Originally Posted by
Pielut
See if they may be interested in learning a trade. I have a friend I grew up with that did not have the money for college and became an electrical apprentice. He is now a union electrician making a very solid $80-100K a year. He paid some dues but he said it was worth it. The trades need new workers. We are quickly approaching the undergrad degree being worthless. With a trade position you actually learn skills you can use for a lifetime.
My father was a plumber, and I have encouraged kids to look at the trades from time to time. This country would be better off if the trades were valued instead of looked down upon.
However they are very sensative to the economy. The good years are great, but there are a lot of years that include 1/2 days and layoffs. And then you have the retirement problem -- Washington wants to raise the retirement age to 70+, which is fine for a congresscritter but not so great for someone in construction.