Trades?

[double d]

Ok lads and ladys might not be the best place for this but im looking for some advice

My brother has just left school with a couple of GCSE's and his favorite subjects were DT and Maths, through the summer came to work with me a few times on a bathroom job, let him do the usual crap cutting some timbe lifting things cleaning up, he loved it, and really enjoyed Cutting the timber, so i said to him why dont you look at becoming a carpenter

The problem is my father has pushed him towards aircraft aerospace engineering because he knows a couple of peoiple there and have told him how much they make and so on, my brother isnt so sure and was told in his interview for the apprentership that here were 700 people looking to do it and only 20 places, my father is still adament he should go for it, but my worry is if he dosent get the apprentership and at the end of the 2 year course will just have the basic qualls simmilar to a C & G?

Does any one know if there is much work out there for carpenters?I

I should also say he's intrested in carrying on in the construction field after 2 year carpenrty?

Sorry for the long post, any info?

 

[Mrs Tara Plumbi]

My impression is that is tough for carpenters - a lot of competition , just the same as for the rest of construction trades.
My nephew is just starting carpentry apprenticeship - great if you can get an employer and are really keen to do it.
If I had to choose a construction trade for my kid I would choose electric or gas/heating/ plumbing.

Reason being there are areas of work protected by law for only people qualified in these - so there should always be some work around even in ressession.

 

[dontknowitall]

What about the motor trade (doesn't have to be cars - could be lorries or the parts divisions). Or the trains? Or working for an engineering company of sorts (e.g. Worcester-Bosch). I feel DT and Maths are probably more useful to engineering than construction. If his English is acceptable and still wants to have a construction related career, how about a quantity surveyor or architect apprenticeship?

 

[nysk2008]

a bit random but i know a few guys that i know are handy on the tools and tend to use the trade (tiling, carpentry etc) as an additional income their main income in from being a fireman! - if he's fit then why not, good pension, good mates, garenteed income.

 

[pmac10]

keeping with the engineering theme, what about maintenance? maintenance fitter or spark? these days most companies will be happy to invest to train you in your opposite trade once you've proved yourself and there is a natural progression to degree level if thats your thing.

 

[quality]

Get him into the refrigeration trade specialising in heat pumps as the refrigeration side of this area is not saturated with engineers like the wet plumbing side is. I have worked on both sides for years and over the past few years the demand for repairs on the refrigeration circuit as rocketed.

 

[CES]

I would agree with quality, coming from a building services background its something I wish I had taken up when I had the chance, instead I went for commercial heating.

 

[double d]

Thanks for the reply's

Ive told him to stay clear of the plumbing trade as i know how tough it is out there at the moment, but i dont know how tough it is for other trades?

He is intrested in the Architect and Surveyor side of things, but i try to tell him that at 16 he's got his whole life infront of him thats why i mention Carpentry, at 18 could have the chance to have done college and have a trade behind him with then a view to go back in to college then uni to do Architecher and Surveyor side of things?????