Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
The trades shortage is about class - in the social class sense of the term. It's almost unheard of for educated, white-collar parents to encourage their kids to go into the trades. It's considered a fall down the socio-economic ladder in a way that working at a help desk isn't. Even if the tradesperson makes $80k and the person at the call centre makes $40k. Which shows class isn't just about money.
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I frequently have conversations about this with friends. I feel that we in Calgary are blessed with a mentality where blue collar and white collar respect one another (enough) that we can get along and work together. Most other cities/towns pit one against the other and consider the other side inferior.
Although not exact, I feel like there are enough people who believe the following:
Vancouver White > blue
Edmonton White =< Blue
Calgary White >= Blue
Regina White < Blue
Toronto White > Blue
I wonder if it's an oil and gas mentality where white collar is required for the projects and selling of the product, but they know very well that they need blue collar to help them get the product out of the ground in the first place.
This on top of the fact people seem so open in sharing salaries that many realize that the dude working on your elevator or a plumber can easily make $100K+ per year. This is generally more than the average white collar employee below management level here in the city.
I know coming from an Asian background, there is some serious stigma for blue collar careers. But my dad and I have been chatting with many other parents whose kids are in or contemplating blue collar and really trying to help them understand blue collar isn't that bad. If anything, many of those laughing at the blue collar vs white collar situation make less (ie: 80-90K as an analyst vs some blue collars making $100K+).
My dad has been convincing other Asian parents to change their mentality of blue collar. The pay isn't worth scoffing at, there's far less competition than white collar, and often times, allowing this concession allows for the parents to maintain a good relationship with their kids.
Going forward, I think I still lean slightly more towards white > blue collar, but I definitely would teach my son to not look down on blue collar as well as to spend time learning blue collar skills on the side to a decent level (ability to do basic home renos, basic car repairs etc.). I also have been trying to find opportunities to do my own repairs at home and strengthen my blue collar skills.