General Discussion

yewberry

(6,530 posts)

159. You are right that college has been pushed for decades.

Fri Dec 7, 2012, 01:52 AM

Dec 2012

But trades jobs are not gone and they're probably not as rare as you've been led to believe.

I work for an organization that hires a lot of tradespeople, and it's really hard to find people to fill those jobs. We recently had a boilermaker job to fill; in this major metropolitan area, we had 4 qualified applicants. Recent marine electrician job: 2 qualified applicants. Recent inside machinist job: 2 qualified applicants. The only reason we are able to hire enough marine engineers is because we run an internship program and then hire our interns.

We really struggle to fill these jobs. Carpenters, Insulation workers, Boilermakers, Sheet metal workers, Electricians, Pipefitters, Machinists... these are all real jobs, but not necessarily "college" jobs. Our worker population is aging, and it's actually hard to find qualified people for these positions.

This industry might be old school, but it's not going away. And we are not getting new blood.

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Millennials don't want to be coddled, they want jobs! [View all] white_wolf Dec 2012 OP

You should be out looking for a job leftstreet Dec 2012 #1

Are there not even any entry-level jobs to be had either? sadbear Dec 2012 #2

Sure there are some, but not near enough. white_wolf Dec 2012 #5

No. sagat Dec 2012 #9

Not really davidn3600 Dec 2012 #23

Actually, This Boomer RobinA Dec 2012 #30

It's the worst since 1931. n/t white_wolf Dec 2012 #34

Retail isnt what it used to be davidn3600 Dec 2012 #40

I graduated college in 2000 Nikia Dec 2012 #39

The key item in your post, "1998", the height of the tech boom Yavin4 Dec 2012 #77

26 million looking, 3.6 million jobs available. jtuck004 Dec 2012 #93

The "Millennials are coddled" meme is used to justify victim-blaming. Odin2005 Dec 2012 #3

Not even victim-blaming as much as simply justifying smug superiority Posteritatis Dec 2012 #137

I think the kids getting out of school now are having it real bad. LiberalArkie Dec 2012 #4

It is a different world. Lurker Deluxe Dec 2012 #19

It is a different world. white_wolf Dec 2012 #24

You are right that college has been pushed for decades. yewberry Dec 2012 #159

Millennials should start their own businesses. Obama says he supports small businesses. Small jody Dec 2012 #6

You're joking right? Not everyone can start their own small business or even want to. white_wolf Dec 2012 #8

Not joking. nt jody Dec 2012 #13

Yeah, I didn't think so. Admit it you are libertarian. white_wolf Dec 2012 #14

I'm a democrat who agrees with Jefferson and Madison and the rights of each individual that govt. is jody Dec 2012 #16

No one said anything about denying people the right start small businesses. white_wolf Dec 2012 #18

Your OP said "Millennials . . . want jobs!" My posts point out that each person seeking a job has jody Dec 2012 #25

Why don't you answer Kesterl19's question. white_wolf Dec 2012 #27

One place to start is your local small business center. jody Dec 2012 #33

Let's play your game and assume everyone has the money to start a business. white_wolf Dec 2012 #38

Only an idiot would dream of trying to compete with those major firms. There are however many jody Dec 2012 #44

For some sure. white_wolf Dec 2012 #45

If someone doesn't have the skills to start a business, then they will always be an employee. jody Dec 2012 #49

That's my whole point. There aren't enough jobs for people to be employees at. n/t white_wolf Dec 2012 #51

We agree there are not enough jobs. New jobs come either from expanding production when demand is jody Dec 2012 #54

supply sider, eh? busted dionysus Dec 2012 #151

How do think new jobs are created? nt jody Dec 2012 #152

by the demand side. supply means shit if people are too broke to buy the product. dionysus Dec 2012 #153

Demand triggers increase in existing production or new production as I said. jody Dec 2012 #155

You mean like how Walmart competed with AlexSatan Dec 2012 #113

When Jefferson and Madison lived, land was plentiful. JDPriestly Dec 2012 #28

Beyond that using both Jefferson and the Constitution as appeals to authority is rather ironic. white_wolf Dec 2012 #32

Agree re land but computers were not available to Jefferson and Madison. Why don't you jody Dec 2012 #41

it's very difficult for a small-business start-up to survive with all the government restrictions. white_wolf Dec 2012 #43

That's also a left-wing talking point. Democratic platform says: jody Dec 2012 #46

The argument for getting rid of regulation is very right-wing. white_wolf Dec 2012 #47

So when Obama supports getting rid of regulations that affect small-businesses he is just another jody Dec 2012 #53

It is very hard to start a small business. JDPriestly Dec 2012 #99

When you quit with the ad-hominem attacks on liberals and liberal ideas CreekDog Dec 2012 #143

Re: your number 2. morningfog Dec 2012 #164

That's a figure of speech to describe the present situation. You might choose other words to jody Dec 2012 #167

You belong to the party of "I Got Mine, Screw You". kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #136

I don't want my taxes being used to pay off the gambling debts of another. Apparently you do so go jody Dec 2012 #139

Another right-wing talking point that devoid of facts or empathy. white_wolf Dec 2012 #148

Apparently you do approve govt. taking your money and paying the gambling debts of others. jody Dec 2012 #149

Anti-union too CreekDog Dec 2012 #142

Where do you propose that new graduates with a mountain of debt and no assets kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #17

I'm very much looking forward to hearing his response to your post. white_wolf Dec 2012 #21

Perhaps those students chose a degree that has little value, i.e. they made a bad decision. jody Dec 2012 #26

You sound just like a libertarian. Admit it, you love Atlas Shrugged. white_wolf Dec 2012 #29

Nice way to avoid the question. RedCappedBandit Dec 2012 #73

What question interests you? nt jody Dec 2012 #75

Where do you propose young people get money for kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #98

I've answered that question. Small Business Center will help. nt jody Dec 2012 #100

Someone in this thread replied to your post on that... white_wolf Dec 2012 #131

That's been my experience, however Obama touts the Small Business Administration. Recently he jody Dec 2012 #133

They're giving away free money?? kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #138

If you have a problem with that, then write Obama. jody Dec 2012 #140

your signature line is recommending a conservative pipe dream CreekDog Dec 2012 #144

So, what do you have to say to the many graduates of VETERINARY kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #97

Even vets aren't find work? white_wolf Dec 2012 #101

Yes, they chose the wrong degree. nt jody Dec 2012 #102

It was the right degree when they got into vet school. kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #135

Your statements ignore the facts. There are many jobs for veterinarians that do not involve jody Dec 2012 #141

They borrow it from their parents, of course. JoeyT Dec 2012 #105

we should just borrow the money from out parents fizzgig Dec 2012 #163

You are wrong. Boomers has the highest per capital business startup rate of any american bluestate10 Dec 2012 #157

My "boomers didn't start business" was a general comment. white_wolf Dec 2012 #158

It would be a lot easier for anybody to do that if this country had a national health plan. nt raccoon Dec 2012 #31

+1,000. HughBeaumont Dec 2012 #147

Very few people can start businesses, even if they know what they want to do. LiberalArkie Dec 2012 #56

Understand re new business. Did you ask your areas Small Business Center for help? If yes were they jody Dec 2012 #57

A little late, I never knew of such places. My problems were getting set up for visa cards and such LiberalArkie Dec 2012 #129

I believe small business start-ups or growth can make major contributions to breaking out of the jody Dec 2012 #130

I tried, and it's really, REALLY slow. sakabatou Dec 2012 #103

Well clearly you just didn't work hard enough and made bad life decisions. white_wolf Dec 2012 #104

Outstanding! I wish more would try to start a business. They would find how difficult it is and gain jody Dec 2012 #109

Why haven't you been banned, yet, for posting this RW garbage? Odin2005 Dec 2012 #110

Easier said than done, and without a safety net, very risky bhikkhu Dec 2012 #117

And this start up cash and audience for their product is going to come frommm, where? HughBeaumont Dec 2012 #118

If someone can't start for the reasons you give, then she/he should thank the owners of a business jody Dec 2012 #122

many business owners didn't start their businesses CreekDog Dec 2012 #145

Ugh frostfern Dec 2012 #156

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Dec 2012 #126

Have you tried to start a small business? If yes did you survive or go bankrupt? Perhaps you didn't jody Dec 2012 #127

Seriously, how is Jody not banned. white_wolf Dec 2012 #132

This is the worst time to be starting out since the Great Depression. Chisox08 Dec 2012 #7

Exactly. I wasn't even born when Regan was elected both times and... white_wolf Dec 2012 #10

Many of us boomers are very likely to get screwed. amandabeech Dec 2012 #108

Thank you. Leveraged buyouts are to blame. JDPriestly Dec 2012 #35

I agree with you 100%. AverageJoe90 Dec 2012 #11

This is true. And we sure as hell don't want to work at Walmart. Comrade_McKenzie Dec 2012 #12

Nervy of them, expecting jobs to exist. kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #15

"Are there no poor farms?" - Republicans Berlum Dec 2012 #20

I feel your pain....I can't stand hearing how the Boomers were indulged. This one wasn't. raccoon Dec 2012 #22

As a parent myself, silentwarrior Dec 2012 #36

What you say is true with EmeraldCityGrl Dec 2012 #37

It is a different world in some ways but the same in others. redstatebluegirl Dec 2012 #42

+1 AlexSatan Dec 2012 #114

I feel for you. Matariki Dec 2012 #48

AMEN iandhr Dec 2012 #50

This message was self-deleted by its author otohara Dec 2012 #52

Sorry to say, but your son is the exception not the rule. white_wolf Dec 2012 #55

This message was self-deleted by its author otohara Dec 2012 #65

There are thousands more who are out there every day trying to make it. white_wolf Dec 2012 #67

Yes, Yes, I Know otohara Dec 2012 #72

I hear you dmr Dec 2012 #92

Uh, given his education he has a RIGHT to expect a good "cushy" job! Odin2005 Dec 2012 #111

I hope you meant to put a sarcasm tag AlexSatan Dec 2012 #116

An electrical engineer below 60k? And you wonder WHY you got no interest? HughBeaumont Dec 2012 #119

That's funny AlexSatan Dec 2012 #120

No he is not AlexSatan Dec 2012 #115

No Engineering because of the Math and Physics redstatebluegirl Dec 2012 #125

I don't think that most people are educated about jobs Nikia Dec 2012 #168

Anyone who is researching colleges AlexSatan Dec 2012 #169

The internet has made job research easier, but that knowledge is limited in many career areas Nikia Dec 2012 #170

IMO it's not your fault. Problem is K-12 schools don't prepare students for jobs and universities jody Dec 2012 #58

Damn, preparing good little workers seems to be all most K-12 schools do these days. sadbear Dec 2012 #60

Probably correct and teaching to the national/state tests in reading and math seem to dumb down the jody Dec 2012 #61

His Best School Was The Private K-12 otohara Dec 2012 #69

otohara, I have a 26 year old EmeraldCityGrl Dec 2012 #63

I'm Having A Hard Time Respecting otohara Dec 2012 #68

Unfortunately guardian Dec 2012 #121

I fail to see how this has anything to do with Millenials Hippo_Tron Dec 2012 #150

white_wolf: Listen to me. I'm old and I work at a law firm. kaiden Dec 2012 #59

Thank you for the advice.... white_wolf Dec 2012 #64

I do too. Springslips Dec 2012 #134

K&R, I've got a job interview tonight! Thanks for posting! alp227 Dec 2012 #62

Sadly it seems that meme has infected DU as well. As you can see from some of the posters here. white_wolf Dec 2012 #66

Let Me Coddle You otohara Dec 2012 #80

No, simply because your son made poor choices you choose to blame an entire generation. white_wolf Dec 2012 #83

This message was self-deleted by its author otohara Dec 2012 #85

I would, but you see I already have one and I'm in college full time. white_wolf Dec 2012 #86

There aren't any. JoeyT Dec 2012 #106

This message was self-deleted by its author otohara Dec 2012 #128

It's a different world Hydra Dec 2012 #70

Dear whiite-wolf ReRe Dec 2012 #71

What kind of job are you looking for? What kind of work do you MineralMan Dec 2012 #74

Yup. New "Lost Generation"? Taverner Dec 2012 #76

Don't buy into and then regurgitate generational bullshit to me. Warpy Dec 2012 #78

Did you even read my post? white_wolf Dec 2012 #82

Did you look upthread? JoeyT Dec 2012 #107

My heart goes out to all younger people, the world is much crueler. It's not right. nt Mnemosyne Dec 2012 #79

Most annoying Millennial trait: thinking everyone wants to hear about being a Millennial. Warren DeMontague Dec 2012 #81

If you don't like the thread then don't read it. white_wolf Dec 2012 #84

Oh, fuck a duck, I agree with you there. 100%. Warren DeMontague Dec 2012 #87

Odd Your DU Symbol is Anonymous otohara Dec 2012 #88

It's actually in support of Occupy Wall Street. white_wolf Dec 2012 #89

This message was self-deleted by its author otohara Dec 2012 #90

What's wrong with supporting Occupy Wall Street? n/t white_wolf Dec 2012 #91

Are you for real? Starry Messenger Dec 2012 #146

That's a Boomer trait. Odin2005 Dec 2012 #112

Yes Warren DeMontague Dec 2012 #123

I agree, and the older generation always does this treestar Dec 2012 #94

Your post made me smile. white_wolf Dec 2012 #95

Manufacturing jobs aren't coming back until someone stands up to Wal-Mart & China. nt rDigital Dec 2012 #124

It's double tough on them. raouldukelives Dec 2012 #96

Twice the experience for half the compensation with a quarter of the benefits... Earth_First Dec 2012 #154

Post removed Post removed Dec 2012 #160

Did you vote for Obama? hrmjustin Dec 2012 #161

I dunno I could kind of go for some coddling. I got jobs. craigmatic Dec 2012 #162

a lot of the perception is due to things like arely staircase Dec 2012 #165

I don't know of anyone who wants to be coddled, other than corporations and the rich. gkhouston Dec 2012 #166

I felt the same way when I was young Generic Brad Dec 2012 #171