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Enkidu
"No-Such-Person"


Registered: 07/09/16
Posts: 10,698
Last seen: 6 months, 29 days
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Trade work
#26412849 - 01/02/20 04:09 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Any trade workers on here?
I am considering joining an apprenticeship.
I am considering carpentry as well as electrician.
Was wondering if anyone on here has gone through these programs or is working in the trades and what they think of it.
I have been working as a carpenter helper / laborer and I do kind of enjoy the carpentry work. More so the rough carpentry and less so the finer details. But this company isn't the best, a bit shady, a bit inconsistent.
Thanks for any info
-------------------- Within You , Without You
      
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Diego


Registered: 12/30/19
Posts: 346
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Re: Trade work [Re: Enkidu]
#26412898 - 01/02/20 04:38 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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United steel workers. Unions are the way to go.
-------------------- Some do it for the income But we do it for the outcome Some of us are active While others just let their mouths run - Chali 2na & Jurassic 5
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Nikoyo
FUN GUY



Registered: 01/29/17
Posts: 289
Last seen: 5 days, 1 hour
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Re: Trade work [Re: Diego]
#26412989 - 01/02/20 05:52 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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If your able to get into a union do it, better pay and benefits off the rip. Im currently working my way through a electrical apprenticeship with a small company that specializes in generators, wish I could have gotten into the union but unfortunately when I was looking they werent accepting applications. Gotta start somewhere
-------------------- Gettin back to work
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Ahab McBathsalts
OTD Windmill Administrator




Registered: 11/25/02
Posts: 35,117
Loc: Wind Turbine, AB
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Re: Trade work [Re: Enkidu]
#26413003 - 01/02/20 06:02 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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I'm working on windmills. It's a sweet gig if you want to work lots and earn big bucks. There is a shortage of skilled tradesmen.
-------------------- "Nobody exists on purpose. Nobody belongs anywhere. Everybody's going to die."
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Lophosaurus
suruasohpol


Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 8,744
Loc: CA
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Re: Trade work [Re: Nikoyo]
#26413012 - 01/02/20 06:10 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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I'm an electrical contractor. I'm not union and never was. I preferred it that way and it has worked out wonderfully. After getting my license I went back to college and got an electronics engineering degree. I then decided to become a contractor instead of engineering work because the money was better and it fits my lifestyle better. It was a good choice so far.
Working trades is for young guys though. If you do it then I would suggest saving as much as possible so you can hire your own guys one day.
Work hard and take pride in your work and you will make a nice living one day.
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Nikoyo
FUN GUY



Registered: 01/29/17
Posts: 289
Last seen: 5 days, 1 hour
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Quote:
Lophosaurus said: I'm an electrical contractor. I'm not union and never was. I preferred it that way and it has worked out wonderfully. After getting my license I went back to college and got an electronics engineering degree. I then decided to become a contractor instead of engineering work because the money was better and it fits my lifestyle better. It was a good choice so far. Work hard and take pride in your work and you will make a nice living one day.
Im glad to hear that it worked for you, the whole union vs non union debate can be a bit of a troublesome subject to say the least; I feel like there are definitely benefits to both sides. while I wish I had gotten into a union off the rip for good wages I've definitely gotten a lot more experience working non union. I essentially run all the residential installs, help do maintenance on large industrial gens and when we do large industrial installs work on those.
-------------------- Gettin back to work
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ichugwindex
Dex



Registered: 06/04/16
Posts: 4,613
Loc: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Last seen: 11 months, 19 days
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Re: Trade work [Re: Nikoyo]
#26413144 - 01/02/20 07:34 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Smart? =electrician.
Not so smart but you are doing your best to get your life together? =welder
Like playing with poop for most of your jobs? =plumber
I had a ex plumber friend who used to always joke "No REALLY it's a shitty job" referring to how often he had to wade in poop
-------------------- Only hope can give rise to the emotion we call despair. But it is nearly impossible for a man to try to live without hope, so I guess that leaves Man no choice but to walk around with despair as his companion.
Edited by ichugwindex (01/02/20 07:36 PM)
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Kwyjibo
Stranger

Registered: 07/31/18
Posts: 1,262
Loc: California
Last seen: 9 hours, 43 minutes
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Electrical work is pretty clean and easy and doesn't require a huge investment in tools.
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Lophosaurus
suruasohpol


Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 8,744
Loc: CA
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Re: Trade work [Re: Kwyjibo]
#26413371 - 01/02/20 09:55 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Kwyjibo said: Electrical work is pretty clean and easy and doesn't require a huge investment in tools.
None of that is true. Have you ever done electrical work?
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Kwyjibo
Stranger

Registered: 07/31/18
Posts: 1,262
Loc: California
Last seen: 9 hours, 43 minutes
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I've done residential, now doing marine.
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trees


Registered: 02/08/09
Posts: 9,202
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Re: Trade work [Re: Kwyjibo]
#26414571 - 01/03/20 03:24 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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I always recommend against joining Union. It's simply not the only, or smartest, or easiest option out there. It's just advertised and spoken of as so because it maybe used to be the shit and still is for some people, but no guaruntee..There's problems with the union. During slow periods or economic decline, you can get super fucked. It's happens to almost every union worker Ive known. Therea a hierarchical seniority in the union and youll be waiting in line for work.
There's nothing wrong with trade work. Tons trade workers are way fuckng richer than most college graduate white collar workers.
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ichugwindex
Dex



Registered: 06/04/16
Posts: 4,613
Loc: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Last seen: 11 months, 19 days
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Re: Trade work [Re: trees]
#26414607 - 01/03/20 03:42 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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I think electrical stuff sounds interesting. I haven't read a book or anything on it but it seems way over my head. My dumbass will probably go welder.
-------------------- Only hope can give rise to the emotion we call despair. But it is nearly impossible for a man to try to live without hope, so I guess that leaves Man no choice but to walk around with despair as his companion.
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trees


Registered: 02/08/09
Posts: 9,202
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Electrical is as good as a lot of other equally good work. Its actually pretty hard, you need to use your back and beable to reach up high and pull cables with great force through conduit and stuff. Its not difficult to understand the technical stuff. Most electricians I know work quietly, solo, and they seem to be decently happy with their day to day.
I'd choose electrical over welder any day. I am full time machinist
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Enkidu
"No-Such-Person"


Registered: 07/09/16
Posts: 10,698
Last seen: 6 months, 29 days
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Re: Trade work [Re: trees]
#26414696 - 01/03/20 04:39 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Ive been trying to find trade jobs for the last couple months.
Its not easy to find someone to take you on when you have no experience.
The union seems more stable and reliable with a guarantee of increasing skill and knowledge and wage.
But im stuck with it a bit because im also 5 courses away from my bachelors and im more passionate about a different career path.
I just moved states though so i have a year before i qualify for in state tuition to finish and continue my education.
I also have a child on the way.
So thought maybe sacraficing 5 years to a trade and trying to finish school might be good to ensure a career where i can potentially move out of if things align for my passion.
I like psychology and working with people.
I like working with my hands too and some carpentry stuff is fun. So idk. Sometimes its a pain in the ass.
Electric seems like it offers decent prospects too..
Im planing to go to this thing for carpentry monday where you sit for an hour and they give you a pin to fill out the app after.
I wrote down the dates for the electric app too.
Wonder how long it would take to get accepted and started
-------------------- Within You , Without You
      
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Lophosaurus
suruasohpol


Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 8,744
Loc: CA
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Re: Trade work [Re: Enkidu]
#26414982 - 01/03/20 07:06 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Enkidu said: Ive been trying to find trade jobs for the last couple months.
Its not easy to find someone to take you on when you have no experience.
"The union seems more stable and reliable with a guarantee of increasing skill and knowledge and wage."
But im stuck with it a bit because im also 5 courses away from my bachelors and im more passionate about a different career path.
I just moved states though so i have a year before i qualify for in state tuition to finish and continue my education.
I also have a child on the way.
So thought maybe sacraficing 5 years to a trade and trying to finish school might be good to ensure a career where i can potentially move out of if things align for my passion.
I like psychology and working with people.
I like working with my hands too and some carpentry stuff is fun. So idk. Sometimes its a pain in the ass.
Electric seems like it offers decent prospects too..
Im planing to go to this thing for carpentry monday where you sit for an hour and they give you a pin to fill out the app after.
I wrote down the dates for the electric app too.
Wonder how long it would take to get accepted and started
A lot of electricians won't put out hiring ads. You just have to look up local guys and go ask about work.
"The union seems more stable and reliable with a guarantee of increasing skill and knowledge and wage."
IME this is not true. In the union you might get assigned to a condo building that is 3 hours away and when you show up they give you a job to do. Let's say they want you installing outlets. So you do the 1st floor, then 2nd, and before you know it a year has passes and all you can do is install outlets.
In this business you are paid for your skill level and your output. If you aren't being paid enough then you can move on. You might get like a dollar an hour more in the union, but you have to put up with much more shit.
If you don't have any experience then it would look really good to your future employer if you started studying NEC code and basic electric theory.
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Enkidu
"No-Such-Person"


Registered: 07/09/16
Posts: 10,698
Last seen: 6 months, 29 days
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Ill see what happens.
I rather work for a GC in carpentry but i cant find a good one that will hire me
-------------------- Within You , Without You
      
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Lophosaurus
suruasohpol


Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 8,744
Loc: CA
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Re: Trade work [Re: Enkidu]
#26415117 - 01/03/20 08:24 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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That's probably a good way to go, at least there is not much digging for being a framer. If I had to start over and pick a trade to start again I would probably be a trim carpenter because it's one of the easier trades. Less physical and mostly in the A/C. Can be hard to find work. If not that then maybe a plumber or mason because they get a shit load of money. Electricians sometimes say "If I was any dumber, I would be a plumber."
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Enkidu
"No-Such-Person"


Registered: 07/09/16
Posts: 10,698
Last seen: 6 months, 29 days
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Yeah ive been keeping my eye open for mason laborer and ive applied for apprenticeships through companies to no avail. Plumber, carpenter, electric, havent tried unions yet.
I hate doing trim work. I rather do rough carpentry.
I like the idea of working for a GC because id get to learn a lot and do a lot of different stuff.
Went and talked to a guy an hour away who wanted 2 years experience, he was a GC, called and talked to him, messages him a couple different times, gave me the run around.
Didnt wana hire me i guess.
Called and left messages for a mason laborer ad, and a house framing ad, havent been answered or heard back.
Ill just keep trying to find a decent place to learn.
Idk if i like the idea of joining the union because of the long term commitment and like mentioned, i dont wana get stuck learning nothing but a useless task. Idk.
Guess ill trust some of this is in the hands of the universe.
Have an interview as a excavator laborer just cause im sick of the company im with, so who knows.
-------------------- Within You , Without You
      
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Diego


Registered: 12/30/19
Posts: 346
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Re: Trade work [Re: Enkidu]
#26415159 - 01/03/20 08:47 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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I really suggest getting in with a local union. It may be difficult but dude when you're in you're in and your brothers will have your back as long as you dont rat or be a worthless fucking scab
-------------------- Some do it for the income But we do it for the outcome Some of us are active While others just let their mouths run - Chali 2na & Jurassic 5
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Enkidu
"No-Such-Person"


Registered: 07/09/16
Posts: 10,698
Last seen: 6 months, 29 days
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Re: Trade work [Re: Diego]
#26415163 - 01/03/20 08:50 PM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Alright thanks man
Ill go to the carpenter thing monday and try to get in
-------------------- Within You , Without You
      
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