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Hi everyone, I’m currently in community college working to get my AA in business but I feel like I’m wasting time when I could learn a trade and make a decent salary off of a trade. I’m leaning towards learning more about how to become a mechanic but I’m open to other things if they sound interesting to me. Anyone’s input on a skill/experience would be much appreciated.

Hi, has anyone that has taken extended time off from their trade for chronic muscular back pain (say 4-6 weeks) ever gotten rid of it/reduced the pain?

I am thinking about taking sick leave to see if it works and wanted to consult others beforehand

More info: I'm 34M, slim build but go to the gym a few times a week for general fitness (nothing crazy, 15/20 mins of cardio and maybe 5 compound movement lifts) and 2.5 years ago I started working for a telecomms company installing/fixing the internet, about a year ago I got chronic back pain in my right side, it used to be only when I bent over and flared up when driving but now it is constant. The way my schedule works I get a max of 3 days off between shifts, between those scheduled days off and maybe a week/10 days max twice a year for holiday time off this is the only time I feel I have for my back to somewhat heal (it never went away after 10 days off) but as soon as I go back to work it comes back. I have had an MRI scan on it which looked fine so the doctor has told me it's muscular strain. I have tried ibuprofen, PT, yoga and pilates (which actually made it worse after one particular session) and nothing has worked

I recently heard that trade entries are up about 16% as of late. With the cost of postsecondary ed, continuing to go up, is it possible we will see a glut of people entering trade fields? Much like how some degree fields have experienced saturation. I hear from some that trades are "hurting for people", but I often wonder how much of that is just alarmism/exaggeration.

I was wondering how physical sprinkler fitting is?

I've been doing rebar for a long time, and am thinking about switching trades. I was thinking about trying it helping out as a labourer, but don't know what kind of weights the pipes and lengths are typically. I imagine it's lots of overhead lifting. I am a bit out of shape at the moment, and am wondering if that should hold me back from applying.

I'm also wondering if you typically work off a ladder most of the time or use scissor lifts. Seems like it could be a rewarding trade, figured it wouldn't hurt asking around here. Thank you

How is carpentry? I really want to get in it I feel like thats what I am being called into, but I know a carpenter who does not suggest doing it at all. Also do I have to join the Union to get a license? I wanna learn the trade but idk how I feel about the Union, y'know? but any advice ig from folks? also i just recently wanted to start pursuing the trade before I planned on going down a culinary oath but just didn't feel led by God to do it as a job for life. I really wanna learn how to build my own house in the future and also be able to provide for a future family I am a 19 year old guy btw

Hi, I’m originally from the UK and have worked as a Train Dispatcher for 6 years (this won’t help me haha). I’m really interested in learning a trade! SORRY in advance, but I am so, so confused?!? I have obviously googled a million times how I would go about being an apprentice. BUT nothing makes sense?!? I am moving to Vancouver, BC FYI. Am I supposed to study first? I can’t find anything online about courses? Or am I supposed to find an apprenticeship first? There is nothing online.

So I've been doing drilling and service for about a year and a half now. Just don't see myself doing this kuch longer (I'm already older then 30 and barley knew how to pull a wrench first day) The lifestyle is not really my thing. But we get spring breakup in the summer so I'll save and take an apprenticeship. Is there anything I can do to prepare? I'm not even really too sure what skills I need? Some are asking for welding experience? (I have very little) some are asking for plumbing experience (again home Reno's that it). For refference I'm in Alberta and would be willing to live on the road for a bit if I could jump ship now at a decent wage 27/hr. Thanks in advance.

Just wanted advice I'm currently a 2nd year plumbing apprentice in MB And I feel like my confidence compared to other co workers and apprentices at my level is low, hearing all the stuff they have done in their apprenticeship compared to me I'm just nervous because I go to school for 3rd year in a few months and I'm nervous of not being good enough. So I'm hoping to get some feedback/advice from other fellow tradies/plumbers or apprentices in this community would be much appreciated Thanks!😁🙏

I just completed my interview for the IBEW 354 union and got a rank of 31. Is that good?

https://www.pca-cal.ca/en/home

I have tried 5 different browsers, 3 different Wifi, and 2 different data carriers. Cleared Cache, cookies, ensured JSS, etc. As well as any crafty combination of signing in beforehand, alternative links, and anything else I could think of.

The website will sometimes allow me as far as logging into My Service Canada Account; which will then come back with a "Technical issues" error from MSCA themselves. But usually, its a 404 error when you click "apply now".

I'm actually only applying for the loan because I can't get a solid answer out of Skilled Trades Ontario, or Georgian College, on whether I will be enrolled in my first year of carpentry school in January or not.

Both have told me to keep an eye out on my email. It has been said I would receive an email 3 months prior to schooling, but I know of someone who is doing their first year right now, that started in october. They didnt receive an email until september, and nobody can tell me I'm NOT going, so I still feel like its up in the air.

SO, my thinking on applying for the loan is based on what I've read online, that I am only eligible for the loan once I am within 3 months of starting school. Since nobody can tell me when I will be starting school, I will apply for the loan and it will be sent to the school registrar, who will approve or deny it.

Both answers will tell me whether I should expect schooling in 3 months.

Its insane I have to jump through all these hoops to find out when my first year of schooling will start, AND THEN THE WEBSITE WONT EVEN ALLOW ME TO APPLY FOR THIS LOAN.

Add them removing the grants for skilled trades; all of this garbage has me questioning putting the last 1.5 years into carpentry at 35 years old.

Let me go to school.

About me: 27y, Automotive Apprentice year 2(trade), Building Systems Engineering (Career Diploma) worked in hvac, plumbing demo estimator sales & currently warehouse (some industrial some commercial & alot more residential)

Would like to go into refrigeration tech but QC does NOT allow for 'Trader Qualifier' so if I complete my course, I can only work here... "No Trade Qualifer = No Red Seal" so i'm prohibited from using my trade credentials to get ANY equivalence elsewhere... this retarded province (CCQ) i swear no other province does this

a. do i simply go get my license in another province? b. do my course in quebec & years later use my College diploma to get my foot in a refrigeration company as white collar & this while I "challenge" for a Red Seal elsewhere?

This is a life decision I have to make, lot of research & QC's not to friendly of loosing tradesmen to foreign province... just need some tips & tricks

or would automation or instrumentation be wiser?

Hey trades!

I’m about 2 years into branching out from working with my dad and running my own renovation projects. I mainly focus on painting and decorating, carpentry, and tiling—all of which I’ve been doing since I was 15 (I’m 33 now).

The first year was tough; I made a lot of mistakes, got my family into a financial hole, and even considered going back to working for someone else. I tried but decided to dig my heels in and give it another go. Things really took off—almost like I went viral! Now I’m booked solid until June and charging good money, but the success has come with its own challenges.

Some of my work relies heavily on other trades (plumbers, electricians, etc.), and despite putting effort into building good relationships and being organised—booking people well in advance—I still find myself let down or struggling to get people to stick to their word. This and my own time management has led to me accidentally double-booking jobs, and now I’m working 7 days a week across two sites, which is completely burning me out.

The burnout has hit my confidence hard, and it’s given me major anxiety. I’ve always been upfront with customers, but lately, I’ve been second-guessing myself and struggling to maintain that same openness. I keep swinging between “I’ve got this—people clearly want me!” to “I’m not good enough, maybe I should just quit and go drive for Tesco instead.”

I know what I should do—focus on finishing one job at a time and prioritise rest—but this anxiety feels like a whole new level of pressure.

For those of you with more experience: • How do you manage the stress and avoid burnout when the work piles up? • What strategies have helped you handle unreliable trades or prevent scheduling nightmares? • Any tips for getting back on top mentally when the pressure hits like this?

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through this—it feels like a lot right now, but I want to come out the other side stronger.

So, I'm primarily a marketer with my wife in our home-based business but I'm considering something to do as supplemental income when/if we have down spots, and to just have increased income generally.

What is the timeline if, say, I attend a trade school (I still have some GI Bill to pay for it) to being able to work independently doing freelance residential work in either electrical or plumbing?

TIA

I just dropped out of college to pursue an electrician trade. I am pondering my options, but I wanted to know what was the best route. I definitely want to go to trade school just to be more experienced, however, I know there are options in which I can take classes at a community college as well. I've been told the 'college' trade route is a good place to be if you're looking to go into management.

What do you guys think?

I appreciate the responses in advance!

I checked on indeed there seems to be more electrician 1st year apprentice(no exp) openings than HVAC or plumbing. I also read on here that electrician demand is saturated in Canada. Just don't know which is true. Thinking about instrumentation and HD mechanic too, but can't find apprentice positions in the lower mainland. I am in BC. Should i keep looking for hvac or plumber apprenticeships or start looking into other ones?

Hello, I’m looking to move from Canada to Texas. I have been debating this for the last couple years. What’s the best way to go? I’m currently a second year HET in Alberta.

Thank you.

Hey guys,

I’m a teacher, but I’m struggling to make ends meet (I support a parent). I’m looking to the trades. I have a Class A CDL (no trac/trailer endorsement), welding/ framing experience, and I was a firefighter EMT for years.

My goal is the learn a skill where I could conceivably still have a “summer (or winter) break”. I can learn any classroom info (I got a masters), and I enjoy detail work (I do detailed wood burning for fun).

I love working hard. I’m looking for a career where I can take extended time off as well.

I’m a woman starting a plumbing pre-apprenticeship on the construction side the 16th of December. Signed paperwork yesterday. Very excited for this opportunity, but this is all new to me so I’m a bit anxious. I mostly have service industry experience and I took a 5-week apprenticeship ready program to help me choose what trade to go into.

What’s some advice for when I start out??

I should mention I really like starting physical altercations with people and I really hate unions even though I've never been in one or even lived in an area that had unions.

I’m a 26-year-old single African American(6’4 if that matters) living in Las Vegas. I work in the hospitality industry, earning $26 an hour. While that’s decent, I’m eager to increase my income to boost my savings and eventually buy a home. I don’t have any formal experience in trades, but I did take a theater construction class back in high school during my freshman and sophomore years. I’m really interested in exploring trades, especially after chatting with a customer at my job who is an electrician. He mentioned that it’s a great field and that there’s a strong demand for diversity. If anyone has tips or suggestions, I would really appreciate your insights!

ALSO

The electrician suggested I consider becoming an elevator technician. I researched it and found that there are around 27,000 to 30,000 job openings across the country, which indicates that it's quite a competitive field. I'm thinking about starting as an electrician and then possibly exploring the option of transitioning to a tech role later on.

I'm 5'2 and 130 lbs. What are some good trades I can get into. What are trades that wouldn't work so well for me. Any answers are appreciated.

I'm not a drywall guy but I have framing experience so at my job that means I do drywall repair. Our putty knives are absolute garbage, but I have no idea what to look for. I learned basic drywall in high school and didn't bother to rember the brand of putty knife. Also, I was taught always keep your putty knife clean, but all our putty knives and the ones I see contractors use have a bunch of shit caked on, is it as big a deal as I think it is? I have a hard time getting a flat spread with no lines or depressions. Maybe I'm just terrible at hawking mud but I barely learned how to dry wall in high school and I remember it being relatively easy after a few tries to make look decent. Any help would be much appreciated.

Canadian heavy duty mechanic here. Our trade system is usually a 4 year apprenticeship with 6-8 weeks training per year resulting in a certification and red seal endorsement if write the interprovincial exam.

I have heard the usa system is very different (for mechanics). My understanding is shops usually have one college trained "technician" who troubleshoots faults and an army of on the job and dealer trained mechanics who work under them doing the repairs and services. Does that sound about right?

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What is out there that I can do that pays good do I need an education of any kind I figure in todays (nobody wants to work) world I probably can just learn on the job. Is the pay good ? I’m open to other trades too

I’ve been interested in getting into carpentry for a long time but I don’t really know where to get started. I don’t have money for trade school and I definitely don’t have time for it because I’m about to have my first kid and I want to be as available as I can for him while making enough money to provide. I live in Columbus Ohio if anybody know any paid apprenticeships or something like that I’d love it if you could put me on. I’m also interested in hvac

As a mechanic, (specifically the son of a mechanic), how long would it take to learn the business of running a shop and then apply for a small business loan? Learn the business meaning running a shop, hiring people, and then learning to manage them.

As the title says I have multiple violent felonies and one theft offense. I will fail a drug test for THC. I had previously heard from this sub that trade schools are a waste of time and money. So since that was the route I was going to take, can anybody help me figure out how to be the most efficient welder I can while making the most money when I know absolutely nothing about welding at this point in time?