Trade School or Union? 🤔

[@arwel63]

Apprenticeships teach the correct way not the fast way

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

That's debatable

[@Otingocni]

everything in life is debatable@@WesternWeldingAcademy

[@richardspillers6282]

Nobody can survive on that pay. $13 - $15 hourly.

[@calebc6028]

Apprenticeship take 5 years of your life when you could learn everything within a year 4 months in a school 7 months in the road lol.

[@nickpop4344]

@@richardspillers6282nobody can survive on minimum 💀

[@bengman95]

I went through the union electrical apprenticeship and I'm glad I did. Welding may be different, but a trade school 2-year in electrical teaches the basics of code and theory. Plus you still need 6000 working hours (2000 credit for trade school) to become a journeyman. That's 5 years total. And you have to pay for that schooling. I'm the union, you earn while you learn, and in my case, I got a raise to join the apprenticeship. 5 years later, I was making 50 bucks an hour on the check plus about 35 bucks an hour of benefits. Not bad...

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Not bad at all

[@freeridemoto7133]

welding schools are scams

[@bengman95]

@aramos1138 honestly, I'd go talk to your local union and ask what you need to do to be the best candidate for them to let into the apprenticeship program. That way, you have a road map on how to prepare yourself.

[@Big092MLBOA_]

@@aramos1138how do I get straight to union?

[@Raysreallife]

What state

[@ryangrnya336]

Retirement, medical benefits, no job searching and having a union to advocate for your pay, safety, and overall treatment from employers.

[@alphamech79]

F the union

[@quychang4471]

@@alphamech79 Why. Did you fail to get in??

[@alphamech79]

@@quychang4471 I wouldn’t even to consider to join the most laziest organization on the planet

[@alphamech79]

@@quychang4471 wouldn’t join the union ever I hate them with a passion

[@chipcook6646]

Union the only way to go

[@dergadergaful]

Not in Cali, welders here typical make 25/hour non union. In my union we make 57/hour wage and 89/hour whole package with the 401+ medical+dental+ 2 pensions

[@positivevibrations6975]

I’m in Southern California, can you point me to where to start?

[@user-xo4om8qv6m]

Local 617 IBEW $82hr

[@edhcb9359]

That pension is HUGE! It’s the difference between retiring in your fifties when those aches and pains are unbearable Vs. potentially never retiring!

[@michaelc9128]

Or if you work 40 years into the company and they go out of business...wham pension gone in a blink of an eye. It's rampant in these days

[@edhcb9359]

@@michaelc9128 A)It’s really not rampant and B)All private sector pensions are required by law to pay into PBGC insurance which ensures that doesn’t happen. But you can keep telling yourself otherwise if it makes you feel better.

[@krazyspartanodst]

Or just get a college degree and live to be 100😂😂

[@thomasdragosr.841]

@@krazyspartanodst ...and pay for it until you are 100!

[@krazyspartanodst]

@@thomasdragosr.841 not really I didn’t need to take out any loans to get my degree

[@dash2946]

I get the sense this guy isn’t the biggest on unions, but anyone out there who has an option please go the apprenticeship path. He talks about making that money immediately but not about you having to pay for your own benefits from your hourly wages as well as although you know how to do a task out of school you don’t necessarily have real working experience so your employer is still going to low ball you. Do not work 30+ years of your life and end up with a shit pension, go union apprenticeship if given the opportunity.

[@ljohnson5617]

Thanks for the insight. 💯💪🏿

[@Mojo32]

Nobody with integrity is "for the union." Fact.

[@joeyjordan1209]

@@Mojo32you don’t have to make it political.. just go wherever you will make the most and and have good retirement.. 99 times out of 100 that’s in the union..

[@mholly8891]

Each method has its pros and cons. Trade school is quick relatively speaking compared to a union apprenticeship, however in an apprenticeship your going to get full union benefits and start banking hours towards your pension. Think long long term. The older you get the sweeter those benefits and pension start looking

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

💯

[@dommysprite3771]

Yeah these days any sort of retirement plan is gold

[@dommysprite3771]

Yeah these days any sort of retirement plan is gold

[@tyreljenkins5655]

Can you start out with trade school and then switch over to a union in the future?

[@mholly8891]

​@@tyreljenkins5655 absolutely, there are a lot of people who go this route. If you have the skills to be a journeymen you just have to join and get on the list. Doing an apprenticeship might help give you some networking and training at the same time though

[@TheJustReyes]

100% do an apprenticeship. Not necessarily through the union, but trade school guys don’t know anything. I did mine through a small shop that taught me everything. 5 years later, 120k base salary

[@nonameiiii]

What do you do? I have no idea where to start and what the best path is? My wife and I want to start a family and my wife wants to stay home with our kids, so I don't want to end up down the wrong path.

[@ljohnson5617]

Thank you for your insight bro

[@alphamech79]

F the union

[@Illuminatisevil]

@@alphamech79F non union rats I worked 48 hours this week and pulled in $4058. bucks sheet metal workers union 🤑

[@DennisFisher-ng3ex]

Joining the union and learning the trade changed my like. You do a 5 year apprenticeship on the job training and school work. When you journey out, you’ll be set for life! Get benefits, pension, 401 K built up and possibly a credit union if your hall offers one. You have to start somewhere and the hard work will pay off !!

[@Quickstop92]

Unions are harder to get into… more work equals more pay. Here’s the thing the pay will always be the same union vs non union give or take a few dollars but at the end of a 10 year career path one is making 33.50 and the other is making 33.50 with a pension full heath dental vision and annuity so really union is 50 and non union is more like 37.50 it’s a big difference it’s honestly on average probably a 40-60 percent differential

[@killa4915]

Not here in dc union workers make almost 20$ more than non union workers

[@ryanabbott1104]

Exactly

[@georgerafa5041]

Union pays Union dues but that still probably comes out with union ahead. Just dont pretend there's no downsides

[@oOFidel19Xx]

@@georgerafa5041but don’t all those dues go towards the union having all those good benefits? Whereas non unions workers might not get the same amount of benefit and pay. Without a union other employers would pay less and offer less benefits.

[@benjamintorres9211]

@@georgerafa5041union wages still outpay non-union most of the time even after dues

[@brysonpresley1108]

In union pipefitting at least if you can weld you get paid journeyman scale in your apprenticeship.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

👌

[@garystreet4260]

Same in the IUEC

[@oOFidel19Xx]

What about boilermaker union?

[@tweekendz]

@@oOFidel19Xx they all have fast track opportunities if you're an experienced welder already, either through apprenticeships or bootcamps. Bootcamps are shorter time wise, but you have to support yourself through them. I believe boilermaker boot camp is 6 weeks.

[@lsgsrob2102]

Start your own welding, electrician, plumbing etc… business. Better than any union or pension or any benefits. Not to mention you build something that’s your own.

[@thedonut2118]

That can be a goal but I’m pretty sure this video is talking about how best to learn those skills in the first place

[@kennydubois2700]

My whole life my goal has always been to work for myself and have my own business I always wanted to own my own trucking company so I got my cdl when I was 18 and started trucking and then covid hit and rates dropped to complete dirt and the price of fuel nowadays it’s really got me thinking about how it’s going to be almost impossible to successfully operate my own trucking company and now at 22 I’m looking into a welding program and then get into the welding field for a couple years and then start my own welding company because that is definitely a lot more doable than a trucking company in this economy. Sorry for the whole paragraph I just saw your comment and I completely agree and that is my life goal 🙂

[@lsgsrob2102]

@@kennydubois2700 love it! We live in the easiest time ever to make money. Just put in the work, sacrafice for a few years and it will pay off for the rest if your life. More than worth spending your life check to check because you might “get hit by a bus tomorrow”. I know people who’ve been living by that motto for decades and all they do is continue to complain and blame the system.

[@tylerjaime5094]

How you going to do that with no prior knowledge genius. This is about people trying to learn welding.

[@lsgsrob2102]

@@tylerjaime5094 exactly num nuts. Learn first then start your own thing. Are you dense?

[@unionmoney5601]

I’m glad you even brought this up you forgot to mention medical dental and vision insurance. In my local you get it as soon as you start and you and your family are covered. No out of pocket. UA local 469 till the wheels fall off.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

👌

[@Mr_Gray_1995]

Apprenticeships don’t rush the training. Plus, they might make less in the beginning, but once they’re a journeyman, it’s big bucks 💰 💰

[@marioalosangeles]

I prefer the non union route. Using my GI bill to pay for trade school.

[@Roaddog223]

Same here and I got a couple scholarships to cover housing too so my bah can cover my gas food and minor bills.

[@Roaddog223]

AWS has a $1k welder training scholarship it’s easy to apply on their website the deadline is November 30th

[@TheTimelessBeacon]

With the union, you can still use the post 9/11 for OJT

[@KBoogiie]

@@TheTimelessBeaconyes sir 1st year $48 package and $4900 a month from bah 💸

[@chilidoritos2866]

Same lol

[@user-gs5wo4zt8q]

At my local, apprentices can learn to weld on their time unless they want to turn out as a welder journeyman, you can make journeyman scale as an apprentice if you get certified through the union

[@user-cv8uw7ph9w]

Welding school makes you a badass welder in a booth. The other teaches you how to be a badass in the field

[@user-cr2rg5wc7g]

He has literally jus explained my Goal perfectly that's crazy

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Ayo

[@JP94.]

You can also talk to a company foreman and he might help you out and teach you how to weld

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Right

[@qqslp]

Sheet metal union... Such a fun career

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Nice

[@billygoat573]

SMART?

[@qqslp]

@@billygoat573 yes

[@billygoat573]

@@qqslp i go in for my interview next month. was it hard to get in ? how long did you wait

[@Omni-Presi]

Thanks for speaking on this. This just helped me see a way through.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@1Indig0]

My dad was a welder wanted me to go in the trade. Showed me how to stick weld with tungsten. He wanted me to get an apprenticeship and get the journeyman. Because it’s at that point your qualifications can give you opportunities for better positions. I know a guy who had somebody else paid for courses for welding and never even showed up or even tried. Sure. Sure wish I had some kind of opportunity like that.

[@user-fu3if6yn7g]

Been on both sides of the fence. There are pros and cons to both. Generally if your a member, unions are pretty good in terms of benefits and pay. Unfortunately that means it will cost employers and customers more. The tenure system benefits and protects older members but it can be unfair to newer members. No such issues in a non union work place. Also to put it bluntly there are a lot of popular dysfunctional assholes who would otherwise be unemployed without the protections of a union.

[@ENCAGED79]

I definitely agree with this. It’s all situational. Can you afford to go through an apprenticeship? Can you afford to pay for school on top of your bills? I luckily got into USW as a utility worker, worked every hour of available OT I could until a position in the trades opened up. It was a two year program that included 10, 40 hour modules of classroom/lab theory plus a 12-16 week course on welding. All based on what we do to keep a steel mill running. Ten years later, I’ve learned a lot, with still so much to learn. I’m grateful for the opportunity I received, but as I look back, I wish I had taken up a trade like welding on my own. You don’t realize how much money you can make and save with proper welding knowledge alone. Good luck to all the future welders and tradesmen out there! In a world wrapped around computers, our skills are needed more than ever and companies are paying more than ever to fill those positions.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Yessir

[@Northeastcaper]

My total package is worth 60 bucks a hour. They put $220 a week in my pension. I work 7-3 Monday to Friday every weekend off, unless I want double time. There’s so much good perks of having a union. The best one is the stronger the membership the more you can do

[@thomasdragosr.841]

IBEW apprenticeship is 5 years. Depending on the contract, you will receive a raise every 6 months, you will have health coverage after the first 6 months. By the time you top out you will be making close to journeyman's wages plus that retirement and health insurance. You also have the benefit of being able to go to any Union Hall in the US and go to work.

[@johnfulgham8876]

True. True. Go union ! Benefits, vacations, time off , pension when you're still young . Union!!

[@phillipborbon2059]

Actually, union members usually get paid higher, not always, but usually, especially at the end when you reach journeymen. When I worked in sheet metal, I had no training and low pay, and union members made a couple of dollars more with training.

[@Illuminatisevil]

A journeyman sheet metal worker in California makes 73 bucks an hour on the check. Whole package is like 130.🤑

[@TheRealSteveMay]

I'm a machinist and have worked in both union and non union shops. In the rust belt where I'm at I gotta say I hated my union job. It was seven days a week and a lot of that time was twelve hour days. Everything is based on seniority, not ability, which is great if you have a lot of seniority and not a lot of ability. I make a full six dollars an hour more at the shop I'm in now compared to my old USW job, and my benefits are identical. I didn't like the shop politics/drama that the union place had either. It's a shame because I do think apprenticeship is the best model for learning a trade job, but I wish there were more shops offering them without involving a union. A lot of the union guys are a bit strange too. They make the union and their trade their whole personality a lot of the time. It's very cultish. They don't all do it, but at least half of them do.

[@Dmowery5036]

I got on the apprenticeship for a local here. 6-7,000 hours until your a journeyman. 3-4 years they said. I was hired and was waiting 2 months and still no work, so I went elsewhere.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Oof

[@sivcis8675]

Well, I don’t know if you guys should make an update or not but this is absolutely horseshit depending on what union you join boilermakers or pipefitters I am a boilermaker myself so I can tell you that if you join apprenticeship and you can weld a heavy wall 6g tube Tig root 7018 fill and cap at a common arc You will start at 90% of journeyman scale which in my local is $42 hr, and no, it does not take a long time to get into the apprenticeship Max a month waiting period, also for those apprentices who want to finish the apprenticeship quicker you can finish the online courses and attend classes year one through four depending on how they are scheduled at your local and finish in 2 years. One other note to make all the certifications you get at a trade school do not matter in the union and you will have to retest for everything they can only count towards your apprenticeship hours.

[@MD-sg4oc]

Outside of the pension/retirement, unions provide great health benefits that other small shops can’t compete with. Also typically union job sites will have a little more priority of safety standards. This is just from my perspective after being on both sides.

[@bobrat]

Union pays you to learn, trade school is $10 grand for a 2 year associate degree. Union starts you at 55% full wage and you get a 12% raise every year for 4 years. You do get top notch benefits after your 90 day probation. 95-5 health insurance great for a working family. I'm making what I took home when I was working. as a retired Union Journeyman With free health care.

[@jtiz3112]

Apprenticeship is the way to go. You’ll be learning everything and SAFETY! Unions have trade schools also

[@treypelham5515]

Go to the trade school, being free is worth it.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

That's ultimately up to the person

[@injusticeanywherethreatens4810]

Honestly... It is up to the person... Different strokes for different folks. Personally I prefer union since those massive employers cant stiff you when it comes to pay and benefits.

[@Tom-og7fi]

Trade school is definitely not free.

[@user-ce3bo6gu3s]

I just started my second year apprenticeship. And im looking forward to learning in a class of my peers without paying for it. Plus I get on the job training. Benefits and a retirement plan. Im a tin knocker. And plan to be the rest of my life.

[@jo-eo4fr]

A college is doing a program where I can learn welding while in highschool. I will be an apprentice for 300 hours split into apprentice 1$2 over 6 hours per day. So I'll apprentice for a little under 2 months. Then I learn smaw for another 300. Then be a welder for 450 hours. I say that's good.

[@luisarashirovideo]

I think it all comes down to what you want with your life, you want to be a employee all your life and care more about job security then union is your path. Trade school is more independent and there’s no roof, you can even build a company. Union no, you leave the union you loose all the benefits. As an independent you’ll always work for yourself but it’s also harder than being an employee no matter what profession you have, from welders to engineers it’s a path of life.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Definitely boils down to what you want

[@ponraul1221]

If you're a non-union employee you'll most likely lose all the benefits anyway too.

[@DK-nt1nn]

There are alot of cons working for the union. Unions are a cult. Union people are laid-off alot. Journeymen in local 1044 are assholes. Everything is a popularity contest. How much a person works isn't based on effort. If you work in town, you'll be sitting in traffic 20hrs a week minimum. Health insurance is based on hours worked. If you don't work the minimum allotment of hours, you don't qualify for insurance. Sounds great, right? My advice is to get your trade knowledge young, then open your own shop. You DON'T need a union to be successful or have a nice nest egg for retirement. If you install 2 shower enclosures a day. You'll profit $5000 a week.

[@SkyWalker33-sg1mh]

That’s a 🤔🤔🤔pretty unfair comparison Just know this ….tech school test then Job . Same place every day for the next 20-30 something yrs Union:::LARGE jobs Sister/Brotherhood nationwide for Life Quality EVERY time work .Again☝🏽QUALITY. Not bound to one company, and get to travel whenever you’re ready 👌🏽 If you are young and serious about your craft of interest I recommend BOTH!!! Both have cons and pros that don’t necessarily make one better than the other , but offer the opportunity for you to MASTER your craft at different levels of comprehension

[@philosophicalwelder]

Boilermakers NEED people.

[@mikethemechanic7395]

Diesel mechanic here. First shop was union. I was 25. You had to be age 45 and up for the weekends off. 52 and up for summertime vacation. 62 and up for all of the overtime. 63 plus to get any holiday off. I was making 60 percent of the journeyman and paying the same dues and insurance. I was eating ramen while the old farts took all of the overtime and buying new HD motorcycles and 5th wheel trailers. F that.

[@TheRealSteveMay]

Yep, in a lot of ways being in the union feels like you're working for your union "brothers" with seniority as much as for the company if not more.

[@tweekendz]

In my experience the most common and available welding jobs are paying the same or less than an apprenticeship. The most common form of welding is in factories and depending on your area they start between $18-$25/hr. The big welding apprenticeships (ironworker, boilermaker, steamfitter) all start in that range or higher for apprenticeships and you're guaranteed regular pay raises. I know guys who started the same time outside of union and may have started making more, but are making less 5 years later than the new journeyman. Especially if you consider non-union hourly isn't their take home. But again it depends on your area and specific area of welding you're doing.

[@stylex19]

This is very useful information for someone who's 56 years old and new to the industry.

[@zakiabdalle2195]

😢😅😂😂😂😂🎉

[@user-is2pe8nt7t]

Apprenticeship aint even a choice and I'm 22.Nobody wont take an old man like you as an apprentice you have no choice

[@stylex19]

@user-is2pe8nt7t That's what I'm saying. I have no delusions or desperation for just another job in the industry. I design and manufacture specialized athletic equipment. I used to think about getting in as an apprentice somewhere just to get industry experience, but don't need that because working for someone else for 20 years, or even 5 years, is not part of my agenda. Be well in what you do for you.

[@ponraul1221]

Not all the time, but MOST of the time, if you aren't in a union your employer will low-ball you. If you want to maintain at least a bit of your dignity, join a union if given the opportunity.

[@iamcancer3298]

Let's not forget that a union is going to pick seniority over skill and effort.

[@markmcilrath9530]

Not true

[@caleb2507]

20-30 years in 1 area, aka Union (good pay, benefits, opportunities, and retirement. OR… work for someone else until you get your own business going (short term may suck and take a while to build but can be done if you’re smart with it). You’ll make far more money and be free to retire whenever you want if that’s your goal. Self starter- apprenticeship Want to be a Mr./ Mrs. Jones- Union Both are good. Personality and goals make the difference.

[@ryanabbott1104]

Union apprentices most everywhere start out at 50-60% of journeyman scale. Most places get a 10% bump every 6 months until you’re at scale. You earn your pension and benefits while an apprentice. It’s pretty common in the Union to retire early with a good monthly check and a million or more in your annuity/pension. Live better, work union. If anyone wants info, PM me.

[@setosbagofgoodies995]

is that as an electrician or hvac?

[@ryanabbott1104]

@@setosbagofgoodies995 I’m an Operating Engineer (cranes), but our apprenticeship is set to similar to electrical and HVAC. Typical apprenticeships are 3-5 years.

[@donaldcurtis9229]

I went to a vocational school in high school.For I got into Union went to class for 3 weeks.Instructor call the business engineer and said this kid.Don't belong here, send him to work. I was in apprentice ten months

[@user-bs1em3wk2i]

Unions are good, but the sad thing about it is your laid off a lot more! You do want a better wage with the union and you do get retirement benefits, but you’re only allowed to work only union jobs! I’ve had family members work in the union and there were sometimes they were out of work six months at a time

[@user-oo2st5be3y]

I went to a trade school 10 yrs later I am applying for union. I have connections and hard headed. Each option is great if you can get in union go. Especially in 2024.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bear1830]

How tf do you even join a union ffs? I applied to 10 different unions and I’ve yet to hear back from any of them, oh that’s right you got know somebody lmao.

[@terrytreadway9645]

Green with Trey Pelham....stay free. I was Union for long time, there is good and bad, but if you do Trade School and start your own network where you all stay in touch, communicate good/bad on shops/jobs, spread word on network. After a bit, when contractors/companies realize you and your network can help man jobs with less cost and less politics they will call you first! Voice of experience Brothers. And this trade school, and this man in video is straight up! Gotta say I will recommend them to any young person who needs direction, a good paying trade, and a good place to start learning good stuff and pitfalls, things to watch for. Get permission after you graduate to return as guest speaker, build your network!

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Good tips!

[@whiteboy6052]

Pov hes actually 18

[@aaaacr9595]

Apprenticeship is better because you’re going to school and work at the same time. School for a week, work a good 6 months, then school again etc. if you do trade school you go to a job without any hands on experience. I can go on and on but yeah to each their own

[@garrettstephens91]

It also depends upon the trade too. Welding is different. Plumbing, Electrician, and HVAC in my state require by law a mimimum of 4 years of on-the-job apprenticeship plus minimum 576 hours of schooling for each of those, so going through a Union Apprenticeship is not far off from going to a non-union trade school. Welding may only be 24 weeks, but not all trades are like that.

[@pati8142]

Ironworker for 37 years, started out as a punk, had a lot of great JIW show me how to do the work properly and safely, retired at 55, with a great pension and fun memories…

[@qbanz00]

Are we talking retired with enough to finish out your bucket list and never have to work again ?

[@pati8142]

@@qbanz00 been retired for 7 years and have more then I need and travel and enjoying life without working…

[@moblack5883]

@@qbanz00 right because just saying a pension means nothing. All pensions are not created equally.

[@Tarsibu]

Union jobs guarantee that you’re not going to get fucked over. They also guarantee a pay that is better than your local mcdonalds and good quality benefits.

[@ponraul1221]

Yeah, I got stuck as an non-union electrical apprentice for 2.5 years at $15 with zero benefits.

[@adamselby8024]

Go to the trade school. Learn what you need. Then just pay your way in to the union. need to find a union employer first who will hire you. And when your filling your union paperwork out, that employer will just call looking for guy just like you

[@fastfowardbutton1965]

How do you find a union employer?

[@adamselby8024]

Look for companies in your trade that hire union.

[@geoffreydavis9019]

Not true!!!! Unions require you to go to their specific training school before even starting an apretiship they won’t except your trade school trust me been there!!

[@adamselby8024]

Well I can attest your are wrong. I never went to an apprenticeship. And I’m in the 701. Went from 21 an hour to 50 over night. So did 90% of people I work with. It’s who you know normally

[@adamselby8024]

Well I can attest your are wrong. I never went to an apprenticeship. And I’m in the 701. Went from 21 an hour to 50 over night. So did 90% of people I work with. It’s who you know normally

[@danichicago9140]

Ive seen 597 guys with Rolls-Royces. Not a joke. Bad Boy Brown had one in the 80s.

[@tdobson888]

The apprenticeship has no upfront cost so in the end of the day it's basically even for the 1st 2 years then the next 3 years plus you are going to be much further ahead because the union is going to pay more than non union and the retirement is much better

[@michaelperry407]

Trade school cost you money with no commitment union gives good benefits with huge commitment

[@joelwelder4364]

Stay in your lane, you earn while you are learning duing union apprenticeship. you learn the right way instead of the fast way while earning respect and paying your dues. Apprentices also learn other parts of the trade instead of being one trick pony primadonna welders. They also come out as certified rigger, licensed plumbers/ steamfitters and state certified welders. Not to mention they are paying into their pensions and annuities.

[@miketattersall3234]

The union is the best thing if you're not educated

[@juliosandoval8244]

Id go with the union my buddy makes $100hr makes 170k a year

[@lluviatibia8722]

i’ve never heard of the union is that a thing in puerto rico?

[@OverLeveragedTrader]

I’m a union boilermaker I love it

[@casesully50]

Anyone who sees this. Be an apprentice. The skill level is night and day.

[@FirefighterCampbellNWFD]

I know this is old now but I work for the union as a diesel mechanic in public transportation for my city. The hardest part of my job is driving 20 minutes to work……. that’s literally all. I get paid to pretty much sit on my ass lol. I’m still very new to it but apparently that’s how it is.

[@ricotrillfiger7324]

How’s it going as of right now if you don’t mind updating

[@FirefighterCampbellNWFD]

@@ricotrillfiger7324 Yea absolutely. I ended up leaving about a month ago to pursue something new. The main reason being that I got tired of literally just not doing anything. I was only there “just incase” they needed me I feel like but thank goodness I was getting paid! To most, that’s the dream job right there but I’m a very active person and I like to be on the move. I would also like to add that they were not happy that I would sit for a 10 hour shift playing in my phone… I expressed my anger towards management that I am getting treated very disrespected for something that is out of my control because of them! There is more to this if ya care to know. Nonetheless, I like to think that it has nothing to do with the union but the company itself. I’d highly recommend joining a union. Great benefits, pay and job security, my experience sucked unfortunately. Because of all the free time I had, I decided to go back to school to earn my degree in fire science, I got hired on as a volunteer firefighter and start EMT school in May!

[@bryanm961]

Im 17 gratuated a year early what would yall recommend on me doing I was told to join the IBEW union as a apprentice or go to trade school.

[@johnwright6706]

Most apprenticeships have progressive wage, each year you earn a higher wage, it caps at like 80-90% until you journey out. However, most locals if an apprentice is a certified welder and he goes out as a welder, he will make full scale.

[@masonwilliams2653]

If I had to guess, I would say this guy is affiliated with a trade school.

[@keevisgoat6394]

The union job is better in every wayfor any job - non union

[@frankthetank1032]

This is way off. I knew non union welders making $25 an hour with years of experience. It should only take you a year to get that union. And then far exceeding that shortly after with way better benefits. I’ll admit that I’m bias because I was non union for four years before being union for 7 years. So I know the difference.

[@alimacias3904]

I’m going on my third month as an apprentice for plumbing starting at $26 an hr

[@thehostwiththemost5516]

Im working on my D1.1 flux core at a company that hired me to help until I pass. After that Ill go from 19 to 22/hr

[@danielsanchez4414]

Union carpenter here. I take classes every time i get the opportunity, and it's all free knowledge from people who have been in the field.

[@cdh2187]

Apprenticeship teaches you on the job training the right way through a 4 to 5 year on the job training. You don’t get the same OTJ in a trades school in a classroom/booth in 24 months. Big difference. You gain the experience through apprenticeship and earn being a journeyman. Instead of a green horn bad ass booth welder.

[@deanreinke1148]

We have union apprentices who have completed in four years.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

👌

[@peteeny1265]

If you dont get into apprenticeship , I’ll say picking up a non-union jobs is much better than going through trade school, Another thing too is once you get your journeyman license you usually could organize into the union as a journeyman

[@jessefpv9217]

Sooooo???? Trade School or Union?

[@Arikscore]

The "union way" is the way it works for every apprentice in canada. Any "red seal" trade is 4 years

[@Arikscore]

The difference between union/non u in canada is your compensation package on average is bigger(once you qualify)

[@ponraul1221]

Yeah, you get the 8 weeks of rushed yearly schooling, but zero guaranteed benefits of a union. I know first hand.

[@youknowkbbaby]

Sounds like there is no labor shortage.

[@joeyjordan1209]

Union apprentice start about 50% journeyman pay and get a raise every 6 months until they reach journeyman payscale.. most all trades in the union work like this

[@brianc9374]

I'm very critical of unions, but even with that....I will say a union tradesman is quite well trained in his craft.

[@frankreinhardt441]

A union apprenticeship, you get paid while learning, you get a raise every 6 months for 5 years.

[@MemeRider]

The Gospel! Jesus Christ loves you and died, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven to pay for your sin! Repent and turn to Him and you will walk in light and be saved. Read the book of John and Luke to see God's love for you!

[@codyreber8370]

This isn't the same for most unions. I make more than double the non union workers in my field. I also get 2-7% on top of my wage for my retirement.

[@gasphynx]

Can youndo both? Start with trade school then get an apprenticeship with some credit?

[@jesuscarreon6328]

Speaking from a non union person who changed to union I did the apprenticeship program it was completely free they taught me everything that I actually need to learn ON THE JOB reall life training and learned with in my 1 st year I was so dedicated and help from my lord Jesus Christ I got my welding certs and on my second year I was so good at welding and my BA keep receiving calls for me to go to work to the point they graduated me early and know making 34-125 plus benifits

[@jesuscarreon6328]

Debt free by the way don’t need to spend the 30 or 20 k in trade school

[@craigfinno551]

U dont need to know someone to get in the union. You get paid during apprenticeship get benefits. Nothing beats on the job training

[@activ3measur3s20]

Just because you went to trade school, doesn’t mean you can’t join the union. Trade school is a stepping stone to get into the union. 1/4 of the guys in my apprenticeship class, alone, attended trade school first.

[@Cowboybutter533]

Hey, I was just wondering I a starter and welding and I’m 14 turning 15 and I do stick welding but every time I weld, I make deep deep holes in my welds can you maybe give me some advice on how to stop that?

[@ponraul1221]

Probably don't crank it up so high, you're going way too slow, or you can't see what you're doing lol

[@darianwj9012]

I’m 26 went into job corps to lean heavy equipment after I finished I was sent to locals 3 Rancho Marietta training program going the apprenticeship ship route was smart in my opinion job corps is corny but without them I’d still be on the waiting list to get in I had to put up with bull shit but it was worth it in the long run

[@shelbycarow7707]

Just hecause your a "journeyman" in non union does not mean youre making good money. I was making almost the same as a non union forman at the end of my 2nd year of apprenticeship AND had better benefits. Union is better.

[@crush9197]

I’m at the point where I’ll rather pay for school especially if they can work around my work days. That way I’ll be able to afford school and afford to live at the same time while studying and working for a better future for me and my family. I’ll rather not take a pay cut and be forced to travel to a city that is more then an hour away from my home in order to learn the trade is not for me. I’ll rather pay and learn the trade in less time and at the time that works best for me.

[@lilly7057]

Trade school I'm going to has a partnership with my highschool so this year I'll be at school and after lunch i go to trade school for welding classes

[@Squig911]

Not to mention your insurance. Your total package working union through the apprenticeship is worth more than you will make working non-union.

[@luisestevez4854]

The Union mafia is the way. Like he said, you gotta know someone who knows someone though. Always competing with relatives and friends of Union members so is hard to get in. Forget about Locals open recruitment season, they just need to pay their head office overhead expenses, secretaries and administrative staff so they collect that money out of the hopeful suckers paying the math and english comprehension non refundable tests fees. Good luck everybody.

[@RedArrow808]

If you have a wife you love, journeyman is not the way to go at least out of state