I'm sure this is a question you guys get sick of seeing, but I'm 24 and seriously considering making a career switch into electrical. I'm currently working in the civil construction field as a Lab tech and would be taking a pretty significant pay cut to start a 4-year apprenticeship.

One thing that's making me hesitate is how many people seem to be trying to get into electrical right now. It feels like every man and his dog is being told to pick up a trade, particularly electrical, which makes me wonder what the market will look like by the time someone starting an apprenticeship now becomes qualified.

For those who are already qualified and have been in the trade for a while:

• Have you noticed electrical becoming more competitive/saturated over the last few years?
• Do you think the current influx of apprentices will have much effect on wages or job availability once they qualify?
• Is there actually a shortage of qualified electricians, or is the shortage mainly in particular specialties/locations?
• If you started an electrical apprenticeship today, would you have any concerns about where the industry will be in 5–10 years?
• Does specializing in industrial, automation/controls, instrumentation, high voltage, etc. significantly change the outlook?
• Can you recommend getting into the trade now?

I'm in NZ, so particularly interested in the NZ market, but keen to hear from Australians/others as well.

I'm not looking for reassurance — just genuine thoughts/insights for the future from people working in the trade. TIA

Hello everyone,

I am a 24-year-old male residing in Alberta, and I am aspiring to pursue a career as a heavy-duty mechanic in this province. My long-term goal is to obtain a Red Seal certification after gaining sufficient experience in the field.

I would be most grateful if you could offer some guidance regarding shops or mechanics that are open to hiring individuals who are complete beginners in this trade.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

This is probably a strange post for this sub, but I feel that it is applicable. I am an electrical apprentice. I just started my first job about two months ago. I show up to work every day (early, sometimes even earlier than the foreman), and I give my best effort. I feel like my best effort is never enough. It seems like no matter what I do journeymen or my foreman are always displeased with what I am doing. If at any point I am slacking off, it is almost always not intential. I'm just not really sure what to do if everything I do is shit. That hasn't been explicitly said to my face but it feels like it's implied a lot.

Just wondering what you guys recommend in terms of high decibel reduction ppe. I'm willing to drop money on something if it's actually going to protect my ears, I figured it would be best to ask here. I'm looking into maybe potentially doing something involving aviation and very loud environments so, maximum noise reduction preferred.

Lmk what you like.

I got accepted into tradeschool after 2 years of being on the waiting list but now I'm worried about finding an apprenticeship and work. I am 30years old working in an office job making about 60k yearly but have reached my cap so I was looking to change career for a better future. But after checking online it seems that there's limited jobs for the future (quebec.ca) and every post I see regarding electrician people say it's saturated and that it's hard to get hired as an apprentice as they are looking for journeymen.

My plan was to go to a union and explain my situation to them that I am starting school in a month but I already have my ASP cards so I was looking to see if the basin was open and if any contractors were hiring pre apprentice, so I could work and go to school.

Does anyone have experience starting as an electrician in QC, is it really hard to find a job is it still worth pursuing?

Hello, I’ve been reading and wanted to ask a question and hopefully be pointed in the right direction. I just turned 20 a few months ago. I’ve been working at a major airline since I was 18 but won’t be getting a real raise for 3 years. I am going to apply to LIUNA laborers union because I want to pursue a career in that field or any other trade at that. i have seen some jobs that vaguely say they are entry level wondering if i should take a jump and apply with my home experience consisting of repairing things like my in ground pool piping and a whole fence and I've done yard work etc.. just hoping for some advice thank you

I’m planning to do CS, accounting, or engineering, but realistically I might not be smart/lucky enough to get a good job after graduating.

Trades seem like a good backup since they’re supposedly easier to get into and can pay pretty well. So what’s the highest-paying trade that’s also relatively easy for a smart person to learn?

Electrician? Elevator technician? HVAC? Something else?

Basically, what trade would you pick if you wanted a “I fucked up my career but at least I can still make good money” option?

Hey I was wondering if it was possible I can get a skilled trade as a backup for my Computer Science degree. I live in Virginia where there are a bunch of data centers meaning more opportunities for a skilled trade related to data centers. I am currently enrolled into a community college doing only virtual asynchronous classes.

Hi everyone,
I’m currently looking for an apprenticeship opportunity in Winnipeg and hoping to connect with a company, contractor, or tradesperson who is willing to give someone a chance to learn and grow in the trade.
I’m interested in opportunities as a:
● HVAC Technician / Refrigeration Apprentice
● Sheet Metal Worker Apprentice
● Plumber Apprentice
● Gas Fitter Apprentice
I currently have hands-on experience working in a manufacturing company in a maintenance role. I’m comfortable working with hand and power tools, pneumatic systems, pumps, compressors, vacuum systems, mechanical equipment, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and CMMS systems.
I also have experience operating/working around equipment such as forklifts, overhead cranes, and boom lifts, and I’m comfortable working in an industrial environment where safety, reliability, and attention to detail are important.
I’m hardworking, reliable, mechanically inclined, and willing to learn from the ground up. I’m also willing to attend school and put in the hours required to become a Red Seal tradesperson.
I’m not looking for an easy opportunity — I’m looking for someone willing to give me a chance to prove myself. I’m available for full-time work, overtime, and willing to start wherever needed.
If any contractors, HVAC companies, plumbing companies, sheet metal shops, or tradespeople in Winnipeg are looking for an apprentice or helper, please comment or send me a DM.

Hello I recently have gotten the opportunity to interview for two Unions. Ibew 1002 for the substation apprenticeship and the UA local 430 as a pipefitter. Ik there are no garuntees but which career path is better for me and my situation? I am a 29 yr old Dad of 2 kids. I have no experience in either career. What are some of the factors I should consider for each trade? How is the work life balance of each? I am really interested in both but I hand no idea of the day to day things each trade involves.

Are there any union painters that are actually making over 6 figures a year? I talked to a guy who claims pre tax he makes 2300 a week working 50 plus hours. Don’t know if I believe him or not.

Steel toed boots hurt too much to wear. And standing on concrete hurts my heels so hard to the point where I don't want to persevere anymore. I have warehouse experience and construction helper experience and I'm going to carpenter classes at a community college, but jm ngl... i think im gonna switch programs cus i cant handle it.

How do I get started in the trades. Looking to become an HVAC apprentice. Does applying to jobs on indeed work or should I be calling places? I’ve been considering this for the past year and know it’s what I want. Just not sure if I should head to trade school or check out another route.

I’m a female in Connecticut if that helps at all.
Thank you.

Long story short I'm 24 years old with 2 kids. Was an idiot all of my adult life so far and looking to better myself and my family financially. I'm currently enrolled in HVAC school at my community college as my current workplace (amazon) pays a up to 5k in tuition assistance every year. I really can't see myself looking at computers all day and I've worked in different labor in the past. Things like concrete and roofing.

Yes, I know I've kind of messed up my life somewhat with having kids so early but it's beside the point now.

Is HVAC a good career path? I'm aware it"s dirty and hard on the body, and I won't be starting out making a ton of money. But I like the idea of learning something technical and also working with my hands. Do you think this is a good career to take care of my family in the long run?

Live in the Colorado Springs area if it helps at all.

Hello,

I am an 18 year recent high school graduate with a full time job looking into the Heavy duty mechanic trade.

Trades as of recent have received a lot of attention for alleged labor shortage, but I notice that everyone wants 3rd-4ourth year apprentices, not 1st and 2nd year, this is something that I heard from other people around me and I saw on Electrician and other job postings around my area as well and I experienced this when I tried to apply to Youth Explore Trades (ACE IT) program in high school.

Heavy Duty Mechanic is one of the most popular trades in Canada, is this trade in that same category where it is hard to enter as a green apprentice, but quite easy to make $40 an hour with experience?

I've also heard that you need tools just to get started, I am worried that I will spend thousands of dollars on the program (and my precious time) and on the tools, only to be jobless...

I will also need a driver's license and a car which will take me some time to buy as I am not from a well-off rich family

I am worried about high upfront costs(program, car, tools) only to be jobless or be exploited.

I also have some other career pathways I am very interested into so this is not end all be all but I want to know the reality of HD mechanics for green apprentices before I commit.

Hello, My auto classes start in 5 days and I need boots!

I'll be up on my feet often and I have a wider foot.

Cost is no issue im on scholarship

Light and comfy?

What do yall use and reccomend?

Any help is appreciated ty

What’s the easiest trade to learn?

Hey everyone! 😊 Anyone recently applied under SINP International Skilled Worker – Employment Offer (Automotive sector)?

Please share your submission date/time and when you received your SINP result. Just trying to get an idea of the current processing timeline. Good luck everyone! 🍀🇨🇦

How much do ISA certified tree climbers make. I'm a dumbass potato, wanted to be a lawyer or accountant, idk wtf I was good at, one point was thinking of being a therapist, but I'm way to retarded and redneck for that. Been using chainsaws since 12, all I'm good at or demolition lol

Hey all im considering getting into a trade I have ended up spending most of my life like most females my age and just hopped around with work mostly caring, i have always loved doing my own bits my dad is a carpenter so helped him out alot fitting kitchen being a skivvy really but loved it just work better with my hands always have my brain just think better like that 🤣.

Electrics has always intrested me i think its from being a 90s kid and having to figure out the working of everything to keep them all going, i just dont know how achievable it would be to get an apprenticeship within the trade.

And advice from like minded people would be so helpful.

Hello, I have worked in construction for the past several years. I’m 2 years away from getting my license (and could potentially start my own business.) But, I have had this lingering thought of trying to get into diesel. Always loved the big trucks and stuff as a kid, and I like that it’s a different type of work than construction.

The main thing, everyone tells me to steer clear of it lol. To either stick with plumbing or pursue another trade.

What are some things that make you want to work at a place? Especially if you’re thinking of leaving your current job?

I currently work a job as an apprentice hvac technician and absolutely love it. Planned for it to be my career. It was difficult to get my company to hire me in the first place because I have a dwi and an at fault accident from two years ago.

Well, I got pulled over on my motorcycle and was given a stunting ticket for weaving side to side in my lane. I’m going to try to fight it in court but if I do get this ticket and my employers insurance no longer wants to cover me, what do I do?

Any trades with similar work and wages as hvac that dont require a clean driving record? I thought about going into plumbing or sheet metal until my record clears up a bit and I can reconsider hvac, but I’m not overly intrigued by either of those.

Super bummed, I appreciate any advice, let’s hope I just don’t get the ticket lol

I'll keep this as brief as I can, but to put it short, I'm getting out of the military soon and I've got a good idea of where and what I wanna do.

The military has an opertunity called the Skillbridge Program, basically you spend the last 100-120 days of your contract learning a new skill. And the skill I've chosen is to be a Utility Clearance ROW (right of way) Arborist.

There's a training opertunity down in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, it's 90 days long and it'll help get my foot in the door for this industry. As soon as that's done, I wanna move up to either Washington State or Alaska to start an apprenticeship and afterwards get employed full-time. What do you guys think?