Talking Trades, Labor Shortage With Mike Rowe (Possible Return of Dirty Jobs?)

[@abdcontractingltd]

Im 29 and have been in construction since I was 16 starting an apprenticeship. The wages in town wernt good enough for me to stick around, so I worked up in northern Alberta building mills, power plants ect. I realized in my mid 20s I didn't want to be away from home all the time, so I came back home with a Red Seal Carpentry ticket, opened my own Contracting business and never turned back

[@ivancazares1294]

General contractor?

[@abrishamiknight958]

It is not just about skilled trades - or being a skilled worker. It is also very very important to have a ticket / certification etc ... with this ticket you will go very far in life.

[@kcb8130]

Even if the individual with the ticket doesn't actually know or is not very skilled! Lol

[@leeheffner3614]

I hope and pray more kids get a skilled trade cause as long as you learn and push forward you'll be 10 steps ahead of today's society and nobody can take that from you

[@jmager32582]

I teach carpentry in a public high school, there is also an electrical program. I have kids that want to work. However trying to get a builder to come in and meet the kids and hire them has been my greatest challenge.

[@glennshay5386]

Where are you located

[@jmager32582]

@@glennshay5386 Baltimore County Maryland. Actually teach in the school district Mike Rowe went to.

[@aron8949]

The older generation has a strong distaste for the youth, more than normal.

[@foxnetsov]

@@jmager32582 have you talked to the kids about joining a union when they're eligible? the pay and benefits are pretty good. i've heard that work outside of the unions are inconsistent.

[@jimmiejay8174]

@@foxnetsov you have to know someone or have family to have a shot at getting in the union

[@matthilton7635]

Mike Rowe has been a long time inspiration for me. I entered the labor force a little over a year ago and I love every challenge, day and task I’m faced with. I’m the first ICATT apprentice in my state and love the various skills I’m learning welding, machining, hydraulics, pneumatics, and many more. I am on a path towards self sufficiency. You can’t spell experience without expert

[@ryanthepianoman27]

Theirs no t in experience?

[@SkyboxMonster]

At my old job, where safety was always 3rd, I was put into a 10-ton wheel loader after about 5 mins of someone explaining the controls to me. within the hour I had mastered it and taught myself little tricks like how to get the bucket angled /just/ right to scoop without scraping and how to judge distances so I could drop the load in a 2 foot deep target area. only had that job for about a week before I was forced to quit the company for reasons stated in the first sentence. the entire company went bankrupt only about a year after that. But DAMN do I miss driving heavy equipment.

[@SkyboxMonster]

#1 was production must always continue #2 Abuse workers to the point I heard death threats made against supervisors. #3 just enough safety to pass a casual inspection #4 Ignore wasteful practices #5 Never ever fix any forklifts. let the brakes wear out to the point it feels like you are driving a few tons of soap.

[@xenorace]

Back when I was in my early 20s I started with heavy equipment. I got next to no info on how to operate the equipment or how the project was being built. So I spent most my day not really understanding wtf was even going on. I felt like a moron, and the supervisors also made it a point to also treat me like one, even though not one person provided me with any level of helpful knowledge. Needless to say I moved on within a few months of that.

[@kcb8130]

@@xenorace as a heavy equipment operator of 5 years, I can sympathize with this. My experience was, as an entry level operator, I was expected to be as productive and efficent as a 20 year man with little to no training, orientation, etc... and if mistakes were made out of lack of knowledge, the response was usually "you should've known what you don't know and are not experienced with, do better"

[@carryclass6807]

the only way to tell if there is a labor shortage is are wages increasing. that is how markets work, shortage of workers, pay rises, and attracts more people in to that career. i don't understand how people don't understand that simple concept.

[@chrisburns5691]

and the wages have increased, over the past few years.. depends on the area as well i guess..

[@ninjablack4347]

@@chrisburns5691 not to the pace of cost of living has.

[@paulb8118]

@@ninjablack4347 last week passed a concrete company 63.08/hr, and cant find anyone because its outside in the sun. Wages in the trades have gone up significantly in the past couple years.

[@ninjablack4347]

@@paulb8118 i call bull. I believe you saw that, but when you go and interview they say "Well, after a time period you can make up to that" my uncle had that happened and he laughed and walked out of the interview

[@paulb8118]

@@ninjablack4347 took less than a year for friend of mine, the one hiring, now he is salary at a bit over 150000. Got the job days after leaving the navy as a SeaBee, already had some training in concrete.

[@aron8949]

I’m 27, just got out of hvac due to the recent nonsense, it made my job unbearable. Needless to say the trades are full of low hanging fruit, low wages have destroyed morale, showing up early and working diligently isn’t enough, you also must have domestic pressure that keeps you coming to work despite the terrible conditions and low pay.

[@chrisd8760]

So true. And mike Rowe completely ignores this.

[@oldgoat1890]

So what? HVAC was not for you. The market is flooded. After the 2009 crash, the States were sending displaced workers to school for HVAC like it was the only job available. Everybody with a magnetic sign and pick up truck went into HVAC.

[@aron8949]

@@oldgoat1890 no, and you won’t catch me on another construction site anytime soon.

[@ninjablack4347]

I was a helper electrician on a construction site for 8 months. Thankfully got laid off and got unemployment. It sucked! I did everything and anything they asked and they wanted it fast for $18 an hour? What a joke.

[@CJ-fh5xq]

@@ninjablack4347 Fuck that. Rather be some Operator or a technician at a plant or factory for way more.

[@robertclark9]

In 1975 I had a high school diploma, and jumped on a driveway paving crew. Within five years I was making the equivalent of six figures in today’s salary. My most important skill, how to operate an alarm clock. And it’s no different today. Your work ethic is your most valuable asset. Today I’m a retired operator enjoying my grandkids on a well prepared financial plan.

[@joyschlomer6866]

Disagree, whole different world. Strong work ethic no longer valued

[@brandonofthedead]

@@joyschlomer6866 unfortunately this is true. The days of working for employer that really has your back and view you as a valuable asset to the company is over. In fact staying with one employer through a lifetime is a recipe for low wages. The best way to gain income nowadays is to leave for new employers every 3 to 5 years. Loyalty is not valued in the modern workforce.

[@Painfulwhale360]

I know owning a business isn’t for everyone. But if you’re tired of low wages in the construction world.. GO INTO BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF. Charge what YOU want and focus on one trade.

[@bc1173]

you can't just start an electrical company... you need to go through the apprenticeship program which is a lot of schooling, 9000 hours, exams, then pass your red seal to get licensed, then work few a few years, then pass a masters exam, then pass a contractors exam, then have good enough credit to take out a $300,000+ loan to buy material, a shop etc..

[@Painfulwhale360]

@@bc1173 Well, yeah.. that’s sort of obvious. But you can start doing your own handyman stuff anytime. Just to name one

[@oneofmany1087]

THE Trades are way to cheap and will not pay a good wage. Mexico and greed is why we have such a problem.. people only want to pay 15.00 an hour. when i made 23.11 an hour back in 1980.. Now they want me to work for 15-20 doing the same job..

[@tallswede80]

@@logbia7k608 and fucking taxes and inflation.

[@bc1173]

l make $53/hour plus pension and benefits in the trades... what are you talking about?

[@ivanalvarez5511]

Go into the trades kids, there's low pay until you either start your own business or have 20 years of experience, its back breaking work so better make it big before your joints give out.

[@grandcanyon2]

these young folks not stupid, why you think their flocking to iT jobs, and office work, banking, etc

[@abdulrahmanirl]

@@grandcanyon2grass is greener. IT jobs will suck the soul out of you, atleast in the long run

[@grandcanyon2]

@@abdulrahmanirl IT will suck your soul mentally and the trades will suck your soul physically

[@bc1173]

@@grandcanyon2 Electrician here, it is not very hard on your body. Very annoying to hear people who have no clue what they're talking about speak on things.

[@jadonclifton]

I got my env engineering degree but am 2 years into ironworking and welding. I like it and advocate for it. It pays well, gives you some essential skills for the apocalypse, and puts hair on your chest due to sometimes crazy conditions and getting caught on fire every now and then. Probably the most useful thing is realizing the cognitive dissonance between construction workers and engineers. The plans are often not implementable. I’ll be starting engineering soon with the mindset that when you design something, you have to make sure it’s actually possible to build and makes logical sense not just on paper but out in the field. It’s not rare to hear construction workers complain about how stupid the engineers are that design their projects.

[@alexweise5115]

The only places facing shortages are the places that won’t pay a fair wage.

[@pidevildog07]

That's no shit either. I was looking at plumber and pipefitter union vs non-union welders and plumbers wages and it's staggering. There's a shortage of people to fill the jobs because there's no incentive. If you're not going union, better start your own business.

[@bc1173]

@@pidevildog07 yup, union guys make 50%+ more than non-union in the same area and in the same trade, not to mention full pension, benefits etc..

[@pugball9788]

I really appreciate you Mike promoting the Trades but I've never seen the opportunity you speak of.

[@oldgoat1890]

Maybe you are just stupid. Your problem is you want everything given to you. If employers are such buttheads, start your own business. Taking on somebody young is costly. The loss of time(Slow) and rework is hard on a business. But still, trainees want more money, even though they have to come to you for every little thing.

[@terryeffinp]

I don't think many kids can understand the financial (payments and interest) burden from college and the opportunity costs associated with it. Apprentice at 18 to retirement with no student loan debt vs. partial/no employment for 4 years, almost 100 grand in debt ~6% interest for a job that pays about the same. Most college grads that went to my high school aren't even working their field of study. Not only that tradesmen who have a knack for working with their hands often do not hire people to do things for them, there is a huge savings over a lifespan when you seldom have to hire a mechanic, a plumber, an electrician etc. Everyone repeats the statistic that people with degrees earn more than those without, but they never want to talk about debt load or the years spent outside of the workforce.

[@miguelcastaneda1617]

Let’s go ahead and record our interview right in front of this giant speaker where no one can hear anything

[@alvinmeeks7710]

I drove tractors and trailers, forced retirement, but prior to the retirement was making around 50 to 60 k. In my miscreant youth framer ( carpenter who framed homes, apartments etc.) You can support yourself and family, without a degree, for the record, GED was my education level,( high school level)

[@VF1Skullangel]

Trades aren't what they used to be. Now a days most companies wanna hire you out the door for $12-16 an hour which is nothing. Plus you also gotta provide your own education and tools. Also you have to purchase your own insurance plan which ends up costing you at least $200-300 per month. There isnt many good opportunties unless you go union which is becoming a rarity. It's gone to complete shit now a days. Truckers get paid less today then they did 30 years ago. The reason why everyones jumping into I.T is because it pays a living wage. And you aren't destroying your body.

[@tonycelestro1959]

$10 to $13 for electrical helper down here in Mississippi. And that's with an associates degree for electrical technology.

[@geodude6244]

@@tonycelestro1959 I worked at Kroger for 12 a hour out the gate behind meat counter easy as pie and I even got Bennie's. Could sit on my phone half the time if I wanted. You aren't getting benefits working for most small construction companies either. I work as a roofer and where I'm at your making 20-30 most likely no benefits that's after you "proved" yourself. I love my job but it is what it is. Got to deal with rain snow bosses pushing you because of weather. Injury cuts ect.

[@bc1173]

It is illegal for a contractor to not pay for his workers WSIB insurance, so that's a lie. Also, you don't seem to understand what an apprenticeship is. You start at minimum wage, and every 1800 hours worked you get a nice raise. This happens 4 times, and then you try and get your license. A lot of trade school and exams mixed in there as well. Why do people talk about things they don't even know? That is a big problem, how many people struggling to find a career have you given this awful advice to?

[@fredhargraves6348]

I made a great living working in the trades. Sent 3 kids to college and have a good retirement. College is so over rated for most of the children

[@ninjablack4347]

you sound like an old timer because the trades suck now. Companies don't wanna hire new guys and if they do they pay them dog shit for hard labor

[@josephgrima4193]

@@ninjablack4347 i got a hustle for residential areas i can make better money. but i look around, and i think man, this world is getting scarce. the so called opportunity is just bad. hourly wages minimum should be around 20 something. a lot of great workers dont have proper govt ID and stuff, they arent allowed to drive to reach all the job site locations. its not about whos good at the job anymore its about whos got the most brownie points with either the govt or your boss. just like major sports on tv its not about talent its about who supports the new political movements.

[@Michael-vf2mw]

@@ninjablack4347 Start your own business or become a sub. There is a massive demand - you just have to go somewhere that is smart and doesn't want cheap labor. (I'd distinguish cheap from inexpensive - cheap refers to bad quality and low hourly rate. Inexpensive refers to low labor cost for the job - it can still mean high quality and a high hourly rate if the laborer is qualified and efficient. It is possible that an employer who pay $40/hr has lower labour costs than an otherwise identical employer who pays $20/hr.)

[@bc1173]

@@svensvrgen6336 aka you're alt left and won't shut up about it

[@bc1173]

@@josephgrima4193 if the minimum wage goes up, so does everything else. it isn't a solution nor does it help.

[@oldgoat1890]

It is not like back in the 50's. Kids now are not exposed to working on vehicles and repairing farm equipment or buildings. The only tool most of them had in their hand before turning 15 was a smartphone. Sending kids to school for the trades before they graduate HS has not worked out in my experience. Once they have to spend their own money for school, they take it a little more seriously.

[@MDAdams72668]

until these jobs pay there will be a "shortage" think 50-75/hr(plus full benefits) to attract quality people willing to work in undesirable conditions

[@johnjones5354]

I worked in a trades job for 30+ years, and never made $50/hour. No one is going to pay that kind of wage, especially not for an entry level worker or apprentice. Nor is such a wage level necessary.

[@MDAdams72668]

@@johnjones5354 Em not for entry-level of course (part of your pay is the knowledge) BUT "$20 in 1990 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $41.19 " so yeah a highly skilled person is worth at least that (more because there is a shortage) I stand by 50-75 depending on the job and 100-140 if self employed

[@johnjones5354]

@John Brennan You do realize that the people at the dealership who do the "free" work get paid, don't you?

[@johnjones5354]

@John Brennan I believe that if my employer treated me this way, I would find a new employer. But that's just me, your mileage may vary.

[@bc1173]

@@johnjones5354 l work in the trades with now and make $53/hour plus full pension and benefits. You made bad decisions.

[@richardyewchuk1508]

You need to send recruiters over to CANADA to recruit CANADIAN tradespeople IN PERSON. Take out a half page advertisement in the Vancouver Sun and the Toronto Star newspapers offering employment in the trades. Rent a conference room at a local hotel in Canada over a few weekends. Send recruiters to sign CANADIAN trades people up to work at YOUR construction firm in person. As long as you are willing to pay for their relocation expenses, you'll have THOUSANDS of CANADIAN tradespeople who would be VERY HAPPY to relocate to a job in the U.S.A!!! TRY IT!!!

[@ralphhippard2995]

Mike Rowe you are doing a great job for construction. I wish I would have loved to have meet you years ago. I'm 75

[@danielmccann4199]

I think what you’re doing for the mechanical industry is great The guy you’ve helped get through welding class But there is an investment of several years to be taught I run into people all the time that have hired the hotdogs I can do that And I have pretty much got their moneys worth because they’re continuing having issues We want the youth to succeed, but they should also be capable of giving their customer their moneys worth The market so starved right now that people will hire anybody that seems to be cheaper Large percentage of that we have to go back and fix parts of it So don’t say a Guy with a welding certificate can start a mechanical contractor business Someone’s getting the short end of the stick I am 60. I’ve been doing this since high school. It would be nice to say it was that easy

[@shannonconley5316]

Faithful.

[@mitchduncan2942]

Don't unions have apprenticeships that provide opportunities for skill trade workers? The apprenticeship program provides in-class structural learning and field experience. And here is the catch...union workers are getting paid both in-class and in the field. Mike Rowe, I'm sorry, everyone seems to love the guy, but he is reinventing the wheel here. Unions have been around since the nineteenth century. The benefits of collective bargaining, higher wages, better training, better working conditions, and a pension all circle around the functions and structure of a union. Mike Rowe's friends mostly embody the GOP, conservative kind. There are people in this world (the Republican Party) who would love for unions to crumble and fall like the mighty wind. In consequence, this goal would initiate corporations to take control over employee rights while refusing to listen to the plight of the working class.

[@bc1173]

There are only a few ways to make real good money in the trades. One is get your licensed, your masters, contractors license and start your own business (like 80% these fail with an average debt of $300k declared in bankruptcy though). Two is become extremely good at a low skill construction job that has a lot opportunity for piece work (framing, painting, drywalling). Three is go union. There are no other good options, with the exception of rare situations, in my opinion.

[@pattrypang7687]

Man. Mike Rowe is a stand up guy.

[@Kushert]

Mike Rowe is my hero

[@ralphhippard2995]

I worked in construction management but would have loved to have operated and excavator.

[@accessfashion]

This is s wonderful program for our country! Awesome and much love Houston Texas USA 🇺🇸!!!

[@privatename3447]

I was laid off at age 47 from a office job. What trade can I learn and do till I'm 65? Any suggestions?

[@MDAdams72668]

Nope you're to old your body won't handle the work

[@sandycharlton8669]

Plumbing

[@artjinks2935]

CDL DRIVERS LICENSE. You can drive a dump truck. Once you get your foot in the door, then you can go from there.

[@privatename3447]

@@sandycharlton8669 I thought about this. I've seen some old plumbers

[@sandycharlton8669]

@@privatename3447 Its a kickback job you put together pipes all day long and you get paid good money plumbers are more valuble than sheetrockers carpenters painters. $100 an hour is a normal rate.

[@ProperLogicalDebate]

I duspect that is faced is finding or encouraging people not to be afraid of work. On one sidd is free money for your vote, while on the other side is Ll the trappings of a white collar.

[@alphathefirstone1222]

Excellent!!

[@bryanfox2735]

I’m down with mike Rowe for president if trump doesn’t get back in!!!! Fjb 🇺🇸💪

[@rs7458]

Any advice for someone in their 30s? Any trade to start?

[@GS.9093_Mart]

Be an electrician, plumber hvac technician or carpenter ..

[@rs7458]

@@GS.9093_Mart are there guarantee work as plumbers or carpenters? Are they short of staff?

[@GS.9093_Mart]

@@rs7458 where I live we def need more people in the trades.. the age gap between old guys and young guys is getting bigger and bigger.. boomers have retirement around the corner and in every construction site i’ve been since I started I only see 1-2 young guys the rest are guys in their late 50’s early 60’s.. so the need for workers will increase as the old guys start to retire .. the trade with the least young guys is carpentry based on what I’ve seen so far..

[@rs7458]

@@GS.9093_Mart hmm…I’m in my mid 30s. Trying to see what the wisest decision to make.

[@GS.9093_Mart]

@@rs7458 I would suggest to be an electrician .. i am in my mid 20’s and im in carpentry (framing ,remodeling).. i’ve seen the electricians work and I find that trade to be less physical demanding compared to carpentry.. even you being mid 30’s you will probably be among the youngest workers..

[@bigdawg723]

i want scholarship :(

[@kevinbelcher8490]

I wish Dirty jobs never ended

[@danielmccann4199]

It’s sad that it cost that much but that’s the unions trying to protect their wages Obviously, the welding certificate is not worth that much Wondering why solder brazing plumbers don’t Brazes much AC guys do I invite you to get a real perspective One month each Electrician Sheet metal Heating and cooling Plumbing Four months And tell us how easy it is Get a real perspective I do appreciate what you do but you need to understand what you’re talking about There’s more to it than looking good for the camera

[@stevenburton4966]

Labor Shortage? if you pay them, they will come. that's it! that's the "secret."

[@brandonrichard3634]

What if you did attend a trade school only to discover you suck at it?

[@handymanhoney-do6881]

One can also spend 4 years and $100k only to learn they suck at corporate work. Pick your poison.

[@louis1734]

It’s pretty hard to suck at trades if you stay with it. I’ve met some real idiots in my time as an electrician but they did good electrical work.

[@bc1173]

@@louis1734 it's pretty hard to suck at anything when you've done it for 10,000 hours.

[@bc1173]

If you are interested in the work and enjoy it, you won't suck at it for long. If you're not, you'll never get better.

[@mikethemechanic7395]

I am 47. Been a Diesel mechanic for 21 years. Make 79k year no overtime. Overtime is unlimited if we want. Was recruited last Oct. My current shop paid me a 7k bonus and 3k tool allowance. They also pay for my kids college. The blue collar shortage has been going on since 2009 when the Baby boomers started to retire. When I first started it sucked. Lower pay and you were expected to not take any time off or call off sick. I hated the cranky Boomers. Guys would stop by the shop every week looking for a job. The last 20 years. Parents tell their kids to only go to college. That’s why we have a shortage. The average mechanic age is 40. My shop has been looking for a guy for 1 year with no luck. Covid and the shortage has played in our favor. No one can rush you anymore. Managers are afraid you will quit. That’s how bad the shortage is. When I started my new job. I told the managers. Don’t ever rush me when I know we have things to do. I don’t need pressure. So far they have left me alone. The only thing that sucks. Everyone does any job. Years ago if you had seniority. You did not have to do the dirty work. I am 47 and doing brake jobs and changing tires. My plan was to be promoted to foreman and not be on the floor all day long. Most shops have eliminated shop foreman. I spent 15 years trying to get promoted and was lied to. Or misled. Shops have eliminated Shop foreman and charged it to Lead. It’s the same job but less pay and you are not a supervisor. Bunch of bullshit. I gave up on trying. I used to show up to work early and get dressed and ready to go. I used to give 110 percent. I now show up last minute and work above average. That’s it. My new manager told me I was kicking ass and should learn some operations and management skills. There is room for advancement I was also told. I laughed real loud at my manger and said. “ I have heard this many times before” I love my trade. But go home every day to my wife and 9 year olds. I don’t care about work anymore. I am done at 62.