It's not much better up here in NSW - the electrical mob i work with has been very quiet for 2 weeks now. They've actually had me out fixing leaking rooves, putting up fences, washing cars, and mowing lawns... We were thinking about putting another apprentice on when year 12 finishes this year, but if it doesn't pick up soon we won't bother.
catch 22 with both....domestic you dont get payed as much but the variety of work is amazing...where as cammercial jobs you get payd heaps but its all the same stuff (im talking plumbing perspective here)
Other way around here. Commercial has completely died while I hear domestic is still going strong. Things seem to be slowly picking up though I think, hopefully within a year the industry will be strong again... what I kept hearing a few weeks back was "just wait for the new financial year"... apparently a lot of new big jobs were expected to be kicking off as companies set new budgets and the government injects more money into the industry. As for tradies not earning as much as desk jobs... what a crock of sh*t. Obviously it depends on where you work and how qualified you are in your industry, but there is PLENTY of money to be made as a tradesman.
Yeah its generally the same here, we're waiting for a lot of people to get their tax back - we're flat booked again at the end of august for a few weeks on this reason alone. Filling up time to that point is getting tricky though... And like you said, us tradies get quite a healthy pay packet. First year qualified nets me $30 an hour with a car,uniform and phone supplied. $40/hr next year.
Its alright mate, i turned down a bachelor of business place at QUT to start a panel beating apprenticeship. Im 3rd year now, not eraning much at all, have a long drive to and from work, but im loving the job. Do what makes you happy mate, and you'll be right
Im sorry Deco, but did you even read the initial post? Realistic yeah, but mentally retarted? no. he quit uni, because he realised he was going to do something he is not going to enjoy, then mentioned that wood isnt for him, now you're telling him to be realistic? leaving something you hate to do something you hate makes no sense! :bang: find something you love, and keep doing it. For me at this point in time retail is my place (working for Retravision), my enjoyment, but next year could be completely different, i hope you find the job you're searching for soon!
cheers mate, this means alot. as for deco28, so if i was to say i don't want to be a bricklayer because i have a stuffed back, or a window washer because i am scared of heights, or a graphic designer because i suck at art, or a professional dancer because i can't dance or a feather because i weigh 96kg this is being unrealistic?????? i just don't like working with wood it frustrates me and i don't feel like being frustrated for the rest of my life................... thanks for your input however really helped me out....
heh well it gave me a bit of a chuckle in a somewhat non productive day... /vote 1 tool of the week award.
Yeah... lets not start another Blue vs White collar. There is good money for anyone who wants it as long as you're willing to work hard and get qualified. Simple as that.
good on ya mate for making a tough descision, I've always been told 'do what you enjoy and the money will come'
personaaly i'd get into domestic because its alot more complicated and would get you thru trade school alot easier, commercial is easy because its all the same and if you learn domestic first you will be able to do both quite easy
probably the dumbest thing i have heard all day. domestic is considered the bread and butter of all trades, comercial in the electrical industry or industrial in the electrical industry is more difficult, cables are larger in size, equipment draws more power, cable runs are longer, suport systems come into play more. and controll wiring will come into play with comercial and industrial. domestic is run a cable from a to b, wire it up, and turn it on, nice and simple. but back on topic, good luck finding a apprenticeship, i personaly cant help but think you have left it to late to do this, with the way the world is and all, apprenticeships are hard to come by, and the building industry is facing a colaps. never know though, you might be a lucky one p.s. for all those out there to do the blue colar vs white colar workers, (dam i cant spell) you can earn the same on each side of the fence, just gotta want to work for it.
man i only worked one year at a desk job and i got a heap of memories just from that, such as work paid trips, and all the different restaurants and pubs we would go to as a group during lunch breaks. then there wre fun things at the office, such as quizzes every week, and practical jokes we would play, although i suppose that can happy in any work environment. it depends where you work really, and what industry. also some desk jobs will give you the opportunity to travel to heaps of places overseas, and i dont think i could do a trade where i do the same physical labour for 40 years.
