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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI think my 21 year old son made a good move getting into the electrical trade
It was interesting watching him submit resumes and apply for jobs as a recent electrical trade school graduate. He had been working almost full-time doing residential electrical work (wiring houses, meters, and water well pumps) while finishing his last semesters with a focus on industrial/commercial electric.
He had made friends at school that graduated before him and landed jobs so he even had their supervisors calling him unsolicited asking him to come work with them because they heard he was graduating.
He accepted a union position at a mill starting at around $70,000 a year depending overtime. Their average electrician made $106,000 last year and their top electrician made $150,000 (how many hours was that person working!). What I found really interesting was they told him that they selected 12 applicants to move to the testing phase and only 2 out of the 12 passed the written tests that included a good bit of math and electrical code questions.
He dropped out of high school right after turning 17 and worked some $8-10 an hour odd jobs and I could tell he was stressing watching many of his friends go on to more education and/or landing full-time jobs making decent money. For his program I believe it was about $8,000 total, he did graduate debt free, working during the day and attending his last couple of semesters at night.
Talking to him and his friends, many of whom have gotten into electrical, plumbing, welding, etc, they all have lots of exciting opportunities at their young ages in these fields. Something to maybe consider if you or someone you know is looking for an opportunity. I'm half thinking about going back to trade school myself at 41, I can retire early from my government job in the next few years if I want and defer the pension, I make like $28 an hour, straight 40 a week, so like 60k a year and now it feels strange my son and his buddies are making that and higher in their early 20s!
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CaliforniaPeggy
(153,574 posts)Very smart move on his part.
It sounds like you could be just as smart!
LongtimeAZDem
(4,515 posts)An engineer or programmer can be anywhere on the planet; if you need wiring or plumbing, the only thing the internet is good for is finding a local technician.
Arkansas Granny
(31,995 posts)I work for a general contractor with a 10 man full- time crew doing remodeling, additions and repairs. We use subcontractors for electrical, plumbing, masonry, etc. It's not easy filling vacancies in any of the trades.
mitch96
(15,129 posts)both programs were saying the same thing.. Lack of young people going into the trades.. Older tradesmen/women retiring..
Supply and demand, wages go up.. The only thing I can see as a problem is as you get older the work takes it's toll on you. An old acquaintance of mine was a Lic. Electrical contractor and he said the work was there but his body could not do the work. He was passing up some good paying jobs so he would not hurt him self. He was about 60 at the time and was pretty beat up.. Something to think about.. YMMV>>>
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madville
(7,654 posts)look at ones' career plan and consider the physical toll as part of that. Probably why many people might move into supervisory/management roles or if in business for themselves bring on helpers/apprentices to assist with the more demanding tasks.
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)MyOwnPeace
(17,295 posts)And you revive the old adage: "We'll always need garbage men."
Don't mean that in a nasty way, but rather, we'll always need people to service, maintain, and build our basic needs - homes, utilities, roads, etc., etc.
Good for him - great commitment and determination.
As for yourself:
1. Pension - always a determining factor!
2. Health care - same.
3. Ask yourself: "Will I be willing to crawl across an attic and install a fan over a game room when I'm 65?"
Again, congrats to the kid - and good luck to you! 
madville
(7,654 posts)I'll likely stay with what I have, I do have a decent pension building and good benefits, it's tempting in a way though.
MyOwnPeace
(17,295 posts)It's interesting to see how the things that drive the economy have shifted in our lifetime. My son's wife makes twice as much as he does (he's a teacher - she's IT). Hell, I remember getting our first internet hook-up at the house - a modem with waiting for the "dial tone" and hearing the "call" and then waiting for confirmation of the connection.
My son was the one to insist I get an "e-mail" address - and I was a teacher!!!!
It's changing so fast - good luck keeping above the tidal wave!
Delmette2.0
(4,334 posts)It comes along way to fast. Social Security may or may not be there, pension plans may or may not be there. We might be on our own.
Sorry to sound like domes day. My own son is just getting started in computer security at 39 and he little SS, no pension and no savings. I worry every day for him and his wife.
madville
(7,654 posts)I seem to recall he said they match up to 4% of your income, my job does 5%, it's a decent incentive to put money aside at least. I actually put 10% in now and they put the 5% so essentially I'm contributing 15% a year before taxes. I also was talking to him about setting up a Roth where he can stash extra money after taxes and let it grow.
Delmette2.0
(4,334 posts)Karadeniz
(24,240 posts)mcar
(44,472 posts)My 21 YO got an associate's degree but wanted to take some time to focus on other things before finishing. I convinced him to look into a cyber security certification.
He's taking a few classes at a time and working full time as an IT tech at a private school. Not making much yet but gaining experience.
Hermit-The-Prog
(36,631 posts)This electricity thing is just a passing fad. Lightning belongs in the sky, not running around inside houses on those little copper sticks!
Mark my words -- coal is coming back! Steam and whale oil are the way of the future.
MyOwnPeace
(17,295 posts)IQ45 took time away from "Twitter" to respond to a post here! 
(bet the electric golf cart died...................) 
(Good one, Hermit - "You 'da MAN! )
Historic NY
(38,869 posts)he now is a foreman and runs many jobs in the area. His company is based hrs away upstate. They hustle for work and for years now he's been working in correctional institutions. They do a lots of new wiring for cameras, internet, etc, beyond the electrical. Usually he heads to the Union hall to find those that want to work. Even with all the upheaval he found work either locally or in adjoining states. I always tell him he's spent so much time in prisons, he'll get parole soon.
malaise
(283,259 posts)I have never known an unemployed electrician - Congrats to your son 
LongtimeAZDem
(4,515 posts)madville
(7,654 posts)So true, that was pretty good thanks for the link.
erronis
(19,164 posts)I've taught at universities (computer science, electrical engineering) and I never graduated from high school (or obviously college). Admittedly, I was very lucky meeting people that would help.
Those sheepskins/parchments are way too overvalued and way oversold (education is a Business.) Try the trades and trade schools. Find yourself and be open to new directions.
Tink41
(537 posts)Best decision I've ever made was joining a trade union. Almost 30 yrs, no regrets. I've seen it all, made friends from all over the country, we can walk into any union hall in the country sign the books and start working when a call comes in. I've worked airports, stores, schools, factories, refineries. The best part to me are all the perks no one talks about. Met Walter Payton as he owned a lift rental company and handed his brochures to guys on the job. We get to see things the average person will never see.
madville
(7,654 posts)This job he got is under a steelworkers union that covers the entire mill. I'm actually in a federal employee union at my job, but neither of those are like that as far as having a hall to get work from on different jobs/contracts.
Tink41
(537 posts)It's nice because we get hired out of the hall. No resumes, interviews, applications. On the flipside they can get rid of us for any reason, and they do. Seems the "shops" usually do a 2-3 week tryout and god forbid you and the Foreman don't speak the same language. But for the most part it works out nice, although 2009-2015 was a VERY bad time. Lost about 1500 members or more.
keithbvadu2
(40,915 posts)Hands-on jobs that cannot be outsourced overseas.
Add nursing to that list.
Computer programming/tech assist, bookkeeping, telemarketing, phone customer service, even radiology reading can be done remotely.
Manufacturing can be outsourced overseas but the physical installation/repair of stuff usually has to be local.
akraven
(1,975 posts)Because he has good people backing him up.
Solly Mack
(94,838 posts)
Scruffy1
(3,433 posts)We have been in a building boom for quite a while and I expect it to crash soon. During the last recession we had over one thousand journeyman electricians on the bench. When we were doing a major renovation at the plant you had to be pretty high up in seniority to have a job. Construction trades employment goes up and down by huge amounts. The smart ones are conservative with their money when times are good. I knew one journeyman electrician who started his own duct cleaning business because there was just no work. I had an instructor in a class who used to make about a quarter million a year running his own electrical business and took the teaching job because the work wasn't there.
madville
(7,654 posts)He did some residential and new construction at the previous job, even the owner of that company was encouraging him to go the industrial route as a company employee at a manufacturing plant, mill, etc. if the opportunity came up because it is more insulated from the peaks and valleys of the economy compared to the construction field.
There were over 3000, no exaggeration, 3 yrs to get out. For myself it was a 21,21,18,9 month wait. Hope to never experience that again. No way to plan for that.
procon
(15,805 posts)young people should be able to find an interesting, and well paid, career. My one nephew went to a heavy equipment school, then got into cranes and worked union jobs for a few years to beef up his experience. Now he runs his own thriving crane business. Another one went to trucking school and owns his own rig.
It's not limited to blue collar jobs either, there are good paying jobs in the medical, dental and veterinary fields that can be had for surprisingly little education. My cousin went to school to become a licensed xray tech and earns $100K+ with overtime. Another is a respiratory therapy tech, and they can get good paying jobs anyplace in the country.
fascisthunter
(29,381 posts)Electrical, HVAC, plumbing and carpentry. Excellent trades!
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)But I still think he needs to get a GED. There is a stigma for not having completed high school that will come back to haunt him one day I am afraid.
madville
(7,654 posts)He took online classes, I think the state calls it virtual high school or something, he has a high school diploma from the state instead of a specific high school. It's what the home schoolers use I think.
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)Glad to hear that.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)and I hope he does very, very well.
KT2000
(21,369 posts)My best alteration customers are a retired couple. He was an electrician. He was employed by an electrical contractor and worked years on remodel/additions at the Children's Hospital in Seattle. They both have designer clothes. That scares the crap out of me sometimes because I know how much they cost if I screw up!!
kooth
(230 posts)This is great! Stories like these point to the fact that some trade-type jobs are not only needed, but pay well! Smart kid you have there!
SpankMe
(3,436 posts)<snark>
Cold War Spook
(1,279 posts)He has one employee and subcontracts out work they need others to do. He hires only the best. If it were possible, he could work 24/7. Our great grandson, not his grandson, lives with my wife and me. He says he wants to get into a trade like plumbing. That is fine with us. A good trades person can make a very good living.
ooky
(10,123 posts)and are doing very well as heating and air conditioning techs. Both are making better than average livings. The best thing about it is that with the demand for their skills they never have to worry about being out of work. Which is one less thing I have to worry about.
SunSeeker
(55,506 posts)We leased one of those new Honda Clarity plug-in hybrids. An electrician can be kept busy in California just installing garage outlets for electric vehicles!
louis c
(8,652 posts)...getting young people into the electrical trade as a union member is a part of my job. It's the best choice he could have made. Congratulations.
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)Great opportunities there.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(27,769 posts)If I had children or grandchildren getting ready to leave high school I'd strongly encourage looking into one of the trades.
Yes, there can be downturns and layoffs, but it's not as thought white collar workers are never laid off.
FakeNoose
(37,202 posts)... at least not in our lifetime, but eventually they may be. A lot of people who went into medical technology, paralegal work, and other areas of data-driven expertise will see a dramatic change in their careers when robots take over those fields in the next few years. However the electrical,plumbing and building trades are "safe" for the time being.
Your son made a wise choice.
MaryMagdaline
(7,934 posts)He can also think about owning his own business one day. Unless the headaches are not worth it
twogunsid
(1,632 posts)....and I'm gonna work another year and a half and retire at 60. Tell your son "Welcome to the Brotherhood". He won't be sorry he got in the trade.
madville
(7,654 posts)Thanks!
doc03
(37,731 posts)to China. We have lots of welders from all over the country working on the gas pipelines around here. They can make over $200 k a year. There are some women working that job too.
madville
(7,654 posts)They would travel to the jobs in a van and work 12 hour shifts, one would sleep in the van while the other was working. They usually only worked 6 months out of the year and made great money.
MadDAsHell
(2,067 posts)call that out. Good for your son for taking a practical route that didn't mortgage his future.
The trades make crazy money. I just paid $830 for a furnace job that probably had an all-inclusive cost of $250 for the company that did it.
madville
(7,654 posts)when making education decisions. Do you go $100k into debt at a private college to get an elementary education degree if you expect to make $35k or $45k as an entry level teacher? Of course teachers should make more, but that's not the reality, what if one could go through a public state college and come out owing nothing or a fraction of that? It's a valid economic consideration.
at140
(6,162 posts)in demand. Construction is booming.
madville
(7,654 posts)Construction will ramp up further in the next month.
aka-chmeee
(1,203 posts)CentralMass
(16,092 posts)
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)I manage skilled Union workers for a large company. They make a good living. We never have a problem finding younger workers to fill openings due to retirement even if it means a pay cut.
Because in many companies when a persons body at 55 can’t compete with a 25 year old they get jettisoned! Not everyone is cut our to move into Contractor or GC roles.
In our company we do not fire older workers because we value their experience and place them with younger workers to show them the ropes. Not every company does this.
The trades need a new union movement badly.
NBachers
(18,440 posts)maritime. They learn all facets of maritime and facilities trades. He's got commitments from several unions to hire him when he graduates, and there are all sorts of recruiters coming around dangling great opportunities in front of them. He's got so many opportunities, he doesn't know which one to take.
madville
(7,654 posts)They do the Eastern Pacific lanes. It's basically 30-60 days out and 30ish days off. Starts at $450 per day and tops out and $650 per day on their pay scale. So if you get underway 6 months out of the year thats $81000-117k a year with good benefits. They said the top-end earners spend at least 8 months out and make about $160k.
DFW
(57,795 posts)Some professions we'll always need. That's one of them.
mikehiggins
(5,614 posts)Fortunately, I drank and partied my way out of school and ended up in the apprenticeship program of Local 3 of the IBEW.
There is an old saying: if you love your work you really aren't working. True for me at any rate. I spent over 40 years at the trade (and have the crappy knees to show for it) and literally never regretted it for a New York Minute. Of course a lot of that was due to the fact that I was in the best local union in the US and worked on an incredible range of jobs and projects. You never were bored and you never failed to run into something you never knew before. The learning curve was constant and my only regret was I have grown too old to stay at it.
I taught at a technical school in NYC afterwards and spent a lot of time explaining to my classes how to get started in the field if they couldn't get into the union directly. Some of the best students went out on their own and the union brought them into the fold fairly quickly.
If I had listened to my folks way back when I probably would have wound up a history teacher in some high school or other. I might have been happy doing that BUT I would have missed out on a way of life that was both fulfilling and profitable.
I was lucky, I guess. (and oh, God Bless all the Van Arsdales, young and old)
retread
(3,842 posts)businesses here. The plumber we use is a one man operation and is excellent if he takes the job. He has the freedom to choose what he wants to do and when he will do it..
lostnfound
(16,928 posts)Suggest that he stay versatile and portable, and keep his eyes open for new technology that is strong on resilience and self-sufficiency.
Power grid under intentional attack; natural disasters destroying homes, commercial buildings and infrastructure; increased flooding necessitating pumping systems; changes in power generation and distribution; people installing small systems “off the grid”...
Could be lots of opportunity and demand.
Vinca
(51,933 posts)madville
(7,654 posts)The whole program was only around $8,000 over two years and they had a bunch of workforce training grants, pell grants, etc. His new employer has a tuition reimbursement program he is getting some paperwork together for now. Since he was working he also got $800-900 extra back on his tax return because he was considered a full-time student providing his own support or something.
Vinca
(51,933 posts)to study something else he can do college level courses in dribs and drabs and pay as he goes. And if he doesn't, that's fine, too, because the field he's in is growing not shrinking. It's a great profession to have if you want to be self-employed, too. What's important is he enjoys his work (and that kind of money doesn't hurt either).