Unpopular careers with a shortage of workers

[ExtraSlow]

The recent news about a shortage of truckers in Britain and also here in Canada has got me thinking.

Trucking is relatively unpopular, but should offer decent job security due to the shortage of drivers.

What other "blue collar" jobs are like that, and which seem "least worst" in terms of pay or enjoyment or lifestyle?

Our resident refrig tech says that's a busy field. Millwrights or machinists should be in demand I think. I used to suggest welding, but that's maybe less busy than it used to be.

If you had a teenager considering career options, what would you suggest to avoid or persue?

[ThePenIsMightier]

Let's just get Assistant Crack Whore out of the way, early.
We can focus better once that's behind us.


https://youtu.be/nYb04WQnQMk

[killramos]

Waitressing comes to mind.

Might need bigger jugs tho

[SKR]

Trucking


machinists

If that's the case I'm going to be sitting pretty in 7 months. Everything is coming up SKR.

The thing with trucking from what I've seen is you need to be in the truck driving as much as legally possible for your entire life.

[firebane]

If that's the case I'm going to be sitting pretty in 7 months. Everything is coming up SKR.

The thing with trucking from what I've seen is you need to be in the truck driving as much as legally possible for your entire life.

Once saw a saying... There are truckers and truck drivers. Those who understand the difference know what it means.

[bjstare]

Once saw a saying... There are truckers and truck drivers. Those who understand the difference know what it means.

I mean… duh. That saying applies to any two similar nouns.

Re: op, I wouldn’t recommend my teenager to pursue any job where success is directly correlated to time away from home.

If we can’t recommend university in this thread, I would suggest any of the “skilled” blue collar jobs/trades pretty much. Slight bias to electrician, as it’s one of the cleaner ones and I think will be in high demand with the increasing burden on our power grid/home systems.

[msommers]

Industrial Electricians/High Voltage Workers and Solar Panel Install/Repair

[sabad66]

I feel like I see a lot of roofing companies looking for quality people that show up and don’t disappear after pay day

[ExtraSlow]

I feel like I see a lot of roofing companies looking for quality people that show up and don’t disappear after pay day

Jesus no son. Roofing is the only job worse than assistant crack whore.

[Disoblige]

I do think we need more trained electricians on the industrial side.
Residential electrician is not the same as industrial and it shows. Tell me how I know...

You want something that is unpopular, but not something everyone and their mom can do. Electrician is one of those trades.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Jesus no son. Roofing is the only job worse than assistant crack whore.

I used to be a hot tar roofer.
Boy, I remember that day real well.

[tonytiger55]

If in the UK. Trades and associated sub trades like Glass, Patio doors, plastering and roofing, gutters. With brickwork.. 'Pointing'. A cousin had a hard time finding someone with this specific skill in fixing old brickwork.
The housing stock there is predominantly old. I would advise a younger person to pick one(trade) and get really good at it. Then build a team around sub trades. It is a nightmare trying to find good trades people that have experience with old houses. One item of work can't be done without fixing the other.
With Brexit happening, its a great opportunity for a young person get in and learn.


Canada. I had a client that did floor tiles. He forbid me to ever consider doing that. He said as one gets older, pain on the knees, neck and back is HARD.

[ThePenIsMightier]

I wish I was in a field where I was the smartest bitch among a bunch of dummies. That's the key to flying up the ranks. It's too hard to tell who the smartest person is when you work with a bunch of other fucking nerds and the only way to get ahead is to fuck dads. That just gets you sore genitals and people pissing in your coffee.

You have to use your mind and come up with some really great idea like that and you never have to work again!
Like the Pet Rock.

[Buster]

If in the UK. Trades and associated sub trades like Glass, Patio doors, plastering and roofing, gutters. With brickwork.. 'Pointing'. A cousin had a hard time finding someone with this specific skill in fixing old brickwork.
The housing stock there is predominantly old. I would advise a younger person to pick one(trade) and get really good at it. Then build a team around sub trades. It is a nightmare trying to find good trades people that have experience with old houses. One item of work can't be done without fixing the other.
With Brexit happening, its a great opportunity for a young person get in and learn.


Canada. I had a client that did floor tiles. He forbid me to ever consider doing that. He said as one gets older, pain on the knees, neck and back is HARD.

Never heard of this.


https://youtu.be/MMl8j6YBcoU

[03ozwhip]

I tell anyone that wants to get into trades to not consider welding. Although it's been good to me, it's not something I want to do for more than another year, im actively looking to move to something else.

There are so many welders and new welders coming out of the woodwork, the competition is very tough and it's the only trade where you constantly have to re-teat for your job. It's stressful for the average guy, let alone someone who is new.

[killramos]

Based on how many LinkedIn head hunters I get who can’t read experience history past the word “engineer”…

Coding / Software engineer.

Couldn’t pay me enough to do it, but fuck do there seem to be a lot of jobs.

[suntan]

A lot of programmers lost their jobs the last while and left the industry.

Unfortunately in Canada the pay is shit.

[ExtraSlow]

Programming is one of those jobs that youngsters think might be cool, so lots start down that path. The reality is less enticing, and you'll always be competing against India and China for lowest wages, so hard to make a living at it.

[sabad66]

Coding is blue collar?

[ExtraSlow]

I don't consider it blue collar

[suntan]

Median is very high in the USA.

BC drives down the wages a lot.

[zechs]

Trucking is awful pay unless you are in O&G hauling or run a trucking company with multiple people working for you (but that goes for any business). Would highly not recommend based on friends and family doing it.

I think AI for long hauls is a lot closer than people think, highway driving is perfect and (I would think) of lower complexity that we'll see AI highway self driving with a driver along to take over in the city in under a decade.

I would second electrician. While industrial and residential/commercial electricians are different, the bare bone fundamentals are the same, and if you can work in an industrial setting, you can certainly handle residential. My point in mentioning this is an electrician is someone who will always have work if they want it.

I'm 50/50 on mechanic. They do get paid well (not from the amount of bitching you hear), tough not to make money when you get paid 12 hours for an 8 hour job at a dealership. However, dealerships seem to universally hire pieces of shit for management/admin positions.

If you can open your own small shop (two bay, two lifts) you'd be able to bring in the cash and even hire on an apprentice for bitch work.

Masonry is an excellent suggestion, its thought of so little that they are always struggling for bodies.

Another is concrete. The work sucks, but if you are an independent contractor, you can make bank if you have a good reputation and get in with the right companies. You could make a very decent living pouring sidewalks, steps, driveways, and garage pads.

My last thought is someone mentioned travel. Highly agree to avoid anything that requires travel more than once in a blue moon. Being at home in your own bed every night is worth a lot of money to me nowadays.

[bjstare]

Software engineering does not always mean coding. Software engineering background can get you into product owner roles (a good target would be product owner/mgr at FAANG), and there is a lot of money to be made.

[killramos]

Software engineering does not always mean coding. Software engineering background can get you into product owner roles (a good target would be product owner/mgr at FAANG), and there is a lot of money to be made.

It all sounds gross to me, so do most blue collar jobs.

And white collar jobs for that matter.

Jobs in general are very overrated.

[ExtraSlow]

Jobs mostly overrated, agree.

[suntan]

That’s why I have passive income in Buster’s favourite asset class!

(I don’t really)

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Do not recommend anything in auto industry unless it’s really niche.

[Buster]

That’s why I have passive income in Buster’s favourite asset class!

(I don’t really)

bicycles?

[suntan]

E-bikes!

[ercchry]

Obscure, niche industries seem to have the best success rate to breakout of labour into ownership… start at the ground floor in a more closed off industry (water meters, elevators, etc) and then build your contacts, start bidding on projects yourself and off you go.

[taemo]

heard facebook is looking to hire a bunch of network engineers after the fiasco yesterday

[Asian_defender]

I don't why plumber hasn't been mentioned yet. I have one friend who is a plumber and the amount of overtime he gets is atrocious. I don't hear of many people wanting to become plumbers, money seems to be good too

[Xtrema]

Waitressing comes to mind.

Might need bigger jugs tho

Bar is pretty low, just not ugly is good enough. And work in the casino is a bonus.


I don't why plumber hasn't been mentioned yet. I have one friend who is a plumber and the amount of overtime he gets is atrocious. I don't hear of many people wanting to become plumbers, money seems to be good too

Because you literally deal with shit. But not a bad gig if all you do is new builds.

[ercchry]

Bar is pretty low, just not ugly is good enough. And work in the casino is a bonus.





I had to open my own wine at Earl’s once… waitress was completely bamboozled by the old school corkscrew :rofl:

[Nufy]

What do you do...when your teenage son expresses an interest in becoming a historical expert in weapons making...and is actively planning on building a forge in YOUR back yard / Garage...

Sigh...

[vengie]

What do you do...when your teenage son expresses an interest in becoming a historical expert in weapons making...and is actively planning on building a forge in YOUR back yard / Garage...

Sigh...

Hobby? all the power to him!
Career? He better be the god damn best in his field if he wants to actually make money.


Has anyone mentioned HVAC? Furnace installers make insane money.
Edit: That said, the two guys I know OWN the company.

[bjstare]

What do you do...when your teenage son expresses an interest in becoming a historical expert in weapons making...and is actively planning on building a forge in YOUR back yard / Garage...

Sigh...

Tell him that's a great idea for a hobby (not that I agree with this, but always good to be positive with your kids), and he should consider what type of grown up job he wants to do to fund the hobby.

[ercchry]

Sounds like the right track to get a tv deal on history channel :rofl:

[ExtraSlow]

Learning a hands-on skill is always valuable, even if making historical weapons isn't likely ot be a career by itself.

[stevelou]

Powerline technician, lots of demand internationally and pay is anywhere from 48/hr to 60/hr locally once a red seal holder.

[vengie]

Powerline technician, lots of demand internationally and pay is anywhere from 48/hr to 60/hr locally once a red seal holder.

Yeah, but you need to be clinically insane.

[ExtraSlow]

Powerline tech, that's exactly the kind of job I'm thinking of. Good one. Unpopular to the uneducated, good demand, good wage, should be transferrable skill to different places. Nice one.

[msommers]

My cousin is a power line tech. Guy absolutely loves his job, makes serious bank and has been working the power line between Canmore and Lake Louise for years. I'd be utterly terrified doing that job.

[Nufy]

Tell him that's a great idea for a hobby (not that I agree with this, but always good to be positive with your kids), and he should consider what type of grown up job he wants to do to fund the hobby.

Tried that...Teenage stubborness prevails...

Sigh...

[pheoxs]

What do you do...when your teenage son expresses an interest in becoming a historical expert in weapons making...and is actively planning on building a forge in YOUR back yard / Garage...

Sigh...

Honestly if your kid has a hussler mindset he can still do quite well. The beard market has grown a lot the past decade and there's a solid niche market for high quality straight razors. If he can find a way to balance volume with local quality he could find a bunch of local places to stock products he makes. Offer add on services like sharpening and sell accessories like beard oil, creams, etc.

Not sure he'll ever make bank but there's definitely a niche with money there if he can get into it. But definitely would be better for a hobby / evening beer money gig that your livelihood

[stevelou]

I know of 2 or 3 techs that made the jump from working in Canada to working in the Cayman islands, and Turks and Caicos. I believe that Enmax Lineman are on avg. $130k/yr. with OT can make over $200k

[davidI]

Honestly if your kid has a hussler mindset he can still do quite well.

This. While forging is the latest trend, if he becomes really good at it there are lots of opportunity.

Alex Steel has a YouTube channel about forging knives and seems to be doing very well for himself.

There are lots of knife makers with waiting lists for $2k+ chef knives.

Then there are the guys who do custom ironworks for gates, staircases, etc. for millionaires/billionaires mansions and such.

Trades and artistic niches can be tough to succeed in but if you know how to market yourself then it can be more lucrative (and fun/fulfilling) than some boring ass career sitting behind a desk all day.

[suntan]

heard facebook is looking to hire a bunch of network engineers after the fiasco yesterday

But why? Networking isn't that hard and it scales. It's not like you need 10 network dunces for every 100 servers.

[bjstare]

This. While forging is the latest trend, if he becomes really good at it there are lots of opportunity.

Alex Steel has a YouTube channel about forging knives and seems to be doing very well for himself.

There are lots of knife makers with waiting lists for $2k+ chef knives.

Then there are the guys who do custom ironworks for gates, staircases, etc. for millionaires/billionaires mansions and such.

Trades and artistic niches can be tough to succeed in but if you know how to market yourself then it can be more lucrative (and fun/fulfilling) than some boring ass career sitting behind a desk all day.

You might as well be talking about becoming a successful actor.

[ThePenIsMightier]

You might as well be talking about becoming a successful actor.

LoL!
102110

[Darell_n]

Our resident refrig tech says that's a busy field.

I would agree. Top guys can be approaching a $1/minute with lots of OT available plus company provided trucks, paid travel with a huge diversity in daily tasks and locations in the province(s). I tell guys refrigeration is a lifestyle and not a job, they usually figure out the meaning of that after the first couple of weeks.

[msommers]

Do you have to work a lot of OT to make a decent go of it?

[BavarianBeast]

Zookeeper

[Buster]

Why are all of these blue collar jobs?

[killramos]

Why are all of these blue collar jobs?

Apparently that’s a criterion

[suntan]

My youngest wants to be an animal physiotherapist.

[ExtraSlow]

Why are all of these blue collar jobs?
That was the premise of my original post. But whatev you want to post, it's all interesting. I have a nephew who needs to "find himself" sooner than later, so that's why I'm interested.

- - - Updated - - -


My youngest wants to be an animal physiotherapist.

Horse physio is wicked.

[suntan]

Even better if you have a contact at Elmer's.

[Buster]

That was the premise of my original post. But whatev you want to post, it's all interesting. I have a nephew who needs to "find himself" sooner than later, so that's why I'm interested.

- - - Updated - - -



Horse physio is wicked.

Ah you're right... Title is less specific.

[suntan]

In regards to truck driving, research "Owner/Operator".

[ExtraSlow]

Ah you're right... Title is less specific.
One day I'll get the hang of this forum thingy.

[tonytiger55]

Never heard of this.

I never heard of it either until my cousin bought a really old house. I was like wtf is that..? Can't you get a bricklayer to do it? The answer was actually no. Some old houses have specifics you cant change too much (i.e window design, roofing style etc). Then I realised its good to have sub specialism in specific trades.
The plumbing is another one, but specifically drains. Unblocking poo clogs and having a understanding of old drainage systems(UK) can be a asset.
This also applies to people in telecoms and networking. I know people who have had to go drains and muck. Not very nice.

[Buster]

I never heard of it either until my cousin bought a really old house. I was like wtf is that..? Can't you get a bricklayer to do it? The answer was actually no. Some old houses have specifics you cant change too much (i.e window design, roofing style etc). Then I realised its good to have sub specialism in specific trades.
The plumbing is another one, but specifically drains. Unblocking poo clogs and having a understanding of old drainage systems(UK) can be a asset.
This also applies to people in telecoms and networking. I know people who have had to go drains and muck. Not very nice.

Yeah, in my contacts I have a regular plumber and a drain-only guy. I chatted with him about it. He says that plumbers hate doing drain work, just like anyone. So he got used to dealing with shit, and that's all he does. Bunch of specialized tools and cameras to see what is going on.

[ExtraSlow]

re-pointing is probably a pretty viable career in Britain, less so here in western canada.

[Buster]

One day I'll get the hang of this forum thingy.

I can think of more white collar jobs that need bodies than blue collar, but that's probably because of my job.

[Darell_n]

Do you have to work a lot of OT to make a decent go of it?

I would say, yes. Most of the guys I work with like it and I can tell you you won’t last too long refusing to work some OT, some nights (or lots), having an on-call rotation with almost guaranteed 2am emergencies, including possible Christmas Day. Years in this trade will make you a Renaissance Man, pipe fitting, insulating, wiring, controls design, lots of programming, insulating, need to be self managed, plumbing, sheet metal, keep a cool head under actual emergencies especially when the fire department beats you to site and wants to cut into your high pressure lines with a demolition saw.

[tirebob]

What do you do...when your teenage son expresses an interest in becoming a historical expert in weapons making...and is actively planning on building a forge in YOUR back yard / Garage...

Sigh...A very good friend of mine started making traditional slip joint pocket knives about 6 years ago and now he has a backlog of over 5 years of knives on order and his pieces can easily fetch a couple grand or more depending on complexity. His fixed blades less but still extremely high dollars. He makes two knives a week. You have to be absolutely incredible and accept nothing but top notch quality control of your work.

[SKR]

I like all these blue collar suggestions. Some days I dream about putting my coveralls on and heading down underground into the programming mines. There's something about jackhammering lines of code out of ore that seems strangely tranquil.

[ercchry]

Yeah, in my contacts I have a regular plumber and a drain-only guy. I chatted with him about it. He says that plumbers hate doing drain work, just like anyone. So he got used to dealing with shit, and that's all he does. Bunch of specialized tools and cameras to see what is going on.

Drain camera only guy is the way to go… stay way cleaner, charge more, and all ya do for your money is throw the camera down the drain and go “yup, ya see that there at 50ft? Roots…. Good luck with that” :rofl:

[killramos]

:rofl:

[suntan]

I like all these blue collar suggestions. Some days I dream about putting my coveralls on and heading down underground into the programming mines. There's something about jackhammering lines of code out of ore that seems strangely tranquil.

You must be programming COBOL. These days all the C# code is fracked out.

[killramos]

I like all these blue collar suggestions. Some days I dream about putting my coveralls on and heading down underground into the programming mines. There's something about jackhammering lines of code out of ore that seems strangely tranquil.

What’s the difference lol

[schurchill39]

I think industrial electrician is the way to go. Specifically learning how to install and program things like variable speed pumps for lift stations or water treatment plants. I have a buddy who does that for a living and he gets to see some pretty cool stuff. Because they serve the surrounding Calgary area as opposed to chasing to much in City work he ends up driving around a lot but rarely works too late and is almost always home to put his kids to bed. Probably 1/3 of his time is spent at the shop building these panels and packages, 1/3 is installing them, then maintenance or fixing stuff is the last 1/3. He makes pretty good money and has a good work/life balance. Sometimes he deals with actual shit because of where he is installing pumps, but most of the time its pretty clean work.

[davidI]

You might as well be talking about becoming a successful actor.

Yea, becoming a YouTuber with a 2.5M subscribers is obviously not the norm.

There are thousands of successful blacksmiths though. I'd estimate that your odds of ending up making $100k+/year blacksmithing vs $100k+/yr with a university degree aren't that different.

[ZenOps]

Put on a thong and be a hot tub twitch streamer.

[bjstare]

I'd estimate that your odds of ending up making $100k+/year blacksmithing vs $100k+/yr with a university degree aren't that different.

I'd estimate that they are outrageously, wildly different. Agree to disagree, I guess haha.

[killramos]

I'd estimate that they are outrageously, wildly different. Agree to disagree, I guess haha.

This

[sabad66]

I'd estimate that they are outrageously, wildly different. Agree to disagree, I guess haha.

Agreed except add a qualifier for a *useful* degree. Arts degree graduates definitely bring the chances down haha

[ercchry]

You peasant’s clearly don’t have enough wrought iron in your properties :rofl:

[suntan]

Yea, becoming a YouTuber with a 2.5M subscribers is obviously not the norm.

There are thousands of successful blacksmiths though. I'd estimate that your odds of ending up making $100k+/year blacksmithing vs $100k+/yr with a university degree aren't that different.

There are only at most 10,000 blacksmiths in the USA. 10% are professional. I guess that's the thousand that make $100k.

[dirtsniffer]

You peasant’s clearly don’t have enough wrought iron in your properties :rofl:

I put all my iron on my pinky

[89coupe]

The recent news about a shortage of truckers in Britain and also here in Canada has got me thinking.

Trucking is relatively unpopular, but should offer decent job security due to the shortage of drivers.

What other "blue collar" jobs are like that, and which seem "least worst" in terms of pay or enjoyment or lifestyle?

Our resident refrig tech says that's a busy field. Millwrights or machinists should be in demand I think. I used to suggest welding, but that's maybe less busy than it used to be.

If you had a teenager considering career options, what would you suggest to avoid or persue?

My cousin is a trucker, owns three rigs. Has exclusive contracts with a few farmers for fruit and special hay.

Makes an absolute fortune. But, downside is he’s on the road a lot.

[Buster]

Internet forum shitposter seems to be under-appreciated.

[ExtraSlow]

Internet forum shitposter seems to be under-appreciated.

Its not profitable.

[suntan]

Imagine how rich we'd all be if it was.

[ercchry]

Its not profitable.

Have to contract for Russia for the big bucks

[ExtraSlow]

I shit post on several Russian forums too. I'm getting pretty well known, but the rubles are few comrade.

[suntan]

In Russia, forum shits on you!

[killramos]

I shit post on several Russian forums too. I'm getting pretty well known, but the rubles are few comrade.

So Russians shot post here. And Canadians shitpost in russia?

I feel like we could streamline this.

[Disoblige]

Would be kinda cool to be a trucker with your wife and you travel around together. Assuming no kids and stuff.

[davidI]

Agreed except add a qualifier for a *useful* degree. Arts degree graduates definitely bring the chances down haha

Arts, Education, Kinesiology, and I'd argue a good percentage of Science and Commerce degrees also don't give you amazing odds of making $100k+.

Only Computer Science and Engineering seem to really lead the majority of graduates into lucrative work.

From my own BComm graduating year, I'd estimate that 15 years later only 25% of grads are making $100k+ in some sort of field that applied the degree, 5% are making $100k+ in a field that didn't really require the degree (real estate, passion work), 40% are making $50-$100k in a business-related field and 30% are doing basic work that could just as easily have been done with a HS diploma (restaurant/hotel service staff, life-coaching, yoga teacher, etc.)

So, even if comparing a Blacksmith to a BComm (which I'd argue is a "useful degree", with 15 years experience (19 years for the Blacksmith if you count the university years), I think a 30% chance of making $100k+ and 40% chance of making $50-100k is quite reasonable for a Blacksmith.

[Darell_n]

Going into a trade with lots of demand you will be making $100k/ year before Computer Science or Engineering has even graduated and thought about looking for a lucrative job. That’s not much of a benchmark honestly.

[killramos]

Don’t worry. The way inflation is going 100k+ is going to be something you earn at McDonald’s

[ThePenIsMightier]

Excuse me, but the preferred term is now #RainbowSmith.

If you all could stop being so fucking ignorant for one goddamn minute, that'd be super.

[suntan]

Arts, Education, Kinesiology, and I'd argue a good percentage of Science and Commerce degrees also don't give you amazing odds of making $100k+.

Only Computer Science and Engineering seem to really lead the majority of graduates into lucrative work.

From my own BComm graduating year, I'd estimate that 15 years later only 25% of grads are making $100k+ in some sort of field that applied the degree, 5% are making $100k+ in a field that didn't really require the degree (real estate, passion work), 40% are making $50-$100k in a business-related field and 30% are doing basic work that could just as easily have been done with a HS diploma (restaurant/hotel service staff, life-coaching, yoga teacher, etc.)

So, even if comparing a Blacksmith to a BComm (which I'd argue is a "useful degree", with 15 years experience (19 years for the Blacksmith if you count the university years), I think a 30% chance of making $100k+ and 40% chance of making $50-100k is quite reasonable for a Blacksmith.

I have no idea if this is legit or not:

https://www.salary.com/research/salary/posting/blacksmith-salary

90th percentile makes $54K.

[tcon]

After playing the "find someone to replace a pane of glass" game this summer, I'd say "glazier" is a profession that could use some more quality people

[suntan]

Two big hailstorms means you're at the bottom of the list bud.

[msommers]

Excuse me, but the preferred term is now #RainbowSmith.

If you all could stop being so fucking ignorant for one goddamn minute, that'd be super.

102156

[Buster]

I think we can peg the date that TPiM discovered the italics button.

[you&me]

After playing the "find someone to replace a pane of glass" game this summer, I'd say "glazier" is a profession that could use some more quality people

Having a friend that owns a glass company and a glazier for a brother-in-law, I think you're aiming too high... it's a profession that could use a quality person... Just one would be a good start.

#ItalicsforBuster