What is the best trade to go into ?

[Yoga Face]

I am trying to get my nephew to consider career optiions other than university ( he is a bright but not exceptional student)

They never taught him about the benefits of trades in school as they gear you for university as though university is the Holy Grail

Police making double time and half watching a construction project

Retire after 9 years with 90% retirement package

Firemen working 7 days per month as they are on duty while asleep

Electricians playing cards on duty because all the work is the quick connecting of modules

Why go to university just to go into debt and then make less ?

Become a fireman and go to university part time if you insist on learning stuff you will never even use in conversation before you forget it

One alternative idea is go to boot camp - you do not sign the army contract until after boot camp - get toughened up, make a couple of grand and get a bigger perspective before making a commitment

 

[james t kirk]

Being a cop or firefighter is not what I would consider a "trade". I'm thinking Trade = Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, etc.

Of "the Trades" I think "Electrician" is one of the best.

 

[TeasePlease]

Agreed. Except I'd say go to university as well. Perhaps not for the knowledge but certainly for the life experience. Then come out, and get into a trade.

I've been thinking about auto mechanic for some time. May not be the best paying but its a passion. Otherwise, I'd say electrician or plumbing.

 

[Queen]

It is hard to find a good reliable experience electrician and plumber and the ones that are, makes shit loads of money underneath the table. The consumer demand is always there.

 

[Queen]

I am trying to talk my nephew into a trade instead of university ( he is a bright but not exceptional student)

They never taught him about the benefits of trades in school as they gear you for university as though university is the Holy Grail

Police making double time and half watching a construction project

Retire after 9 years with 90% retirement package

Firemen working 7 days per month as they are on duty while asleep

Electricians playing cards on duty because all the work is the quick connecting of modules

Why go to university just to go into debt and then make less ?

Become a fireman and go to university part time if you insist on learning stuff you will never even use in conversation before you forget it

My advice to him is go to boot camp - you do not sign the army contract until after boot camp - get toughened up, make a couple of grand and get a bigger perspective before making a commitment

What is the life expectancy of a cop, fireman ?

 

[james t kirk]

What is the life expectancy of a cop, fireman ?

Better than most I'd say.

More construction workers get killed (far more) than cops every year. They just don't have 10,000 guys at a funeral (getting paid) when a construction worker gets killed on a job site.

 

[sailorsix]

University is ok but it doesn't prepare you completely for work. Nurses and doctors would be my choice if university is sought after followed by teaching. I know some very good and very dedicated teacher. Plumbers would be 1st trade (icky factor = premium price) followed by electrician. Carpentry can be too easily outsourced.
40 years ago my generation was all agog about computer science. Now that technology has been outsourced to India computers would be the LAST thing I would encourage my kids to go into.

 

[Yoga Face]

What is the life expectancy of a cop, fireman ?

Excellent


As far as "fucking the dog job" firemen get into great shape and so do a lot of cops and they work hard while actually working so you got to learn how to work which is why I suggest army boot camp as you are not obligated to join until after boot camp and it is only a few months of your life

 

[OddSox]

http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca/content_pieces-eng.do?lang=eng&cid=1

A large proportion of police and fire applicants these days already have a university degree - not too many get in straight from high school any more. Even auto mechanics spend more time with their computers than with a wrench...

 

[Queen]

Better than most I'd say.

More construction workers get killed (far more) than cops every year. They just don't have 10,000 guys at a funeral (getting paid) when a construction worker gets killed on a job site.

Stress and cancer is the number killer for cops and firemen. Who's talking about getting killed on the job ? What was all the fuss about the cop getting killed in the line of duty back in January then ?

 

[Yoga Face]

Being a cop or firefighter is not what I would consider a "trade".

I would think they are blue collar trades just two of the better ones ( but I am asking for more informed opinions than mine) . Only need high school, takes years to get into top category, room for advancement if you want to, as secure as a job can be, retire early, fantastic union, well respected, strong brotherhood with friendships, tons of benefits, etc

 

[my name Peggy]

If you have to 'talk him into a trade' then chances are that's not his passion in life and he won't be happy. You don't have to be an exceptional sudent to go to university, so I think you're kinda lowering your standards for him out of your skepticism when you should be encouraging him to seek out his passions in life.
He can even enroll in a general arts & science program at a college/uni and take a bunch of courses to broaden his horizons. If he finds something that sparks his interest, he can always major in it and even find an overseas program that will let him get the travelling and education in one package should that interest him.
This way, he's in school, getting experience and not twiddling his fingers, letting his anxiety of finding the 'perfect career' freak him out while he sits at home.

 

[red]

i would say electrician or millwright

 

[good to go]

He has to be good with his hands to be a "tradesman" of any kind. I am a Electrical Technologist, Power Linesman and Electrician. They are very similar but you need to be good with your hands to be any of them. There will always be a demand for a tradesman, these are regulated trades. You can always find a job as a tradesman if you have the basics.

 

[Yoga Face]

If you have to 'talk him into a trade' then chances are that's not his passion in life and he won't be happy.


This way, he's in school, getting experience and not twiddling his fingers, letting his anxiety of finding the 'perfect career' freak him out while he sits at home.

No I suggested he start with boot camp (and then join army after if he wants to) not twiddle his thumbs and looking into all the trades is not twiddling your thumbs and it is free as opposed to university .


I also suggested a thorough "interest and aptitude testing" from a psychologist ( I even volunteered to pay for it)

As he is average student I suspect after degree he will be seeking trade anyways and be three years behind where he could have been

He is so uninformed of university alternatives how does he know where his "passion" lies ? ( you sound like Tony Robbins - personally I think he is a self promoting extremely glib fraud who spews just enough half truths that people follow him )

 

[buffyjunky]

well this is not a trade but if i could do it all again I would become a ass kisser politician. 2 terms of lying and you collect the pension, and then if you happen to get booted you become a consultant for some big company that wants friend in high places.

 

[oil&gas]

......He is so uninformed of university alternatives how does he know
where his "passion" lies ? ..........

There is a friend of mine whose daughter is planning to go to Seneca to
learn some clerical skills having realized the 5 years she spent in
University for a 4 year BA degree in social sciences won't get her any
decent jobs. On account of the course credits from her degree she will
be allowed to enroll in an accelerated program so she can complete her
studies in one year instead of two.

If your nephew is not too old and his parents reasonably well-to-do
he can always switch to other 'passion' upon graduation from the university.
In my view a college degree is worth the time and money as long as it is
affordable.

 

[assholee]

What about the 19 year old who got elected into the parliament... he makes 150k a year now lol

 

[Queen]

She currenlty in vegas working as a show girl...

 

[Hangman]

Do not recommend that he join the military. By the way, you join the military first, then do what call "boot camp". You have to join before you get the training.

Doing basic training with no intention of completing MOSID training is a waste of his time and all our tax dollars.

Try carpenter. Union carpenters especially cement formers, make good coin.