Ya' know, I hear many people talk about how they don't want to work as an Apprentice in a skilled trade. It's beneath them, and it doesn't pay enough. How do they expect to learn the trade unless they work as a 'trainee' first? Everyone has to pay their dues, and it's not just about some work ethic dues or initiation rites; it's about safety and proficiency. An untrained tradesman is a liability, not just to themselves, but to everyone around them, and to the organization they work for. Yet, apprenticeship is one of the main reasons why people don't go into skilled trades. Even though the pay is often high five figures even starting out as a journeyman, they're just not interested. To me, this translates into not willing to put in the time to develop a skill which will pay off in the end.
I know many tradespersons who make more bank in the trades than I do. It just doesn't make any sense to me. And, it's not about unions either. No matter what trade a person goes into, there is always a learning curve. An employer is not going to invest top dollar in an employee who isn't going to be around for a week or two. They want to make sure the person is serious about...a "job".
I don't see that level of motivation today. I don't see people willing to work for something. What I do see is people who just expect to make top dollar on day #1. That's not realistic. Now, many people often disagree, but then we get into what their definitions are for differences in pay. Most of these guys see some trades worker making $70 bucks an hour, so their idea of apprenticeship is to be making $69.50 per hour, and they'll proudly state (as the unemployed)..."that's as absolutely low as I'm willing to go, and I'm still getting ripped off!" It doesn't work like that. It's the wrong mindset.
People aren't working because they don't want to work. It's really as simple as that. As such, they have exactly zero room to bitch about anything related to jobs, expenses, or the cost of living.
My .02
I know many tradespersons who make more bank in the trades than I do. It just doesn't make any sense to me. And, it's not about unions either. No matter what trade a person goes into, there is always a learning curve. An employer is not going to invest top dollar in an employee who isn't going to be around for a week or two. They want to make sure the person is serious about...a "job".
I don't see that level of motivation today. I don't see people willing to work for something. What I do see is people who just expect to make top dollar on day #1. That's not realistic. Now, many people often disagree, but then we get into what their definitions are for differences in pay. Most of these guys see some trades worker making $70 bucks an hour, so their idea of apprenticeship is to be making $69.50 per hour, and they'll proudly state (as the unemployed)..."that's as absolutely low as I'm willing to go, and I'm still getting ripped off!" It doesn't work like that. It's the wrong mindset.
People aren't working because they don't want to work. It's really as simple as that. As such, they have exactly zero room to bitch about anything related to jobs, expenses, or the cost of living.
My .02