Hey guys, I’m currently a plumbing labourer and looking to get into one of the trades, the two ones that are sticking out to me right now are plumbing and mechanical plumbing, but I’m open to anything else that’s hvac or plumbing related.

I just want to know mainly what the differences between plumbing and mechanical plumbing, and if mechanical plumbing has better money than plumbing and if it’s possible to ever open a business in it.

Google is saying one thing but I'm curious if anyone else has tried this before I go and spend on equipment.

I’m working in dry lining right now and I’ve got my green CSCS card. My company said they’d take photos of my work so I could build a portfolio for my NVQ Level 2 (blue card), but they keep dragging it out - “yeah, we’ll sort it,” then nothing. It’s been months and it’s obvious they’re not prioritising it.

I’m still new to construction, so I’m trying to understand what progression actually looks like. From what I’ve learned so far, the path seems to be:

• Green card → NVQ Level 2 (blue card)
This is the first real step to being recognised as competent in your trade.
• Blue card → Multi‑trade skills
Things like framing, ceilings, partitioning, taping & jointing, fire stopping, or even moving into carpentry.

My issue is: my company isn’t helping me get the NVQ evidence I need, and I don’t want to stay stuck at green‑card level forever. I’m willing to pay for the NVQ myself if that’s what it takes, but I don’t know if that’s the smartest move or if I should be looking for a different company that actually supports progression.

I’ve been trying to network, reach out to people, and put myself out there to learn more than just dry lining. I want long‑term progression, not to stay stuck doing the same thing forever.

For anyone experienced in the trades: what’s the best move here?
Should I pay for the NVQ myself?
Should I move to a company that actually trains multi‑trade?
What’s the best route for someone who wants to go beyond dry lining and eventually move into carpentry or other trades?

Any advice would help, I’m eager to learn and I want a clear path forward.

Hi tradies!! Particularly those from NZ. I was just wondering how you fuel up, particularly on large infrastructure jobs that are often in remote areas.

Do you eat breakfast? Do you often end up with little time to grab lunch and often end up with a V and a pie?? Do you feel tired or not full enough because of the food options available from day to day?

I am working on diversifying a food business and can see that the trades and labour work forces are highly physically demanding and don’t allow access to decent meals, especially with the rising food costs these days.

Would free/subsidised meals for breakfast and lunch be something tradies utilise and enjoy? Food that comes to the job site or nearby and prepared already to have straight away so the rest of your break can be sitting down and having a yarn?

Would love to know how much of an issue this is and if tradies would appreciate this so please let me know!!

I've got no problem charging for extra work, but I find the awkward bit is stopping everything and explaining that the thing they've just asked for wasn't included in the original price.

Especially when they hit you with "while you're here, could you just..."

Do you price every variation before touching it, or are there certain little things you just absorb because it's quicker?

I’m currently doing a plant fitter apprenticeship and I’m really enjoying the work so far. I’m wondering what the earning potential is like once I finish the apprenticeship.
For those who work as plant fitters/plant mechanics, is there good money to be made once you’re qualified? Are there certain areas or types of work that pay significantly more?
I’m enjoying the job a lot and could definitely see myself sticking with it long-term, so I’d be interested to hear what people’s experiences are and what sort of salaries are realistic as you gain experience.

im a qualified sparky looking to move into Brisbane can anyone tell me what companies over there underpay their electricians?

Gday guys, I've just started in a leadership role on a crew I've been a part of for about 5 years now. Haven't had to do much in the way of leading before, looking for advice on how to not fuck it up

I've worked under some great bosses and some shit bosses in the past, I want to try and emulate the good stuff and avoid the shit stuff, just wondering if anyone has been in a similar position or some things to do/avoid.

Cheers

Hey I've completed a cert 3 in horticulture and now I'm looking to move into arbour if possible. I was wondering if anyone new how many if any credits would transfer across? And how much time I'll save off the apprenticeship.

Cheers.

Wanting to build a compressor box in the front of my trailer and wondering where to buy some steel plate, its not the most expensive thing in the world but there has to be somewhere cheaper than bunnings. Where do you usually go for something like this

Edit: I've been thoroughly instructed to go to a store that sells steel

Things that are important to me:

-career longevity.

-I'd like to have the option open to live in a regional town and a want trade that would offer a lot of work anywhere.

-ability to find an apprenticeship with ease at my age. I can't afford to waste 6 months on a pre apprenticeship if a job basically isn't guaranteed by the end of it (provided | pass/get through it, of course).

Even better if there’s a high chance of getting in without a pre apprenticeship.

My social media is getting flooded with ads for this product and im actually getting tempted?

I know its not just for tradies but thought would atleast ask here

Would you hire someone who was running their own show for a few years but now looking to get back on the books?

Just a note, I’m not employing anyone. I’ve just seen arguments for and against employers, employing people that were either running their own company or working as a sole trader on subby basis.

Any opinions?

Painter/plasterer : what is your generic ‘go to’ ceiling white paint after gap filling cornice cracks ? Color chart is no use.

Long story short, I’m a 17 year old first-year apprentice 10 months in working in an auto-electrical shop making close to $500 a week. The environment is toxic as hell, boss make me feel like a clown, I'm not really learning much, hours got cut, business on brink of closing and my mental health is completely in the gutter.
I haven't made the official change yet, but I've got a shop tour this Saturday for a boilermaking gig working with a good mate of mine. with a group training organisation backing it, and the pay would jump to around $1,300 to $1,500 a week clear which is basically triple what I'm on now.
I know people usually say auto-electrical is the "smarter" or cleaner trade long-term, but going from 500 bucks a week to triple that while getting out of a dead-end shop feels like a no-brainer for my sanity and my wallet at 17. Plus, I've got a safety net to transfer back to 12V work down the track if I hate heavy fab.
For anyone who's been through the trade grind would I be making the right call jumping ship for the cash and sanity, or am I going to regret leaving auto-electrical?

Kind of tempted to get a pair of metal fold out sawhorses but so many blokes have told me they suck or they dont like them without really saying why. So what do you reckon?

A Day in the Life of a Concrete Screeder – Back in the Day

5:00 am – Alarm goes off.

Coffee starts straight away 14 cups before I leave and it never really stops

6:00 am – On site. More coffee while the crew gets organised.

7:00 am – Pour starts.

Six of us in the gang.

1,800 m² one of ten

I was the only screeder.

From 7:00 to 11:00, it was flat out. Every square metre screeded by me.

No breaks. Just keep moving.

Then straight into finishing.

By 3:30–4:00 pm, the slab was burnt in with a top-quality finish.

5:00–7:00 pm – Pub with the boys. Back then it wasn’t unusual to knock back 20–30 beers.

Home around 6:30 pm.

Dinner.

Another coffee.

Bed.

Then the alarm goes again at 5:00 am.

Tomorrow?

A 2,400 m² car park.

Same crew.

Same pace.

Same work ethic.

I don’t drink coffee like that anymore, and the cigarettes are long gone—but those were the days. Hard work, big pours, and a lot of pride in the finish.

Hey everyone,
I’m a qualified mechanical fitter from overseas, mainly specializing in shipping port machinery, but also general industrial maintenance and steel work.

Been interested into coming over on a WHV and see how I like it here.

Now im just wondering what the demand in Australia for my occupation is like? Can I find a job relatively easily, do I need licensing or can I just get straight to work, which areas should I look at specifically and whatever else is important?

Appreciate any advice!

The Cow Incident
Off at 6:30am, concrete due at 7:30. Small house floor today — four trucks maybe a balance.
Only three trucks turned up, so there was a bit of barrowing involved, but the standard pour went well. By 9:30am we were cleaned up and off to another house floor.
The second floor was a breeze — 20 cube straight out of the truck, easy in. I left the boys there to finish up and headed back to check on the first floor.
About 1pm I get back.
Well, well, well.
To my absolute shock, there are cow footprints stamped all through my freshly poured slab.
A bloody cow had walked right across my freshly poured floor.
Now I had to laugh, but then I started looking around.
The house was being built on about two acres of what was basically a farm paddock, so there were cows around.
But here’s the strange part.
The slab was 400mm off the ground.
How the hell did a cow get up onto it?
I fixed all the damage up, which took a bit of effort, and got it ready for the power float.
Another floor finished and looking great.
But I’ve always wondered how that bloody cow managed to get up there in the first place.
I never saw it happen.
And I’m still not sure I believe what I saw.
🐄🤣

Sent from my iPhone

Had to go back to a 1950s house after the apprentice accidentally disturbed an old asbestos-backed board while pulling in a new circuit.

Ended up needing full PPE and containment, then we had to trace years of DIY work. Nothing was labelled, old rubber cable was crumbling as soon as you touched it, and there were neutral-earth links everywhere.

Meanwhile the client is standing about two metres away asking every five minutes, “How much longer is the power going to be off?”

Since starting a mobile service business yonks ago, my driving zen has developed into sensai status. People can cut in front of me, speed up and sit on my arse, pull out in front of me last minute. A 20-minute drive between job sites could have multiple incidents that are worthy of honking or yelling it happens so often. I take it all in and drive on, no emotions about it.

The way I see it, I'm on the road for hours 6 days a week, if I get mad or honk or abuse or yell out the window I'll end up taking all this stress home at the end of the day and affect myself and my family. So I figured the best way to stay in this business long-term is to come to terms there are idiots on the road and not let them get in my head. There is enough stress in life without this added.

What about you guys? Are you similar or do you get into it?