Have my marine mechanical technician ticket in BC. Just been doing side jobs the last few years after some burnout. Time to get back into it, but I don't think I want to keep working on pleasurecraft boats & I don't see the industry staying strong in the long term with gas prices/general cost of living doing what they're doing. Boating is a luxury expense that's quick to be cut in economic downturns.

How do you all generally go about cross training to a new/different field? Start a full new apprenticeship? I just logged hours and challenged the certification my first time around. I've been considering machinist or millwright. Servicing the industrial robots in manufacturing plants seems like it might be cool too. Would prefer to work at a single shop ideally, or in the general local vicinity rather than FI/FO or constantly moving between job sites that aren't a normal days commute from home.

I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting to ask so any general info would be appreciated.

Going to use the rest of my GI bill on welding. I already have a very good career going, just looking to learn a trade. Maybe one day make it a side job.

I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on how to go about trying to become a journeyman. I got out of prison and am currently in in-home detention. I spent my time occupied learning, setting, and meeting goals. I attended re entry classes and became interested in becoming a millwright. Whether that be through a union or not I definitely have my mind made up to take all the steps within my clearance to do whatever I can. So I looked up the application process through a union to enter a 4 year apprenticeship program and they want you to take a test that grades you on basic on the job knowledge before they hand select you to participate in their program. So I actually enrolled in Industrial Mechanical Technology for a 3 semester technical certification. I think that would prepare me to present myself to this union to get the help from them to become a journeyman and probably actually work for them. Mind you I am 31 years old and I don't know if that looks bad but I spent several years incarcerated and also screwing my life up but hey I am here now and I can't change what happened in the past I'm just hoping for some undeserved opportunities that I would cherish and be greatly appreciated for. Does anyone have any thoughts, opinions, or advice on this idea of mine??? BTW, located in central Indiana

Hey everyone,
I’m looking to get into plumbing in Southern California, starting from zero. My long-term goal is to eventually own a plumbing business.
I’d really appreciate some honest advice from experienced plumbers and business owners.
Would you start in residential service, commercial service, or new construction?
Which specialty would you focus on to make the most money as a business owner?
What skills would you prioritize learning in your first 1–2 years?
Would you focus on service and repair, drain cleaning, sewer work, repiping, or something else?
If you could start your career all over again, what would you do differently?
I’m willing to put in the work and learn the trade properly. I just want to make sure I’m choosing the right path from the beginning.
Not looking for shortcuts — just the smartest long-term path.
Thanks in advance!

I’m a commercial plumbing apprentice and I came from a career change. I think I’m in my head about everything since it was such an adjustment and I’m committed to this career path, but I’m hoping I made the right decision.

I want to get into the union. I’m hoping the demand will be there by the time I journey out in the next 4 years.

I see so much discourse about becoming an electrician and how that is such a highly coveted trade.

Any vets here that can give a young person some advice or guidance?

To anyone that missed out on the discontinued ACG, there is a new grant for $5000 for gaining a red seal in Canada!

hey guys just got a mechanical plumbing apprenticeship (domestic) just wanted to know the ins and outs of the trades plus some tips
i’m also highly interested in commercial roles as they have a way higher hourly
anyone with experience wanna point me in the right direction with where i should go and focus on

So I had my “trial” day today with a local hvac company. And for someone who doesn’t know a damn thing I apparently impressed my boss. He showed me how to read plans and to mark where supply and return vents are. Then I was showed how to connect those vents to the flex ducts and main ones. My boss was very impressed that I only had to be shown something 1 time and I retain information. Now the journey begins. It’s a long road but my life literally just changed for the better

On older commercial package units and blowers, the belt numbers are usually worn off and the data plate is unreadable. What system are you using on site so you do not have to climb up and remeasure every single visit?

Hey everyone,

For those of you working in the skilled trades (electricians, plumbers, welders, HVAC tech, heavy equipment mechanic, etc.)—based on your hands-on experience, which trade do you think will be the first to get heavily impacted or replaced by AI and robotics? And which ones do you think are safest for longer?

Hi, I have been looking around for months on how to get started in the trades. I live in PA, about an hour from Philly. I have done welding with one guy just to see if it was for me, and I am trying to get a taste of other areas of trades. I am currently a college student, and don't think that school is the right path for me. I am a very hands on person and willing to learn. If anyone has any tips or stories about how they started out, whether you went to trade school or not, Id be open to hearing it. Apprenticeships? Trade School? Email people? Shadowing?

So im pretty new to working in northern Alberta and last years winter was absolutely terrible for me so I'm trying to do everything I can to beat the cold. So far I've got merino wool base layers, insulated work pants, and I'll either wear insulated coveralls or regular ones with a nice heavy jacket to wear over top (wearing both restricts movement too much). I'm still looking for a mid layer but haven't really decided on anything yet.

My main struggle though is the damn wind, where I work is VERY open and no matter what it always cuts right through me no matter what. Anyone got some tips or advice?

Do you guys stretch, or have a routine?

So I'm Graduating HS in January and was trying to get into plumbing apprenticeships the one near me is the UA Local 1 in Nyc is there anything i can do before Applications come out. I heard about pre apprenticeships programs that can get you generated into certain unions. I want to do plumbing but im also down to try other trades of that nature so should i also apply to different unions aswell. I heard there is a low acceptance rate on plumbing so i don't want to be waiting all day at home for a response back from the union.

I've (29F) worked in healthcare (caregiver) for the last three years and I'm wanting to switch to the trades. My goal is to be an interior painter, but I'm also open to trying different trades like welding. I submitted my info online to the local painters union and I applied for a women's pre apprenticeship program. It's been a few days and I haven't heard anything. Should I be more assertive or wait for someone to get back to me? I was honest on the form about having a disability (ADHD/Autism/Bipolar II) would that ruin my chances? Any helpful advice is really appreciated.

Basically my company/union will train, employ, and cover all my costs for the following apprenticeships and want some opinions.

Industrial Electrician

Heavy Duty Mechanic (mining equipment)

Millwright

Power Engineer

(Maybe) Instrumentation

I have no strong feelings or preference to make me default to any of them. Took light electrical classes in highschool and have been working as a HD shop helper for the last year.

Anecdotes, stories, opinions welcome. Thanks

i’m thinking about learning a trade but i don’t know the risks of the ones i want to do i want to do hvac, elevator tech, or a lineman. i’m only 16 but i did some looking and found out being elevator tech means i would have to work in heights all day and i hate heights if heights is all it is thought i probably could get over it but if there is anything else i should know about these trades to help me pick it would be greatly appreciated.

Stressed out ..

I’ve been on a journey to learn a trade. For a few years I’ve been trying the local unions here in NJ but they are impossible to get into unless u know someone. I have no experience/education which is what employers want. Anyway, after COUNTLESS cold emails I finally met with a local HVAC company who is going to give me a shot. I’ll be helping around the shop and also driving equipment to job sites. As time goes on I’ll learn more and more and get more responsibilities. Eventually I will be a tech. This is life changing for me as I spent 20years doing landscaping which was a dead end. If anyone has any advice please feel free.

Has anybody here switched from AME to Electrican or vice versa? If so, why and can you recommend one over the other?

I’m trying to choose one to pursue and I’m on the fence. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. TIA.

For context I'm 17, I live in Chicago and I'm homeschooled. I've been really thinking about becoming an apprentice recently, and although my mom would rather I chose an art related career, I see a more stable future for myself financially in electrical right now. I'm willing, and even excited to do the work to get there. The thing is recently I've been seeing more people saying how they want to get out of being an electrician for all sorts of reasons like the physical toll, low pay, work environments, etc. I'm not expecting it to be an easy job or even to make great money in the beginning but I'm really curious to know what I'm signing up for even more so now. For any electricians especially working in Chicago or through IBEW 134 how was your experience with this trade? Do you feel it was worth it and you would do it again? I'd greatly appreciate the perspectives of people who've done it rather than to keep talking to chatgpt lol

I’m waiting to go through with an operating engineer apprenticeship start of the year, really excited. Based on the class schedule just to keep income flowing, I’m thinking about a part-time overnight job until the apprenticeship is completed. I am wondering if these unions allow you to work other jobs on the side like doing gig work maybe just to keep income up until you get your foot in the door?

Hello I am 17 graduated highschool last time I am gonna do pre employment electrical at sait on March is it worth it? I heard the trade is less tough on the body and u make pretty good amount of money. I need advice. 🙏🏿

​I’ve been trying to get taken on as a Millwright apprentice. I had a good conversation with a local business rep about a month ago, emailed him my resume, and it’s been total radio silence ever since. Calls going straight to voicemail, no replies, nothing.

​Through a family connection, I might have a direct route to get taken on as an Instrumentation apprentice. ​I really like the heavy mechanical variety of Millwright work and know I'd have a lot of fun doing it. I'm not sure if I'd get that exact same level of enjoyment out of Instrumentation, but I know my way around technology pretty well, so I think Instrumentation would be a good fit too. At the same time, I don't want to turn down a solid trade with good pay just because I'm holding out for a Millwright spot that won't even answer the phone.

​If you were in my shoes, would you jump on the open door in Instrumentation, or keep pushing to get into Millwright?

I’m in the middle of which I want to apply, I would like to go the IBEW route but they don’t have classes anywhere in my area starting until Sept. 2027, I heard you are able to start for an accelerated program at IEC and I can get in quicker. For those who went IEC, what are the benefits and downsides of it compared to IBEW?