@jerv Yes I know where you are coming from. What really inspired me to write this question is the fact that my place is getting ready to close down so I am expecting a permanent layoff anytime now. I’m not sure I want to continue doing what I’ve been for the last 15 years (not including the 3 years of technical schooling I went through).
I generally work as an industrial maintenance person but looking at the requirements of many of these newer maintenance positions I see that even with all my experience and schooling I still do not come close to meeting the minimal requirements for these positions. Schooling is not cheap (money I do not have) and most of these maintenance positions want you to be on a Journeyman level or have at least an Associates degree equivilent on quite a few different trades like: pc, plc cnc parameter programming/ microsoft office,word,excell, office skills (go figure)/ electronics, electronic systems/ electrical systems (high & low voltage), ac,dc/ all types of mechanical/ machining/ hydraulic systems/ plumbing, hydronic systems/ pneumatic systems/ mig,tig, arc welding/ gas systems/ HVAC/ auto, deisel, forktruck repair. These are just roughly half of the requirements for an average position in my field that only pays between $35,000 and $45,000 today. I just do not think it is worth the effort and cost of extra schooling for what most of these positions pay.
A career change is definately in my future here. Next time the IBEW has a opening in my area I will apply for membership. Getting paid $60,000 to $90,000 just to do one trade sounds more appealing to me.
@zzc Yes those are the common careers that are usually mentioned. You do not hear about what I do for a living too often being mentioned in this category. An industrial maint tech is not a low-skilled jack-of-all-trades Mr. Roper that walks around with a toolpouch repairing toilets and electrical outlets. Not to mention all the times I’ve been hurt or nearly killed for such low pay. I still agree with some of the above you’ve mentioned however. Well I’m off to bed.