Why Factories Are Having Trouble Filling Nearly 400,000 Open Jobs

[Lurker Deluxe]

23. Love these conversations ....

I have been "blue collar" all my life, and in every instance I have been pressured into "moving up" and in some instances forced to do so.

Leading me to move on.

In my current job, a service tech, which I have been at for 9 years I was recently (10 weeks ago) forced into taking a "regional service manager" position.

As a service tech I made $40/hour and worked 50 hours a week and an on call bonus for the weekends being on call, generally once a month and an extra $250 even if no call happened. A little math here: base pay $40X2080 = $83K 500 hours of overtime at $60/hour = $30K for a nice $115k+/- a buck or three. If I had to go on a call out on a weekend or after hours it paid 4 hours minimum even if it took an hour. Full benefits, 401K matched at 6%, 11 paid holidays, 3 weeks PTO (at 9 years which would top out at 4.5 weeks at 15 years), company vehicle, paid uniforms (including cleaning) paid cell phone, home internet, and tablet.

I was happy.

But hey, now I am management and have a nice $125K salary. Good ... right?

Now I am working 7 days a week, my phone rings constantly, and I have to deal with tons, I mean tons, of inter-office politics and constant complaints from customers. My sanity, as well as my health, is moving in the wrong direction. Because of loyalty I will get these jackwads through the summer, our busy time, before moving on ... yet again.

We pay very well, $25/hour (with overtime $60K) to start. Hiring anyone under 40 is futile, they take off more work (unscheduled) every month then I do for a year and complain constantly ... constantly. Can not solve simple problems and have the highest rate of rework and customer complaints.

Lack of learning, no interest to grow (I have been here a year and I still make XXX), going to work everyday, and not investing in yourself keeps you at that entry level position.

Those that think trades pay crap wages are either poorly informed or just plain lying. Sure, there are crap jobs out there, but they are getting very hard to find. Poor working conditions, unsafe practices (301A anyone), crap wages, and bad bosses get you labor shortages and you go out of business being replaced by those who do better.

The trades pay very well, and are generally easier, than any middle management job ... if you add up the actual hours spent working and the stress. Sure, you have to be healthy, dependable, and able to problem solve so not anyone can do it, and many fail ... just like anything else. Married? Neglect your spouse, do not put in the effort ... single.

I know a lot of people, the happiest people I know are trades people.

Thee reason there is a lack of trades people is the bullshit narrative like this pushed by others. I have heard it all my life ... "when are you going to get a real job"? When I can afford it ... right now I cannot afford the pay cut.

Ohh ... and I got pretty stickers and a note during the pandemic that I was essential, did not miss a days pay ...

Tradesperson ... for the win.