Why are people afraid of the trades?

[aba1]

I have seen conversations crop up about people going to college for useless degrees only to get no jobs or how the job market is so bad. Sometimes when having conversations about the bad job market with people and how some college degrees are useless I mention that more people should go into a trade. Most people will stop turn slowly and look at me like I just committed murder as if I have said something so absurd they cannot believe I would mention it.

I get that trades are generally looked down on but I ask why? Fact is that is where all the work is and not only that it is where a lot of the money is. A person going through for a apprenticeship for a plumbing job will make more money and find work way easier than any engineering jobs or scientific studies job and it isn't even like plumbers have to work in shit they can just set up pipes if they so please and that is just plumbing I haven't even touched on electricians, construction workers, mechanics etc. I just have to know why is the idea of doing a apprenticeship and going for a trade such a absurd concept to so many people when logic dictates that they are the smartest thing to do and that if you want to be a success that is what you should do.

 

[TheFinish]

I really wouldn't be able to say, down here we have free Uni so the whole cost thing is a non-issue. Therefore, there's no point in not trying to go for an Engineering degree or such instead of a trade.

And then there's the whole societal thing of electricians and plumbers and such being y'know, not glamorous or somesuch. Complete nonsense really, but I don't dictate society's norms.

Then there's always the fact that people may not LIKE to get into a trade.

 

[teqrevisited]

I've always seen them as one of the best possible normal jobs you can get. Houses are being built all the time. It's a safe bet that they'll have at least some work. If someone can actually get an apprenticeship in the first place, that is. As if going for a normal job wasn't competitive enough. Believe me I've tried many times.

 

[Vicarious Reality]

Trade? Become merchants? What?

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

When I left school I did a joinery apprenticeship rather than go to college despite having excellent results and the against the schools advice. However I found there where was not many jobs because of market conditions at the tome. So I went uni and then ran into the same problem -_-

I find that the contruction trades tend to slow soon after economic problems as people tend to save money instead of doing the kitchen up and also drives up competition for the few jobs that going. From my experience neither path is guranteed to be a stable job at the moment. But hey at least I don't have to pay someone else to do any joinery related things for me.


As for trades being looked down on, I think it may have something to do with the idea that education=success that gets pushed on students by parents, schools and such.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Long story short, the schools discourage it. They're geared towards getting people ready for college, and the classes that /do/ lead into an eventual trade have a reputation as being for the slow kids. Then people get to college and realize that "professionals" careers are for snobs who like to enforce codes of morals on other members of the "professional" career that have no bearing on the job, on ethics, or on the law. Professionals are those who profess to be better than everyone else. Tradesmen are men who trade stories about how ridiculous the professionals are.

If I sound bitter, it's because I went for a professional degree that involves a ridiculous code of morals, and I mean stupid shit like not being able to go to a bar without risking getting fired. Teachers: they're not allowed to be human.

 

[SciMal]

I get that trades are generally looked down on but I ask why?

Well, what did your parents tell you growing up? Chances are it was "Get a college degree so you can get a good paying job."

It's not that people look down on Trades (unless it's born from ignorance of how well trained the people who practice them are), it's just that it never comes up. Nobody's parents ever said "Get a job as an Electrician, you'll never be out of work."

 

[Phasmal]

I get that trades are generally looked down on but I ask why?

Well, what did your parents tell you growing up? Chances are it was "Get a college degree so you can get a good paying job."

It's not that people look down on Trades (unless it's born from ignorance of how well trained the people who practice them are), it's just that it never comes up. Nobody's parents ever said "Get a job as an Electrician, you'll never be out of work."

Actualllyyy.... I know people whose parents said exactly that.
People from not exactly well off areas, who didn't do so well in school, who don't have a whole lot of oppurtunities.

OT: Nothing wrong with getting a decent trade job imo. Some people wouldn't be happy with that, though.

 

[Vault101]

its often been seen for the "non acedemic types" and mabye self image has somthing todo with it

 

[MrTub]

My brother went to a trade school (as a construction worker) and he got a job before he finished it and he gets paid quite well, imo so does electricians and plumbers

 

[Doclector]

Honestly, I think it's silly that people judge their degrees on what jobs they can get from them. What's the point of going to all that extra work for a qualified job if it's just the job you were most likely to get? If you're willing to work for a degree, why not go the extra mile and strive for what you truly want?

And besides, not everyone has such a natural talent in these things. I'd love to be mechanically talented, to be able to invent and create things, but I'm simply not cut out for it.

 

[aba1]

Honestly, I think it's silly that people judge their degrees on what jobs they can get from them. What's the point of going to all that extra work for a qualified job if it's just the job you were most likely to get? If you're willing to work for a degree, why not go the extra mile and strive for what you truly want?

And besides, not everyone has such a natural talent in these things. I'd love to be mechanically talented, to be able to invent and create things, but I'm simply not cut out for it.

I actually agree with you a lot. The point of this thread was more to get people thinking more than anything. Everyone always talks about college and university but never bring up the trades which as it currently stands are actually the most needed and as a result highest paying jobs currently. If you are absolutely passionate about something I would dare not tell you to avoid going for it to be honest I am going for my passion since I was a child just the same.

I just think all those people out there who cannot decide what to take or what to do and just choose a course because it is mildly interesting and hopefully will get them a good job with decent pay should stop and consider a trade at the very least because is a extremely strong option. I think it is strange when people consider joining the army before a trade even remotely floats through there mind when it is such a sweet deal for someone who just wants a good living with great hours great stability and great pay.

 

[aba1]

I get that trades are generally looked down on but I ask why?

Well, what did your parents tell you growing up? Chances are it was "Get a college degree so you can get a good paying job."

It's not that people look down on Trades (unless it's born from ignorance of how well trained the people who practice them are), it's just that it never comes up. Nobody's parents ever said "Get a job as an Electrician, you'll never be out of work."

Well my parents just always said work hard and find something you like that will make you a good living because if you hate your job you will hate a large chunk of your life. Which makes sense to me. Either way I am not trying to argue with you in fact you actually made my point which I love ya for. The issue is nobody even thinks of the trades which is why I am trying to give them so light so to speak get some discussion going. Maybe someone will read this who cannot decide where to go and consider it who knows just more people need to be aware.

Also I am aware this is a bad target group for this conversation but well I was noticing a bunch of college uni threads so I thought I would throw it out there

 

[Powereaver]

I think tradies have always been considered the "lower class jobs" in most peoples eyes.. so hence they have been looked down upon because of this silly image when imo they are REALLY important jobs because without them we wouldnt have working water,electricity,buildings and so on.

 

[yeti585]

I get that trades are generally looked down on but I ask why?

It's honest work for honest men. I chose a trade early. I applied to a technical high school when I was in 8th grade (Last year of junior high/middle school) and got in. I go to the tech school half day then take a bus to a "normal school".

The reason I differentiate is because the tech school only teaches the specific areas (trades, culinary, etc.) and science/math. The other school is a normal high school except that it has an art program that students can apply for.

I'm studying to become a mechanic. The trades the school teaches were actually their encouraged programs. The programs that they offer are Automotive services, Automotive collision repair, Allied Health, IT/cisco networking/cyber security, ISM (spreadsheets for everyone!), an electrician's program, Culinary arts, Engineering, Carpentry, and Cosmetology. When I went to the open house before I chose my program I was told by almost everyone "Do a trade, it's where workers are needed and you can make good money."

The only people that didn't chose a trade either went into IT because that's what they are good at and enjoy, or didn't want to get their hands dirty.

 

[Fatboy_41]

I get that trades are generally looked down on but I ask why?

Well, what did your parents tell you growing up? Chances are it was "Get a college degree so you can get a good paying job."

It's not that people look down on Trades (unless it's born from ignorance of how well trained the people who practice them are), it's just that it never comes up. Nobody's parents ever said "Get a job as an Electrician, you'll never be out of work."

Actually, that's exactly what my parents said...

I've been an electrician for going on 8 years now. Have never been out of work. Have done everything from housing, high rises, maintance, multimillion dollar mansions and I'm now running a commercial site building 88 retirement units. At 25 I'm earning around 80 grand a year. Anyone I ever speak to about work or what they want to do with life, I suggest 2 things. A trade or the army. Even better, a trade IN the army. That's my next step.

I definitely agree with you though. So many people are of the mindset that after school, you go to Uni, then you start somewhere in an office and work your way up. Over the past 5 years or so in Australia, the government has been stressing about the "skills shortage" and the simple lack of skilled tradies around. They've been pushing school-based apprenticeships and offering new apprentices cash bonuses for each step they complete during their 4 years. It's worked to an extent, but there are still so many people that will look down on someone without a Uni degree.

Best part though, the girls really do love a tradie.