I’m all about improving the culture of this industry but not softening the truth to make it look more desirable. I came from the trench and I keep getting asked to drive these incentives that are honestly just sugar coated fantasies to me. Im not going to sit here and direct every person, young adult that comes my way to the trades.
The trades are an amazing career, truly but that doesn’t mean they are for everyone. I see so many “ influencers “ on here blowing the sunshine and rainbows smoke about it and that’s why people aren’t lasting as well. We aren’t talking about that part though, it’s just “ well the people aren’t welcoming enough and that needs to change “. They think it’s one way because that’s what they were told and then they hate their job because hey turns out it’s hard physical work laying pipe and maybe that isn’t their tea.
If you don’t like to get up early, probably not for you.
If you don’t like working late when the sun stays out longer, probably not for you.
If you don’t like getting dirty, probably not for you.
If you don’t want scars, probably not for you.
If you don’t want to sweat, probably not for you.
Would I go back and choose differently because of all the above, absolutely not. It’s what I love, it’s the smell of that crisp morning, watching the sun come up, being active, building the relationships that don’t happen in an office ( crew bonds are a different animal ), working outside, running machines, that rush of adrenaline when you all thought you were burnt out but kept each other going till it was done for the night because something went sideways.
For certain people, this is our path, this is where we belong. It is our fulfillment. Do we have days where we are like “ I’m over this “, of course we do but we stay because a part of us thrives on it. It’s more than a clock in, we bring the world to life.
For others it will not bring them that same happiness.
Inspire the trades, don’t force them.
Those who are meant to be in it will find their way with us showing the direction of possibilities like never before, the training and the time will be worth it to us and them.
If you have to convince or change someone to choose this path instead of what brings them their fulfillment, you’ve already failed them.
Our job is to educate, include, inspire, motivate, uplift and help evolve not hand out false promises and fantasies.
Boots on the ground in the field is very different than field support in the office and I find that that seems to be the hard one for some to conceptualize. Both are needed to complete a project, both have different strengths and very different perceptions. Respect should be shown both ways because like I said, without each other, it’s not getting done.
The work will always have to be done, it will always get done. Mentor those who are hungry and want it to set them up for success.
#heavyequipment #heavyequipmentoperator #construction #trades #heavymachinery #mentor
