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-   -   Trades vs Professions (https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/trades-vs-professions-212955/)

chippy Feb 25th 2004 6:19 am

Trades vs Professions
 
There seems to be a bit of a misconception that 'professional qualifications' are/should be worth more that 'trade qualifications'.
Ironically, I would like to dispell the myth that bio-chemist and university lecturers are leaving in drones to become plumbers and the like, 'cos the money is so fantastic!'

To become a tradesman you generally have to do a three year apprenticeship. Worthwhile experience comes about 5 years after qualification. To be what I would call a decent tradesman you need about 10 years post qualification experience.

Even then, I'm surprised at the amount of muppets there are. Some guys have been in the situation where they have been taught badly, or (more commonly) they have spent nearly all their time working within one aspect of a particular trade. Consequently, although they may be good at what they do know, their knowledge is narrowly focused.

Most of the guys that earn 'big money' are working on a price...this means they are paid for what they do. So you need to be able to turn out a good standard of work, and you need to to it quick.

On top of that, most of us are self-employed, so you supply your own tools (I've got about £8000 worth) and often power(generator), you don't get holiday pay and you don't take sickies. You sort out you own pension (if you want one), and you pay for your own car.

In short tradesmen are in short supply and you can earn excellent money....but will you get this with a crash course and a few months on the job? I don't think so.

chipiesteve Feb 25th 2004 6:54 am

completely agree dood.joiner myself.ive found that biulding companies over the last 15 yrs have tried to take all the f£$%ing skill out of the job by splitting joinery up into semi slilled services .
i mean is a window fitter a joiner?the one i worked with used to be a bin man.
is a bedroom fitter a joiner?
what about shop fitters. the answer is no in most cases. generaly these men are good in there own field but ask them to hang a door our set out a hipped porch roof and there nakerd.
i think to stay lean and mean you must move around employers to stay as sharp as you can and stay interested .dosnt do much for the cv but if they want you the tools are in the van.
2000 worth of tools myself, what id give to be a bricky level tape string line bobs your uncle.

nosuchluck Feb 25th 2004 7:02 am

Re: Trades vs Professions
 
Here, here says my hubby!
He's a plasterer and agreed with everything you said, been a plasterer since leaving school 21 years ago, worked had at what he's got and what we hope to achieve in Australia
kind regards
rach, mark and chanelle ;)

plumber Feb 25th 2004 7:04 am

I know what you mean.......... On paper qualify as an astronaut !:rolleyes:


all the best plum.

Kelly T Feb 25th 2004 7:15 am

Re: Trades vs Professions
 

Originally posted by chippy
There seems to be a bit of a misconception that 'professional qualifications' are/should be worth more that 'trade qualifications'.
Ironically, I would like to dispell the myth that bio-chemist and university lecturers are leaving in drones to become plumbers and the like, 'cos the money is so fantastic!'

To become a tradesman you generally have to do a three year apprenticeship. Worthwhile experience comes about 5 years after qualification. To be what I would call a decent tradesman you need about 10 years post qualification experience.

Even then, I'm surprised at the amount of muppets there are. Some guys have been in the situation where they have been taught badly, or (more commonly) they have spent nearly all their time working within one aspect of a particular trade. Consequently, although they may be good at what they do know, their knowledge is narrowly focused.

Most of the guys that earn 'big money' are working on a price...this means they are paid for what they do. So you need to be able to turn out a good standard of work, and you need to to it quick.

On top of that, most of us are self-employed, so you supply your own tools (I've got about £8000 worth) and often power(generator), you don't get holiday pay and you don't take sickies. You sort out you own pension (if you want one), and you pay for your own car.

In short tradesmen are in short supply and you can earn excellent money....but will you get this with a crash course and a few months on the job? I don't think so.
Well said Chippy,

I am a painter and decorator and have been for 16 years and its the same in my trade, because everyone does a bit at home and the telly is full of programmes showing it everyone thinks they can do it.

I often get people telling painting is easy until they have a problem and have to ask my advice, I can hang a door and fit a kitchen but i am no joiner, as you say that comes with years of experience.

I work along side so called designers who get more money than me, but they certanly don't earn it, they have'nt got a clue, it's us tradesman that make there designs work and get the job done.

See what you've done, you've started me off.

Kevin
:mad:

nosuchluck Feb 25th 2004 7:18 am

Re: Trades vs Professions
 
See what you've done, you've started me off.

Kevin
:mad: [/QUOTE]

Started my hubby off too, he's gone into one about pen pushers!!!!!

:mad:

philj6969 Feb 25th 2004 7:28 am

Its the same sort of thing for us bods in the IT industry, the kiddies fresh out of college/uni with their certs, trying to make a quick buck, its no good without having 10 years of experience down your neck. Doing a job is what makes you more skilled, the longer you do it, the better.

Even the colleges (where I work) would rather employ someone with less qualifications and more experience than someone with it all on paper and no experience.

Phil.

ps big drawback in IT is constantly having to relearn the same job, thats is probably why time in the job = better skill. Not doing the same thing all day helps too.

Florida_03 Feb 25th 2004 7:37 am

Re: Trades vs Professions
 

Originally posted by chippy
There seems to be a bit of a misconception that 'professional qualifications' are/should be worth more that 'trade qualifications'.
Ironically, I would like to dispell the myth that bio-chemist and university lecturers are leaving in drones to become plumbers and the like, 'cos the money is so fantastic!'

To become a tradesman you generally have to do a three year apprenticeship. Worthwhile experience comes about 5 years after qualification. To be what I would call a decent tradesman you need about 10 years post qualification experience.

Even then, I'm surprised at the amount of muppets there are. Some guys have been in the situation where they have been taught badly, or (more commonly) they have spent nearly all their time working within one aspect of a particular trade. Consequently, although they may be good at what they do know, their knowledge is narrowly focused.

Most of the guys that earn 'big money' are working on a price...this means they are paid for what they do. So you need to be able to turn out a good standard of work, and you need to to it quick.

On top of that, most of us are self-employed, so you supply your own tools (I've got about £8000 worth) and often power(generator), you don't get holiday pay and you don't take sickies. You sort out you own pension (if you want one), and you pay for your own car.

In short tradesmen are in short supply and you can earn excellent money....but will you get this with a crash course and a few months on the job? I don't think so.
Excellent points. The world has become qualification crazed. Learning on the job from experts is worth much more than an academic qualification.

There is now "qualification creep" - where jobs that once required a certain entry qualification and provided on-the-job training to round out the worker now increasingly require higher qualifications as a replacement for the on-the-job training that is no longer provided.

Apprenticeships and trade training are no longer provided at their previous levels in Australia (especially by State governments) and there will be much reliance on importing these skills from countries that still provide effective trade training environments (craftsmen).

Goodpubmisser Feb 25th 2004 9:18 pm

I have actually found that if you get to know who are the good handymen in your local area, they do as good a job as the tradesmen, charge less and are more prone to turn up on time.

For example I got Handymen to:

Re-tyle my bathroom
Fix a blocked toilet
Paint my Lounge
Fix a leaking shower (he re-tyled the area as well)

plumber Feb 25th 2004 11:10 pm

as i said over qualified.......should have been an astronaut!


all the best

plumber/ council of registered gas installers/institute of plumbing engineer/oil fired technician/gas engineer/heating specialist/acredited certified.....pipe strangler !

oh.....stick a broom up my ass and i'll also sweep the floor on the way out!!!!!
:eek::rolleyes:

chippy Feb 26th 2004 6:08 am


Originally posted by Goodpubmisser
I have actually found that if you get to know who are the good handymen in your local area, they do as good a job as the tradesmen, charge less and are more prone to turn up on time.

For example I got Handymen to:

Re-tyle my bathroom
Fix a blocked toilet
Paint my Lounge
Fix a leaking shower (he re-tyled the area as well)
Yes. I see your point here, but I'm not really talking about 'jobbers'. I'm referring to those that work on new builds, large scale referbs or commercial work.
:cool: :beer:

Timber Floor Au Feb 26th 2004 7:06 am

Re: Trades vs Professions
 

Originally posted by chippy
There seems to be a bit of a misconception that 'professional qualifications' are/should be worth more that 'trade qualifications'.
Ironically, I would like to dispell the myth that bio-chemist and university lecturers are leaving in drones to become plumbers and the like, 'cos the money is so fantastic!'

To become a tradesman you generally have to do a three year apprenticeship. Worthwhile experience comes about 5 years after qualification. To be what I would call a decent tradesman you need about 10 years post qualification experience.

Even then, I'm surprised at the amount of muppets there are. Some guys have been in the situation where they have been taught badly, or (more commonly) they have spent nearly all their time working within one aspect of a particular trade. Consequently, although they may be good at what they do know, their knowledge is narrowly focused.

Most of the guys that earn 'big money' are working on a price...this means they are paid for what they do. So you need to be able to turn out a good standard of work, and you need to to it quick.

On top of that, most of us are self-employed, so you supply your own tools (I've got about £8000 worth) and often power(generator), you don't get holiday pay and you don't take sickies. You sort out you own pension (if you want one), and you pay for your own car.

In short tradesmen are in short supply and you can earn excellent money....but will you get this with a crash course and a few months on the job? I don't think so.


Good Post but im ****** bewildered as to your point ?

Stating the obvious is all very well, but its PAPERWORK that counts in the migration game !

And im a carpenter !

WBB Feb 26th 2004 8:18 am

Re: Trades vs Professions
 

Originally posted by Timber Floor Au
Good Post but im ****** bewildered
:D

nothing new there then.

i agree with all the others on this thread, you can watch a brickie who has been at it for 25 years and see the difference between his work and some muppet who has just finished a 2 year tech course and is out doing cash in hand work.

well said chipmeister.

downunderpom Feb 26th 2004 8:49 am

Give me a craftsman any day of the week. Stuff the cost - I just want to see perfection in action! (And Mrs DUP is even more picky!) A muppet would be given short shrift in our house.

Keep up the good work, guys!

(And if any of you are looking for a project in the Lithgow area of NSW.....) :D :D

bondipom Feb 26th 2004 9:09 am


Originally posted by downunderpom
Give me a craftsman any day of the week. Stuff the cost - I just want to see perfection in action! (And Mrs DUP is even more picky!) A muppet would be given short shrift in our house.

Keep up the good work, guys!

(And if any of you are looking for a project in the Lithgow area of NSW.....) :D :D
Oi nout wrong with muppets.

Paying good money for quality workmanship is worth it as the final result is superior. Housing sticks around much longer than we do and a quality job is bequeathing a legacy to the nation. It is ashame town planners do not think the same.


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