30 yo, HS degree, wife, 2 young children

[pavulon]

This describes a co-worker's newly laid-off from line-production husband (making windows). I've not met him but he is supposedly as capable and motivated as anyone/everyone else in such a situation. She works FT making ~$20K/year and is amazingly pleasant...so I'm trying to help by giving them some ideas for what he might do now.

My first thought was handy-man repair as he is accustomed to working w/ his hands and around here, just calling people back and/or showing up for a job would put him ahead of nearly 75% of everyone else. He's still young so I'd like to offer more ideas including educational paths. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Zeke]

Well, the window business is dead, that's for sure. Usually, the orders start coming in about now. So, if he's laid off from that job, I'd say never look back. Any type of free lance work is going to be dicey, but if he can get some cash over the next few months, I'd give it a shot while still looking to get the 40 hr/wk gig.

Any welding or rod busting going on there yet as a result of the "stimulus." If that's a prospect, I'd get some welding school thing going on. I'm told there's work in this country for welders.

[slakjaw]

People like that are the hardest workers IMO. When I can bring on contractors I look for guys like that because I usually get along with them really well and I usually keep my guys on full time for at least 1 year. I wish I could help...

[Wickd89]

When looking for a job, I hope you can demonstrate that you can do a job, stick to a job, and stay with it till the end. Demonstrate toughness and patience.
I find tons of people just want to get $ and promotions but do not deserve it. They can become poor employees quite quickly because they get tired of the job they signed on to do.
Avoid this behavior and stick with something and hopefully the rewards come in time.

[billybek]

HVAC / Refrigeration.
People always need heat and always need to keep stuff cool.

[KarlCarrera]

Pavulon, Don't know how old this guy is but if he's in good shape, is not afraid of heights, and pretty good in math you might want him to check out various Line Schools. In these schools we provide the basic training and fundamental electrical theory so that the person can enter a Power Lineman Apprenticeship (4-5 years). There are fewer than 400,000 lineman in the U.S. and most of us (me, 21 months) will retire in the next 5-10 years. It has been listed in the news as one of the more recession proof jobs. Layoff's still happen, but are generally shorter in term and another job is always available. North West Line College in Idaho and California, Rocky Mountain Line School in Colorado Springs, Cody, Wyoming, Alliance, Ne., Mesa State in Grand Junction, Co., Try a google search under Line schools or colleges. It is dangerous but pays pretty darn good. $60-250,000/ yr with the overtime. You learn to build, maintain, and trouble shoot the electrical system in your city, town, or in the country. R.E.A.'s, Municipals, Investor Owned companies as well as contractors will be looking for apprentices in the future. You learn how to work on energized lines carrying 120/240v up to and beyond 500KV. Check out Powerlineman.com to see what life is like.
PM me if you want/need more information

Sorry, just caught his age. Certainly not to old.

Karl
88 Targa

[RWebb]

one issue is jobs right now vs. in the near future

there will be a lot of remodeling jobs to reduce energy charges & install solar water hears, PV panels, etc. -- if he works as a handyman for a while he wants to keep an eye out for options in that area

putting in high insulation windows is going gangbusters around here as is the above

also possibilities re chip plants for PV solar - we have 3 new plants in Oregon right now with more soon to come -- look around Wisc. for what is going to be strong in the next year to 3 years

Good Luck to him!

[lendaddy]

government job.

[Hawktel]

My boss just fired two guys for not showing up to the job.

If your consistently not showing up at least 1 day out of every two week period, you are a liability. Not a asset. Same with showing up late. How hard is it to show up on time ready to work.

Its basic stuff, but your be amazed at how many can't get it right.

[Rick Lee]

I can't believe people aren't canned for the first offense when playing hookie from work. When I was waiting tables, that was SOP. No show with no call, you were gone.

[onewhippedpuppy]

If he likes working with his hands have him call his local tech school and see what they offer. In his situation he'll probably qualify for enough in grants to cover his education, so the money won't be an issue. Pretty much any skilled trade (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, welding, etc) will be in demand in the future, for exactly the reasons that Karl outlined. There's been a huge drop-off in kids entering blue-collar trades, but demand is growing. The more guys retire, the more demand their is.

Most licensed skilled labor starts at $40k, and he could be at that point within 3 years (1 year school + 1-2 year apprentice). It's a great payoff for not much investment.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

If he likes working with his hands have him call his local tech school and see what they offer. In his situation he'll probably qualify for enough in grants to cover his education, so the money won't be an issue. Pretty much any skilled trade (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, welding, etc) will be in demand in the future, for exactly the reasons that Karl outlined. There's been a huge drop-off in kids entering blue-collar trades, but demand is growing. The more guys retire, the more demand their is.

Most licensed skilled labor starts at $40k, and he could be at that point within 3 years (1 year school + 1-2 year apprentice). It's a great payoff for not much investment.

You're sugarcoating it.

But, seriously, the demand is of a different sort. I will try not to put forth a generalization, but as the "guys retire," they are replaced with less skilled and lesser paid workers. The market doesn't support quality any more, it supports the best price. If I were looking for my career today, the last thing I'd do is find a blue collar job only to compete against 3rd world countries and low paid immigrants.

However, there certainly are exceptions. Any certification is good and one gets that by going to school.

[Heel n Toe]

Have him check to see if there are any modular home manufacturers in the area. I hear that is getting huge.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Milt, I know your experience has left you a bit jaded, but there's still folks willing to pay for quality. Not only that, but many jobs require licensed tradesmen to meet code requirements. Considering the fact that thousands of kids pay $50k to get a bachelors only to find themselves working for $25k at Target, blue collar work isn't half bad.

I knew a guy who was going to a trade school for welding. He already had a job secured after he graduated, I believe the starting pay was $25/hr + OT.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Have him check to see if there are any modular home manufacturers in the area. I hear that is getting huge.

Well, the area's largest modular home manufacturer (Wausau Homes) has gone from 1500 employees to 51 (was 52 before my wife's co-worker's husband quit last week) in the last year....so I appreciate the effort in trying to help w/ that suggestion but that particular area has tanked really hard locally.

Thank you all for your suggestions so far....I'll pass them along and continue to monitor for more!!

[Heel n Toe]

Still... it wouldn't be a bad idea for this guy to go over there with a positive attitude and talk to someone and drop off an application in case somebody leaves... shows initiative and desire to work.

[Burnin' oil]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

government job.

Surely he's not THAT desperate yet.

[bill d cat]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

government job.

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

Surely he's not THAT desperate yet.

It's definitely a growth industry right now. Even health care is shrinking.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

No, construction is dead. There are glimmers of life and a future elsewhere. I saw it in Boston a couple of weeks ago and there's some hiring starting to happen along the eastern seaboard, in certain parts of Texas and the south, etc.

Not in CA.

Construction here is D-E-A-D. Gone. It's non-existent. And there's no sign it's coming back to life anytime soon.

My advice (and my plan) is to either change professions entirely or get out of CA in an effort to stay in. I don't really see a way to "have it both ways" right now. CA rose far too quickly on the easy, fake money of real estate speculation and it is crashing just as spectacularly.

It will bottom everywhere else WAY before there's a turnaround here. I hope to be a distant memory by then.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

Surely he's not THAT desperate yet.

Once you dispatch your soul it's no big deal