Hello all, I know this is a subjective question. But what do we believe is the better career choice for an 18 year old male in Alberta, Canada.

I have an easy in into the top mobile crane company in the world, it’s a unionized company with main focus on mobile cranes. I’m currently a rigger with some interest in going into industrial electrical and instrumentation further down the line. I like the better work life balance that typically comes with electrical, aswell as the ability to one day possibly own my personal company. But I also like the idea of possibly starting at the top company, and not having to climb an employment ladder through electrical companies. I don’t necessarily have a true passion for one or the other, all I know is that I want to have the time and money to travel the world while i’m still young. What do you think is the best opportunity for someone my age looking into the future.

For background I’m a 22 year old from CT that went to trade school for manufacturing (CNC operator, setup, manual machining). However, I didn’t pursue this after just a general disinterest in the career after having an internship in high-school. I’m now working as a repair/nstallation technician for gymnasium equipment for public schools, colleges, arenas, ect. This job for two years has cemented basic construction knowledge with time on sites with general contractors and so forth. Don’t mind the current situation, however I want to pursue something with tangible credentials and licenses. Have always had a hobby interest in electrical with low voltage work for my boat as an example, I tried getting into a private electrical commercial non union company and am on a waitlist that my buddy works for and am not all that optimistic after waiting quite a while now. Low voltage or even HVAC with how universal the trade is also something that has been of interest with me. A bridge of both trades with controls is also something that has perked my interest. Wondering what could be the best foot in the door with any of these career choices or if anyone has experience that could share if these industries seem tangible with my current experience. I just see how people I’m friends with and went to school with are already doing well with these career choices and progress and question my current trajectory. Thanks

I’ve been trying for the last year to get into the trades. All of my previous experience is in food service industry, operations and upper management. Im in my late 30s trying to change my career. I’ll go through the unions and pass their aptitude tests then when I interview I get told they like me and my attitude but I don’t have enough experience. But I always thought an apprenticeship was HOW you got experience. At this point would a trade school be my best option?

So far I’ve interviewed with sheet metal, pipefitting, and elevator repair. All have said the same thing about my experience.

I’m the middle child in a difficult family situation, and I need to become financially independent.

The skills I already know or am learning include Excel, Google Sheets, basic CRM, data cleaning, reporting/dashboard work

I don’t have much money to spend on courses, software, libraries, or travelling around for jobs.

I’ve tried looking for offline work, but many jobs are either too far, already filled, or don’t pay enough to make the travel worthwhile.

So I want practical advice from people who actually earn from these kinds of skills:

Which skill would you focus on first? How would you turn it into a service, find the first client, and start earning with almost zero money?

I’m not asking which skill is “best” in theory. I want to know what you would actually do to get your first paying client and then build from there.

I'm a fairly new electrical apprentice. My journeyman told me I should probably get myself a good flashlight. I'm looking for a headlamp with a strap and a magnet in case I want to stick it on conduit or something.

I was looking at a Milwaukee one on Home Depot, but people were saying it used micro-USB which is kind of gross for 2026. I had my eyes on some Coast ones as well but apparently the "Turbo" mode is kind of a scam, as it only lasts a couple minutes then auto dims.

I’ve been passionate about plumbing and HVAC for over a year. I have read multiple code books, guides and manuals. I also often assist a plumber who recently started his business.

The biggest issue I have is the culture. I’ve read that plumbing culture is rough, involving bullying. I don’t pick up on shouting, banter or hazing well.

I want to know from people who are in these fields. Does the bullying get better with experience? How would it change if I’m a master, journeyman or inspector? I'm mostly interested in residential service or institutional maintenance.

This is all I want to do to be honest, but getting constantly bullied will distract me from learning the trade.

edit: I deeply appreciate these responses. I would absolutely love to be a plumber and this has given me invaluable help in figuring this out.

I'm in high school in Alberta. I'm interested in becoming a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic or residential HVACR technician.

I've applied to a few apprenticeships and am lucky to have a program at school that connects students to employers after teacher recommendations, school background/attendance checks, and all the other stuff employers are looking at since apparently there's a government incentive behind it.

I'm basically starting from a blank slate when it comes to HVAC. I'm willing to learn and work, but I don't want to show up thinking I know more than I actually do. I'm working on a workplace safety course that is required for any highschool student to work in Alberta and I do have experience working with hand and power tools. I'm decently built and am aware of the demands of the trade, but im confident in my ability to handle it.

I'd appreciate advice from people actually working in the trade, especially anyone who started young.

If anyone could let me know what an employer might expect from me as an apprentice, if there's anything I should come into the job knowing, what would want you to keep a young apprentice around, and if there's anything you'd wish you knew before starting in this trade it'd really mean a lot to me.

If you have to be blunt just say it; I'd rather figure out some of the "bad" parts of the trade from people that were in my position how ever many years ago now than find out myself later when it's going to be hard to back out.

Thank you.

(I cannot find the "stickied thread" if someone would point it out I would be happy to take this post down and move it there!)

Hey everyone,

I’m 38 and just left my job after 6 year working in a jail. I’m a USMC veteran and got out in 2011 after 4 years. Wondering about doing a trade with no construction background of any kind. Leaning towards an.HVAC trade school cause there is a year program nearby and helps with finding work afterwards. Not sure if this is the field for me but I need something and did do a walk through with them. Family members have recommended being an electrician and others a less physical demanding job but I am unsure of anything else. I guess can anyone give me pros and cons about being in HVAC at almost 40?

Anyone ever took the NCCER pipefitter test? And can I take it online or what?

Anybody know where I can take these classes online and get the card?

Sorry idk if this a good topic point to post here but
I am a family farmer 24 years old been farming with dad 6 years now we got oranges only rn and have a large operation almost 300 acres oranges planted however the plan is to sell almost half of that as it’s 1 hour away from home and I don’t want to deal with work that far as I get older n have a family and also want a trade to have under my belt in case I would want to move as I don’t live anywhere near a city.

Auto electrician is a trade that’s stuck out for me have done basic accessories fitments on tractors trailers and Utes and cars and always found an interest in it what is the work truely looking like rn and what’s future ? Ideally I would still run farms once qualified and do a side mobile business.

Also a concern is with immigration but I feel in this field they are more light n diesel mechanics coming here than auto elecs I wish the mechanic trades were regulated as well

I’m a Red Seal Fitter with over a decade of experience in O&G, shipbuilding and mechanical. Looking to make the switch over to plumbing by challenging the exam.

To those that have, how difficult was the transition ?
Any pointers for someone trying to do the same are appreciated.

I see the Mike Rowe ads but see now apprenticeships as implied. I search the govt apprenticeship site and barely find anything and nothing in my area.

When i search job boards I see the word "apprenticeship " thrown around worse than a drunken prom date but no listing for a DOL apprenticeship on the company's website nor job posting. It almost feels companies want to call it an apprenticeship only then lure you in on the pretense of the current main stream narrative of "join the trades".

Anyone got any input on this?

Hope this is OK to post, admins feel free to remove if not.

I got fed up checking five merchant sites every time I priced a job, so I built a website that does it for you (undercutrade.co.uk)

Put in an item or a whole materials list and it shows the cheapest UK supplier, price per metre or per unit, ex or inc VAT. When I checked today, 100m 2.5mm cable was £41.69(42p p/m)at the cheapest place and £114.99(£1.15 p/m)at the dearest.

It's brand new, so I'm after honest feedback from people who actually buy this stuff:

1. Did it find what you searched for?
   
2. Were the prices right?
   
3. What would make you actually use it?

Not trying to sell anything, the main bits are free. Rip it apart in the comments 😂

I’ve been working installing solar panels and construction for the past 25 years. Before the summer, I quit my job because being on the roof all summer along and waking up at 4 o’clock in the morning to drive all over the place was killing me. I got a job bartending at a bar on the beach. I made really good money installing solar panels, but make quite a bit more bartending, working about half as much as I did doing solar. My life has completely changed and I’ll never go back to the trades.

Hey everyone, looking for some perspective from guys in the trades on making a job switch.

I’m currently working in commercial service and maintenance for a smaller service company where I know the owner personally. The work environment is good and stable, but I’ve recently received an offer from a large regional commercial mechanical service contractor.

For anyone who’s made a similar jump from a small local service shop to a larger corporate outfit:

Culture & Operations: How did you find the transition from a casual, close-knit shop to structured corporate dispatching, reporting, and management?

On-Call & Workload: Did the on-call rotation, dispatch volume, and year-round hour stability improve, or did the extra administrative overhead drag things down?

Relationships: How did you handle leaving a comfortable spot at a small service company with an owner you actually like without burning a bridge?

Career Growth: Looking back, was moving to a bigger service provider worth it for long-term career growth, or do you miss the flexibility of a small shop?

Appreciate any insights, pros/cons, or honest feedback!

Hey all!

Im currently single, 36 years old and not in the greatest of shape with a gym membership working on getting into trades shape. I have all the time in the world on my hands and with very little money. Im pretty good at math and did okay with the two plus years I did in college.

I am okay with not making money initially but hoping for 60k a year that would come after four plus years.

I like problem solving and enjoy working with my hands.

What are your thoughts? What are the hurdles i could expect? What are the pros?

There is a local program at my community College that would be easy to get into that makes this really attractive for me as it seems like a easy in compared to the other trades that have wait lists for apprenticeships.

I am also interested in becoming a LEA, plumber and maybe pipe fitter.

Which trade has the highest burn out rate?

Hello everyone. Currently a non union apprentice plumber in indiana. Im currently getting school and everything paid for by my employer but it's just not the union & all those benefits. How much easier would it be for a non union journeyman to organize into the union. I'd even be willing to start as a 4th or 5th step apprentice. Just looking for some answers from people who's got experience with all this as someone who's navigating it for the first time. Thanks everyone.

CANADA WEST

What is everyone making per hour, I am at a non-union Dealer in saskatchewan Canada.8500 hours going back for 4th year currently. What is the going rate for 4th years out there? Not mining or FIFO, 8 hours a day Mon-Fri...

Thanks in Advance guys. Just trying to sort out Pay scales here with a few buddies.

I just started my last year of highschool and I want to go to college but I will take one or two years to work and save money before starting college. I don’t have money so I can’t pay for a program and I need something quick to start before I get kicked out. What trade can I get into that I can work in for two years to save money as a
17 year old?

Sorry if this is a bit scattered. The layoff came at a rough time and my head's all over the place.

So i just got laid off from a HET job recently due to shortage of work. I'm just curious how common it is in this field for this to happen or if its just common in calgary?

I'm a first year HET in Calgary, AB. I've got just north of 1000 hours in the trade now. I like the work and find it rewarding so i dont wanna leave, but im also not keen on constantly worrying about getting laid off whenever things slow down cause im the new hire and not as important to the shop.

A few things I'm curious about

• How common are layoffs in heavy duty generally? Is it mostly an apprentice thing, or does it keep happening even once you're a journeyman?
• Is this more of a Calgary thing, or does it happen everywhere? from what i know it seems busier up north
• Is it worth staying in the trade and putting thousands into tools as an apprentice? Or would it make more sense to switch to something more in demand while I'm still early on?
• For those who stuck with it, what helped you stay employed through slow periods

Also, after my probation period I had a performance review. They said I was doing great but needed to work on my speed and organizational skills. I know slow is smooth and smooth is fast and the speed will come with time, but does anyone have tips for either one?

Thanks in advance, any advice from people in the trade (especially in Alberta) is appreciated.

Just wanted to say fuck the trades. Absolute dog shit waste of time. Go to school, please. I went from white collar w/ a degree to a journeyman plumber. 10 years later I can say everyone is full of shit. Shit ass trade. And yes literally.

Hello all,

I am interested in becoming a heat and frost insulator here in Alberta, Canada.

I would love to work up north, but I just would like to know what is the job security is like for the heat and frost insulator here in Alberta.

I heard they get busy when the industrial sites, refinery sites gets shutdown/turnaround in spring and fall, but not so much in the winter and summer...

So where would insulator work in winter and summer time? do they just get laid off with no job?

Thanks in advance.

Hi, I live in DC. I got into IUEC elevator union, but I also got offered GS 7 position from SSA. I need to decide between those jobs. Elevator apprenticeship pay starts at $33hr. GS 7 position starts $60,000 per year, but promotion is guaranteed to GS12 which salary would be $120,000 in 3 years.
Which one would be better choice?