Starting a new trade being older

[Rene G]

.

I’m considering taking that one, I already have mobile boom truck...

 

[Ronaha]

No sense in starting a new trade if there’s no work, some trades are dead right now, also some trades that are more commercial driven then oilfield can have next to no OT but lots more opportunity working for cash so might be better.

 

[Caper11]

Speaking of work, Anyone consider power engineering?

 

[cdnredneck_t3]

Speaking of work, Anyone consider power engineering?

Coming from a Millwright who spent 13 years at a gas plant that had all the way up to 1st class steam tickets it's a pretty good job. Only problem is most are rotating days and night shift.

I also think the Alberta boilers branch needs to pull their heads out of their ass and set it up as a proper trade. The way they do it is dumb. It's still based like the 60's and some operators end up with a weird entitlement and sense of their education. They have to answer questions on electrical and mechanical theory there is no need to know. Then they say they are as qualified as an electrician and it would technically be illegal to try and do what they think they are capable of. Just my perspective.

 

[pano-dude]

No sense in starting a new trade if there’s no work, some trades are dead right now, also some trades that are more commercial driven then oilfield can have next to no OT but lots more opportunity working for cash so might be better.

I was told the same thing in 1989 by my highschool career councilor and look what happened in Alberta shorty after that.
Trades are never dead.
I went to NAIT for Power Engineering instead.

 

[canuck5]

Coming from a Millwright who spent 13 years at a gas plant that had all the way up to 1st class steam tickets it's a pretty good job. Only problem is most are rotating days and night shift.

I also think the Alberta boilers branch needs to pull their heads out of their ass and set it up as a proper trade. The way they do it is dumb. It's still based like the 60's and some operators end up with a weird entitlement and sense of their education. They have to answer questions on electrical and mechanical theory there is no need to know. Then they say they are as qualified as an electrician and it would technically be illegal to try and do what they think they are capable of. Just my perspective.

I agree with some of this they could modify it to make it better. Thing with power engineering is you have to be the jack of all trades master of none instrument techs, electricians, millwrights are not around 24/7 like us so to be good at it you have to have overall knowledge of everything troubleshooting skills and ability to process things very quickly under pressure are a must. The beauty of it is employment is stable money is great and so is time off. Negatives for some is nights I also think there is value for some trades to have side hustle. MW and Electricians can do a lot of work on the side if they want it for cash. Not an option in PE. It’s been great to me that is for sure.

 

[Ronaha]

I was told the same thing in 1989 by my highschool career councilor and look what happened in Alberta shorty after that.
Trades are never dead.
I went to NAIT for Power Engineering instead.

I’m a successful tradesmen myself, I’m just saying to consider everything some trades suck shat.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

Speaking of work, Anyone consider power engineering?

Yup, I actually started it and the mill in Revi was going to pay for it but was blinded by the easy fast money of the rigs. Looking back I loved my job but wish I had gone the power engineering route

 

[Rjjtcross8]

Speaking of work, Anyone consider power engineering?

I considered going for it before just for something different.

 

[turbo392]

At work, we have 2 Journeyman electricians apprenticing in Refrigeration, one a master electrician which is great for us. Sounds like the last group of students at SAIT for HVAC/refrigeration were 1/3 electricians starting into this trade. Both are great additions to our company and are miles ahead of the typical fresh-from-high school kids we get.

 

[overkill19]

There’s stick sh!t together and hoping it holds, then there’s actual welding knowing it’s good. Come watch me tig a piece of stainless steel pressure piping together. Where you need to follow strict procedures to maintain the properties of the stainless. Then you will be singing a different tune.

Saw this and thought of this thread.... it’s sweet! I wish I could weld 1/100 of this talent!

 

[neilsleder]

Saw this and thought of this thread.... it’s sweet! I wish I could weld 1/100 of this talent!

Yah that’s not that’s guys first socket weld

 

[Stompin Tom]

I looked into becoming a male prostitute, but I found out most of the customers are men, so I dropped that idea.

 

[Ronaha]

I looked into becoming a male prostitute, but I found out most of the customers are men, so I dropped that idea.

You’d have more dickends than weekends.

 

[overkill19]

Anyone thinking of or getting into the fire side of things. I know these are 2012 stuff but still lots of good info, not sure why I only have 2012 stuff at home , I go every year? Must be at work I guess . Anyway if anyone wants this stuff you can have it.

 

[Bernoff]

Hope it is mostly pictures.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

Any commercial divers here?

 

[Bnorth]

Speaking of work, Anyone consider power engineering?

I was a summer student in a large steam plant for two summer but missed my third summer due to cutbacks in the 2009 recession. The 3rd summer would have given me enough firing time to write for my 4th class and I probably would have done it since it's pretty straight forward.

 

[Beer Slayer]

Anyone here started a new career-trade after being out of school for over 20 years? Certainly not getting any younger but it's time for a change!
A little concerned about the lack of memory after killing too many brain cells over the years That and the thought of going to school with a bunch of young kids is certainly a turn off. Thoughts?

I hear ya, 41 years out of school...
Well yesterday was a kick to the nuts...after 32 years of service at the same trucking company I was let go for "restructuring". Five of us, two guys with 44 years, one with 10, another with 1. Going to be tough finding a gig at 58 years old with the whole country shut down due to covid-19. Starting a new trade at this time would put me at retirement age by the time schooling is completed. Hmmm.

 

[sirkdev]

Sorry to hear that. Best of luck to you on the new search.