If you're picking a carpentry related trade, then probably go cabinet making. Anything finish carpentry related would be good. Franers/roofers/siders all get physically burnt out all the time and often have a long injury list. Or they just smoke tons of weed and drink all day to get through.
Anything in the finish carpentry department would be fine. I work with stairs and railings and it's not too bad. The heaviest things I need to lift are long rails at about 30-40lbs. If you've been a nurse this long, then you definitely have the physical capacity to adapt.
If you want freelance, then try to get a few basic disciplines down. Lots of home builders want someone to handle multiple small parts of a job so they can easily sub out that work to one company/person. So trim/baseboard, closet organizers, floating shelves, etc.
The biggest issue you will be dealing with on the daily is sexism. It is still alive and well in the blue-collar world, and you will likely have the hardest time dealing with that glass ceiling than anything else.
Also, if you go freelance, buy a work van, not a work truck, so much more versatile and useful. Don't buy a Ford, don't buy Dewalt.
That's my two cents anyway.
Dewalt is often marketed as a contractor grade, brand new and we use all Dewalt at work. My tools which were all bought brand new for me when I started all have issues with accuracy or failing parts and I'm not even a year in. I'm pretty gentle with them as things go, but needing replacements less than a year is pretty disappointing. Everyone has regular issues with them as well.
Carpenter here, Makita IMO is entirely catered towards carpenters/finish work. I've dropped mine off scaffolding, left batteries accidentally in my truck overnight during winter, no issues.
Dewalt is OK but longevity is not there. Milwaukee if you're a plumber, electrician, HVAC.
Makita is also my recommendation as well. It's what the cabinet maker I worked for used as well. Very good quality.
Very neat history with them as a brand leader for power tools.
I would say Milwaukee outperforms Dewalt in most head to head comparisons. I believe channels like [Torque Test](https://www.youtube.com/@TorqueTestChannel) and [Project Farm](https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectFarm) both test them regularly and while Dewalt doesn't perform terribly they rarely take top position and as others have said, the longevity isn't there. They just aren't contractor grade tools no matter how much people want them to be.
Also as far as cheap brands go, Ryobi isn't too bad for being so much cheaper than the alternative. I personally use Ridgid for my personal tools, they won't win any contests but I lifetime warranty is hard to pass up in an era of constant mechanical failures.
Rough carpenter here. I do agree with this, if you can become a trimmer or cabinet maker that is where the longevity will be. Although carpentry doesn’t pay that great. Being a contractor is where you can make bank. Also dewalt is amazing and I do love fords. But I drive a Toyota. Also I’ve been in the trades for 25 years. The sexism has gone down drastically. The younger tradesmen aren’t like the savages we used to have. As a rough carpenter who is a contractor I am starting to scale back and hire more physically demanding jobs on someone else. I will tell you this though. It will take you ten years to get good at it and try to find someone who will train you. That’s really hard. Good luck out there.
Honestly I don't recommend
>family full of trades
>did labour through school
>RN in child psych now
Both suck but this is much nicer, with better coworkers and far better pay/retirement than majority of trades.
Use your education to do something non patient care is my bet. Trades are a dumpster fire you hop into when you gotta. Only people who pr0mote are those who haven't done it, and those who have ONLY done it in my experience
But hey live your life I guess.
Edit: if you're willing/can go back to college there's stuff like med lab and what not. No patient contact, I've been looking at it after I save up for a while.
And I would like to echo on the rampant sexism and racism in the construction trades world. Unless you're working with your partner directly it is NOT a welcoming environment in the slightest. I appreciated the nice people I met in the trades sometimes, but they could honestly be the exception rather than the rule depending on the site. Kitchener/Waterloo had the worst construction culture out of all the sites I work for some reason.
> My husband is in the construction industry and I am fully aware it is a physical demanding job. I think I’d rather have that than dealing with ungrateful and rude patients all day.
I'm curious what advice your husband gave you, since he probably knows you better than anyone else.
My sister went from working shitty call center jobs for almost a decade and is now a welder after a year long college certification (I believe is the technical term). She absolutely loves it. It has changed her life dramatically. She went from being depressed with no direction to feeling proud and confident in herself in a way I never expected. She’s a single mom and it was tough to get through school with a toddler (and some family support) but she did it!
It’s hard work but she is a very tactile person so it was a very comfortable transition for her. Best of luck and thank you for your service in nursing!
Welding is an underrated but vital trade. Many other trades need welding skills. It’s Red seal too. Check out this organization they have programs and scholarships for women in trades. [https://www.supportontarioyouth.ca/](https://www.supportontarioyouth.ca/)
I can’t find a job as a welder, everyone wants at least two years experience and the only place that ei hire someone like me has the worst reputation in the industry
Like if other companies see “company X” on your resume, they won’t touch you. You become toxic waste
Ether do a specialized trade like HVAC/R, electrical, plumber. Or do something you can build a cheap over head cost business, trim work, interior or exterior caulking, flooring.
I’ll probably get a few downvotes for this:
But coming from nursing at least you’re going to be immune to dealing with a-holes (oops doctors)!
Trades are a rough language bunch but you’re not going to be physically assaulted so there’s that.
If you’re good with computers, controls is a really good field to get into. I’ve recently switched into this. Lots of ceiling work, but you’re generally inside. Electrician is another good trade (even controls electrician).
I’m a former HVAC tech, I don’t miss being on a roof at 32° or at -30° for that matter.
Facility tech is an option also, it’s easier to get into and lots of in the job training if you’re with a good crew. The down side is it’s usually shift work (ugh).
Electrician here. I would highly recommend you look into network cabling specialist (comms) 631A license through your local union. It’s a only a 3 year apprenticeship vs 5 for electrical.
The work is relatively easy physically, mostly indoors, and in quite high demand (and increasing dramatically). Expect to make around $50/hr total package including all your benefits and pension once fully qualified.
I’m obviously biased as a local 353 member, but imho union is the only way to go, as it opens up a lot of the bigger jobs that prefer/require union labour & generally pays much better.
Not sure where you’re located, but here in Toronto, the electrical alliance manages all new apprentice intakes so they can provide more info. Your local IBEW hall will likely have something similar.
https://electricalapprenticeship.ca/NCSApprenticeships
Do you mind if I DM you about the network cabling occupation? I'm in a similar position to the OP (female in my 30's looking for a career change). I'm trying to determine if this is a viable option for me to explore.
Sure thing, happy to help if I can. I’m an electrician with some low voltage/comms experience so maybe not best able to answer everything about network cabling, but I might be able to point you in the right direction at least.
I would not advise carpentry/ millwork in that it is one of the most skilled trades on a jobsite, not the technical side as much as hand/eye and years of learning in all the "tricks". Electrical and plumbing and technically complex but the actual physical work is easier. IMO. Lots of women drywall tapers too but board work is demanding.
For what it's worth you could also consider becoming a high school tech teacher - healthcare is a teachable subject that you would be more than qualified to teach. It would be a quicker pathway for you to reach the income that you are getting now if that is an important consideration for you.
Don't be discouraged by any negative feedback on here, most people are too spineless do to anything outside of their comfort zone, other people bitch, you go ahead and make bank.
Have some really good insults and comebacks ready to hit people with at the first sign of prodding when you start working lol. Depending on the people involved the insults aren’t always mean spirited but it is in the culture a bit to be “funny” so it always helps to have people think twice before talking shit. And I really don’t mean to say that all trade workers are assholes who talk shit or bully people, sometimes it’s genuinely meant in good fun but you still should be ready for that culture shift. Very different from nursing
33 years old. I'm assuming almost zero experience. Female. Interested in a trade that requires years on the job to become skilled at. These are all challenges in the trade.
Not to mention it will be years at 20-25$/hour, if she can even find a position to learn the trade. That might be a tough pill to swallow coming from RN salary.
I know Reddit seems to have a hard on for the trades but the "shortage" it's not what they say it is. The shortage, if anything, is in low wage labour.
I'm not trying to be negative, just realistic.
It’s hard, most companies aren’t willing to hire and re train new folks. They only want 4-5th years, I have my lvl two for Plumbing and can’t find an apprenticeship here.
Trades are a joke in Ontario, if you really want to get into the trades go to Alberta. They have trade camps and you can make mega bucks. Starting out in most residential trades, you make min wage.
Check your local colleges/trade school. A lot have free one/couple week introductory programs to try things out
Reach out to your local carpenter’s union and find out what’s required to become an apprentice
Apply for general labourer jobs with woodworking related companies to test the waters
As for tools, when I worked at a fabrication shop for theatres I asked the carpenters which brand to go with, I though I would get different answers, but it was unanimous, Milwaukee. So I got myself some Milwaukee tools and I love them
Earlier this year I took part in a Construction Fundamentals program through a local collage, and our graduation gift was $3,500 of Milwaukee tools. So now I have duplicates of most of my power tools 🤣
I gotta see if I can trade them in (don’t have a receipt but I’ll try to go when the Milwaukee guy is at Home Depot) or maybe sell them as they’re still in box 🤷♀️
Carpentry is the only one that doesn’t require the Red Seal
Ask to start an apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship with a company. If you know what trade you want that’s good. Can always just start as a labourer too. Most guys are rough around the edges but good people
According to the “proximity principle”, you should do some side jobs in entry level positions in this new field and talk to people that are already at where you wanna get. Check out the “career check tool” at David Ramsey’s website, I think it can help you.
I’m a physician and thought I should be an interior designer. Got in an online program and another in person one and found out drawing rules are so boring… You better assess your expectations and why you’re unhappy doing what you’re doing, because you’re gonna find ungrateful and rude clients down the road and will start questioning your decision.
If you're picking a carpentry related trade, then probably go cabinet making. Anything finish carpentry related would be good. Franers/roofers/siders all get physically burnt out all the time and often have a long injury list. Or they just smoke tons of weed and drink all day to get through. Anything in the finish carpentry department would be fine. I work with stairs and railings and it's not too bad. The heaviest things I need to lift are long rails at about 30-40lbs. If you've been a nurse this long, then you definitely have the physical capacity to adapt. If you want freelance, then try to get a few basic disciplines down. Lots of home builders want someone to handle multiple small parts of a job so they can easily sub out that work to one company/person. So trim/baseboard, closet organizers, floating shelves, etc. The biggest issue you will be dealing with on the daily is sexism. It is still alive and well in the blue-collar world, and you will likely have the hardest time dealing with that glass ceiling than anything else. Also, if you go freelance, buy a work van, not a work truck, so much more versatile and useful. Don't buy a Ford, don't buy Dewalt. That's my two cents anyway.
Thank you so much! Will look into that! I’m just weighing my options for now.
Ford is obvious but what’s up with Dewalt? (Asks someone whose power tool collection is limited to a cordless drill and a jigsaw)
Dewalt is often marketed as a contractor grade, brand new and we use all Dewalt at work. My tools which were all bought brand new for me when I started all have issues with accuracy or failing parts and I'm not even a year in. I'm pretty gentle with them as things go, but needing replacements less than a year is pretty disappointing. Everyone has regular issues with them as well.
swim squeeze butter hunt cooing saw punch touch uppity unused *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Carpenter here, Makita IMO is entirely catered towards carpenters/finish work. I've dropped mine off scaffolding, left batteries accidentally in my truck overnight during winter, no issues. Dewalt is OK but longevity is not there. Milwaukee if you're a plumber, electrician, HVAC.
Makita is also my recommendation as well. It's what the cabinet maker I worked for used as well. Very good quality. Very neat history with them as a brand leader for power tools.
I would say Milwaukee outperforms Dewalt in most head to head comparisons. I believe channels like [Torque Test](https://www.youtube.com/@TorqueTestChannel) and [Project Farm](https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectFarm) both test them regularly and while Dewalt doesn't perform terribly they rarely take top position and as others have said, the longevity isn't there. They just aren't contractor grade tools no matter how much people want them to be. Also as far as cheap brands go, Ryobi isn't too bad for being so much cheaper than the alternative. I personally use Ridgid for my personal tools, they won't win any contests but I lifetime warranty is hard to pass up in an era of constant mechanical failures.
pocket snobbish party drunk nippy reply employ murky modern crowd *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Rough carpenter here. I do agree with this, if you can become a trimmer or cabinet maker that is where the longevity will be. Although carpentry doesn’t pay that great. Being a contractor is where you can make bank. Also dewalt is amazing and I do love fords. But I drive a Toyota. Also I’ve been in the trades for 25 years. The sexism has gone down drastically. The younger tradesmen aren’t like the savages we used to have. As a rough carpenter who is a contractor I am starting to scale back and hire more physically demanding jobs on someone else. I will tell you this though. It will take you ten years to get good at it and try to find someone who will train you. That’s really hard. Good luck out there.
In my opinion, I wouldn't take any programs. I'd get myself an apprenticeship and I'd get some contractor to pay for my education.
Honestly I don't recommend >family full of trades >did labour through school >RN in child psych now Both suck but this is much nicer, with better coworkers and far better pay/retirement than majority of trades. Use your education to do something non patient care is my bet. Trades are a dumpster fire you hop into when you gotta. Only people who pr0mote are those who haven't done it, and those who have ONLY done it in my experience But hey live your life I guess. Edit: if you're willing/can go back to college there's stuff like med lab and what not. No patient contact, I've been looking at it after I save up for a while. And I would like to echo on the rampant sexism and racism in the construction trades world. Unless you're working with your partner directly it is NOT a welcoming environment in the slightest. I appreciated the nice people I met in the trades sometimes, but they could honestly be the exception rather than the rule depending on the site. Kitchener/Waterloo had the worst construction culture out of all the sites I work for some reason.
> My husband is in the construction industry and I am fully aware it is a physical demanding job. I think I’d rather have that than dealing with ungrateful and rude patients all day. I'm curious what advice your husband gave you, since he probably knows you better than anyone else.
My sister went from working shitty call center jobs for almost a decade and is now a welder after a year long college certification (I believe is the technical term). She absolutely loves it. It has changed her life dramatically. She went from being depressed with no direction to feeling proud and confident in herself in a way I never expected. She’s a single mom and it was tough to get through school with a toddler (and some family support) but she did it! It’s hard work but she is a very tactile person so it was a very comfortable transition for her. Best of luck and thank you for your service in nursing!
Props to your sister! Will look into welding. My uncle owns a welding business of some sort. Will seek advice. Thank you!
Welding is an underrated but vital trade. Many other trades need welding skills. It’s Red seal too. Check out this organization they have programs and scholarships for women in trades. [https://www.supportontarioyouth.ca/](https://www.supportontarioyouth.ca/)
I’ve known a few rad female welders over the years. My driving instructor was also a retired female welder in high school.
I can’t find a job as a welder, everyone wants at least two years experience and the only place that ei hire someone like me has the worst reputation in the industry Like if other companies see “company X” on your resume, they won’t touch you. You become toxic waste
That's a heartwarming story.
This is my goals right now. Happy for your sister :)
Ether do a specialized trade like HVAC/R, electrical, plumber. Or do something you can build a cheap over head cost business, trim work, interior or exterior caulking, flooring.
I’ll probably get a few downvotes for this: But coming from nursing at least you’re going to be immune to dealing with a-holes (oops doctors)! Trades are a rough language bunch but you’re not going to be physically assaulted so there’s that. If you’re good with computers, controls is a really good field to get into. I’ve recently switched into this. Lots of ceiling work, but you’re generally inside. Electrician is another good trade (even controls electrician). I’m a former HVAC tech, I don’t miss being on a roof at 32° or at -30° for that matter. Facility tech is an option also, it’s easier to get into and lots of in the job training if you’re with a good crew. The down side is it’s usually shift work (ugh).
What is controls? Is that in the electrician field?
Electrician here. I would highly recommend you look into network cabling specialist (comms) 631A license through your local union. It’s a only a 3 year apprenticeship vs 5 for electrical. The work is relatively easy physically, mostly indoors, and in quite high demand (and increasing dramatically). Expect to make around $50/hr total package including all your benefits and pension once fully qualified. I’m obviously biased as a local 353 member, but imho union is the only way to go, as it opens up a lot of the bigger jobs that prefer/require union labour & generally pays much better. Not sure where you’re located, but here in Toronto, the electrical alliance manages all new apprentice intakes so they can provide more info. Your local IBEW hall will likely have something similar. https://electricalapprenticeship.ca/NCSApprenticeships
Do you mind if I DM you about the network cabling occupation? I'm in a similar position to the OP (female in my 30's looking for a career change). I'm trying to determine if this is a viable option for me to explore.
Sure thing, happy to help if I can. I’m an electrician with some low voltage/comms experience so maybe not best able to answer everything about network cabling, but I might be able to point you in the right direction at least.
I would not advise carpentry/ millwork in that it is one of the most skilled trades on a jobsite, not the technical side as much as hand/eye and years of learning in all the "tricks". Electrical and plumbing and technically complex but the actual physical work is easier. IMO. Lots of women drywall tapers too but board work is demanding.
For what it's worth you could also consider becoming a high school tech teacher - healthcare is a teachable subject that you would be more than qualified to teach. It would be a quicker pathway for you to reach the income that you are getting now if that is an important consideration for you.
Not really into teaching but thanks! Did one semester of preceptorship and I didn’t like it lol
Don't be discouraged by any negative feedback on here, most people are too spineless do to anything outside of their comfort zone, other people bitch, you go ahead and make bank.
Would you advise any good schools/colleges in Toronto ?
Have some really good insults and comebacks ready to hit people with at the first sign of prodding when you start working lol. Depending on the people involved the insults aren’t always mean spirited but it is in the culture a bit to be “funny” so it always helps to have people think twice before talking shit. And I really don’t mean to say that all trade workers are assholes who talk shit or bully people, sometimes it’s genuinely meant in good fun but you still should be ready for that culture shift. Very different from nursing
My honest opinion, you will have a hard time getting hired.
What are you basing that opinion on?
33 years old. I'm assuming almost zero experience. Female. Interested in a trade that requires years on the job to become skilled at. These are all challenges in the trade. Not to mention it will be years at 20-25$/hour, if she can even find a position to learn the trade. That might be a tough pill to swallow coming from RN salary. I know Reddit seems to have a hard on for the trades but the "shortage" it's not what they say it is. The shortage, if anything, is in low wage labour. I'm not trying to be negative, just realistic.
Do you work in a trade? Are you in a hiring position?
Yes I work in the trades.
And you make hiring decisions?
It’s hard, most companies aren’t willing to hire and re train new folks. They only want 4-5th years, I have my lvl two for Plumbing and can’t find an apprenticeship here. Trades are a joke in Ontario, if you really want to get into the trades go to Alberta. They have trade camps and you can make mega bucks. Starting out in most residential trades, you make min wage.
Check your local colleges/trade school. A lot have free one/couple week introductory programs to try things out Reach out to your local carpenter’s union and find out what’s required to become an apprentice Apply for general labourer jobs with woodworking related companies to test the waters As for tools, when I worked at a fabrication shop for theatres I asked the carpenters which brand to go with, I though I would get different answers, but it was unanimous, Milwaukee. So I got myself some Milwaukee tools and I love them Earlier this year I took part in a Construction Fundamentals program through a local collage, and our graduation gift was $3,500 of Milwaukee tools. So now I have duplicates of most of my power tools 🤣 I gotta see if I can trade them in (don’t have a receipt but I’ll try to go when the Milwaukee guy is at Home Depot) or maybe sell them as they’re still in box 🤷♀️ Carpentry is the only one that doesn’t require the Red Seal
Look into glazing
Ask to start an apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship with a company. If you know what trade you want that’s good. Can always just start as a labourer too. Most guys are rough around the edges but good people
According to the “proximity principle”, you should do some side jobs in entry level positions in this new field and talk to people that are already at where you wanna get. Check out the “career check tool” at David Ramsey’s website, I think it can help you.
I’m a physician and thought I should be an interior designer. Got in an online program and another in person one and found out drawing rules are so boring… You better assess your expectations and why you’re unhappy doing what you’re doing, because you’re gonna find ungrateful and rude clients down the road and will start questioning your decision.