Ever worked construction?

[erkishhorde]

I've been contemplating trying to get out there and work construction for a while since I'm not having much luck with engineering. I'm sure at least a few of you have worked construction or are working construction now. How does one go about getting into it? Like, say... if I wanted to try framing, would I just show up at a construction site with a hammer and a hardhat and ask for work? I don't see any ads really on craigslist. Sometimes ignorance is bliss but not knowing anything about the real world is kinda sucking.

[GAAN]

back in the day

that's how I did it

just show up at a site and ask

but times have changed

if I was in your shoes and wanted to get into construction now

I would get in touch with the Carpenters Union and get an apprenticeship


edit

The reasons for the UBC apprenticeship would be for the training and the employment resources available through the hall

[Kopfjager]

Who hasn't, oh wait I forgot this is a Ducati forum.

[Bick]

I was born into it. 

Fortunatly I was smart enough to work my way out of it.

[ducpainter]

<snip> Sometimes ignorance is bliss but not knowing anything about the real world is kinda sucking.

...and there you have it.

There is no gravity.

The world sucks.

In all seriousness an apprenticeship is not a bad idea if you really want to work for a living.

[Got Duc]

I did when younger.

There is nothing like holding onto a jack hammer for dear life only to have to pry your hands open to let go of the handle.

[RVA Duc]

I've been doing carpentry for 9 years frameing siding and trim for 8 of them and for the past year custom cabinets. Just have to find an add or word of mouth. BUT the way things are going its getting harder to get into it cause no ones building houses.

[hbliam]

I've been contemplating trying to get out there and work construction for a while since I'm not having much luck with engineering. I'm sure at least a few of you have worked construction or are working construction now. How does one go about getting into it? Like, say... if I wanted to try framing, would I just show up at a construction site with a hammer and a hardhat and ask for work? I don't see any ads really on craigslist. Sometimes ignorance is bliss but not knowing anything about the real world is kinda sucking.

Wrong time to try to find a construction gig in Southern California. Worse time to try to find a construction gig with no experience.

[The Bearded Duc]

I worked as a plumber when I was younger, unfortunately you probably won't have much luck just walking onto a jobsite looking for work these days. The construction business is in too much of a slump to hire someone off the street with no real experience, especially when there are other companies and unions fighting for that same job.

The way plumbing worked when I did it was that you had to work as an apprentice first. You could then go to a trade school, which you have to pay for, that will help make you more money. There are usually different/many levels of schooling that once finished you would have the title of "master", just like moto mechanics.

This will take you a period of years to do and the hours you will put in will be long and arduous but it will make you feel like you actually did something that day. My mother has been in the construction business for nearly 40 years so you can make quite a career out of it but, like others have said, it is a little harder to get in to since construction in a lot of places has been flat out halted.

You might have better luck trying to get in with a labor company. It's not fun work at all but it will get you on the jobsites and if you bust your ass and show them you're willing to learn it may lead to other possibilities. Plus, as a laborer, you'll most likely end up on all parts of the jobsite and get to do all types of work. That might help give you an idea of what dedicated field you might want to work in.


I assume you're looking for work right now? I might have a few people I can check with but it won't be for a couple months and I'm almost an hour from you, if any of that matters?

[Vindingo]

Who hasn't, oh wait I forgot this is a Ducati forum.

That made me laugh out loud!!!


I have had some kind of construction/ construction related job since I was 14.  Started out cleaning jobsites, sweeping floors etc.  Then I installed septic systems, framed, finish trim, built cabinets, concrete countertops furniture... now I am back in school and I tile bathrooms nights and weekends.  

Construction work sucks, but unfortunately it is how I know how to make money at the moment, and I refuse to work retail.  

I wouldn't join a union.  I have worked with a lot of union guys and they can do one thing.  One guy could hang doors, another guy could build concrete forms, another could lay linoleum tile... you get the picture.  They don't train you to learn the business or own your own company.  I'm sure once you hit mid-late thirties, worker bee gets tough and you don't get the broad range of experience needed to run your own show.  Unless you never want to do your own thing, don't like to work that hard and look good in neon orange.  

No experience is tough, especially in Cali because you are competing with lots of day laborers who WILL work harder than you, and not expect as much money.  You do speak English, so that is a plus and if you bust your ass, that gives you a foot up.  

so umm, that was kind of a rambling assortment of thoughts ( had an organic chem final today and my brain still hasn't recovered)

Summary:  it is hard work, especially coming from a desk job.  hard to get your food in the door wtih no experience, 1 vote for "don't waste your time with a union"

Showing up to a job with a hard hat and a hammer will get you laughed at, and there is no way you would get a job like that at your age.  Ask any architect, engineer, realtor that you know, if they know anyone...

[GAAN]

Summary:  it is hard work, especially coming from a desk job.  hard to get your food in the door wtih no experience, 1 vote for "don't waste your time with a union"

so here's a question

you are a seasoned construction guy

you acknowledge that its a PITA to get in the buisness without experience

and yet you vote no on the union idea

even though it is a sure fire way to get your foot in the door?


that doesn't make any sense

[ducpainter]

so here's a question

you are a seasoned construction guy

you acknowledge that its a PITA to get in the buisness without experience

and yet you vote no on the union idea

even though it is a sure fire way to get your foot in the door?


that doesn't make any sense

I'd rather have my foot shoved up my own ass than be a union member.

just sayin'

[GAAN]

I'd rather have my foot shoved up my own ass than be a union member.

just sayin'

agreed

but

use them the way they use their members

get an apprenticeship, get your foot in the door, get to know some folk

and

then go scab

[ducpainter]

agreed

but

use them the way they use their members

get an apprenticeship, get your foot in the door, get to know some folk

and

then go scab

but the deal with unions is you buy into the program...

you pay dues...go to school...stand around on a jobsite for a few years and collect a pension.

No working involved.

[GAAN]

but the deal with unions is you buy into the program...

you pay dues...go to school...stand around on a jobsite for a few years and collect a pension.

No working involved.

I dunno what unions you guys worked for

but

can you send me a contact?

I would love to stand around and earn a pension

this sitting around and napping is killing me