Blue Collar and Proud of It: The All-In-One Resource for Finding Freedom, Financial Success, and Security Outside the Cubicle Read Online Free PDF

it’s never too late to make a change. It’s not too late to step out of what you are doing and start something new. That doesn’t mean it’s not scary or difficult, but you can definitely take the plunge. I know the saying, “You can never teach an old dog new tricks, ” but when it comes to the trades, it’s never too late to learn a new skill. You’ll find that the unions are surprisingly open to older workers, and that age can often work to your benefit. Sometimes having years under your belt in the working world signals a really serious person who has put a lot of time and thought into making this transition. This book is going to provide you with ideas, resources, and encouragement.
    My mother-in-law, Sandy O’Brien, always says, “If you don’t reach for the stars you’ll never grab one.” You see, hoping to get a star won’t do you much good. But being willing to work very hard to get the star you want is what this life is all about. Sandy went from being a crossing guard to a detective on the police force in her Massachusetts town. Such change and success take time and perseverance. If you want to be a master carpenter, it won’t happen overnight. It will take hours and years of patience, of trying, of learning, and, yes, of occasionally failing. If you want to own your own plumbing business, you have to spend years building up a reputation and a list of customers. If you want to be a success, you have to be willing to put in the work.
    Did You KNOW?
    In 1973, more than half of the workers on a factory floor in the United States had not finished high school. By 2001, one-third had training beyond high school.
    Have you seen the National Geographic Channel’s Ice Road Trucker? Or L. A. Hard Hats? What about Deadliest Catch? I’m hoping that because reality TV is shining a light on blue-collar jobs, more kids will want to go into the trades. Of all things, these reality television shows are capturing the nation’s attention and highlighting some of America’s most essential careers and hardest-working people.
    Deadliest Catch is one of the most exhilarating shows I’ve seen. I’m always amazed to see the fishermen out in rough water, determined to bring in a boat full of crab or fish, no matter what. You’ll actually get to meet one of the captains, Jerry Tilley, later in this book. These shows are bringing the realities of jobs straight into people’s living rooms, finally illuminating their importance as well as the training required to do them.
    As I’ve said before, training is a crucial topic in this book and an essential part of success in the trades. Before you can go off and work, you need to know what type of training is needed. Many companies and industries offer apprenticeships. Some are earn-while-you-learn programs, which means you’d be getting paid while going through training. Some are courses offered through a community college or specialized trade school. We talk more about unions in the next chapter, but for now just know thatmost offer outstanding apprenticeships.
    If you’re still reading, I’m assuming you’re interested in knowing and exploring more. In the next chapter, we talk about what it means to be blue collar and try to help you determine if this path is the right one for you. Then we delve into a host of possibilities and the training required for specific jobs. We look at women in the blue-collar sector and different opportunities available to them, and we also talk about green-collar jobs, found in environmentally friendly and sustainable sectors, that will be responsible for much job growth in this country and represent some of the hottest jobs of the future. We tell you about some of the amazing organizations and programs around the country that are working to put pride back into the blue-collar sector while encouraging men and women to enter the trades. And we introduce some of the neatest people out there, men and women who are passionate about their jobs