Thread: what's the best Trade to get into???

Originally Posted by flatlinerz

Plumbers can become engineers??

As an example, I left school after year 11, did a motor mechanic apprenticeship, then worked at a abbatoirs and became a beef slaughterman, then truck driver, earthmoving machinery operator, then farm hand and farm manager.

A complete change and off to uni (for the first time at 40) then to accountant, then compliance/accounting officer and now unemployed possibly returning to machinery operator.

Many of these jobs became possible cos i was a mechanic and could repair, service machinery and the boss thought he could use my mechanical skills as well as being an operator.

So yes a plumber can do what ever he likes. So could an electrician or builder.

Originally Posted by flatlinerz

thanks for the invite but im in the south east of melbourne thanks for the info

Not really that interested i'm thinking. It's a very generous offer by Brickie and you should take advantage of it.
If you can't be bothered travelling a few km's to learn something and get some experience, I wouldn't be bothered employing you.
It might sound harsh but welcome to the working world

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Not really that interested i'm thinking. It's a very generous offer by Brickie and you should take advantage of it.
If you can't be bothered travelling a few km's to learn something and get some experience, I wouldn't be bothered employing you.
It might sound harsh but welcome to the working world

said I was thinking of doing bricklayer thats why I posted up for information which I'm getting thanks to everyone posting, don't know if your from Melbourne but the North of Melbourne from me is pretty far not just a few km's, plus I'm still working wanting to move to a trade, don't have time to check out so I thought I'll post for some info...it might sound harsh but welcome to the real world

Originally Posted by flatlinerz

Plumbers can become engineers??

Only if they want a drop in salary.

Most qualifications are articulated now, so they allow you to progress up to the next level qualification, or gain exemptions (RPL is the jargon) for some subjects in another course.

Originally Posted by flatlinerz

said I was thinking of doing bricklayer thats why I posted up for information which I'm getting thanks to everyone posting, don't know if your from Melbourne but the North of Melbourne from me is pretty far not just a few km's, plus I'm still working wanting to move to a trade, don't have time to check out so I thought I'll post for some info...it might sound harsh but welcome to the real world

Changing careers (or selecting a career) is not something you do lightly and you might want to reconsider taking up Brickie's offer. Take a day off work and make the effort to travel across Melbourne and spend some time on site ... surely it's better to waist a day, than it is to waist a few years.

And when doing work experience like that, try to keep in mind that the work is not the job...

The job (eg. boss/hours/pay) can always be changed, but if you don't like the actual work (eg. bricklaying) you're doing then you're definitely in the wrong business.

All the old tradies I know love their work... but whinge like the blazes about the job. (Especially the self-employed. "That damned Porsche costs me a fortune in doing quotes. I really should've bought a BMW." )

Look, I'm close to retirement and am still not sure what I want to do for a career (more shed time is looking good)
but have mostly enjoyed (and still do) what I'm doing.
No it's not a trade and I fell into it by accident
I think it's good to plan but go with something you like. If you don't enjoy doing it, well, it will only be a drag and you will be immensely unhappy ... which isn't good for any number of reasons
good luck

Originally Posted by NewLou

Ok ok I dont want the secret to get out but here she goes. Welder/FAbricators:

Get to work in airconditioned workshops
The Foreman always speaks to you politely
You get to play with Fire
You get paid to get fit (HEavy lifting;running after tools........... running away from cranes)
You learn how to Drink Beer
N if you play your cards right you get to print your own money (Some pressure ticket work I''ll get you $60 a WELD.............yes thats not an hour thats a weld!)
N the bonus is all the skills you learn are transferable across many skills including Woodworking..............

Yup good the good old Boilermaker is as close to tradie heaven as you'll get!

REgards Lou

Boilermakers work in mining don't they? haven't heard much about Boilermakers

Originally Posted by flatlinerz

looking into getting into a Trade this year but not sure which one I should get into? which trade making the must dollars?
thank all

I would think that being a Tycoon should be a healthy trade. Most Tycoons I pal around with are pretty fair off and got jingle in their trousers.

But I have never seen a Mason Tycoon, I have seen Tycoons that were Masons but they were Tycoons before they became Masons.. (Free Masons, that is)

Seriously folks... With today's money market the fellows I see with the bigger mortages all have the word Engineer attached to their title. I am a multi year Collage graduate with a Masters and all but my paperwork a Dr. degree but in the wrong field for making money. I was a teacher by trade and loved it untill the last few years. Never regretted the calling but often feel left out with the funding. I see fellows with less training making so much more and my students seem to do much better than I , but then so do my kids.... In fact almost everybody in the Educated bunch does better. I only hope I can afford the gas to drive me crazy.

I would look toward a specialty trade, My son is a Master Electrician, My S-I-L is an Aerospace Michinist and both do fine but not as fine as those who have that Engineering degree. In whatever they choose. Seems to be the key moniker now days... My Grand father was an Engineer, but on a train and made good but now good by today's standards. My nephew is a geologist but he also has that moniker of Engineer on his handle and that makes a difference at least on the money end of the trail.

I don't think it makes a difference weather you are atop this globe or down under, the trend is the same (BTW, from your prospective, is where I am "Down Under " to you?) No matter where you live , you are still standing on top of the world.... And you have your future in front of you so I hope you make a good choice, but don't sell yourself short. Do the research and do the education and training and look beyond making a few bucks now but what will become your future ... Do you want to do it for 30-40 years...

It's much the same here Hickory. These days my students are getting jobs that pay more than I was earning when I retired. That's partly due to inflation, but more to increased demand due to concerns about water shortage, and a booming mining industry.

Tycoon's a pretty good trade here, too. Right up there with mining mogul.

I actually think its quiet sad that all people think about is money, money dont buy you happiness or love, both have to be earned..through effort that cant be bought.

Boilermakers work in mining don't they? haven't heard much about Boilermakers

Originally Posted by Brickie

I actually think its quiet sad that all people think about is money, money dont buy you happiness or love, both have to be earned..through effort that cant be bought.

So very true.

And you can lead a very good life on a low income if you think about how and what you spend money for

Originally Posted by echnidna

So very true.

And you can lead a very good life on a low income if you think about how and what you spend money for

That is so true but the money is certainly nice. When I look back, my happiness never depended on money but there were times when a lack of money made me unhappy. This was directly attributable to the situation I had put myself in, not the income I was earning.

Learning to control those "wants" is the hard part. Even harder when every man and his dog just bought a new car and boat, pool, plasma.....against the equity in their house.

Oh shyte, there was some equity....

IMHO most trades make decent money, especially those that are reliable and do a good job. Try to get one to work for day labour if he is not a mate. That said I would only ever employ a very good mate on day labour rates.