Just learning more about working in the trades and I have some questions about PPE.

Do job sites provide PPE?

When you’re working, do the men you work with typically wear PPE?

Do you ever get made fun of for wearing PPE? If so, how do you deal with it?

Today I fucked up badly. Honest mistake, and i shouldn't have been doing what i was doing but i ended up injuring my dominant hand pretty badly to the point where i needed stitches.

I'm disappointed i got hurt, but not disappointed in the person i am. I was honest, i told my foreman despite being upset with myself and i accepted help because i needed it. I derive value in myself in being somebody who's competent, driven, and productive. This injury made me feel negligent and inattentive. I'm working around the mentality that my worth isn't based on my productivity. Being a self- critical perfectionist doesn't help with that. But acknowledging it is a great step forward.

Something i'm learning is that your value as a worker isn't measured in your maximum work output. Work ethic is so much more than that. It's showing up consistently, taking responsibility for your faults, and caring about craftsmanship and quality. You're the same hardworking person at the end of the day. In my case, injury just changes my capacity temporarily, not my character. Making a mistake doesn't make you a bad worker or bad at your job. It just means you've got to learn from your mistakes. It's unfortunate i had to learn this lesson the hard way but it's still learnt.

Be gentle with yourselves ladies. Being in trades is tough enough, no need to be tough on yourself too.

Not sure if this is because I’m a woman or people are just bad at being new to things. I’ve been asked to help new technicians on some job sites. I have about 2 years experience and know the job pretty well at this point. I’ve noticed when trying to explain certain things, ask if they have any questions, or show technique I get a lot of “oh no I get it” and sometimes they even try and explain the job back to me but they’re wrong like “yeah it’s like this because blah blah blah” then I’ll say “no it’s because of this do you see what I mean” and they go straight back to “yeah I got it, I know that I got it.” They’ll even interrupt me showing them something to say they get it when they don’t have the experience to get it but even if it’s something they already they feel they have a grasp on like why can’t you let me finish a sentence?? I don’t know I just don’t see them being this dismissive with the men. It’s very frustrating to try and be accommodating to new people because we’ve all been there but to be treated almost like you’re the newby?? Like today I was talking to the senior technician about something going on the door a certain way just making sure we were on the same page and he said yeah it couldn’t go the other way and I say yes because the opener is facing this way and the newest technician like guaffs at me and says yeah that wouldn’t make any sense. Yes I know I’m making sure we’re all seeing this the same way. What’s yall experience with this and how do you handle it? Do you think it’s a female to male thing or just insecurity about lack of knowledge? I am the only female technician at my company

We just lost two crew members and I know things are going to be stressful for the rest of us until management can fill those positions. While the extra workload won't be crazy it will be felt. What are your best workplace boundaries to maintain some sanity and not get overwhelmed and overworked during times like this?

Hey all, I'm a climbing arborist. I work around 3-4 days a week currently. I'm 24f. On my days off, I bike everywhere and focus on my core and back muscles, with an emphasis on weight over reps so I can gain lean, stretch based muscle as opposed to mass. I don't train the day before I climb to not wear out my joints and allow my body to heal. Any women in forestry/landscaping/arboriculture want to share their training regimen? Thanks:)

I would like to start by saying - I am not woman (He/They) but I am a welder, looking for opportunities for a young woman with absolutely zero experience. I know how valuable the trade is, and since becoming a welder I know I haven't struggled to find work.

I don't know much about Texas but I know it's real big on industry, and it would seem to me that there are opportunities for those with no experience - though I don't know what the environment would be like for you a young black woman.

So, I was hoping that maybe someone here would be able to point something out as I sort through job postings in the area. I'd like to have something more for her than "get the hell out of TX" and any help would be sincerely appreciated.

Hey, does anyone know any good websites to buy welding gear? Looking for a jacket right now, but beanies and gloves are always needed.

Hi everyone, hoping this doesn't get taken down but I'm looking into joining the NEW program in NYC and I'm taking the TABE test soon.

If you've been through the program, what was your experience like? How long did it take for you to get into a union and apprenticeship program? How helpful are they really in terms of placement beyond just helping you get certifications and exposure to different trades.

I've seen a lot of mixed reviews and I am also aware of P2A and Construction Skills but I'm still waiting for them to get back to me and NEW is the one I can join and start the soonest.

Any advice and guidance is appreciated! Thank you in advance.

Hi ladies! What are some things you guys do after a long day at work that makes you feel really fresh and clean? Like any particular soaps or body wash you swear by? Routines?
I love using sugar scrub to get grease off my hands and arms in the shower but sometimes i feel like thats not enough lol. And as for nail care, i have a little nail scrubby thing to get dirt out from under my nails but its just never enough! The grime lingers 😫

Hello y’all! I (24F) am about to start my first year of an electrician apprenticeship with my local community college next month. I’ll admit I’m still very new to the whole concept, so please forgive me for any stupid questions.

I signed up on a whim for the community college apprenticeship because the first year only cost $185 to join. I don’t know if it will be a good fit for me or not, but that’s what I’m hoping to find out. I learned that I enjoy working with my hands and being on my feet way more than computer work and having more “casual” work atmospheres (especially compared to the fake corporate vibe), so I’m hoping that this line of work would be up my alley.

But I also just realized the other day my town has an IBEW location. I haven’t found out any information about it because the website for that location is broken and I’ve yet to call or drop by to ask questions (I also didn’t want to risk asking stupid questions).

Does the IBEW accept electricians who were trained outside of them? If so, what does that process look like for getting in? Or should I consider applying directly for an apprenticeship with the IBEW and just stick with my community college apprenticeship in the meantime?

Hi friends!

I got accepted into a low voltage/communications apprenticeship at IBEW 134 and I am so excited!!
I’ve been doing a lot of physical training and working on that aspect of it all, but I’m kinda anxious about the actual workplace culture I guess?

I am 26, I have purple hair and a degree in theater, and I started this because I did theatrical lighting and hate my current desk job. (Is the purple hair gonna be a problem?)

Any advice or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated!!

Just looking for some advice about how to proceed with this situation.

I reached out to IUPAT about a month or so ago about starting a painting apprenticeship. They gave me contact information for one of the local reps. I called and arranged to meet with him to go over any questions I had. Didn't realize that our meeting would result in being told that he had an employer already in mind and had me sign papers to join the union. These papers have not been submitted, and we're waiting until I have my employer secured so that I don't pay union dues preemptively.

During this conversation I was given the name of a specific employer, and was told he had a backup employer in mind as well. He asked how much notice I require with my current employer, I said preferably 3 weeks (this was at the beginning of July). I asked about a potential start date and he said it would likely be August, but could be September. He told me I would hear back from him in about a week with an update once he confirmed things with the contractor he was going to try and send me to.

I let the rest of that week go by, and gave him the entire following week to call me. I didn't hear from him. Last week I followed up Tuesday with a phone call and got his voicemail. It's been almost a full week and I still haven't heard anything. I reached out today (July 20th) via text to follow up about the voicemail I left and haven't heard anything so far.

I live almost 2 hours away from any of the contractor's job sites so I am planning to relocate for my apprenticeship/this employer. There unfortunately are not a lot of larger contractors in the area so I'm stuck waiting on the 2 the rep had mentioned and I'm not willing to apply non-union and pass on getting in with them. Union is the route I want to take. However, I have a month-to-month room rental I've secured for October 1st because I expect to start work by then when I was originally told August was likely.

I guess I'm just not entirely sure what to do if this rep doesn't get back to me? I haven't quit my job yet but I did give my employer a heads up that I am pursuing this. I'm able to stay on with my current job until I let them know I'm leaving, so I don't have to worry about losing income. I just don't want to lose out on the room rental due to massive delays with my start date. Everything has been running so smoothly so far, so I was anticipating a bump in the road at some point.

Do I reach out to my local and tell them the rep is being unresponsive and I need an update on a start date since I have a rental secured? Do I try a different rep? I have contact information for 2 other reps. Do I try calling the rep I was in touch with again in a few days or will I just be bothering him at that point? I'm not sure what's too pushy vs being persistent and eager to start. I also don't really know who will be able to actually help me out here or if I'm just stuck in limbo indefinitely.

Has anyone dealt with minor delays like this before and it ended up working out fine? I heard that slight delays like this can be normal during project transitions for contractors, but I feel like the union rep should still be able to provide me with some sort of update even if it's "I haven't heard from the contractor yet".

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! ❤️

UPDATE: I gave the union hall a call and they informed me that the rep I was speaking with was away on vacation and would be back in a week and a half and I should be able to reach him then.

I have the webinar coming up and have talked to a few women who've gone with them. The most common thing I hear is that the program itself is great but it's a love hate relationship when they get a job.

A welder I know left it to go into bartending. A carpenter I know enjoys her work but her coworkers are creating burnout. I've heard you either leave it loving or hating the trades but I feel this is the case with any trade.

I'm entering it while I look for work related to my degree. What's your experience been like before, during and after CWIT?

Quick note about my current situation. I'm 47 now and spent a decade (2005-2015) gaining stability after my ex husband left. He left because both of our kids were special needs and required so much care and interventions. He left us destitute. We become homeless a few months after he left. The kids are now thriving and off to college next year.

I worked HARD to gain stability for us. I landed a great job at an insurance company and worked my way up for 10 years had planned to retire from the company. I was laid-off almost two years ago and have been struggling to find a job since.

I am looking at the trades. I think my age may be a hindrance. I'm considering welding or HVAC tech. But, would like suggestions for other trades. I am an empty nester the kids are going out -of- state for college. I am in decent shape just the minor aging aches and pains.

I *do* have dyscalculia which makes math difficult, not impossible but time consuming. I don't want a job where I will need to do arithmetic on the fly. I have an associate degree that required college level math I was able to complete.

My concern with welding is the low pay initially. I am in Texas and starting wages are around $18 an hour. I need to make $26 or higher to start to be able to keep the kids in college.

My concern with HVAC is the math. I watch some HVAC math videos and it's not beyond my understanding. But, I won't be able to do calculation quickly.

What other trades could possibly be a good fit for a woman approaching 50? I am a hard worker and have thick skin. I realize 50 maybe too told to start on this career path.

TIA

I'm looking to switch careers and have been looking at welding, sheet metal, or electrical as possible options. However so far all of the jobs I've heard about have had shift start times around 6 or 7am (often with a brutal commute on top of it). I'm a single parent of an elementary schooler and my kid's school doesn't even open until 8am, never mind commuting time, so a shift that starts that early simply isn't possible! (I checked and there's no before-school care option in my district.)

I'm not afraid of hard work and long hours in general. I have 50/50 custody so on the days I don't have my kid I have a lot more flexibility. And it's a lot easier to get a babysitter for evenings than super early mornings! But from what I've seen so far it doesn't sound like trades work is at all compatible with parenthood/school hours.

Is that an accurate assessment? Are there trades jobs (maybe outside construction?) with more "normal" (office drone / school compatible) hours? Or do I need to go find a spouse to pawn all this onto before I can change careers? >.<

Pretty much what the title says. 4th year apprentice, I just feel burnt out and done with it all.

I know I don’t have much left of my apprenticeship to get through but I’m tired of dealing with fuckers. I’ve worked really hard to prove myself but it all feels like it’s all been a waste.

I don’t feel supported by my union. I don’t feel supported by my sisters out in the field. I can’t recall a period where I’ve ever worked on a crew where there wasn’t a problem with a journeyman. Foremans are always turning a blind eye. Job stewards can’t be bothered to do their jobs.

I have so much shit going on in my personal life, then to come to work and have to deal with these fucking people. I feel like I’m drowning. Yes I’m in therapy. I’ve been in therapy for years. But it doesn’t feel like they fully grasp some of the shit I’ve had to listen to, be witness to, be subjected to.

I used to practice welding because it brought me joy and I really thought the skill set would help me find work with a better crew. It’s really hitting me that it doesn’t matter how well I may weld, how many certs I might have. When these guys want nothing to do with you, they mean it.

The last fab shop I was at was fucking awful. I requested to be pulled from there and was successful. But the experience really stuck with me. I’ve had some shit experiences, but nothing quite like that. It really felt like they broke something in me.

I haven’t been to my school’s fab shop to practice in months. I know it’s not the right response to the situation, and I’m disappointed in myself. But I’ve completely lost my motivation to weld. Whenever I think about wanting to weld, it doesn’t bring me joy like it used to. The first thing that comes to my mind is my experience at that fab shop, and then I can’t bring myself to leave the house.

I thought maybe taking a break for a few months would help, but I don’t feel any different. It’s hard to try and talk to others about it (apprentices I’ve befriended, teachers I trust.) I get told that I need to tough it out, that this is the way the trades are. Like no shit, you don’t think I realize that? I already feel ashamed that I’m not a stronger person, being told this over and over again just really hammers in the fact that I’m so weak spirited.

It’s effecting my everyday work. I’m actually working with a pretty nice journeyman now, and I’d like to take advantage of any and all work opportunities he provides. But I feel like I’m constantly on edge. Fuck ups feel catastrophic, because historically I’ve had guys yell at me and throw tools at me over the most minor shit. Every morning when I arrive to the jobsite, the first thing that comes to mind is how I don’t belong. It’s all I’ve ever been told.

It’s hard telling people about this. I’m not even sure what I’m looking for. I feel like I’ve lost all my drive and I’m just doing what’s necessary to get by. It’s not like me at all. I don’t know what I need to do to make myself feel better. With my final year around the corner, it makes me worry that if I can’t get my shit together, I’m not going to be able to finish my apprenticeship.

Look, I get the purpose, safety, accountability, blah blah blah. I was even asked to give a statement about why I'm good at driving (bc I listen to traffic laws?) where I had to kiss the boots of the damn system. But holy frick do they piss me off. We can't go with flow of traffic ANYWHERE bc we can't go more than 7 over, and no more than 70mph, and it's so friggin annoying. People are coming up behind me on the freeway doing almost 80 and having to either slam on their breaks or change lanes to go around me...and I'm in the slow lane. The SEMI TRUCKS are passing me.

And don't even get me started on the "tailgating" ding I get constantly. Idk if it's everywhere in the US, but where I'm from, people will change lanes and be less than a foot away from you on either end. And this fuck ass system dings me if I don't slam on my breaks. Not even hyperbole, one of the few times I was able to not get dinged, I went from 70 to 55 in the MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE! It's way more dangerous to do that than to let my dumb ass cruise control (which, only is adaptive if you give it a 7 second lag time and the car has been in front of you for at least 30+ seconds) figure it's shit out.

It also dings me for fucking yawning. YAWNING. My bad for being tired early in the morning and late at night. 2-3 yawns in a few minutes, and I get a ding and a "stay alert" like bitch, I'm literally looking in the mirrors as you say this.

But ofc, I've only been working there for about a month and a half and I'm 19, so I can't bring any of this up to my bosses. Plus, I end up with problem customers FREQUENTLY and I don't wanna be a complainy bitch more than I look like

Sitting in the shop bathroom contemplating life. My partner and I have both been working long hours and weekends (different trades), and he got today off. I want to scream. I should have called in sick 🥲

We're here because my boss is punishing us for taking time off for 4th of July. Don't actually have anything super pressing to do, he's just a prick. Someday I will fight him.

Hope everyone else is vibing and thriving!

*Everyone has a short story and this is kinda long*

I(40f) have been in my department of concrete and welding for 3 years now,also the only woman in a sea of early 20's men. I've been a welder for the past year and i love it. I have a new boss and he started to micromanage me and wanted me to tell him where I was going when I left my area, only one he did this to. I did it for a couple weeks but it got old and I stopped.

My old position in this department was assembling the parts and the extra stuff that went with the orders. My new boss pretty much told me i was going to go back to that position because I was the only one who knew it, that's because everyone else refuses to learn it. He was trying to hype me up like i was the only one who can save this department if I went back to my old position bullshit🙄

I fought for that not to happen and did go to higher ups and knew he was gonna do some bullshit. He did realize I wasn't going to be manipulated and I knew he was going to do some bullshit later.

My job is i weld and assemble vault doors( it's 2 jobs now since they wouldn't hire a 3rd person. It's fine as long as you space the orders out to get welded and assembled in time( building of materials says how long it takes to weld and assemble) i made sure i stayed within my time limit. It takes about 3 days to build and assemble a door.

My team lead went on a week vacation and he scheduled 3 doors to go out on the same day. I was the only person who knew how to assemble the door except my team lead. He pretty much set me up for failure,gave no direction to my other coworkers( who didn't have orders and just hanging out ) didn't see him that much. I'm petty and spiteful when it comes to some things. I got those doors done and out in time, i had to get ALOT of help from coworkers who weren't doing anything, i stayed over and came in early( it's paid o.t.) to get it done. My Coworker who has been there 20 years said he was proud i pulled it off in time.

My boss has been getting the (19m) to help build my doors a long time ago. It pissed me off but I kept saying I had it to my team lead, it was ignored by my boss but the guy has boundaries and will only learn to do 1 thing to weld in fear of being moved around everywhere. He eventually moved over a fella in his 60's, this guy started taking testosterone shots and started saying things to the other guys about me and got uncomfortablely close to me. I told them they have to move him and get him to weld somewhere else. He made a seat right across my table and just watch

I have (20m) coworker, who did some sneaky shit to me. He does concrete, i was looking for my parts but wasn't sure if it was it because the numbers wore off or didn't etch into the metal good enough. So (20m) tried to help to see if he could see it. I needed my team lead on this, so I decided to go to the bathroom and my team lead will probably be back when I get back. He was and I turned the corner an (20m) was doing my job,welding up my order. He said he was bored and decided to help. He knew it was a dick move, i said fine. You better finish it because it will sit there, i will not finish your garbage work. You can tell higher ups about your bullshit. That was disrespectful in my eyes.

(60m) did something similar after I told him that was disrespectful of (20m) to do. I was gonna start my door after lunch and got all my pieces set up. Went to lunch and when I came back he started to weld my door. He said I asked him to help with the door, he was doing a door of his own but had to stop because the piece wasn't in yet. He didn't get far enough, so I took the pieces he welded off to the side and got new pieces. This was disrespectful and in the past he has expressed interest in staying over here to build parts for me.

Last story, my boss knows I can pull that off but that's not sustainable. He wasn't out on the floor to see what I was doing to achieve that. He decided friday mandatory, i work m_t and always do Fridays while my kid is in school anyways. He tried to get me to come in on a Saturday less than 24 hours, i told him I had no intentions of doing that. He has the young guys thinking they are mandatory,when he literally just says i need you to come in tomorrow. Corporate loophole he didn't say it was mandatory. He realized I knew the law,mandatory has to be announced 2 days before. Coworker (20m) chimed in he can come in Saturday to weld. This guy refuses to do overtime on a Friday let alone a Saturday.🤔 he forgot how to weld it after he bragged about it and my boss had to come in on a Saturday to help him. It was still disassembled on Monday.

I feel (20m) and (60m) are trying to sneak into my welder position since I have to assemble the doors and no one wants to learn to assemble the door.i feel my boss is trying to keep me in assembler position. Ive heard im not fast enough but I am within the time frame that is allowed to build it and assemble it. I see my future is he will make me assemble like he wanted me to from the beginning. I am not assembling, I will switch departments and i feel i might have to.

Hello, I am not a woman, but I am a transgender man, and I pass pretty well; the only thing is my height. I have a few questions. I am worried about how people will react if they find out I am trans. Also, I have just graduated from high school, and the community college I was supposed to go to has begun to cancel its plumbing program, and I am a bit lost on where to go from here. I have looked for apprenticeships, but I can not find any in my area. There is a union in Concord, which is about a 2-hour drive from where I live, but since I have no experience, I am nervous that I will be completely overlooked. I have two certifications, an OSHA-10 and my NCCER. Please help me. I completely understand if I am not allowed on this subreddit. I just thought, since I was at one point a woman, I may have some shared experience here. Also, are there any finish carpenters in NC? If so, can you please let me know how that is, and while this may seem shallow, the salary? I really enjoy building things and carpentry, but I am worried I won't make enough to live comfortably

My boyfriend and I are seriously considering getting into traveling low voltage work together. We’ve successfully worked together for a couple of years already, so we communicate well and know how to collaborate under pressure.

How difficult is it to break into this field? What’s the day to day reality?

Also, is it harder to get hired as a couple, or does it sometimes help? Any companies that are couple friendly or tips for applying as a team would be awesome thank you.

I do tree work and I love it! I spend all day outside amongst trees, I always leave work feeling like I did something, and then I get to leave work at work. But damn, it's been kicking my ass lately and I need to vent to people who get it.

• I have asthma. This isn't usually a problem except that the air is currently filled with smoke. Yesterday I suffered through and wore a mask all day and by "a mask" I actually mean a series of five masks because I kept sweating through them. Today it was so bad I had to call out, which means I don't get paid.
• It's been damn near 100F lately. I have a medical thing that means I sweat really excessively. On the hottest day this week, I looked like I'd jumped into a river. My pants were so soaked that it then went into my socks and boots and my boots ended up soaked.
• After spending all day with soaked boots, the callouses at the base of each of my pinky toes split open and now hurt like hell.
• [TMI warning] I have not one but two (two!) separate rashes on my boobs. One of them is from my underboobs chafing and doesn't bother me at all, it just looks red. I'm pretty sure the other is a fungal infection, so now I have to deal with that. My right areola is so itchy that I want to scream.
• A different coworker was swapped onto our three-person crew. He keeps trying to be "helpful," going so far as to take things out of my hands to do so. Politely telling someone to fuck off is hard enough as it is, but he doesn't speak any English so we can only communicate through Google Translate and gesturing.

Alright, I think that's all I've got for now....

What do y'all need to vent about this week?

Im basically never getting in with that score 😭 I was so nervous for my interview and I didn't properly prep for it. I never really want to over prep for an interview because I'll be thrown off if a question I didnt prepare for was asked. But I kept stumbling my words and repeated my self a lot. I even spaced out and didn't know how to end a sentence. I was doing pretty good doing STAR but forgot the R for all of my answers 😓 idk if im making sense im just so sad rn

I want to get into the trades as soon as possible any advice on how I can do that?

I just came back from a longgg roadtrip where I had to stop at some real sketchy towns. At the gas stations, I could feel the men ogling me and snickering. It made me wonder what it’s like for female truckers who go through this constantly. I’ve never seen a female trucker either, but I know there’s got to be some of you out there. What are your stories?