Why we are where we are....

[roberth]

I'll third that - skilled labor is hugely important.

I love my desk job but I also make sure to get outside everyday and have some fun. I'm fortunate that my job has 'flex time' and my boss only cares that I get my work done, he doesn't care if I do it from home or in the office.

I am not skilled at building things, I could learn it, very slowly, but it is not something I'm good at. I have a friend in construction, I am a source of humor to him because of my ineptness.

This is one of the many problems I have with illegals, they have driven the wages down so far that skilled labor American citizens can't afford to do those jobs. Personally I think a skilled citizen could do the work of 3 or 4 maybe more unskilled illegals, and the work would be done correctly the first time.

I work with 'offshore' - read Indian - folks. Generally they are not skilled and I get to fix their work b/c they didn't do it right the first time and don't know/don't care about correcting it. There are a few that are good but I've trained 8 and only 2 were worth a shit, they've both quit for better jobs.

[SU405]

One more thing though,,






Tell the damn engineer,, it don't always fit in reality, as nice as it does on paper..

My Dad was in construction since he was an early teen. And if I had a dime for every time I've heard him say this.

[Hoosier]

Another large contributing factor to this, is that being smart in many schools is not "cool", anyone who tries in class is ostracized and the result is kids are coming out of high school illiterate and unable to do simple math. School are underfunded, teachers are underpaid, and the solution has been (in some places) to split the school systems into inner city school and suburban schools. Bussing kids across town to equalize racial percentages had a disastrous effect of making it impossible for many parents to be involved. The inner city schools are often horrible... I've been to them, it's a joke.

[Irving]

I've always kind of wanted to be an electrician. Since I need to get a new job anyway, I may look into seeing what it takes to become an apprentice or something. One of my all time favorite jobs was making pizza at Beau Jo's. Show up to work, get slammed and work your ass off for 10 hours, go home. Awesome.

[KFinn]

I love my desk job but I also make sure to get outside everyday and have some fun.

+1

I have a friend that is ...., I am a source of humor to him because of my ineptness.

+1

This is one of the many problems I have with illegals, they have driven the wages down so far that skilled labor American citizens can't afford to do those jobs. Personally I think a skilled citizen could do the work of 3 or 4 maybe more unskilled illegals, and the work would be done correctly the first time.

+1

I do all my own work on my cars, because I miss working with my hands.. at work, it's all just voices over the phone & dots on the computer screen anymore.. maybe I'm not an "office type" at heart, but it's my job...

+1

being educated is extremely important, but not necessarily in the "college" that everyone is pressured into. I know a ton of people who are plenty smart enough, and a formal college education (at least right after high school) would be wasted on them and they wouldn't even finish. Personally, I think that learning a trade should be held equally as high a Bachelor's degree.

+1! +1! +1! +1! +1! +1!

All comments very well put!

[Marlin]

I've always kind of wanted to be an electrician. Since I need to get a new job anyway, I may look into seeing what it takes to become an apprentice or something. One of my all time favorite jobs was making pizza at Beau Jo's. Show up to work, get slammed and work your ass off for 10 hours, go home. Awesome.

They might be taking low $$ apprentices at the moment.. The last few I have done for CLP haven't been over $12.. You'll be digging trenches, parts gofer, and anything else nobody wants to do.. Oh, and if it's slow, You'll be the one sitting home..

[Irving]

If you expand the very first job listed (loveland, co) I'm thinking of applying for this job just to see what happens. The description really makes it sound like it is an entry level position, but of course they would like someone with experience and general knowledge as well.

http://www.omnitrax.com/employement.aspx

[cowboykjohnson]

They might be taking low $$ apprentices at the moment.. The last few I have done for CLP haven't been over $12.. You'll be digging trenches, parts gofer, and anything else nobody wants to do.. Oh, and if it's slow, You'll be the one sitting home..

+1 recently looked into this and was offered a job I didn't take.

[cowboykjohnson]

If you expand the very first job listed (loveland, co) I'm thinking of applying for this job just to see what happens. The description really makes it sound like it is an entry level position, but of course they would like someone with experience and general knowledge as well.

http://www.omnitrax.com/employement.aspx

sounds like a good job.

[KFinn]

Maybe it is just me. But watching Mikes video reminded me of another TV legend/hero of mine. Stacey David of Gearz and formerly Trucks!.

To me they seem to have some of the same values and work ethic.

http://www.staceydavid.com