Trade Schools Stay Away!

At least someone gets it

 

In our area the county runs a pair of technical education centers for adults and high school students (they have a program at them to) that also leads into two year degrees at a local respected college they even offer a specific management degree as that level for these students if a trade. Others can go into nursing, early childhood education and the like. I think its an ideal option students can seek a degree part-time at night and taking online classes etc. while working.

And how many college grads are earning $30-35 an hour like the original poster is?

 

It sounds good. I hope their programs are well attended.

 

Where I live the pipefitter's union's apprenticeship program results in an associate's degree from the state community college upon completion. They work as helpers during the day and go to their classes at night. This seems like the best of both worlds for those guys.

 

With any job a college degree is a starting point and most young engineers know little about the job to begin with. I would say the first few years are when a newly graduated engineer learns his job responsibilities.

 

I would agree with this. There is a sharp transition between college and the workplace for an engineer (and probably other professions as well). Many engineers become disillusioned when they realize that they won't be designing robots that do brain surgery or explore the Mars lanscape. It can be tedious scutwork when you're at the bottom of the pyramid. In that scenario your ticket out (and up) is to be impeccable in your work and your work habits. It is also very useful if you can manage to genuinely get along with others.

 

The esteemed former senior member DesElms used to say that the way to discern whether something was a typo or a misspelling is this: if the incorrect letter in the word is adjacent to the correct letter, it is a typo, and if not it is a misspelling. For example, in the so-called word "Stiocky", the correct letter "i" and the incorrect letter "o" are adjacent to each other; thus, that one is a typo. For another example, in the so-called word "Stickys,"the incorrect letter "y" is too far away from the correct letters "ie"; thus, it is not a typo but a misspelling.

 

Hee-haw, hee-haw!

 

My faith in dinfo is restored! Great retort and shows that you have a sense of humor

I got some great advice from DesElms many years ago and followed most of it, and it lead to a career change and some good success. I see on his website that he has a message for all of us. I wish I could follow that advice as well.

 

Wow!!! That is excellent. I am in a professional classification job/union. However, since I am involved in union matters pretty much across the board, I come in contact with trade unions. I constantly advise trade union brothers and sisters to save their apprenticeship transcripts for future University credit into the National Labor College. It is surprising to realize how many unions are not aware of these types of programs.


Abner

 

The problem doesn't seem to just be in the US. When I was flying through London not too long ago, there were posters all over the airport offering high salaries to get plumbers from other countries to move to the UK.

 

Too many people don't want to get their "hands dirty", but would rather go to College / University to spend a LOT of money so they can work at a minimum wage job with their undergrad in hand, while the folks who learn a trade are making much better money. Tradespeople are always sought, even when the economy is bad - people always require plumbers, electricians and the like for homes; mechanics for cars... etc.

This brings us right back to: why do you need grade 12 HS before going into a trade? Let's look at the European model again ( Aut/Ger: Grade 9 - then off to trade school for those who know they don't want to go on to University / College) and look at the benefits: People contributing to the economy earlier in their lives; less debt (to the individual, allowing them to spend more as well as their parents (who generally contribute towards education); etc...

 

My brother is the same. He works a regular mechanic job 8-4 and then has a huge shop on his property that he works at daily from about 5-10pm. He always has work... I really don't understand why he doesn't open this own business because he has the customers for it....

 

I wish America would push vocational education, but we have this idea that everyone has to go to college. That couldn't be further from the truth. I teach in a rural area, so our vocational education is taught through a regional center. It takes the kids about 30-40 minutes to get there by bus. Unfortunately, if kids opt to go to the VoTech center, the loss in instructional time prevents them from being able to earn an advanced diploma, which is generally what you want if you want to go to college. Many of our kids simply won't go to the VoTech center for that reason. They all have this idea that they have to go to college.

Virginia is apparently tossing around an idea with our new diploma requirements, though. In a few years, students earning a Standard Diploma will be required to complete a vocational certification exam. I think that's a great idea. That way the kids will have a skill at graduation and be able to seek employment.

-Matt

 

If someone indeed wants to become a plumber, what is the best route to go? Trade school or apprenticeship or both? Same for electrician? Can you learn something about these trades by distance learning? Someone besides us might want to know.

 

In Texas the best way if your past 20 or so is just to start as an apprentice at a repair company. Younger than that and I would say tradeschool (Union) or even job corps.

 

Plumbing is a licensed profession so I would suggest that you investigate the requirements for licensure and work your way backwards to where you are now. As b4 indicated, there is probably more than one route. Many people on this board don't have the luxury of attending school full time but if you're in the right life circumstances that might be the fastest route.