I hear courtesy reach-arounds are quite as rewarding







:razz:

[Polaren]

quite a few girls won't marry non-university guys

you know which ones..:lol:

Then they are not worth your time to begin with if they think that way. They can DIAF.


Well, I live in a pretty affluent neighbourhood. My neighbour on one side is the chief cardiologist at the local hospital. Really intelligent man, has a clean family, clean house, and I pretty much look up to him.

On the other side, the guy is a construction worker. Worked his way up so that now he owns the company. Makes a good amount of money (as much as the cardiologist), but in the end I still respect the cardiologist more.

You may find you have more respect for the construction worker if you see some of the stuff he can create. I have more respect for a construction worker, electrician, trades people in general as there work is quite respectable and some of the stuff they can do..just wow.

[dark169]

Well, I live in a pretty affluent neighbourhood. My neighbour on one side is the chief cardiologist at the local hospital. Really intelligent man, has a clean family, clean house, and I pretty much look up to him.

On the other side, the guy is a construction worker. Worked his way up so that now he owns the company. Makes a good amount of money (as much as the cardiologist), but in the end I still respect the cardiologist more.

And let me guess what you do? Live at home with your parents... :lol:

[axela3]

Being a construction worker doesnt mean, you are not that "educated" and compared to doctor's and other white collar job.

Its more than to that, my work is multi-tasking and it requires proficiency in math. One aspect of my work is site development. I have to coordinate heavy equipment (i.e scrapers, D8 dozers, excavators, dump trucks) and check different grades/elevations with the laser level.

I cant afford to make mistakes in layout and grade elevations, otherwise it will result to thousands of dollars to fix.

Its not all physical, you need to know how to read and interpret drawings, specifications, sequence of work, duration of per item of work, materials and equipment requirement/s....etc.

All of this, are just part of the work we do... Engineers and architects are just there to see if there are discrepancies and variances from drawings to actual work.

So as you can see, construction workers nowadays requires alot of thinking, planning and coordination.

So people who thinks its all physical labor work, then you are wrong.

[Krox]

Being a construction worker doesnt mean, you are not that "educated" and compared to doctor's and other white collar job.

Its more than to that, my work is multi-tasking and it requires proficiency in math. One aspect of my work is site development. I have to coordinate heavy equipment (i.e scrapers, D8 dozers, excavators, dump trucks) and check different grades/elevations with the laser level.

I cant afford to make mistakes in layout and grade elevations, otherwise it will result to thousands of dollars to fix.

Its not all physical, you need to know how to read and interpret drawings, specifications, sequence of work, duration of per item of work, materials and equipment requirement/s....etc.

All of this, are just part of the work we do... Engineers and architects are just there to see if there are discrepancies and variances from drawings to actual work.

So as you can see, construction workers nowadays requires alot of thinking, planning and coordination.

So people who thinks its all physical labor work, then you are wrong.

I have a lot of respect for skilled trades people.

One downside to trades is that it can very hard when you get older. Someone else mentioned about the danger and injuries. It can be really hard to be a plumber when you are 50 years old and have a bad back due to an earlier injury.

[We'reGonnaWin]

I have a lot of respect for skilled trades people.

One downside to trades is that it can very hard when you get older. Someone else mentioned about the danger and injuries. It can be really hard to be a plumber when you are 50 years old and have a bad back due to an earlier injury.

That's why you work your way into management over 20-30 years?

[UrbanPoet]

That's why you work your way into management over 20-30 years?

I imagine some trade workers being able to retire when they are 50.
after 5-10 years you will make a LOT. And in the 10 years your making a lot you can save up quite the nest egg.

[ali123]

Trades = Good money but you have to work like crazy. I'm never going back to my old job, waking up @ 5am in the morning in -20, painting and refilling paint and cleaning dust off unbuilt commercial buildings and your boss telling you

that he will fire your ass if you drop paint on the floor and he'll cut your pay check in half if you weren't fast enough..... Now I know that I really need to go to university.

[skeletor]

lol you guys are really overhyping trades like it's some kind of easy golden ticket route when it's far from it.. No offense but I would rather be a "cubicle slave" doing design/management than tightening bolts and replacing washers the rest of my life. At times there and depending on your area there could be a saturation of repairmen in the area.. I have an uncle who sometimes don't get any calls for a couple days..

[beerbaron105]

i have to agree that while trades make lots of money, they have tons of benefits, pension, etc, after i did the switch from construction to the business side of operations i love the fact that im not in the elements anymore!

yes it would be great to work where its 25C all year round, but its not! while i still have some early mornings from time to time, generally 5am or so, i dont have someone breathing down my neck (foreman) all day.

and being covered in mud/dust all day can be pretty depressing, even if you are making 50/hr, its a dirty job!

basicaly, its not for everyone, but those that do it make a fortune

[SamInfinity]

I have respect for anyone in any job as long as a) that person enjoys their job, and b) that person doesn't make himself or herself sound better than you just because, "I make x dollars more than you".

[sillysimms]

My husband and I are total opposites careerwise. I'm the university-educated white collar worker (HR management field) and my husband is a blue-collar plumber. Prior to meeting him, I will admit my knowledge of the skilled trades industry was very limited. Unfortunately, it is just not something that really seems to be promoted as a career direction for young people. That's a terrible oversight because it is an excellent rewarding field. I had no knowledge and thought that plumbers basically fixed clogged toilets and had no idea about the wide range of work they actually do. He's a union plumber working in commercial ICI work and doesn't fix clogged toilets at all!

I'm not sure about non-union, but if you can get into the union, you will do well financially and have an excellent pension plan for your retirement. It's not uncommon for them to retire with a pension of $6,000 plus a month. My husband and his coworkers love their jobs and their careers. It's not for everyone, but I've never met a group of people that enjoy their job and work the way my husband does. In the union there is tons of work. If he leaves a job, he has another one to start the next morning.

Yes, I have the university degree but he easily makes double my salary. In the union, the overtime is where the money is. (Although the straight time rate is excellent too). They work 4 days, 9 hours at a regular rate. Anything above that is double time by union contract (not 1.5 time). So if they work 10 hours one day, 1 hour is double time. If they work Friday, Saturday, or Sunday that is double time so they get 2 days pay for that one day of work. It's not difficult to make 6 figures.

Yes, it is physical work. As you get older, you may want to look for a role that is less physically demanding such as a plant maintenance position (which is also available union).

I'm not sure why there has in the past been a sort of "stigma" associated with blue collar work, although I feel that is changing. If our kids want to go into the trades, I'll be very happy for them. I will be confident that they will have a stable job and good financial rewards - quite possibly they will be more financially secure than if they take the university route. There's nothing wrong with university, however I don't feel in any way it is "superior" or "better" than the skilled trades route.



Well, I live in a pretty affluent neighbourhood. My neighbour on one side is the chief cardiologist at the local hospital. Really intelligent man, has a clean family, clean house, and I pretty much look up to him.

On the other side, the guy is a construction worker. Worked his way up so that now he owns the company. Makes a good amount of money (as much as the cardiologist), but in the end I still respect the cardiologist more.

I think this is more of a statement about the poster than either the cardiologist or the construction work. It's sad in this day and age if you are evaluating and giving respect to people based on their job title rather than the person that they are. It's too bad that there are people that feel that some deserve less respect than others just because of their job title.

[demrea]

i dont even understand what the issue is ... you think any dummy can wire a house or fix a car or whatever else the trades provide?

its honourable work. frankly, i have two left hands and no thumbs, i am envious of those that can fix and build. my brother in law can build and fix anything in his house and i have to ask people to help or pay outsiders. how degrading for me.

i have a 6 figure management job, but his house is much better cared for and developed because he can spend an entire weekend building an awesome deck or whatever he dreams up, whereas I have to pay for it and therefore have much less.

not that i measure what i have against others, its just an example.

to me a trade is just as respectable as a profession, i see no difference between an accountant and a plumber. both can be jerks, or both can be decent people, but their work type has nothing to do with anything.

[mgronqui]

To the posters ragging on the poster who mentioned no status and respect, I think you're all in denial. Society is ruled by capitalism. I still don't get any respect and it's only when they find out I graduated from University that they all of a sudden show any respect and want to serve me. It's sickening. Even in schools, majors are always dissing other majors. It's like people became egotistical all of a sudden and think they're better than other people.

[Dustbunny]

I've seen a few thread in this forum about careers & here are my picks based on my observations.

1.Plumber - you can't go wrong. I paid close to $200 to get someone to change my showerhead. I paid $450 for someone to replace the faucet in my laundry room sink and the list goes on..... Hourly rate for these guys? $100/hr. Even assuming that 30% of that goes to equipment etc it's still a pretty penny. Anyone who's had to call them also know there's almost always a waiting list for service

2. Roofing and related work - I just spent about 2 hours calling roofing companies to replace the shingles blown away by the wind yesterday. Oh joy. 70% didn't answer their phones, I had to leave a message; 20% didn't do residential; 5% wanted to charge me $300 to look at my roof, $600 to get on the roof & $1K+ to replace anything (random guy on Kijiji) & 5% (last company I called) will send crew over sometime between today and tomorrow. Did I mention I called 5+ companies in the fall and they were either booked solid or promised to return my call but never got round to it?

Morale of the post? Studying Shakespeare may be fun, it may not pay the bills. USE YOUR HANDS.

I haven't read all of this thread but I want to point something out since it seems there are so many here trying to figure out what to do with their education. You can't base what to train in by what is going on at the moment. It's not a smart move.

Although trades are a super area to head into, looking at what is happening in rates at the moment doesn't tell you how many people are in training (what if the schools suddenly have 1000 plumbers ready to graduate which gluts the market?). It doesn't tell you if the reason they are all in demand is temporary or permanent (a new company is building a large complex?). On the other side, if there are a lot of framers (which there were not very many years ago), how many will there be in 4 years (which is how long it takes to become a journeyman)? Living example is construction trades were full of people out of work in the early 90's. The industry wasn't too concerned, the schools didn't offer many seats, no one encouraged anyone into the industry because at the time there were more people than jobs. Flash forward a couple of years as the economy picked up a bit and someone with half a brain suddenly realized that most of their workforce was in their 50's, due to retire, and no numbers coming through to fill those spots. Now they are screaming for people so the industry and schools are doing what they can to get people trained and out there to not only fill the retirement vacancies but to address the booms that are on. What you have to know is when they will have enough again because by the time another 4 years goes by they may well have more than enough again.

Web design is another perfect example. Ten years ago, no schools, no courses and the Internet flashed to the forefront. People who could get a site up were making some really really good money. Bang, the schools finally got on board, everyone and their brother figured they could make top dollar and scrambled to register. Well, the market got glutted with people who knew how to get a site up and the rates dropped and the market levelled off. Now there are lots of trained people, employers have their choice, and some designers are not working. No need to fill all those school seats anymore so the schools drop the class size and the small training institutes go on to some other type of training. This is part of the cycle of an industry so you have to research what is happening, likely to happen, and then make an informed decision.

Lesson is, you have to get more information. The folks who went into the trades and are out working now can write their own tickets practically they are in such high demand as a large portion of this country is in a growth/boom phase. Whether it will be there and the schools are producing enough grads for 4 years from now requires some research.

Meanwhile, to those who base status on type of occupation....talk about being influenced by outside factors that have very little to do with the respect a person is due for being a good human being and a value to society. See how much value you put on a tradesperson when you can't get one when you need them. Funny how people suddenly change their tunes when they learn what occupations really make, how much their education counts (sometimes having zero to do with it), or whatever else they base this 'status' label on. More often than not, status is based on contribution and need. When something becomes a need boy, watch the status go up. Doctors are a great example. Always respected, they were often the poorest and most overworked in a community which made it very hard to attract anyone but those truly interested in healing and helping. When the need went up (population increases, higher levels of knowledge and care required), the wages went up as people put more value on their knowledge.

This whole white/blue collar type attitude really doesn't hold anymore as getting a shot to go to university or higher ed isn't what it used to be years ago when all that attitude came about. Now people only go to university if it works for them. There are plenty of other types of education where university has no value so it's no longer the land of the privileged it once was. Trades are no longer trained solely by an employer. They are now required to go to school for 4 years, pass certifications, and qualify for licensing so they can work. For sure it wasn't the tech grads who were whining about working at McD's as they all had high paying jobs right out of school.

[ullyeus]

To the posters ragging on the poster who mentioned no status and respect, I think you're all in denial. Society is ruled by capitalism. I still don't get any respect and it's only when they find out I graduated from University that they all of a sudden show any respect and want to serve me. It's sickening. Even in schools, majors are always dissing other majors. It's like people became egotistical all of a sudden and think they're better than other people.

I don't give any respect to anyone just because they have a University Degree (doctors, engineers being an exception)...primarily because of some of the reasons you have listed.

[DeimosBeros]

I haven't read all of this thread but I want to point something out since it seems there are so many here trying to figure out what to do with their education. You can't base what to train in by what is going on at the moment. It's not a smart move.

Although trades are a super area to head into, looking at what is happening in rates at the moment doesn't tell you how many people are in training (what if the schools suddenly have 1000 plumbers ready to graduate which gluts the market?). It doesn't tell you if the reason they are all in demand is temporary or permanent (a new company is building a large complex?). On the other side, if there are a lot of framers (which there were not very many years ago), how many will there be in 4 years (which is how long it takes to become a journeyman)? Living example is construction trades were full of people out of work in the early 90's. The industry wasn't too concerned, the schools didn't offer many seats, no one encouraged anyone into the industry because at the time there were more people than jobs. Flash forward a couple of years as the economy picked up a bit and someone with half a brain suddenly realized that most of their workforce was in their 50's, due to retire, and no numbers coming through to fill those spots. Now they are screaming for people so the industry and schools are doing what they can to get people trained and out there to not only fill the retirement vacancies but to address the booms that are on. What you have to know is when they will have enough again because by the time another 4 years goes by they may well have more than enough again.

Web design is another perfect example. Ten years ago, no schools, no courses and the Internet flashed to the forefront. People who could get a site up were making some really really good money. Bang, the schools finally got on board, everyone and their brother figured they could make top dollar and scrambled to register. Well, the market got glutted with people who knew how to get a site up and the rates dropped and the market levelled off. Now there are lots of trained people, employers have their choice, and some designers are not working. No need to fill all those school seats anymore so the schools drop the class size and the small training institutes go on to some other type of training. This is part of the cycle of an industry so you have to research what is happening, likely to happen, and then make an informed decision.

Lesson is, you have to get more information. The folks who went into the trades and are out working now can write their own tickets practically they are in such high demand as a large portion of this country is in a growth/boom phase. Whether it will be there and the schools are producing enough grads for 4 years from now requires some research.

Meanwhile, to those who base status on type of occupation....talk about being influenced by outside factors that have very little to do with the respect a person is due for being a good human being and a value to society. See how much value you put on a tradesperson when you can't get one when you need them. Funny how people suddenly change their tunes when they learn what occupations really make, how much their education counts (sometimes having zero to do with it), or whatever else they base this 'status' label on. More often than not, status is based on contribution and need. When something becomes a need boy, watch the status go up. Doctors are a great example. Always respected, they were often the poorest and most overworked in a community which made it very hard to attract anyone but those truly interested in healing and helping. When the need went up (population increases, higher levels of knowledge and care required), the wages went up as people put more value on their knowledge.

This whole white/blue collar type attitude really doesn't hold anymore as getting a shot to go to university or higher ed isn't what it used to be years ago when all that attitude came about. Now people only go to university if it works for them. There are plenty of other types of education where university has no value so it's no longer the land of the privileged it once was. Trades are no longer trained solely by an employer. They are now required to go to school for 4 years, pass certifications, and qualify for licensing so they can work. For sure it wasn't the tech grads who were whining about working at McD's as they all had high paying jobs right out of school.

I couldn't have said it all better. It's essentially all about timing your move into a career, but that is in no way easy. I think demographics plays a big part here where like you said, you need to research supply and demand.
What I believe most people entering school are afraid of is wasting their time and money to come out of school with a saturated market. Immigration is up all the time in Canada which means more and more students entering schools and competing for the prize of a decent job in a related industry. Outsourcing doesn't help one bit either. If the specific degree becomes next to worthless, the smart ones will always improvise and go into something perhaps unrelated to their majors and minors, but essential skills that are picked up during a degree will probably prove their greatest asset.
These days, everyone is shouting for more health care professionals but is any one really counting all the Registered Nurses or Practical Nurses and PSW's entering school and graduating year after year? I think it's impossible to tell when you won't need anymore of a certain professsion and people don't want to flip flop about it attaining their education. It's a pick up and go, go, go! society we live in. Can we really afford to wait?
Sounds like catch 22 to me. As much as it might suck, I think the right attitude is grinding your teeth and pushing ahead regardless into the storm. And don't forget a backup plan.

[mgronqui]

I don't give any respect to anyone just because they have a University Degree (doctors, engineers being an exception)...primarily because of some of the reasons you have listed.

So you don't give respect on University degrees alone, with the EXCEPTION of Doctors and Engineers? That's quite contradictory. Engineers I've met are quite egotistical and have the holier than thou attitude.

[sannin]

So you don't give respect on University degrees alone, with the EXCEPTION of Doctors and Engineers? That's quite contradictory. Engineers I've met are quite egotistical and have the holier than thou attitude.

QFT :D

[NorthYorker]

Being a construction worker doesnt mean, you are not that "educated" and compared to doctor's and other white collar job.

Its more than to that, my work is multi-tasking and it requires proficiency in math. One aspect of my work is site development. I have to coordinate heavy equipment (i.e scrapers, D8 dozers, excavators, dump trucks) and check different grades/elevations with the laser level. That's because your employer knows you're trained architect and s/he can make you do engineer's job for dirtdigger's salary. That had been oft-unappreciated competitive advantage of Canadian business for a long time, having skilled immigrants at positions reserved for high-school dropouts and recovering addicts in other country.