The trades. A good option? | Poal: Say what you want.

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My answer to the general question is yes. Go into a trade. But I have a son-in-law who recently quit an apprenticeship because they were inflexible.

They wouldn't give him time off for any matters dealing with his first child. He had to attend classes or be penalized.

He is now making more, has better benefits and more schedule flexibility. Unions/guilds are choking themselves out of anything other than big crime style construction jobs.

My answer to the general question is yes. Go into a trade. But I have a son-in-law who recently quit an apprenticeship because they were inflexible. They wouldn't give him time off for any matters dealing with his first child. He had to attend classes or be penalized. He is now making more, has better benefits and more schedule flexibility. Unions/guilds are choking themselves out of anything other than big crime style construction jobs.

[+] [deleted] • 2 pts

[–] • 0 pt

I don't disagree with the basic point. Indeed, my own career bears witness to sacrificing family for work.

But their requirements were exceptionally rigid and unforgiving. Honestly, they were asking their apprentices to do more for far less than law firms or accounting firms do. We could maybe split hairs comparing to investment bank entry level associates since the rewards grow exponentially.

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[+] [deleted] • 0 pt

[–] [deleted] • 2 pts

It sounds like his local trade union is run by assholes. He can take his knowledge and strike out on his own, and probably do better than being in a shitty union, especially if he takes full advantage of the tax breaks.

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[–] • 1 pt

I hear you. Initially it seemed like a good deal. The union gave him better benefits than he was offered coming in, and they laid out a great career. But in hindsight it seems like a scam.

Still, you need the credentials to get county certificates, etc.

I'm mostly upset because I supported him when his own parents were pissed he quit school to join a trade. (To be honest, my daughter doesn't need her degree to do what she does, yet I paid for it.)

I've always hated unions for capiralist reasons. Now I hare them for worker reasons.

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[–] • 1 pt

if you are a plumber or electrician, open your own business as soon as you have a license. in the northeast, all of these local trade guys are backed up 4 weeks, if they bother to even answer the phone.

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