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Right to work part 1
Welcome to the first of many posts I am calling the right to work series. I have been in the skilled trades (as opposed to management, office, white collar – whatever you wish to call it) for 20 years now … Read the rest
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The benefits of the skilled trades
What exactly are the benefits of working in the skilled trades? Are there actual benefits to being a skilled tradesman? After all, doesn’t the stigma that those who work with their hands are somehow less intelligent have a ring … Read the rest
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Conversations with Tradesmen – HVAC
I’m going to start a new category called “Conversations with Tradesmen” where I do primarily just that: I have conversations with tradesmen of all different crafts and discuss the pros and cons of their trade, location, work, etc. I find … Read the rest
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Headhunting – and Its Increase in the Workforce
***Updated for 2024*** I don’t recall the first time I heard the term headhunting and perhaps you don’t either. It could be you’ve never heard the term. Either way, the practice you undoubtedly know of – and may have even … Read the rest
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“Battling the Trades Stigma” – How the AWS is right on this
Professional societies are typically beneficial; it is for this reason that people elect to join them in the first place. I would be remiss were I not to mention I belong to two: the American Welding Society and the American … Read the rest
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Professional jealousy
Over the course of my career I have experienced what I like to call professional jealousy. Actually, I have experienced it and projected it – and when that happens it isn’t my finest moment to be sure. It wasn’t until … Read the rest
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Neutron Radiography
As a American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and a member of the American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), I receive periodicals from both professional organizations. Sometimes the information isn’t interesting to me; I mean, I’m not too … Read the rest
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Do we really believe what we say?
I have touted for a number of years the intelligence of many skilled trades individuals. I know some of my stories have made it into posts when I talk about the disconnect between the skilled trades and office personnel (blue … Read the rest
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The pros and cons of the skilled trades
*Updated for 2025* As an advocate for and being in the skilled trades, I certainly can attest to the pros associated therein. I sort of stumbled into it, but no matter, they have been immensely enriching both … Read the rest
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The rare, elusive, and experienced field engineer
At the end of 2019, after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and OSHA released their findings about the collapse of the FIU pedestrian bridge, I wrote a piece from a skilled trades perspective. It was a long piece, informative … Read the rest
