Trades that you would recommend

philstar

My younger brother wants to get himself an apprenticeship, but he doesn't know which trade, he's toying with the idea of becoming an electrician.

He's 17 he's of average height & build, he is a bit daydreamy/dim-witted and he's weak at maths...so i think electrician is out the window for him.

Can any of you trades people suggest a trade that he should consider and the ones to stay clear of......giving the good points and bad points of each one.

Thank Phil,

micks

IMO

Industrial - Electrician / E&I (you will have lots arguing which is better etc - cant go wrong with either - very wide range of opportunities after apprenticeship

Plumber - relatively straight forward to work for yourself after qualifying - decent prospects thereafter

Refrigeration - big demand globally only going to get bigger, with eco measures being brought in everywhere

one thing to note - if he hasn't done the leaving cert, it is not like years gone, you need a leaving cert now and in particular maths for most apprenticeships, with most reputable companies.

Personally i would not advise anyone towards anything else - Fitter /pipe fitter maybe

.G.

It has to be something he has an interest in or he'll end up like a lot of people, doing a job he doesn't like. All trades are good and offer good travel opportunities too. I'm an electrician myself and the construction game is definitely on the up again.

Musicman2000

New apprenticeships are being launched if not already , such as IT, Accounting , Pharma Telecoms etc. Ireland is lagging way behind when it comes to apprenticeships, probably down to the Irish obsession with degrees. As mentioned above make sure he has an interest in it.

tabby aspreme

philstar wrote: »

My younger brother wants to get himself an apprenticeship, but he doesn't know which trade, he's toying with the idea of becoming an electrician.

He's 17 he's of average height & build, he is a bit daydreamy/dim-witted and he's weak at maths..

Has he any interest in Politics

Gumbo

During the recession, I failed to meet a plumber that was not busy.
If he is half decent, he should be constantly busy in that trade. He just has to decide weather to go the gas route or the bathroom plumbing route.

If he can get RGI qualified then that would be a good venture.

Heart Break Kid

Musicman2000 wrote: »

Ireland is lagging way behind when it comes to apprenticeships, probably down to the Irish obsession with degrees.

Theres a lot to be said for the german model.

Musicman2000

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Theres a lot to be said for the german model.

Totally agree. Even the Uk are miles ahead.

_Brian

Tool Makers command good salaries and the few factories I've been in they are well respected too. It would be a very interesting position to be in and I can see a decent demand for their skills going forward.

Mrs OBumble

Plumber. There will always be sh&t to be disposed of.

Borzoi

micks wrote: »

IMO

Industrial - Electrician / E&I (you will have lots arguing which is better etc - cant go wrong with either - very wide range of opportunities after apprenticeship

Plumber - relatively straight forward to work for yourself after qualifying - decent prospects thereafter

Refrigeration - big demand globally only going to get bigger, with eco measures being brought in everywhere

one thing to note - if he hasn't done the leaving cert, it is not like years gone, you need a leaving cert now and in particular maths for most apprenticeships, with most reputable companies.

Personally i would not advise anyone towards anything else - Fitter /pipe fitter maybe

all very good options. I'd add mechanic, both car and HGV.

stay away from trades that are almost exclusively construction: brickie, plasterers

2011

This may be of interest:

fryup

stay away from fitter and motor mechanic

rough mucky thankless jobs

Avatar MIA

+1 for plumber, couldn't believe how hard it was to get someone locally (Limerick), had to get someone 90 miles away to come to our house to fit a boiler.