• BombOmOm@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    We very, very badly need more people in the skilled trades. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC, construction. These jobs pay well, there is a huge shortage of workers, and there is no need to go into massive debt at college.

    • ThrowawaySobriquet@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      This is true. It’s also true the trades will chew you up and leave you burnt out and nearly crippled. In my experience they run through folks like they can just find another and grind whoever they have into paste. It pays well yeah, but I think I’d rather be able to walk like I used to

      • Kumatomic@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        4 months ago

        Me too. Exposure to chemicals and physical stress from skilled labor are considered to be the trigger by my doctor for my very aggressive autoimmune disease that crippled me at 28 and continues to 15 years later.

      • BombOmOm@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Depends on the job. Electrician has basically no heavy lifting. Mason? Absolutely.

        • ThrowawaySobriquet@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          I mean, the list kinda goes on. Sure, the conduit guys aren’t breaking their back, but they’re pretty casual in the lift til someone falls out. The guys that do garage floors will be on oxygen in their mid-50’s. I know a couple master cabinet makers who can’t count to ten. And absolutely a lot of it can be mitigated (wear your fucking respirator) but the problem with this kind of work as a rule is the damage is additive. You have an expiration date for this kind of work that often falls shy of what the soft hands would consider normal. I don’t know. I think we are in dire need of folks willing to do the hard work of keeping shit running. I love being self-sufficient in a world of services, or being a help to a neighbor in over their head. But those industries need to recognize that 60 hour weeks not counting commute make people unable to live, so they eventually jump careers or take a tumble they can’t get back up from

    • Dudewitbow@lemmy.zip
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      4 months ago

      i feel the wall that people dont like with trade jobs is finding a union or worker willing to take them on as an apprentice. it heavily favors those who already have connections.

      • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        30 day rule. There is a reason why it is always someone’s nephew who gets in.

        It’s fine, union during the day and the real work gets done at night.