I have the intelligence of a rock and thera no way I'm going to uni will I be able to learn any trade or I'll just struggle

19/m

My mate quoted for a decorating job at an mma gym, manager literally made him go bare feet lol

If you ever think about getting into aviation... don't 😅😅😅 stuck putting this rack in literally laying under it while avionics takes their sweet time running wires through it so I can install it... someone help

As a young person I have made some mistakes and I wonder would people be willing to work with a felon. Nothing crazy a theft charge

I'm trying to get into pipefitting through ua 290 any helpful tips

20 years old and currently been doing industrial electrical for 2 1/2 years now with the occasional small shutdowns on holidays (local work)Interested in trying to to get into shutdown/turnaround work and wanting to travel.Was thinking about joining the boilermakers union was just curious as if anyone has recently gone that route or any recommendations.I currently don’t know how to weld but I’m a quick learner is that something they would teach me or do I need to go to outside schooling?And do they typically let first year apprentices travel and how quickly could I go to work and how steady is the work? Really open to any suggestions on how to get into that type of work.I do currently have my Twic and osha 30. Thanks for any advice

I took a bad fall at work and it was 100% not my fault, it was improperly assembled scaffolding. I got out with just bumps and bruises, thank God. But my parents were telling me to follow up because if something comes up in 5 years from my injuries I'll need protection. I don't want to sue, but I am not at fault and could use some education on just the process in general. I already talked to OSHA and filed hospital discharge papers. Is there anything I am missing that could bite me later? My dad suggested a lawyer, which sounds nuts right?

Took an entire day to get this behemoth in. 8hrs 164256585726464 cuss words took a 2x4 to the head but it's finally installed

I am in the medical field as a resident and do NOT like the way medicine is looking. I do have a large student loan burden and am in my late twenties. I have prior experience in construction but pursued college because “it was the ticket to a higher income”

I enjoy working outside more and I like business ownership. I have experience with both.
I understand a big plus to blue collar work is not having student loans and starting at a young age which I have unfortunately given up in pursuit of a degree.
My question is if I were to transition to a trade with my age and loan burden, which trade would you recommend? And how realistic is it to eventually own a business? You see all over social media the “electricians and plumbers are the next millionaires” but curious how realistic that goal is.
Really any insight to this world would be helpful

Asking all blue collar workers, any trade.

What are some funny stories, events that have happened to you on the job site. Pranks on new guys, things you’ve gotten away with, shit you’ve done to your boss with them never knowing, Dumb shit.
No names, no locations, no specifics, just funny stories and what you do.

Update its been about 30min and were still waiting.... my leg and foot are officially alseep

Do I have here on the same situation?
Enrolled my TWIC as first timer, on Sept.9 and got an email last Oct.7 that has a subject "No Status Progress"
Will that mean I'll expect lengthy waiting time?
BTw, I am clear on criminal records.

it’s on a Renault Kangoo 1, I know nothing about cars and I’ve been trying to unscrew it for the past 2 days, it’s locked so tight that even after wd40, it bends my wrench

it’s on a Renault Kangoo 1, I know nothing about cars and I’ve been trying to unscrew it for the past 2 days, it’s locked so tight that even after wd40, it bends my wrench

Title: 26M, feeling trapped in manufacturing. How do I transition into a technical career without starting over financially?

I'm 26 years old and currently working in a steel manufacturing facility in Ohio. I've spent the last several years gaining experience operating overhead bridge cranes, large forklifts, steel-processing equipment, and other industrial machinery.

I'm making approximately 24/hr working 50 hours a week, but I've reached a point where I'm extremely unhappy with my career direction.

My current employer has repeatedly moved me between positions to cover staffing shortages, and I feel like my versatility has actually limited my opportunities for advancement. I'm dependable and capable of learning different equipment, but I don't feel like I'm developing skills that will lead to a better long-term career.

I've always been interested in electronics, robotics, mechanical systems, and troubleshooting. In high school, I studied robotics and built several projects. More recently, I've been teaching myself programming and working on a project involving Bluetooth communication, remote hardware control, and integrating different electronic devices.

I've been looking into electrical technician, mechatronics, automation, field service, and maintenance technician positions.

My problem is that almost every position I find either requires several years of specialized experience or pays significantly less than I currently make.

I have bills, debt, and financial obligations, so taking a substantial pay cut to start over isn't particularly realistic.

I'm not opposed to going back to school, earning certifications, or starting in an entry-level technical role if there's a realistic path forward.

I'm just struggling to figure out what direction makes the most sense.

My questions:

Has anyone successfully transitioned from equipment operation or manufacturing into electrical, maintenance, automation, or mechatronics work?

What entry-level positions should I be searching for with my background?

Would a technical degree or certification be worthwhile, or would I be better off finding an employer willing to train?

Is it realistic to transition into these fields while maintaining something close to my current income?

If you were 26 and in my position, what would you do differently?

I don't expect to make six figures overnight. I just want to build a career where I'm continually learning, developing valuable skills, and actually have opportunities to advance.

Any advice or personal experiences would be appreciated. TIA!

any help

Is anyone else noticing what’s happening to the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical industries?

Private equity firms are buying up established local companies left and right than dumping insane amounts of money into Google Ads, Local Service Ads, and marketing to completely dominate their markets. The problem is that these companies are often some of the most expensive contractors in town. They’re spending millions acquiring customers, pushing aggressive sales tactics, and trying to generate massive returns for investors. And who ultimately pays for all of this??? Homeowners.

Meanwhile, smaller, independently owned companies that have been serving their communities for decades are getting buried. They can’t compete with these massive advertising budgets, so even if they offer better service and more reasonable pricing, they’re barely getting a chance to answer the phone.

Think about how ridiculous that is. The company showing up first on Google isn’t necessarily the best plumber or HVAC technician. It’s often just the company willing to spend the most money to get your attention… What’s the long-term goal? Buy up the competition, dominate local search results, reduce competition, and gain more control over pricing?

It’s turning industries built by hardworking tradesmen into corporate sales machines. Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work used to be about craftsmanship, reputation, and relationships with the community. Now it feels like it’s becoming a competition between investment firms over who can spend the most on advertising.

Has anyone else seen this happening?

Hello I’m coming on here hopefully seeking some advice or guidance from people already working within the trades. I’m currently 20 years old and I’ve been wanting to get into a trade for the past year or so. For about a couple months I was trying hard to land a plumbing apprenticeship but I had no luck. I’m located in Southern California so that might make it a little more difficult, but I’ve tried union halls ( long waits) and interviewing with local companies, it just seems hard to land some positions with no experience. Anybody got any advice on how I can get into the trades, I was particularly interested in plumbing/ electrical back then but right now I’m kinda looking into possibly doing HVAC too. I was actually planning on attending community college because a college near me offers programs where they give you hands in training and eventually a certificate and I’ve heard good things about their programs and how they connect you with employers to help you land a job. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help or point me in the right direction god bless.

Tout le monde se dirige vers les métiers de bureau et de service, au moment même où l'IA s'attaque justement à ces postes. Pendant ce temps, les usines, les ateliers et la maintenance cherchent des techniciens et n'en trouvent pas. Si on veut vraiment réindustrialiser, il faut des gens pour régler, dépanner et entretenir les machines, sinon on continue d'importer de Chine ce qu'on ne sait plus produire ici. Je me demande si le vrai risque de crise de l'emploi n'est pas là : trop de monde du mauvais côté, et pas assez de mains formées de l'autre.