Thinking About A Trade

[coldLBZ]

Lately I have been thinking about a career change. The millwright trade is really apealing to me, but I am also interested in a few others. I know it's probably not the best time to be changing careers, but I feel I have to do what's best for me and my sanity. So please post up what you do for a living and some details about it if you're comfortable with that. Thanks.

Daniel

 

[FMOS]

What are you doing now? What kind of qualifications and experience do you have?

I have a materials engineering technology diploma (2 year) from NAIT in Edmonton. I've accumulated numerous certifications and training in non-destructive testing (CGSB) and visual inspection (API). I've worked for petro canada in southern alberta, Syncrude in northern alberta and I currently work for Suncor as a QA inspector. My experience level is fairly low (5 years), but I've had extensive exposure to lots of areas of the oil and gas industry and have been able to specialize in numerous areas as well.

I'd say my career has been great. Wages are good. Job security is high. And I'm having fun.

 

[coldLBZ]

Right now I have my 4th class steam ticket. I have been operating since early 2005. I have done a bit of field operating, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and right now I work in a canola crush plant. I am just getting sick of the shift work (trouble sleeping), shorthanded crews (my crew has been shorthanded for over a year now, so help is not readily available if I need it, had a bit of a situation last night), poor maintenance on the plant (plant crashed 2 nights in a row). My Dad says things will be better in a bigger plant, but I'm not sure. I'm used to small scale stuff.

 

[jraymer]

I used to work for an underground utilities company doing everything from driving a maintenance truck servicing equipment to driving tractor/trailer hauling heavy equipment and material to jobs. Did it for almost 6 years with promises that I would move into a superintendent position and then I was axed along with the bosses that promised me the promotion. It sucks but now I feel like I can focus on going to school and getting a better career for myself.

 

[Rhall]

Union Elevator constructor, service, build, and modernize elevators and escalators. Pay and benifits are great, most of our overtime is double time, so you can make a bunch of money in a hurry, job security is better than most construction, and if your not scared of heights its pretty interesting.

 

[whitetrash21]

Stay away from residential remodel. Short on work now, not a lot of growth unless you're an owner, and ambitious at that. Too many fly-by-night contractors and people willing to undercut for a buck with no license/bond/carry

Doesn't sound like something you'd have an interest in, based off of what you do now anyway. Good luck with whatever you wind up doing though.

 

[RENODMAX]

Im not there yet but in paramedic school then going to be on city fire. Job security, benefits, RETIREMENT!

 

[paint94979]

Im not there yet but in paramedic school then going to be on city fire. Job security, benefits, RETIREMENT!

Jordan, SF Fire is where you wanna be base salary $75,000 120 working days a year

 

[Turbo Buick 6]

Lately I have been thinking about a career change. The millwright trade is really apealing to me, but I am also interested in a few others. I know it's probably not the best time to be changing careers, but I feel I have to do what's best for me and my sanity. So please post up what you do for a living and some details about it if you're comfortable with that. Thanks.

Daniel

If there are 2 trades I can say to stay away from they are the laborers and the millwrongs. Pipefighters have it the easiest and have the most work.

 

[z79outlaw]

lineman, great job, rewarding, good pay, lots of OT, cant outsource, and depending on what side of it you get into its recession proof. Downsides, sometimes your working in some of natures worst situations, its a little bit of a dangerous job, and its hell on your body somedays. Somedays you wonder what the hell am I thinking doing this, but most days its just a walk in the park.

 

[LBZ]

Have you tried getting into the plants out in Fort Sask Dan? The oil/gas plants might be a little better to work with as the safety standards are much higher and also the pay is likely more as well.

Millwright isn't a bad deal if you can find work. A buddy of mine is a ticketed millwright working for the city of Edmonton in their recycling organic waste plant. Pay is good and he doesn't mind the job.

 

[coldLBZ]

Right now I can't even get an interview at the big plants. I dunno, it seems most of them are looking for 3rd class. I have the books and I'm slowly studying.

 

[jraymer]

Union Elevator constructor, service, build, and modernize elevators and escalators. Pay and benifits are great, most of our overtime is double time, so you can make a bunch of money in a hurry, job security is better than most construction, and if your not scared of heights its pretty interesting.

What do you need to know for a job like this?

 

[whitetrash21]

which way's up????

 

[FMOS]

The plants around fort sask will be a bit tough. There are quite a few operations people around and the ones with 3rd-1st class tickets and years of experience are the ones that are going to be getting jobs in a "desirable" area like that.

You could try Fort McMurray... don't listen to what anyone else says about it though. Take it from me, I love it here. I've lived here for almost 4 years now and it has been excellent!

 

[rgullett83]

general maintenance/ welder in a marathon oil refinery.

 

[coldLBZ]

Are there any plant operators here? If so how do you like it? I may start to look closer at Fort Mac. I was up there a few years ago just to see it for myself, it didn't seem as bad as people made it out to be. Please keep the info coming. Thanks.