Why Millennials AREN'T Going Into The Trades | Told By A Millennial

The younger generations must come back to the trades for the future of the country. In this video I go over the reasons I believe Millennials + Gen Z aren't going into the trades and how they can get jobs in which every trade they would like with high pay, great benefits and a good work/life balance.

[@ssg8051]

This is an excellent video to share along with your great insights. I was someone who always knew I wanted to go to college: For the experience, the education, and with the plan to make a better future for myself. It paid off tremendously on all counts. However, and as you state, it's not for everyone. Also as you state, there is high value in all trades, especially now. I'm with you about having a work ethic. It matters now more than ever. Things can't get done if no one cares or has follow through. Thank you for taking the time to share your very practical/common sense observations. Cheers, Ardith

[@jeffshackleford3152]

Where is the high pay?

[@nicholasevans9627]

There's a lot of toxic culture in the trades. I've seen a lot of dudes get bullied into quitting. And these were dudes that were eager to learn.

[@Thelazybaboon-kn3dc]

I commented the same thing. The OP actually responded to my comment saying something essentially to the effect of well that sounds like a personal problem, it never happened to me

[@419chris419]

​@@Thelazybaboon-kn3dc you are lucky

[@Kawhisexual]

I am currently being bullied out of quitting trade school bahaha Its batshit insane just how personal these godforsaken people get when their actions don't even help their cause

[@nicholasevans9627]

@@Kawhisexual So I work in the fire sprinkler field. It's part of construction. However I am in the service side of the field. Meaning we do repairs and inspections. 8 months ago, while doing an inspection, I found several sprinkler heads that weren't compliant with fire sprinkler code. They basically had to be replaced. This creates money for the company if the building owner wishes to use us to correct the problem. One of the sprinkler heads that I reported was going to be a tough repair. It was just in a "tight spot", but it still needed to come out. One of the guys within my company that was sent out to do the repair, was pissed that he had this hard repair. Guy was convinced that I deliberately set him up to look bad. So for 3 months this guy started a smear campaign against me to make me look bad to management. Keep in mind, in all of this. That guy never fixed the deficient sprinkler head. He just wanted an easy job to do for that day. He basically lied to the building owner about the sprinkler head being okay and that it didn't need to be replaced just to get out of a difficult repair.

[@Kawhisexual]

@@nicholasevans9627 thank you for sharing your experience.. its just really funny how the personnel in the trade industry goes out of their way to kick out people who care and are eager to do right things and they turn around and complain about how they don't have enough skilled people.. its just so ironic

[@DK5TY]

Trade unions are hard to get into also you usually have to know someone to get in. I tried back in 2017 and they told me there was 4 year wait in my area for any apprentice. Which is surprising when all you hear on the news is we don't have enough people in the trades. I had experience in framing, drywalling and fences/decks.

[@rustym.shackelford5546]

The Trades: "WE ARE DYYYYYYYYYYYIIIIIIIIIINNNGGGGG!!!!!!!11111!!!" Also The Trades: "4 year wait pwetty pwease"

[@Managementsheltontactical]

Worked my ass off for a small construction company of 3 dudes, was the gopher, 128lb 5’5 tiny man carrying floor Joyce’s and cinder blocks all day. The bullying was quite frankly to the point where I was about to do something that would have me in prison if I didn’t leave, the pay was 12$ an hour, and I was a 1099. The trades suck ass even my boss said I was the hardest working 18 year old he’s ever seen and still treated me like shit. 7 months in I left, now work a sales job making 150k a year, the money is in sales work.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

I hear a good amount of stories like yours. Sorry you had that experience in the trades. Heard many horror stories in sales as well. I tried to point people towards a skilled trade rather then general construction.

[@Managementsheltontactical]

@@ThePasturedHomestead sales has been amazing, I don’t care if I deal with angry people at a door, I never see them again. But getting yelled at all day actually makes me work worse not better because I’m just worried about getting yelled at and not the work 🤣 get to meet lots of types of people and actually bring in enough money for the company to where I am not treated like a resource or a replaceable, not for everyone you gotta be a bit hoohoo to do a good job as it is a bit manipulative and requires a ton of ambition and people skills. Still I miss putting siding up that actually was so fun.

[@Managementsheltontactical]

Also run a side hustle which is what my KZbin account is for! Side hustles are more for fun than money though.

[@burntrubber7458]

*joists

[@joekillah3002]

@@Managementsheltontactical The worst part about the trades is we have to do sales and hard manual labor. Im a polite and well spoken journeyman electrician and all of my customers are stingy and disrespectful. If i said no to their lowballing i lose the work and dont eat. My mom pulls probably 100-150k a year selling high end furniture in a nice air-conditioned building stocked with an espresso machine, drinks, and frequently catered lunches. I told her i have to do her job on top of my own job while getting paid significantly less. I also asked " how would you feel if after you made the sale on that $2000 couch you had to speed down to the warehouse, disassemble it, load it up, and move it three floors up in the customers mansion without damaging anything?". The guys doing it are paid 15-20 an hour.

[@Oleeo-eu8zq]

One word. Wages

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

I made more money in the trades than most people I know. Wages are great, just have to be a hard worker work good wages. Also can’t settle for crappy jobs with crappy wages.

[@handlesrstupid123]

​@@ThePasturedHomesteadarent we jist so special work for a year making $13 an hour and comeback and say that

[@kevingilbert6242]

Great message! I grew up in the auto collision repair business, I worked in the industry for fifteen years and then taught it for twenty seven years. Hundreds of my students went into the industry. I retired six years ago and I now homestead. And because my dad instilled in me "never pay someone to do what you can easily do". I've taught myself to garden, raise animals for meat, eggs, and milk. Learned to to make cheese and soap from my goat milk. Along with that you have to learn to do things around your property like carpentry, plumbing and electrical as well as landscaping. I've literally learned more in the last eight years than I did the previous twenty.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Homesteading is a great thing. You have to be “everybody” to get the job done. Great for teaching kids too! I told ashlyn “we are buying lots of land so we never get old on the couch” lol

[@AAAdawg1]

Talk to successful blue collar workers who are older than 50 or so and you will find that the vast majority of them did something similar to this....they worked in their trade until they were 40 or so and then had to find a way to use that experience outside of doing the work to earn a living....because it is simply too physically demanding and employers simply will not hire or retain older workers in the trades. It works out great for the few who can parlay their experience into another career path like teaching but those positions are few and far between meanwhile many tradesmen too old to do the work are not few and far between

[@jimyoung9262]

Well said. A friend of mine took over the HVAC company his father started and recognized what he had. He always says, "People look down on the trades, but without them they'd be living in a hot, dark house crapping in buckets."

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

HAHA, yes they would!

[@AmirShafeek]

I don't think people look Down on tradesmen. I think people realize that there's easier ways to make more money

[@OanaTheMeerkat]

I will speak about the trades in my country. Here it seldom pays a good salary. The work is hard and sometimes backbreaking with a lot of heath issues as you get older (I've seen 65 year olds in office jobs, but never in trade jobs). You also have more chances of getting a crappy boss/employer and colleagues who, not only will not teach your or help you, but they'd also let you make mistakes just to see you getting fired. Trades are only good if you: 1) learn a few tricks and go abroad 2) do freelancing while also having the job (and stealing some of the clients from your trade company)

[@Toastcat890]

Yep my uncle worked a trade job ow at 60 he's in constant pain and on med for it's not worth it in the long run

[@coldspring624]

You are correct. In the trades if you apply yourself you can excel at a very fast rate. You also are around other trades and that has many benefits in the long run. When a man balances his mind and hands he can go along ways and is less dependent on others.

[@richardspillers6282]

They don't pay enough to eat.

[@DK-nt1nn]

I'm glad that young man had a good experience in the trades. My experience was the complete opposite. I owned a business, but hard times forced me to pivot. At the advice of a relative, I joined the glazier trade. I worked hard, was punctual, and eager to learn. Unfortunately, most of the guys in the trades are pos. They're more interested in being an asshole than getting the work done. After a couple of years of that nonsense, I pivoted again. This time, I made the right choice. I now work in the aerospace industry. At my new career, the pendulum swung in the opposite direction. My co-workers are educated and eager to teach new hires. I no longer work with toxic people in a toxic environment. I love it.

[@betsytoth7470]

You are so right! Around us there are not many schools that have vocational training. The push is to go to college or be good at sports and get scholarships to college. My brother still farms the family farm in Pennsylvania, but there isn't anyone to take it over. My son is a general contractor at 31 that not only builds and renovates houses, apartments and farms and can also do tree work. He has moved to South Carolina to his fiancee's beef and horse farm. The one thing about going into trades is there are always jobs. Thank you! Hopefully young people heed your advice! You are very mature and practical for your generation!

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

It sounds like you’ve done a fine job with your son! I hope the family farm stays in the family. We need more small farmers in this country 🤞

[@tenniswithhenry572]

Thank you. This video means a lot to me.

[@Christian-jx3nx]

Great video! It all started with having a good foundation. 😊

[@authenticallyamber99]

Excellent perspective and spot on!! You’re very wise for your young age. God bless you for sharing your journey with us!

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

You are so welcome

[@MrsGigi]

Great video thank you for sharing some great advice.

[@Denum-]

Bad advice. The profit you made working dawn until dusk was better then what I'm getting the SAME thing. Profit margins have been decreasing forever. Why the hell do you think so few companies are taking apprentices?

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Actually it’s great advice. There’s two types of tradesmen. Those that show up and go home and those that show up to learn, grow, and strive for greatness, then go home. Doesn’t matter what kind of economy exists, the guy that wants to show up and go home isn’t going to be successful. You sound like that kind of guy. I made 120k a year working for a company from 8-4, 5 days a week while some guys made $40k a year putting in the same amount of time. The only person at fault is the one not working hard, expanding their knowledge and striving for greatness. Some guys like to complain about the world and others like to grip the world by the horns and succeed.

[@Denum-]

@@ThePasturedHomestead 🤣 I own the company, and I work close to 70 hours a week in the busy season and will move 35ish grand in materials a month on average by myself. There's a reason trades are dying. The replacement ratio is 7:1 in the USA. The wages are shit outside of union and large cities. You can grab all the horns you want. If you can't find quality employees you're just as stuck as the next schmuck.

[@silverking00]

Keep it up !! Great video !!

[@scarface2045]

Great video man

[@brandip2446]

Thanks for sharing this, my son is 17 and is worried about what he wants to do. But like you said his dad's side the family is all about university and college being the only way to success. But I keep telling him that if he wants trades you can be trained for a quarter of the price and the starting pay is well above what some college level careers pay. This is a great perspective, for our young people!!!!

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Absolutely! Learning the trades is free! Just have to go apply for a job and everyone is hiring. Best of luck to your son!

[@grandmasfavorites]

Excellent advice.

[@russse2793]

Very, very refreshing. Fixing up your little slice of heaven, and raising your own animals, love it. God bless you and your family.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you! We still have a long journey ahead of us!

[@ddharv]

Great advice! You are a very mature and practical thinking twenty-six year old. All trades are in high demand where we live. Unfortunately many, thankfully not all, members of the younger generations don’t want to do manual labor. We have five grandsons, no granddaughters, and we will be sharing this video with them. Also, I want to let you know that we will continue following you and Ashlyn on your journey. We have watched all the videos you’ve created thus far. Wishing you all the best in life! Dave and Lin Harvey

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you so much Dave and Lin! What a wonderful comment. I hope I can help inspire your grandsons to get into a trade if that’s the route that they want to take. They have really improved my life and opened up a world of opportunities! I hope you enjoy any future videos, thank you for watching 😃

[@jeffshackleford3152]

Tell them to go to college and be a PM if they want to be in trades.

[@rustym.shackelford5546]

Me - A NCCER Certified Welder: "Hey, I just applied to this position, when can I start?" Welding shops I applied to: ***LITERAL CRICKETS***

[@labwuh]

I don't know you but I'm so proud of you guys...

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you so much, that means a lot!

[@danielturetahi2384]

Yes your so right Zac it's happening here in Australia as well there's not enough tradies around and we are making good money

[@benburns5995]

Hi Zach, great video about the Gen Z and Millennials. Can definitely tell that you are very hard worker and really put your heart and soul into what you are doing. I think a lot of young people today want to be able to work on a computer, as so many commercials on KZbin now promote, they don't want to have to work hard. Along with starting out working at an early age, working a trade, you gained so much great experience, that has benefited you greatly in building your own home. Sorry to hear that your father passed away. With you being only 26 he must have died fairly young.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you! Learning a trade has so much value in todays world!

[@marciannaprice1882]

Amen! I encouraged all for of my children to go to trade schools. Both of my boys are roofers, plumbers, construction..they are in their 30's. Both my girls are nurses.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

It sounds like you have done a fine job!

[@marciannaprice1882]

@@ThePasturedHomestead thank you

[@marciannaprice1882]

@@ThePasturedHomestead and my oldest daughter & youngest son are homesteaders

[@jefferymullins42]

Your a great young man with a head on your shoulders. Ambition in success in anything you do is key.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you very much!

[@billcampbell2943]

Totally agree. U are a smart young man who has it all together

[@SuperAbcdabcdabcdabc]

Oh my you are so correct. Here in PEI Canada the trades are in a great demand. In my family we have 3 electrons. I enjoy your intelligent videos. Thank you.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

It seems to be in high demand everywhere! I wish I knew more about electrical but I've learned a lot running it in the house. We will see you in the next one!

[@BarbaraMcLamb]

I so agree. How would any of us survive without the trades?

[@mattm9619]

Sorry man the statistics don't match the incomes you are shooting out there for wages the average plumber makes NO WHERE NEAR 200,000$ let alone 100,000$ year that is utter bs. If you are the owner of a decent sized plumbing company yeah but most plumbers don't own the company. Also to make money in the trades you HAVE to work a ton of OT that's when you actually make decent money. My friend made 80,000$ a year as an electrician running the entire job working 70 to 80 hours a week. Well guess what he burned out and now only works 40 hours a week and makes no where near that kind of money. Most trades afford you a very average middle class wage that's why nobody wants to go into them. Also most guys that work in the trades are pretty physically broke down by the time they retire. You are talking about people who OWN companies not the workers. If it were true that plumbers make 100,000 dollars a year people WOULD go into the trades. Look it up yourself the average wage for plumbers is like 50 to 60K which is average.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

I strongly disagree with you and hope no one sees your comment as truth. You must not have watched my video very closely. I said “that you could easily make upwards of $200k a year as a plumber, and most of the guys I worked with were making $100-120k a year with benefits/time off etc”. That’s too bad about your electrician buddy. I’ve worked with guys that made $50k a year while I was making $120k working for the same company. It all depends on your drive and the amount of effort you put into your job. If your buddy was making $80k a year working 70 hours a week that would be an hourly pay of around $23/hr. I’m sorry to say but your buddy needs to go get a different job, or start his own company. Also, when I owned my business I was grossing $500k a year, and profiting $250k a year by myself with one van. I’m telling you, if I can do it, anyone can. It all depends on how hard you want to work and how smart you are. My advice to anyone working an underpaid job is to go find a better one and if you can’t find a job that will make you more then start your own business. That’s the quickest way to being a millionaire 👍

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Also… my local plumbing union here in Kentucky is paying a two year journeyman plumber $56 an hour. That’s over 100k for someone that’s only done this for 2 years. All the local residential plumbing companies are paying $80-120k a year to start for two year journeyman plumbers.

[@mattm9619]

@@ThePasturedHomestead You can make any numbers you want. Yes UNION tradesmen make big money I'm not going to argue with you on that. Please do yourself a favor and look up the statistics in your state for what an average plumber makes in my state the average plumber makes 26 dollars an hour. The average master makes 37 dollars an hour. And that's OK but those are real numbers not these pie in the sky numbers your throwing out there. The union jobs in the trades are sweet no argument hear but most plumbers aren't lucky enough to land the union job. Also where I live the guys who own the plumbing companies say there business is really slow like repairs only nobody doing home improvements they aren't making 200k a year. Also they won't hire you as an apprentice here unless you've done trade school it is really really hard to find someone who will take you on as an apprentice off the street. Great for you that you have done so well but that's absolutely an exception as are those sweet union jobs. But advice for anyone in the trades get into Union absolutely like in the trades thats where the good money is. I live in a richer state then you In think you'll find the average pay for a plumber in your state is lower than here. Not to mention in the trades you work with a lot of alcoholic trumptards for real thats my friend who is a commercial electrician's biggest complaint. Ok he makes 60 a year 30 an hour which is decent but no fan of his co workers. Your looking at this from only your situation and point of view. Look up the real numbers the trades are very middle class jobs. Is the pay trending upward absolutely. But I looked the NUMBERS up I didn't make them up or use only the highest paying example like your doing.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

@@mattm9619 what state do you live in?

[@mattm9619]

@@ThePasturedHomestead CT and we are not enjoying the housing boom that the southern states are so for the tradesmen business can be a struggle to come by at the moment. So for your state it says the average licensed plumber makes 23 an hour. But I believe you that companies are paying that much because it's really hard to find enough tradesmen in the places that are enjoying a housing boom. But facts are facts are for your state 23 an hour is the average. And as you know like most industries the trades really enjoy booms and there are are also busts. So when things are booming pay is good and OT is plentiful and when there is a bust your collecting unemployment. Like my buddy who is a commercial electrician is busy right now but residential can be challenging to find jobs and keep steady work coming in.

[@_Elijah_1979]

You have some old wisdom for a gen z person - your skills and trade look and sound like a person from gen x 💯

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you very much! I learned from my father, Grandfather, and uncles!

[@6gorks]

Two of my neighbors were plumbers and you are right, they make great incomes. Both owned their own businesses. One commercial & one residential. 6 years ago it cost $175 just to show up at the door before any labor or parts

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Its a great business to get into. I was very fortunate to have a succesful business in such a short amount of time!

[@khanscombe619]

That’s amazing. It is art. I’ve heard that from ppl b4. Driving past a big building & able to stop & say “ my hands helped make that”. Furthermore, I’d like to emphasise on “skilled” labor, not your Home Depot under the table. Learning codes & regulations & just get experience. U can grow into management or even owner operator. Good job bro!

[@nickryan3053]

I'm 52. My dad was in construction and told me not to go into it. You're correct in your assessment, but in my dad's day, wives weren't working jobs with health benefits. Nowadays, households have someone with benefits which allows for someone to be in a trade that doesn't provide benefits.

[@mariposavioleta9007]

I'm tail end of gen x and glad to see someone in your gen who has been taught well to have a good work ethic and not afraid to do some hard work like has to be in the trades. I worked in manufacturing and was a trainer and have seen both those who have good work ethic and those who didn't from your generation around your age. They got to a point that they'd switch some younger employees to my dept and have them train with me especially those in the cooperative education program. Some of them didn't have the knowledge that it could be a good job and thought they needed to go to college in order to make good money. Much of the basics that you were talking about I explained to them as well as thinking about if it was their business how would they want employees to work. Would they want employees who showed up and worked hard doing their best to do their part in their position or would they want employees who either didn't show up or showed up late and didn't want to do the job required? There were many of these student workers who the company was ready to let go but after training with me learning work ethic while making it fun we got more done which ended up having these students not only finish their school training to get their credits but ended up giving them a job after school. It's also a matter of pairing them up with people who might be a bit older than them but willing to train them being patient and showing them how great the job can be while teaching them how to do it.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

That is wonderful! It sounds like you are really making a difference!

[@garrettstephens91]

I agree with everything that you said except for the trade school bit. Some states require Apprentices to complete schooling AND work hours in order to become a Journeyman. My home state of Idaho is. The state of Idaho requires 576 hours of Schooling at a regionally accredited trade school (minimum) and 8000 hours of working hours in said field (minimum) in order to become a Journeyman. States like California don't have the schooling requirement, you can simply work for a shop for four years, and then you're a Journeyman. Each state is different. Also if people go the Union route, schooling is required there.

[@dantolen3969]

5 years as a carpenter. I started late at age 28 after having worked dead-end jobs. Now I get good money to build beautiful things out of trees all day. It's peaceful and I'm proud of what I do.

[@heatherj3030]

I agree with almost everything you said. My dad just retired from a lifetime of carpentry and then as a business owner building cold storage units for table grapes. He started out union then went non union pretty early in his career. My husband has been a union pipefitter for the last 25 years. It didn't cost him anything to go through the union. He got paid to work right away as a first year apprentice, and went to night school a couple nights a week for free. The benefit that he has is a paid for retirement, vacation and medical. The detrimental aspects of being union is that you can't take non union jobs on your own. My dad had much more flexibility in that aspect. Now, we have a 17 year old son who I honestly think would do better as tradesmen than going to college, knowinghis strengthsand weaknesses. Your video was really helpful to me, on looking at it from a perspective of a younger person in the workforce today. Of course it's my son's decision, but I plan on sharing your video with him. There is just so much pressure on teens to go to college today. I really appreciate your point of view. Thank you!

[@bootstrapstylerich]

Absolutely a great video championing the TRADES! Got to learn to put your head down and grind as well as learning how to invest a 20% portion of your monthly savings! I think trade school is good/needed for electricians and HVAC as a headstart in the job market = a plumber can learn on the job!

[@nineseven420empire3]

The trades has SUCKED my whole live....................

[@user-cz9jj2em2v]

why though?

[@ronaldlucas5360]

Interesting video

[@AAAdawg1]

The reason no one wants to go into the trades is a pure economic issue. The money simply isn't that good. I know it seems great but in a 54 year career (from 18-72) the ages earned will not be what the wages earned in a career with a similar amount of training and experience will be because the trades do not want you past the age of 45 or so when other industries actually start paying top dollar. For every electrician who is still earning a good living at 55 in the trade, working with their tools and not in management, there are 1000 who worked in the trade until they were about 35 or so and their body started to slow down and suddenly contractors wanted nothing to do with them. Working in the trades is a great way to earn a living between the ages of 18 and 50, if you're lucky and don't get hurt on the job or have some health issues but what are you going to do from 50-67 or 72 and retirement age? You are going to grow old and bitter if youre not able to go into management or parlay your experience and knowledge into a less physically demanding career. Wages have not kept up with demand, period, that is why there is a shortage of tradesmen. Wages have failed to keep up with demand because the industry has no use for most people after age 50 or so when they are at the top of the earning potential because they are no longer able to do the demanding work. If you going to gamble at 18 on a being able to earn a living beyond age 50 the trades are a LOUSY option.....they are far better from 18-50 than just about any career but the drop off when the body starts to slow down, and it will, is dramatic and very devastating. Not everyone is going to make it working for themselves....in fact almost no one who goes into the trades will. The math is there....

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

I’m not sure where you get these stats that you’re referring to or if maybe this was your experience in the trades. Anybody over 50 who doesn’t seem “fit” to do the job planned poorly for their career. There are so many options for someone that’s “slowing down” at an older age. You can be an instructor, project manager, branch manager, business owner, and inspector. I worked right along side guys 50-65 who kept up with me no problems. Maybe not as fast or flexible but they did a great job. Some of those guys were content staying as a worker and others worked their way up to management. You are generalizing and taking a small portion of people who didn’t plan out their career and got left on the back burner when their body failed them. I worked as a plumber for 7 years and finally decided to start my own business. My uncle worked for a company for 10 years and eventually because a project manager for 10 years, and eventually started his own successful business. My other uncle work construction his whole life, led crews, invested his money into a construction product and now doesn’t have to work. My grandpa worked at Boeing, decided to start a construction business and retired from that business to start building laundromats and storage centers. My point is that no job will give you success if you stay stagnant. Some of the population will never work their way up and will never plan our their career, that’s not the trades fault, that’s their fault. If you get into the trades, learn the skills, plan a career, you will be very successful and happy. I know because all the people above did it, and so did I. We are normal people who planned out a career. Like my grandpa always says “you better make a plan”.

[@awesomesurfer6358]

I'm not sure of a job that enjoys hiring people over 50 when they can get a 20 year old. How many programmers, scientists, doctors, start at 55?

[@annequiring5652]

My son is in retail management and I wish he would explore a trade because I know he would make much more money and enjoy it more than what he is doing now. It would suit his personality better. My oldest daughter is a teacher and loves it. my youngest daughter is a PA , also loves it but has a boatload of student debt. I am proud of how hard they work but would be just as proud if they had gone into a trade.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

If I could recommend a trade, it would be electrical! It’s very fascinating a technical. It’s also not very dirty, compared to being a plumber 😂

[@robertmiddleton1227]

Hey I appreciate your video I think it's great I was in the trades I was a Florence dollar did a lot of work at Microsoft Then I went to be a driver and got hurt on the job and I got the short end of the stick and I'll hug you with you on Washington State it sthanks the people the attitudes it's just ridiculous and I'm happy that you did what you did and you got a good head on your shoulders I can tell by the way you've done your videos and I'm gonna be watching you and seeing how you do I give you 2 thumbs up

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you so much! Welcome to the channel!

[@johnpark-jones4285]

You really need to put on knee pads otherwise like me in later life you’ll have knee problems. Just stumbled upon your channel it’s great. Good luck in your new venture. From Devon England.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

I know youre right, gotta take care of the knees and back.

[@2thomask]

Im on the opposite side im 27 and just about everyone in my family has college and graduate degrees and even doctorates but i went into the trades. i went the college for 2 years right after highschool and spent a lot of money not going anywhere i got into cooking for almost 10 years and now i am a merchant mariner (sailor on cargo ships takners roro's ect) the trades can offer you a lot of money at a fraction of the tuition most trades even give you ojt and its a skill that if cultivated will stick with you for the rest of your life. there is definitely a lot of stigma with trade jobs from parents who see college as the only path to success but im happy and im part of a union so i get all the health and retirement benefits and make enough money in 6 months to support myself an a family if i decide to have one. I may go back to college some day but im happy where i am now

[@AAAdawg1]

The skills learned will stick with you as an earning tool as long as your body is physically able to do the work. For all but a select few this begins to slow at 35 and by 50 almost no one can still do the work at a rate that is acceptable to contractors. Union contractors have to sign an agreement that about 20% of their workforce wil be 50 years old or older because most humans simply can not do the work past 50 at an acceptable pace and will struggle to earn a living for the last 20% of their careers. These are facts that are easily verified through DOL stats.....the trades are great for young folks but most young folks eventually become old folks...

[@jamesshaw3622]

Are you a trade worker on the merchant ships? I'm seriously considering going to school to become a merchant marine officer.

[@billwhitis9997]

I was a tradesman for over 35 years, and your damn right. I told my kids to stay away. It's a dead-end job for most. Sure, there can be a lot of money. But there are many times when there is no money and no job. 200,000 a year? Maybe some do, but that is the exception, not the rule. If you are not self-employed or in management at a good company by 50 to 55, you get thrown out with the bathwater. You use up your body in the performance of your job and most tradesmen over 55 are only working on a drinking problem.

[@2thomask]

9:00 if we didnt have plumbers and electricians we would be shitting outside in the dark

[@yeimarsoto3196]

That's true. The top 1% will have electricity though. They'd hire a Theoretical Physicist and Electrical Engineer to get it done.

[@Crimson_Skull52]

I started late. This video resonated with me cause I have been working in the warehouse for a long time in shipping which to one degree or another is manual labor. My father was the one who told me to look into HVAC to be a technician. Not too long after that I'm currently in school for HVAC. Got 7 months left of school. Office desk was not going to be for me. Now I have a focus and I'm getting after it.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Congrats, best of luck in your HVAC career!

[@Crimson_Skull52]

@@ThePasturedHomestead thanks 🙏🏾

[@bobloblaw7025]

Great channel very interesting, very cool place you have! Keep this excellent content coming!!

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you! Will do!

[@Evilhunknextdoor]

I worked in construction (carpentry) for 15 years, I got out of the trades because of No retirement No health benefits competition with illegals who work for way less Debilitating/fatal injury risk No unions No sick days "if you do it right" actually applies to contractors and employers making the job market viable, which they don't You can be self employed if you are a good -salesman -accountant -hiring manager -Estimator -Collector If you're not ALL these things, your self-employment will be upside down within 2 years The trades used to be good because of unions, but without leverage, they become extremely risky. Getting out of the trades and moving into something else if you get hurt is extremely difficult. This is why the trades aren't pursued.

[@KalTheCleric]

People always talk about plumbers and welders. Mechanics get paid shit and treated even worse. Other trades are not appealing to gen z and millennials, either because of two simple reasons: You don't get paid and you don't get laid.

[@airforcegame]

Thanks man, I really needed to hear this. I work on the railyards and someday it’s really tough for me.

[@bradystuckey3813]

It sucks around here. I really wanted to do one, maybe follow in my father's footsteps and go to school to be a carpenter, but trades here are horrendous. Pay nothing, hard to get work, yet apparently we have a shortage in our area. Only one you might luck into even finding work is a CDL, other than that, even electrician, which my brother in law did, couldn't get anything. Same goes for all the others.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

What area?

[@bradystuckey3813]

@ThePasturedHomestead In Canada, so may not be as applicable, but Newfoundland and Labrador, specifically Newfoundland. Seems everywhere else in the country has better prospects for it though. Healthcare is the main thing here. Trade school (all employers want here) is around 16k on average here.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

@@bradystuckey3813 I can’t speak on Canada. Seems the economics in Canada are very hard on the trades and in general. The US has a lot of opportunity in the trades

[@handlesrstupid123]

this guy needs to stop lying to people

[@ryanhancock2141]

Looks like he needs a nailer board behind him in the corner at 3 mins or 3:03mins, lol. Great video.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Spot on! Installed it right after this video! Nice attention to detail!

[@yeimarsoto3196]

Glad i studied Chemistry and got a Bachelor's in it. Its like a "high end trade." I have an office space and use my hands. I never sweat. AC on blast, no sweat, good benefits, near 6-figures, all good.

[@GMC.Sprint]

I almost went into the trades, but had a college opportunity I couldn't turn down. I've spent my career as a hand on engineer, and can say you are definitely right about the quality of work in the trades. If someone will follow instruction, and can pass a drug/background check, there are many employers who will gladly hire them. Drugs is the worst problem. I've seen so many people fired for drug/alcohol use. Government suppliers of "safety critical"components must drug test. Other employers can't allow anyone failing a drug drive anything (like a man lift).

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Drugs/booze are a big problem in the trades... Its too bad.

[@garrettstephens91]

A) If you're an Engineer, please be a good one. I'm a Pipefitter/Plumber and I see so much bad Engineering on a daily basis and I tell the jobsite Engineers that something won't work, and they tell me that it will...then I install it properly and it fails (just like I predicted it would), then they blame me for installing it wrong. 2) Yes, there is a drug/alcohol problem in the Trades. It is quite unfortunate. To be fair, I think that there is a drug/alcohol problem in society in general. I know people from childhood who would have never done drugs then, now are super into them. It's just the culture that we live in.

[@lenoxchew4732]

Dude plumbing and electrical are heavy labor during apprenticeship. That 1st 5 years is rough in terms of tax on the body and overall health. Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical are not as rough as framing, concrete work, or carpentry but still detrimental on the body in a way that can't be compared to say software sales.

[@hillpasturefarm2995]

i so agree with you and I will be sharing this video you are the same age as my youngest son

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you! I hope it helps to inspire the younger generations.

[@HoustonRocket281]

Your so right bro. Coming from immigrant family my mom and dad always will tell me to go to college and get a office job. My dad is a mechanic and told me everyday when I was working with him. To not get into trades because hard labor. Went to college and wasn’t for me. I went straight to HVAC college school and got me a good starting pay for apprentice and used my skills that I learned being around my dad to get where I’m at. The trades is wide open whoever wants to get into. High demand high pay. Because nobody wants work with their hands and mind.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

It sounds like our dads felt the same way. I'm glad you found your way; it sounds like you're doing very well for yourself!

[@itsrelativ3967]

Because apprenticeships are hard to get, and we all didn't have fathers teaching us these things as teenagers. They kept saying go to college so we wouldn't have aching back and knees in our 30s and 40s. I had to learn how to pressure wash on my own. No mentor whatsoever. The guys that i reached out to were selfish and condescending. Most of the older guys in the trades are bullies.

[@Alilnoided99]

There's barely any apprenticeship where I'm at in Montreal, they expect people to have at least a year or 2 worth of experience to be an apprentice. 10 job postings for most trades and you're telling me there's a shortage. Good thing I did the research rather than just going in.

[@jnsfrahm]

I’m really proud of you for knowing what you want out of life and going for it. All the best to you and your wife.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you so much! Best of luck to you and yours!

[@julih2674]

I shared this video in a couple groups just now. My folks couldn’t afford college. I did like you, and started at a small printing shop and worked my way up. It was a good living, retired now.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you! Congrats on retirement!

[@beliedat2457]

Hey if you hook the tape to the top of the drywall and then run that while making your mark it will always be perfect. The way you did it leaves room for error. That is all.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Hey, great tip! Going to try this next time

[@lenoxchew4732]

Hmmm.... I am in construction and it is a hard road from the standpoint of being so tethered to any sort of economic turmoil. I started on the labor side of construction and always made my way doing side work when whatever job slowed and overtime was cut or I got laid off. I see construction as something that destines you to do your own business completely or at least apply your trade here and there for your own little side business. I have a good life but I always stayed afloat by applying my skills for myself often times just to float during lean times or have something of my own when things are good in the industry. After 20+ years I just want to do my own little development projects. We will see.

[@craigsealy4294]

The same here in Australia

[@MAM-cy3yy]

I grew up in the trades. All my family continues to work within the trades, making very good money. My nephew, in his mid thirties made over 300k last year. My youngest son (11) will start working summers this year.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Your nephew is a rock star! I love reading these comments!

[@edouard9867]

When you are 50 and still crawling around with bad knees/hips/back. You will tell your kids to go to college, like the rest of us...

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

If I’m 50 and still crawling around u made some poor decisions in my life. Don’t go into the trades to be a grunt till you’re 50 and broken. Go into the trades, learn the trade well, start a business and eventually run it while everyone does the work. It’s not the trades fault that a 50 year old didn’t plan their life out.

[@edouard9867]

​@@ThePasturedHomestead Fair point but honestly what's the percent of tradesmen in this situation at 50(i mean with a business and who don't have to do "grunt" work at 50) ? I'm probably wrong, but i feel like the majority don't have this possibility.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

@@edouard9867 they absolutely have this possibly. But I agree, a lot of people don’t aspire to own a business. That’s not the trades fault though. The same could be said for a desk job, after 50 years of never moving your body, you’re going to have pains in other areas. The problem is in the attitude of the employee, and that extends to all fields, including those that went to college.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

@@edouard9867 even if that 50 year old still works for the same company for 25 years, that’s fine. But hopefully by then they’ve at least worked their way up in the company to be a manager, assistant manager, etc. But that takes a plan from the start, some people just don’t do that. They don’t think about the fact that they’ll be old some day and should build their skill set to grow or that they should save money and invest so they don’t have to rely on the little social security money they will receive.

[@lenoxchew4732]

Dude average pay for a plumber in my area... 25.64 an hour... Software sales average pay rate 50.48 an hour... I won't even lookup the difference in injuries or lifetime earnings.

[@Here4theComments]

You are so right about the trades. I work for a software company and I hate every moment of it. I would give it away in a moment to come over, train in a trade and get started. Only problem is? I am in Greece.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Are the trades not a good route to take in Greece?

[@Here4theComments]

@@ThePasturedHomestead Not compared to what I make now. In the US though it seems much better than what I'd make with my current job there - if that makes sense.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

@@Here4theComments that makes sense! Greece is beautiful!

[@Here4theComments]

@@ThePasturedHomestead Thanks! If you visit anytime, I could show you around!

[@AJ-ox8xy]

I'm Gen Z and really happy I went into the trades. I went to college early when I was 16 and graduated early at 19. I came out and was set up to go to medical school. But i wasn't happy. The people are all depressed going to class and half of them, myself included, just wanted to make enough money to have a family and enjoy life. I then to the shock and horror of my family and friends turned down going to medical school and decided to go into HVAC and appliance mechanics. Went to "school" for a year at 20. Got a job and worked there till I was 24. It sucked the first year and a half as I made almost nothing. Was still living with my disappointed parents. But eventually got a raise and promotion and suddenly made the same as my mom at the time. Then a year later made as much as my dad. Now at 26, i have my own company and I make more then all my siblings and parents make combined. It's hard work, but eventually I think I'll sell my company after a few more years and who knows? Start another trade or maybe go back to trying for medical school?

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Hey, good for you AJ! Im glad you chased your dream. Owning a business is one of the quickest ways to wealth!

[@philmarsh7723]

Two things we can do to fix this: 1. Stop the Federal student loan program. 2. Massively increase legal immigration.

[@AmirShafeek]

So we should make an already expensive college tuition Impossible for people to afford and saturate. Our job market with people who aren't Americans.

[@philmarsh7723]

@@AmirShafeek Student loans encourage waste by universities who just increase their prices because they can, due to Federal subsidies.

[@AmirShafeek]

@@philmarsh7723 Saying if we get rid of student loans, universities will be forced to lower their prices. Because nobody will be able to afford them hint. Nobody will go that makes sense that last part still doesn't.

[@JC-vz9hz]

Gen xer here. I agree with this.

[@whitestone4401]

Not only does it pay well, it pays you every time you can do a project, repair, install. My husband saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars with all of his skilled knowledge.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

That is wonderful!

[@lawrencepietrangeloiv2582]

I do have to add though, if you’re going to just show up at a business or call them and say I’m ready to work, in most cases you do need to not have done any drugs in the recent timeframe. This is one thing they usually will test for and disqualifies a lot of young people, just lay off the weed for 30 days and you’re good to go lol

[@keltecdan]

A good buddy of mine just graduated HVAC school and I’m also thinking of doing the same. I work a corporate job getting paid $50k a year but I can’t work anywhere in the country if I needed to based on my role.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

HVAC is a great trade to get into! If i were you, dont go to a school. Just start working for a good company, youll learn a lot (if you have a good teacher), and youll make money at the same time!

[@elizza716]

Don’t know where you live but I can tell you my sister lives outside NYC and her HVAC guy makes over $1million a year! Now the cost of living there is extremely high but every HVAC professional that I’ve know, especially the owns who own their own companies, make more money that a lot of college grads I know.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

@@elizza716 Owning a trade business is an amazing way to become a millionaire! People are afraid to take the risk!

[@garrettstephens91]

​@The Pastured Homestead some states though have a schooling requirement for the trades in order to become a Journeyman regardless of hours/years worked. He needs to check his state's laws. My state (Idaho) requires a minimum of 576 schooling hours and 8000 working hours in order to become a Journeyman in the trades. If you complete one, then you won't become a Journeyman.

[@integribeez4114]

I'm doing just fine on social media making money. I want to be the next Mr Beast.

[@chowtownfoodreviews6679]

I never see these video talk about tool and die or machining ect

[@sassysaddles9981]

We went to school and trained to be office drones

[@karlstrauss2330]

The same Boomers that told us that a college degree was the key to financial prosperity are now telling us to drop everything and go into the trades cause that’s where the money is at… is it really any surprise why we’re skeptical?

[@georginaparsons2799]

Our local plumber and gas fitter charges $100ph ( NZ) Husband self employed Data & Comms and struggles to find staff. Work visas take months and months to be approved. He has a Scottish guy arriving in NZ this weekend and another from Asia still waiting on visa. Neither of our girls are interested in joining the business. Our 20yr should complete her degree this month but is not interested in working in that field

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

It seems like there’s a huge worker shortage, maybe caused by covid and more likely by a lack of new workforce. Factories are having huge employee shortages over here

[@bethedmonds3028]

I'm a 59yr old woman and I love doing this kind of stuff til this day.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

That is wonderful!

[@andrewkuebler4335]

I like working with my hands. However, I hate my knees and back hurting, even with preventions in place. I also don't want to work just to exist. I'm not working 6-7 days a week, and then overtime and on-call and having the constant anxiety of is work going to keep following me home. I want to left the hell alone. Not to mention I hate constantly going into strangers' homes, not knowing what kind of gross pit or closet or basement I'm gonna have to squeeze into. I think maybe the trades just weren't a good choice for me. But I don't think I can afford to go back to school due to a chronic health condition. Not having insurance is not an option, because not having healthcare is not an option. I really wish I was in some other western country, where I wouldn't have to fear for my healthcare just to find a new job.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Keep working hard everyday, follow your dreams and push your boundaries. You'll get to where you want to be if you do. Dont make excuses and stay positive.

[@genoaiken508]

It’s harder to get into a trained apprenticeship then college, 9 Electrian apprenticeship per year at my local union 1000 applications per year

[@janetgifford743]

You are totally correct young man. The world we live in would be so different and so much better if half...half of the young people had the same knowledge and rock their head screwed on right like you do. Way to go!

[@marilynhill6358]

Make sure you get you some new pads

[@arftejano2284]

I think the whole “trades are stigmatized” thing is pretty much dead with Gen Z. I haven’t met a single peer that looks down on trades, never was discouraged from them by the education system, and I know plenty of people that want to get into them or have said things like “I wish I was smart/handy enough to be an electrician/hvac/etc”. I live in the urban south though so maybe it’s different up north or on the west coast. Maybe the south, including the urban south, hasn’t experienced the stigmatization of blue collar work that other parts of the country have

[@ntkn]

People always say in these videos how great trades are and how much of a "shortage" there is but doesn't go on to say how hard they are to actually get hired into, even as an apprentice.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

They are EXTREMELY easy to get into. One of the easiest jobs to start. You need 0 experience. All you need to start in a trade as an apprentice is a good work ethic and the willingness to learn.

[@maximusthegreatest]

@@ThePasturedHomestead Thats not true, it is common to be out on a waitlist for years to get into a union for example.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

@@maximusthegreatest every residential plumbing company and Union outfit in my area is hiring constantly and offering HUGE incentives to work for them. Washington state was the exact same as well.

[@maximusthegreatest]

Where are you? I’m Grand Rapids area applied to ibew a year or two ago, haven’t heard anything. Maybe just me but my research points to it being common.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

@@maximusthegreatest I’m in KY. Brother lives up by you though. I’ve been in the trades since I was 12. Grandpa, dad, uncles, cousins all in the trades. The trades are suffering with a lack of work. I would recommend applying to multiple places. Not everyone is hiring apprentices at that moment in time

[@billwhitis9997]

Recession proof?? Yeah, you'll learn about that one young one.

[@silverking00]

MY Grandpa Always told me to learn a trade. "No One can take that away from you". And you'll always have a job no matter where you go or end up. MILLWRIGHTS PLUMBERS ELECTRICIANS INDUSTRIAL MECHANICS ALL MAKE GOOD GOOD WAGES AND GOOD BENEFITS !!!!

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Sounds like something my grandpa used to say. Cant make a robot to do those jobs! And they are recession proof.

[@MD-eo2wy]

Electrical apprenticeship here in FL is $13.62 to start and tops at $24.40. You’re making way more off these videos than I would in the electrical field. Check your facts bud

[@darlenewebber7706]

Your a interesting young man ❤

[@chrisbnichols]

Which age group within the Millennials are you talking about? Millennial’s were born in the years of 1981-1996. Are you talking specifically more towards the millennials who are under 30?

[@barbarapreston9340]

You are a wise young man, and it is so refreshing and encouraging for me, a 64 yo lifelong Wa state resident, to hear your thoughts. Congrats to your parents (judge a tree by it's fruit).

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you very much! Pops would be proud, I know my mom is!

[@aliciacimo1822]

I'm a millennial and am in the jeweller's trade and my brother is gen z... He's in construction 🤔🧐 whole theory kinda 😳🤯😉

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

That’s awesome! Right on for you guys! As far as numbers go, for every 3 baby boomers going out of the trades only 1 gen z goes in. There is a lack of millennials/gen z in the trades.

[@MrFaceonline]

the trades are still masively underpayed, seven figure salary should be the bare minimum. Just conpare the earnings of the IT people from cushy climatised offices or from home. No, you get it all wrong, theres no tradesmen because pay suck. Its a lot easier to be a doctor, programmer, lawyer etc than tradesman when you are over 50, you didnt take that into consideration. Its shitty dirty unapriciated and miserably payed careers.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

I made $20 an hour when I started my plumbing career... no experience at all. Worked my way up to $120k a year working for a company, running my own truck, full benefits. Then I started my own company and did $250k profit a year. I promise you, the trades aren't the issue, its the workers. There working class that goes into trades is a much different working class that goes into being a doctor, programmer, lawyer etc. The trades take 0 experience and schooling and those other jobs require degrees. There's a lack of tradesmen because we live in a tech world. I made more money then most people I did work for, and that included a lot of google, Microsoft people.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

@@AmirShafeek You’re dead wrong and the lack of knowledge shines through. People want experience and they want local. I made more money as a plumber than the majority of people I worked for. that was in a very high end area as well. The majority of people won’t be rich and won’t be successful. That’s not the trades fault, thats the people’s fault. There’s plenty of people in the tech industry making barely 6 figures. I would recommend you do some research

[@AmirShafeek]

@ThePasturedHomestead At the end of the day, you have to do far more work to become a successful person. If you're a skilled tradesman, then if you were to just go to college and get a degree. both physically and mentally. And since we both agree that most people aren't willing to put in the amount of effort, it is to become very successful. Why would I take the harder route. If you look at the upper quartile of both skilled tradesmen and bachelor's degree holders. Bachelor degree holders make more and work less. You can tell people what you want. But I'll be telling my kids to go to college.

[@handlesrstupid123]

Dont listen to this guy he had an in for good trade job most suck I was a machinist for a year pay 13 an hour

[@CraftEccentricity]

You're smart and very intuitive. A lot of parents want to give their kids everything they never had, but what didn't they have? When you look at life today, they had it all. All the good things, and it made them better well rounded people.

[@ThePasturedHomestead]

Thank you! I totally agree!