4 ms·

Good idea - but practically, we'd have to raise the minimum wage to make these jobs attractive to young people, and a national infrastructure program would also

Good idea - but practically, we'd have to raise the minimum wage to make these jobs attractive to young people, and a national infrastructure program would also be needed to provide the financing. Otherwise we'll just continue to slide towards a system of wealthy enclaves surrounded by miles of slums, and slum dwellers can't afford to pay for construction upgrades. Granted, wealthy enclave dwellers will be providing some jobs, but they'll probably be hiring contractors whose workforce consists of cheap immigrant labor, not recent graduates of American high schools. There are historical examples where electrification was accelerated, e.g. FDR New Deal programs like Rural Electrification and the WPA, but that would entail a complete restructuring of federal government priorities, increased taxes on the wealthy, redirection of military-industrial budgets to domestic infrastructure, etc. Seems unlikely in the current political climate, where oligarchs run both parties like sock puppets.

ecshafer 3y ago
Electricians and HVAC don't make minimum wage. I know HVAC workers making $100k a year in a LCOL area, which is more than many people with degrees or master's degrees make. Many of these areas require certifications as well, so you can't just have any person do it (if you are doing it legally).
- toomuchtodo 3y ago
  Plumber in the midwest I use for some properties just let me know their new rate is $160/hour. My electrician is booked months out. I had to trench 24-30" deep and lay 4" schedule 40 non metallic conduit (PVC) ~120 feet myself to upgrade the service entrance at a new property.
  - skullone 3y ago
    I like your username. I too had to trench for new utilities, and remodel half my house myself because no trades are available in time for movein
    - toomuchtodo 3y ago
      Hello fellow Renaissance person and building sciences scholar :)
- lotsofpulp 3y ago
  It is a question of the pay to qualify of life at work ratio and the volatility of it. Quality of life at work means things like having to travel, volatility of schedules, health risks from the work, quality of coworkers, etc. Volatility is are you getting paid a salary every 2 weeks, or are you exposed to more fluctuations in landing jobs, and dealing with customers who do not pay. Maybe the situation has finally turned a corner where an office/white collar job is no longer a no brainer.
sybercecurity 3y ago
It's not the pay, it's the social status. As other commenters have noted, a skilled tradesman can make a competitive salary. However, ask most white-collar, college educated people if they want their children to go into the trades, I wager the majority will say "no" and believe they need to get a college degree and work in a profession (or simply an office job). In the US, there is a stereotype that only those unable to get into college work in trades as a consolation prize.
- lowkeyoptimist 3y ago
  I think it might be more that a lot of people aren't willing to do manual labor if they have an alternative that pays as much or more. Even some contractors and electricians I have spoken to have steered their children away from trades not because of status, but that it can be really tough on your body and health.

ecshafer 3y ago

Electricians and HVAC don't make minimum wage. I know HVAC workers making $100k a year in a LCOL area, which is more than many people with degrees or master's degrees make. Many of these areas require certifications as well, so you can't just have any person do it (if you are doing it legally).

toomuchtodo 3y ago
Plumber in the midwest I use for some properties just let me know their new rate is $160/hour. My electrician is booked months out. I had to trench 24-30" deep and lay 4" schedule 40 non metallic conduit (PVC) ~120 feet myself to upgrade the service entrance at a new property.
- skullone 3y ago
  I like your username. I too had to trench for new utilities, and remodel half my house myself because no trades are available in time for movein
  - toomuchtodo 3y ago
    Hello fellow Renaissance person and building sciences scholar :)
lotsofpulp 3y ago
It is a question of the pay to qualify of life at work ratio and the volatility of it. Quality of life at work means things like having to travel, volatility of schedules, health risks from the work, quality of coworkers, etc. Volatility is are you getting paid a salary every 2 weeks, or are you exposed to more fluctuations in landing jobs, and dealing with customers who do not pay. Maybe the situation has finally turned a corner where an office/white collar job is no longer a no brainer.

sybercecurity 3y ago

It's not the pay, it's the social status. As other commenters have noted, a skilled tradesman can make a competitive salary. However, ask most white-collar, college educated people if they want their children to go into the trades, I wager the majority will say "no" and believe they need to get a college degree and work in a profession (or simply an office job). In the US, there is a stereotype that only those unable to get into college work in trades as a consolation prize.

lowkeyoptimist 3y ago
I think it might be more that a lot of people aren't willing to do manual labor if they have an alternative that pays as much or more. Even some contractors and electricians I have spoken to have steered their children away from trades not because of status, but that it can be really tough on your body and health.