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>Unless they're saying they literally can't find qualified GenX workers at any price- That is actually the truth for many niche skilled labor positions. Manufa
by cc439 10y ago
>Unless they're saying they literally can't find qualified GenX workers at any price-
That is actually the truth for many niche skilled labor positions. Manufacturing plants are starving for a lack of experienced E&I (electronics and instrumentation) technicians but they can't even attract the next generation despite offering ~$25/hr to apprentices.
Being an E&I tech in a chemical plant is a dirty job but not in a back breaking way. Someone willing to take the apprenticeship will be making ~$35/hr plus as much overtime as they want since the shortage isn't likely to dry up anytime soon.
The only logical reason why younger generations are refusing to consider these jobs is that they know what their ultimate income cap is going in to such a position. The next, and usually only, rung on the ladder is that of maintenance manager and there can only be one manager for their team of ~5+. Their proven skillsset is also less transferable to another role at another company like those of a typical office drone. Therefore, ~$75,000 without overtime is about all they can ever aspire to without channeling an entrepreneurial spirit that just isn't part of most people's psyche. That said, the career ladder of an office drone is nothing like what it used to be. Most of the people sacrificing that stable F~$75,000/yr as a skilled laborer will earn less over their lifetime as they'll eventually get stuck one rung under somebody who likes to kick down.
- monkmartinez 10y agoInteresting take. Most government positions are pretty flat as well, but come with decent incentive packages to make up for the perceived lower pay. For example; insurance, civil service rules, unions, pensions, stable working hours, etc. Now let's talk about railroads, utility companies, and other "blue collar" work that requires an apprenticeship. First of all, layoffs happen quite often and seniority determines who is laid off. Not horrible and expected in a wide range of professions, but my neighbor is laid off way more often than I would be comfortable with (Union Pacific). Such is the ebbs and tides of business. Then there is the rampant nepotism and other forms of preferential treatment to even get these jobs. To work for the Electric company, you had better know someone that is a respected IBEW member who will vouch for you. Same goes for the natural gas utility and just about all the people I know who work for utility companies in my city. I say all that to say, these are still dead-end jobs unless you are lucky enough to pass the subjective management tests. Like you said, there is an upper limit on the wages you can earn without overtime. That sucks because you are going to absolutely destroy your body working most of these jobs. Why settle for that? The outcome is predetermined... additionally the work may be boring as shit after 10 years or so, then what? If I had to do it all over again...
- Spooky23 10y agoIn many places, total value of compensation of a civil service gigs is way higher than you think. A senior IT guy makes like $110k where I live. Sounds shitty, but then again you get primo healthcare that costs $100/mo for family, retiree health coverage, 60% pension at 55 in many cases, high PTO accumulation, etc. I helped a friend calculate total compensation when he was looking for a job. The pension present value alone was $4M. When you combine it with the PTO, it made total value of his compensation more like $190k. If you price in the retiree healthcare, you could probably add another $10-20k of value.
- infinite8s 10y agoExcept government pensions are continually being cut back, so you have to factor that in (especially if you are looking 30 years out).
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- pix64 10y agoI would live like a king on $110 here.
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