Men: "How come women claim they want equality but don't want to do all the hard trade jobs? Feminists just want equal rights without equal responsibility". Also men when women try to work in the trades:

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[–]fuckingsealions 10 insightful - 1 fun10 insightful - 0 fun11 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Aw this is cool that she got that title. I'm not not a plasterer but I know some cool ladies in their Union in my city.

I'm in heavy skilled trades in the US and it was, pre-Covid, in high demand (not sure what will happen with anyone's jobs in this new normal). I hope more women join the trades as low skill jobs are increasingly automated.

I've had to deal with some shitty dudes but it's not any worse than I faced in tech. Instead of microaggressions, misogynists on job sites generally just don't speak to me. Sexual harassment training and the threat of lawsuits has put the fear into your rank and file worker. Some men also grumble about how restrictive OSHA is, but know if they get dinged on safety they may be fined or fired and insurance costs will go up. They know if you don't pay your dues, you don't work, no ifs, buts, or coconuts.

TPTB in unions understand that you have to hit men in their wallets for every rule they want enforced. You don't have that in corporate "at will" environments where men can get away with being horrendous and HR will ensure the woman leaves.

Anyway, I highly recommend trades in a non right to work state as a way of avoiding college debt. I've joined a legal gang that has my back as a woman in a lot of ways. I have two pensions and a supplemental 401k, health insurance, and I get regular raises that provides a good living. I also get paid to exercise, ha. Unions aren't a perfect system, but it's been more satisfying that negotiating on my own in corporate environments.

[–]Immortallogic 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

You sound like an absolute G. If you're in the position to, maybe you can go to local high schools and speak to those kids, especially the girls.

I would have def considered a job in the trades if I'd thought of it as an option in HS. The money is tiiight and will be more in demand as automation takes over as you say, and also as the boomers retire/pass on.

[–]fuckingsealions 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Hi, it sounds like you have your path, but for anyone reading this, I paid off my student loans and transferred to the trades at 37. I've known even older folks who do. There's advantages to starting early, but there's no cut off if you can do the work.

And we do outreach to girls! I've worked on presentations for hs visits but haven't gone on one yet. I've done trade conventions and I recruit when I run into an overworked server or barista who wants more security and asks me questions. I'm part of my trade's women's committee. We're trying to push back a little against the absolute flood of helmets to hard hats folks because they're a straight path in for mostly white men. Unions badly need diversity.

Anyway off my soapbox for now unless anyone considering trades has questions. :)

[–]Immortallogic 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Wow 37? That's awesome!! May I ask what you suggest as the best way to break in to the Industry, of one does enter late? From your experience/perspective.

Can you me a bit about your personal journey if you don't mind?

I'm really happy you do outreach and speak to women in everyday life! That's Amazing. Thanks for looking out for other women and showing them EmPoWeRiNg sex work isn't the only option.

[–]fuckingsealions 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

I did a pre-apprenticeship program that took 10 weeks. There is one in my state that's federally funded. They took us around to different trades and brushed us up on math and other skills. I was bored out of my gourd in tech being stuck at a desk.

However, anyone can apply to a trade directly at the JATC or union hall. I had to pay a small fee and there was a reading comprehension test (high school level) and a math test. I had to prove that I had auto insurance and was licensed to drive.

The training is free. I go to school 5 weeks a year and work "in the field" most of the time. When I am in school I collect unemployment. Every union is different, but I get apprentice raises every 6 months (5%) until I'm done with my program and then get full journeyman pay. Then I get regular cost of living raises. Most of my learning takes place in the field (jobsites). You can literally never have held a drill before, as long as you work hard and show up with a good attitude, they will teach you everything.

If anyone wants to check out different trades and ask questions of a bunch of women, I recommend r/bluecollarwomen

[–]Immortallogic 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Thank you for this good information and also suggesting the bluecollarwomen sub!

It honestly sounds pretty solid, and for those willing to put in the work, with the retiring of many boomers and automation probably not coming to take all sorts of trades jobs, it's pretty lucrative.

Wish you the best of luck with all of your endeavors <3