stuvy
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Get knocking on doorsI'm new to this forum but elsewhere on another forum we are discussing very similar issues. The upcoming generation is full of apathy, laziness and "whats-the-point"-ism and the trades are suffering as a result. Average age of a butcher is 50+, for example, and i'm sure it's similar across the board. It will probably drive up wages which is somewhat good.
My stepdad told me recently his factory firm hired ten new apprentices, but half of them left within a few weeks because the work was "boring". We've all become so self-entitled these days and safety-conscious, that the dirty jobs are left alone or people go elsewhere.
It's wise to think about what you want in life, but sometimes you have to put in the graft, depending on where you're at. I'm in my late twenties with no experience working with my hands, and I feel like even a few years at an apprenticeship could teach me a lot, even if the work is tough and I don't like it at times, there's value in the long-term game. I'm aiming for a welding apprenticeship and then seeing where it leads. It's all about having the right mindset, there will always be opportunities available.
Also, there is so much potential to grow, once we apply some creativity and a bit of optimism. I just found these articles from a US mag called the Fabricator and while these are exceptional examples, we can all aim to have that same entrepreneurial spirit, which will set us apart from the rest:
Small businesses help the metal fabrication industry thrive
It's International Small Business Week, so we're taking the time to spotlight some small businesses and job shops that help the metal fabrication industry thrive with entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and creativity.www.thefabricator.com
Most places will tell you an apprenticeship isn’t worth the paper it’s written on
The best fabricator where I used to work was a self taught(semi pro alcoholic) that could make anything with any machine and any material. He had given up with the hard stuff full time
He earned a good wage but just wanted to put his headphones in and Mig every day rather than use the skills he had and earn more