Best "Trade" to learn for 19yr son
 

Our son will be 19 next week and we would like to help guide him into a trade.

If anyone would like to give advice "pros/cons" of different trades we would greatly appreciate your time.

Thank you and God bless.

A lot depends on what he's good at and how long he's willing to train. There are still a few things he can get into without school. I'm wondering what kind of kid he is. Is he mechanically inclined? Is he good with computers? Is he trying to start working as soon as possible?

Thanks for your reply. He is good with computers and mechanical too.

If he's good with both, machinist/millwright type trades might be a good fit, with the amount of computer controlled machines they can use now.

Does he want to go to trade school, or get out in the workforce ASAP?

He would like to get into the workforce now, however if a trade school would be a better option we would like to make that happen for him. Thanks for your help.

Wielding school

Well, there are a couple of things that he could get licensed in or certify for without school. He could take the EPA 608 refrigeration/air conditioning licensing exam. No training class attendance is necessary. The exam is about $100 and I have the study materials. If he's a universal 608 licensee there are lots of AC contractors who would hire him on the spot.

There is also no training course required for taking the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) exam. The exam is $400 and I have the study materials. Fair warning though; unless he's already a Linux jock he'll have to commit himself to total immersion study for 6 to 8 weeks to prepare. But once he has the RHCSA he'll be in demand in the IT field.

Of course if he's willing to go to school for as long as it takes then he can become anything he wants to be. Send him to medical school!

Carpentry is about the most used trade. There are always things to be built and repaired. Then he could move into cabinet making and wood working furniture. It had always treated me well and given me a nice farm I paid cash for at 30 years old.

Surfer dude, sun and fun

Nevada,

the first two options you gave are more to his liking!!!!!!!! thanks again

thanks to all who have posted and please keep the posts coming..........

PM me if you need study materials.

Did he take any vo-tech type of classes in high school? Wondering if there is already a foundation he could build on.

My grandson took vo-tech course in auto body technician in high school, ended up working fast food for awhile after graduation but now is working at a body shop and working his way into the trade. They don't let him do everything yet but he is learning and building up tools, skills and a resume.

I don't know about there but here plumbers are in high demand.

.............Plumbers make as much as Doctors , just call one and let him fix your commode ! , fordy:shocked:

The best choice is the one he makes for himself, with maybe some slight guidance, and not the one you want for him.

maintenance with a strong core in hydraulics

I worked in maintenance for many years. The electricians had by far the best deal.
They dont get dirty, and no hard labor involved. Great pay.

What are his hobbies? Has he looked at the employment ads and picked out any jobs he'd like to have?

The employment ads are at best dismal in our area. He would like a trade which can be utilized from any area of the country he decides to reside in.

Hobbies are varied from IT oriented, mechanical, forestry, etc......

I have never been to college and have put myself through several different trade schools in the past. I make pretty decent, but more importantly have a pretty wide field of skill sets, which enables me to feel some security knowing I can work in several unrelated fields. Having said that, there are many trade type schools with relatively short basic courses which can get a person started, although it takes time to become really proficient at most anything. Horseshoeing schools, truck driving schools, a/c and refrigeration, welding. All of these are relatively inexpensive and short trade schools, which can get a person a good start into an in demand field without massive student loans. I would advise that you tread lightly here! Many young people go into fields they are not really interested in, in an attempt to "make their parents proud or live up to expectations"

I read a short while back that Joel Salatin said he does not take interns that do not apply themselves, if a parent calls and ask about his program for their kid, he will not even consider them. May not be the case here, but I do know of a lot of cases where "We will pay for your tuition if you agree to learn XXX" Sounds like "Free vacation for a while even though I have no interest in it". Make sure it is his choice. Honestly even at a young age, if a kid is interested, you will not have to provide information for them, they will be telling you all about it. What is he telling you all about??

totally agree with you Muleman. We are wanting to be his "resource managers" with any guidance he should seek from us. He is fully aware we will not be funding a free lunch for him.

He is wide open at the moment. Funny you mentioned Joel Salatin as our family had the chance to visit his farm a couple of years ago. Walked around for a couple of hours, real nice farm.

God bless...and thank you for all the info.

The elevator trade can be great but it is hard work. Unless you know someone, everyone has to start in construction and it is physically demanding. But with some initiative, most work their way into service work. Getting in can be difficult unless relocation to areas with more work is acceptable. Good luck.

City or country?

It depends on what he likes but my nephew went to diesel mechanics school, he went right to work for a local Ford dealer and also started a small side business working on vehicles of all sorts. Now less than 10 years later he just left his job at the Ford dealer and is operating his own garage, employing 2 FT and 1 PT mechanics. He has never once advertised but is so busy he runs about 2 weeks behind. He will be signing a contract with Consumers Energy to do all the work on their vehicles. He is also working a lots of heavy equipment. He is making a very good living. Not bad for a young man under 30.

Carpentry. Carpenters can do alot of different things. They are sorrunded by tons of other trades that he can pick up skills from.

That being said he should get into a trade school, apprenticeship program or union for what ever he is interested in. Doesn't matter if it's plumbing or working for the railroad, the pay will be better. The training will be better. And he is less likely to be surrounded by negative co workers or job hoppers.

My wife's a dr, her wielder brother makes more then she does, she has 7 years of student loans, he had three months.

I have been given a fabulous education in the last few weeks.
I had a opportunity dropped in my lap that could change the whole direction of our homestead. I realized that I had to hire one or two people. I advertised an ad with little information but telling that it was a opportunity. What I got was people texting me and had no commitments other than how hard do I to work and what was the pay.
Then I had a Mexican family show up.
When do you need me? No it is still light I will continue to work. No I don't know how to do that but I will learn if you teach me. No angry when things go wrong and understanding about the fact that this is a start up and I have to make changes to get it going.
I have found myself working harder to make him successful because of his attitude. I am looking at ways to help him and his family also.
For your 19 year old it is a fact that if he has the right attitude and work behavior there will be opportunities open up. The fir school is only a launching board and not the end. Pick one go there be the best there hardest working and there will be opportunities open up. If he is in the middle of the safe herd he will be in the middle of the less opportunity herd also. What ever he does when he leaves they need to tell the next person "if you are half as good as him you will succeed."

From what I remember, water treatment tech is the highest paid non-college job. That's only 6 weeks of training. Do a search on Monster.com on that.
Personally, I went through a lot of jobs before ending up in this one. It would help if he had a direction picked out.

About a CAD designer - designing mechanical parts with computer. They can be hired full time by many manufacturing companies. There are many areas to go into from the basics here.

I would recommend trades that cannot be outsourced. Computer programming can be done anywhere in the world, but are you going to call someone in another country when your plumbing springs a leak or your furnace goes out?

Having said that, the most important things that your son needs to consider are his interests and his abilities. Work with him to find the trade that combines both of these to the greatest extent possible. If he has an interest but little ability, he'll only get frustrated. If he has ability but no interest, he'll get bored and resentful.

Another thing to consider is fields that are similar but not identical. The right trade for your son could be just 1-2 degrees from a common, well-known vocation. For example, my DH has absolutely no interest in being an auto mechanic, but loves small engine repair. Your son might find household wiring boring, but be interested in re-wiring large industrial motors.

Good luck helping him find the right match!

Flight instructor........if he has nerves of steel.
Aircraft mechanic , its the cleanest well paid mechanic trade Aircraft electronics is even better paid and cleaner.
Truck driver good money, can be hard lonely work.

When I get this question I usually tell the person to look around and find someone that is living the lifestyle that they themselves would like to live and then determine the approximate income that person earns. Once that information is collected to then do a search of various jobs that would yield a similar income. From these income producing fields select the type job that most interest them and get the training necessary to qualify for that career.

I am going to assume since his parent is asking the question he doesn't have any real indication of what he wants to do.

Nothing wrong with that and I think it is very normal at that age.

I would strongly suggest he find a job as a roofer, carpenter, concrete laborer, mason, plumber or electrician's assistant, etc. and work that job for awhile (maybe a year). He will learn valuable skills that will benefit him throughout his life and save him a lot of money by not paying to do the things he learned to do himself.

If he finds he doesn't enjoy any of those occupations he will still be young enough to change direction and try something else.

I stress to my boys that they have limitless options as teenagers. The only things that can hold them back or limit their options would be drugs, legal issues, marrying too young or an unplanned pregnancy.

Nothing better than a young person learning many trades that will benefit them down the road!

The only thing I could add is for him to do something that is somewhat easier on his body. I have been a mechanic for around 17 years until my back went out last year. Now at 40 I have to find something easier on me. Most votechs have an aptitude test to see what some good careers would match up with his skill set.

In demand 'round here:

Heating/AC

Welding

Large animal vets

A 4 year hitch in the US Navy. It was wonderful for my son, and when his 4 years were up, the Navy paid for his college. He just finished his 4 year degree this December.

Plus I mean he got to see the world. Through the Panama canal 4 times, South Pacific twice, Europe, A Medeteranian Cruise, through the Red Sea, Iceland, plus Fleet week in New York.

I would suggest that to anyone who didn't have plans.

Gene

Above all else, have him talk with at least three or four people already working in the profession he is interested in, and have him ask about what they DISlike.

AC work - heat and hornets
Plumbing - crawl spaces and spiders
Porn star - fluffers

I on the opposite end of the spectrum have a desk job and all that inactivity is no good for me any more than overdoing it was good for you.