Always appreciate your takes, I do enough of my own work so I rarely hire tradespeople. I also have worked in the plumbing and boiler service industry, so BTDT. But dealing with sales and customer service people is way worse some days than any crappy conditions that tradespeople deal with. Then there's the office politics. Tradespeople have it easier in many ways. As to pay, well that's debatable, but the top end of office work is way more pay than the Pinnacle of trades dollars. AI might replace some office jobs, but there's several that AI cannot. AI needs to be fact checked, and it's that way currently with AI that can help with office work. It's also possible that more people will go into the trades and competition will drive down rates and pay for that work.
We're here to support you, because we all go thru some sort of crap ourselves. Split and stack some wood, fell a tree, sharpen a chain. Do that task you've been putting off. And pat yourself on the back when you get those things done. Post on FHC about what you got done. We all appreciate the work, because we do those things ourselves. It's also great motivation for others when you get stiff done.
It really is. Have you been to a FHC get together yet? I see you're in Montana. Beautiful state, but most of the FHC GTG's are in the Midwest and East.
sirbuildalot, and so others know I volunteer with some at risk youth. A lot of these kids have depression and ADHD tendencies. Everyone needs Hope; a lot of them are failing school and college debt is scary. said all that to say I was using blue collar instead of ssl Skilled trades.. that’s why I throw hygienist and nurses in the group. Jobs you can make a living at and have sense of meaning. Here is you can show up on time and be reliable you get $20.. if in 6 months they see you with broom in your hand more than your phone.. Your getting raises and training
My nephew has had a job for almost a year now for a medical equipment company. He graduates this spring from high school. He has shown some great initiative, and what you’re saying is absolutely true. He is getting all the training he wants. Says yes to every opportunity they give him. Learning to work on X-ray machines, Ct scanners, MRI machines…… Like you said, just stay off your phone, and watch opportunity come knocking! And if it doesn’t, then move on to the next company that values that motivation.
The number of small business owners I know; that are in 50s, facing retirement, that would train a kid and teach them the ropes THEN sell the company for pennies on a dollar WHEN trainee is mature enough is a higher # than kids can put phone down
No I haven’t. That is definitely something I am interested in going to. Is there a list of where and when these GTG’s are?
I know several people in this boat. The thing about small business owners that people don’t understand is that their business is their baby. They often didn’t build it in order to have something to liquidate when they got to retirement age. They invest insane amounts of time and money nurturing and building it, often times their entire lives. Often, unfortunately, it is their own children who are the ones who can’t put the phone down.
Exactly right Haftacut so instead give retiree a pension payment and a supervisor role in after new guy training. IME older guy is 60 and his kids pushing 40 already have career and if they don’t they don’t have any skills anyway
Making firewood has gotten me through lots of things. If anyone ever wants to talk or simply unload, PLEASE REACH OUT
And I’m not even counting the farmers I know who’s kids want nothing to do with the farm besides selling it when dear old dad dies
They are usually posted in the Bulletin Board section of the forum. As far as I know they are usually held in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania from what I've seen as a FHC member for nearly seven years. Anyone welcome to attend and members travel from all over to be there. We had a small one here in CT back in 2023.
