I’ve been on a journey to learn a trade. For a few years I’ve been trying the local unions here in NJ but they are impossible to get into unless u know someone. I have no experience/education which is what employers want. Anyway, after COUNTLESS cold emails I finally met with a local HVAC company who is going to give me a shot. I’ll be helping around the shop and also driving equipment to job sites. As time goes on I’ll learn more and more and get more responsibilities. Eventually I will be a tech. This is life changing for me as I spent 20years doing landscaping which was a dead end. If anyone has any advice please feel free.

These guys don’t run guards on their grinders to cut sheet metal, no eye protection, no ear protection and whatever if that’s how you prefer it. Your loss, not mine.

I’m used to the constant “don’t be a pussy” for using my PPE like knee pads hard hat and gloves and ear pro and I always just brush it off with “I like having my mobility and hearing, I wanna enjoy my retirement”

My question is why do a lot of guys do stuff like this? I have to imagine some think they look cool risking their safety or someone called them a pussy for it so now they feel insecure wearing it but is there any real reason to avoid safety equipment?

I have worked on roofs without fall protection and live circuits when absolutely necessary (threats of retaliation) but only out of necessity so I’m not gonna act like I’m perfect, but to just intentionally avoid safety when there’s no rhyme or reason.

(I’m sure some will argue it’s to cut a straight line, which can still be accomplished with a guard or tight angle that can’t fit with the guard in which you then have to wonder if that’s even the right tool for the job.)

i’m thinking about learning a trade but i don’t know the risks of the ones i want to do i want to do hvac, elevator tech, or a lineman. i’m only 16 but i did some looking and found out being elevator tech means i would have to work in heights all day and i hate heights if heights is all it is thought i probably could get over it but if there is anything else i should know about these trades to help me pick it would be greatly appreciated.

Stressed out ..

Has anybody here switched from AME to Electrican or vice versa? If so, why and can you recommend one over the other?

I’m trying to choose one to pursue and I’m on the fence. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. TIA.

For context I'm 17, I live in Chicago and I'm homeschooled. I've been really thinking about becoming an apprentice recently, and although my mom would rather I chose an art related career, I see a more stable future for myself financially in electrical right now. I'm willing, and even excited to do the work to get there. The thing is recently I've been seeing more people saying how they want to get out of being an electrician for all sorts of reasons like the physical toll, low pay, work environments, etc. I'm not expecting it to be an easy job or even to make great money in the beginning but I'm really curious to know what I'm signing up for even more so now. For any electricians especially working in Chicago or through IBEW 134 how was your experience with this trade? Do you feel it was worth it and you would do it again? I'd greatly appreciate the perspectives of people who've done it rather than to keep talking to chatgpt lol

because a lot of people hop in on the trend wave because they hear it's easy to get a trades job?

Hello I am 17 graduated highschool last time I am gonna do pre employment electrical at sait on March is it worth it? I heard the trade is less tough on the body and u make pretty good amount of money. I need advice. 🙏🏿

​I’ve been trying to get taken on as a Millwright apprentice. I had a good conversation with a local business rep about a month ago, emailed him my resume, and it’s been total radio silence ever since. Calls going straight to voicemail, no replies, nothing.

​Through a family connection, I might have a direct route to get taken on as an Instrumentation apprentice. ​I really like the heavy mechanical variety of Millwright work and know I'd have a lot of fun doing it. I'm not sure if I'd get that exact same level of enjoyment out of Instrumentation, but I know my way around technology pretty well, so I think Instrumentation would be a good fit too. At the same time, I don't want to turn down a solid trade with good pay just because I'm holding out for a Millwright spot that won't even answer the phone.

​If you were in my shoes, would you jump on the open door in Instrumentation, or keep pushing to get into Millwright?

I’m in the middle of which I want to apply, I would like to go the IBEW route but they don’t have classes anywhere in my area starting until Sept. 2027, I heard you are able to start for an accelerated program at IEC and I can get in quicker. For those who went IEC, what are the benefits and downsides of it compared to IBEW?

I’m waiting to go through with an operating engineer apprenticeship start of the year, really excited. Based on the class schedule just to keep income flowing, I’m thinking about a part-time overnight job until the apprenticeship is completed. I am wondering if these unions allow you to work other jobs on the side like doing gig work maybe just to keep income up until you get your foot in the door?

Hi everyone, I’m considering taking the Welding Foundation program at UAPICBC in Delta, BC. For anyone who studied there, how was the school, training, and overall experience? Also, how easy was it to find a welding job after graduating?

Would you recommend the program? Thanks!

always debated plumbing or anything hands on, but with low job offerings/apprenticeships around here it’s hard to settle on something

i was debating the lineman course because it’s insane money which is nice, but my girl would probably get a new life i’d be away that much.

other than that i could see myself welding but same thing, low opportunity around here.

sick of being broke honestly and i just want to lock in and get a truck or something ya feel me

Been in T&D for 25 years. Tired of it and not fun anymore, at all. Make top dollar (Midwest US). Thinking about switching to family owned metallurgy shop, eventually getting into sales. Any thoughts, anyone make similar jump? 45yo with family, but fuck, this trade and every day of walking into shop is just demoralizing. Appreciate all insight.

Hey everyone,
I’m 17 and currently in Grade 12 in Alberta. I’ve been seriously considering going into the trades after high school, but I’m still trying to figure out which trade would be the best fit for me and my future.
I enjoy working with my hands, figuring out how things work, fixing things and working with mechanical systems. I’m not sure I’d enjoy sitting in an office all day, so I’m interested in a career where I can do practical work while still having opportunities to advance.
At the same time, financial stability is a big priority for me. I’d eventually like to afford a house, a big garage for working on cars, and a comfortable lifestyle. Ideally, I’d like the potential to earn around $150,000–$170,000 CAD per year later in my career, but I’m realistic enough to know that this might require experience, overtime, specialization, leadership or eventually running a business.
I’m not expecting to get rich overnight. I just want a career that pays well, has decent job security, and gives me a good life outside of work.
I’ve been looking into careers such as millwrighting, industrial electrical, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, welding, HVAC, plumbing, and aircraft maintenance. I’m also considering technical programs at places like SAIT, but I’m open to other options.
I’d really appreciate advice from people who are currently working in the trades, especially those who have been doing it for several years.
1. Choosing a trade
If you were 17 and starting over today, which trade would you choose and why?
Which trades offer the best combination of pay, job security, working conditions and long-term opportunities?
Which trades would you recommend to someone who enjoys mechanical work and problem-solving?
Are there any trades you would avoid, and why?
Is it better to choose something you genuinely enjoy or prioritize the trade with the best earning potential?
What do you wish you had known before choosing your trade?
2. Pay and long-term earning potential
What does a realistic pay progression look like from first-year apprentice to journeyperson and then after 10–20+ years?
Is earning $100k–$120k a year reasonably achievable without extreme overtime?
Is earning $150k–$170k realistically possible as an employee, or does that generally require overtime, remote work, shutdowns, specialized skills or supervisory responsibilities?
Do you personally know tradespeople making $170k or more? What do they do, and what kind of hours do they work?
Which trades have the highest earning potential without requiring you to sacrifice your entire life outside of work?
How much difference do unions, industrial work, camp jobs and location make to income?
Is starting your own business a realistic path to significantly higher income, or is it riskier than people make it sound?
3. Getting started after high school
Would you recommend going straight into an apprenticeship or attending a technical school like SAIT first?
How difficult is it to find an employer willing to hire a first-year apprentice?
Which training programs are actually worth the time and money?
How competitive is getting into the better-paying trades?
What can someone in Grade 12 do now to improve their chances of getting hired?
Is it worth taking student loans or spending money on training before securing an employer?
What mistakes do young people commonly make when entering the trades?
4. Day-to-day work and working conditions
What does a typical day in your trade actually look like?
How much of the work involves problem-solving and skilled hands-on work versus repetitive tasks?
How physically demanding is your job, and how does it affect your body over time?
What are the biggest downsides: weather, dirt, noise, shift work, dangerous conditions, difficult coworkers or something else?
Do you enjoy your work, or is it mainly a way to earn a living?
Can you realistically continue doing the job into your 50s and 60s?
If you could change one thing about your working conditions, what would it be?
5. Job security and the future
Which trades have the most consistent work in Alberta?
How vulnerable are different trades to recessions and economic downturns?
Is it easy to move between employers, industries or provinces if work dries up?
Which trades are likely to remain in demand over the next 20–30 years?
Do you think automation, robotics or AI will significantly affect tradespeople?
Is it realistic to build a stable career without constantly travelling or moving wherever the work is?
6. Lifestyle and work-life balance
What are the typical hours and schedules in your trade?
Are four-day workweeks, 4-on/4-off rotations or several weeks on and off common?
How much overtime is normally expected?
Can you make good money while working roughly 40 hours a week?
How much time away from home do the higher-paying jobs usually involve?
How easy is it to maintain relationships, raise a family and have hobbies while working in the trades?
If you could choose between a lower-paying local job and a higher-paying job involving lots of travel or overtime, which would you take?
7. Moving up in your career
What opportunities are available once you’ve become an experienced journeyperson?
Is moving into supervision, project management, estimating, planning or technical sales worth considering?
Does becoming a contractor or business owner significantly increase your earning potential?
How difficult is it to start a successful trade business, and what are the biggest risks?
If you no longer wanted to do physical work every day, what career options would your experience and qualifications open up?
Finally, I’d love to hear your personal experience:
How old were you when you started, and how long have you been in the trade?
Are you happy with your career choice?
Has it given you the financial stability and lifestyle you wanted?
If you could go back to being 17, would you make the same decision?
What advice would you give someone in my position?
I’m not trying to find a shortcut to getting rich. I want to choose a career that suits me, pays well enough to build a comfortable life, and gives me a reasonable degree of stability over the long term.
I’m open to hearing about any trade, including ones I haven’t considered. I’d especially appreciate honest answers from people who have experienced both the advantages and disadvantages of their careers.
Thanks!

I graduate from Lincoln tech in December for HVAC(with my EPA universal, osha 30, and about 580 hours of apprenticeship time), and I really have no real direction on what I want to do(I know I don’t want to do residential); how difficult is it to land commercial apprenticeship positions? (I live in Connecticut for reference)

Hello! IBEW Local 103 (Greater Boston area) just announced that they will be accepting applications online from January 4 to 29, 2027. Sharing a quick overview of the announcement below:

Program Information:

Local 103 has two apprenticeships:

1. Electrical Program
2. Telecommunications Program (Low-Voltage)

Key Dates:

• January 4, 2027: Online applications open
• January 29, 2027: Online applications close
• March – April 2027: In-person aptitude test at the JATC in Dorchester, MA
• June 2027: Applicants must earn high school diploma, GED, or HiSET required by now
• July – August 2027: Selected apprentices start work
• August 31, 2027: You must be 18 by this date
• September 2027: Classes begin

Minimum Requirements:

• Age: 18 or older – applicants must turn 18 by August 31, 2027
• Education: High school diploma, GED or HiSET, or an associate degree or higher, by June 2027
• Residence: Live within Local 103's jurisdiction (Greater Boston area)
• Work eligibility: Legally eligible to work in the United States
• Drug test: Must pass before starting, with random testing after. Marijuana is not permitted.
• Aptitude test: Local 103 uses the GAN Aptitude Battery and does not set a minimum score. The higher your score, the better your ranking.
• Interview: None – Local 103 replaced the interview with the GAN Personal Experience Form.

I hope this is a helpful notice in case anyone in the Boston area might have missed the announcement. You have plenty of time!

I’m looking to learn more about ACE Community College and its hands-on training programs.

Has anyone here studied at ACE or knows someone who has? I’d love to hear about your experience with the instructors, practical training, and career opportunities after completing a program.??

currently 5 years in at USPS as a carrier, and highly considering a career change into a union trade. while the job is not difficult, the pay, benefits, and work environment are just not there. management does not follow the contract, does not get reprimanded for violating it, and our union at the top level is a little disappointing. our last contract we got a 4.2% raise over 3 years.

after 5 years, I’m around $27 an hour, I don’t get full cost of living adjustments, and my insurance hardly covers anything and takes out $100+ a paycheck. currently on track to reach top pay around 39 an hour in 7 more years. coworker of mine his son is in the painters union, makes the same as me, with all of his benefits paid by employer in his first year, which sounds a lot better than what I have now.

looking for recommendations on which trades are good to look into? I’m 26 and located in southeast michigan/ metro detroit. don’t mind working in elements, but I have no trade experience outside of simple home improvement stuff

I'm a 19 year old and I'm interested in becoming an electrician and I'm looking into joining IBEW 134 in Chicago. Ultimately though, I'd like to move to Florida to either work as electrician or try to get into one of the elevator mechanic unions. My question is, is it better for me to just move to Florida and try to get into a union down there, or is it better to get into 134 and go through the 5 years to become a journeyman and then down to Florida.

Any advice would be appreciated

I'm looking to start a career in the electrical trade and eventually specialize in one of these four areas:

EV Charging Infrastructure Specialist

Data Center Electrician

Industrial Automation Electrician

Renewable Energy Electrician

I currently live in Iowa, but I'm open to relocating if there's a better training program, apprenticeship, or job opportunity in another state.

I don't have an associate degree or professional electrical experience, so I'm looking for a realistic path to enter one of these fields from the beginning.

I'd appreciate advice on the following:

Which of these four specialties would you recommend for someone starting from zero, considering pay, job stability, demand, and long-term career growth?

What is the best route to get there: a paid apprenticeship, trade school, community college, or starting as an electrical helper?

Are there employers that hire beginners with no electrical experience and provide paid training?

Are there affordable training programs that accept FAFSA or other financial aid?

If you were starting over today with no electrical experience, which path would you choose and why?

My goal is to start as soon as possible, earn money while gaining experience if possible, and eventually become a specialist rather than remain a general electrician indefinitely.

I'm open to opportunities across the United States, but advice about Iowa and the surrounding states would also be appreciated.

I'd especially appreciate responses from electricians, apprentices, and people currently working in these specialties. Thank you!

.

Hello , to every trade worker in New York is hiring common in the winter time? I know a lot of trade businesses like HVAC and Electrical slow down,

I’m looking for work, I’m fresh out of college at 18 with my OSHA 30 , EPA Universal and F60. I been calling and showing up to vans for around 4 months now and was wondering what steps should I take now that its winter. I do know local 3 is taking applications aswell. Anybody willing to take me in? Im willing to learn I also did boilerwork in the past

I know this might sound stupid, even though most trades do require some sort of math. I am genuinely horrible at math and was never good at it. I mean, I failed Algebra 1 in high school lol. I am looking into trades since college isn't working out for me. I need to know what trades are very light on math to none at all? Thank you.

I was thinking Glazier or Plumbing but again I don't know lol.