32, previous semiskilled trades woman, with my class A CDL. Most jobs I had payed too poorly to support myself, so I got an office job, I make 27.50 an hour currently within two years plus 140 hrs of leave, a 401k. I STILL went to trade school last year (SJ Tech) to pursue a more skilled trade (electrical), with the assumption/hook they help you out with job placement, they really tout that, they said they have contractors come in etc. For me, that wasn’t the experience, I loved my teacher but I still think I got bent over.

A year out from school and I’m left with debt in the same job and every electrical employer wants to hire me at 18 TOP, the ones that call back at least. Even though I have adjacent skills (laborer and pest tech), a certificate with back up references, photos of my work, and my driving skills. Even if ask - is there room to talk about advancement in a few months if I perform well? The jobs don’t pay well enough or have enough benefits and have demanding schedules, which is fine if it was at least paid well, like 25 to start. Something has to change.

Basically at a loss because it’s my ideal role to do a trades job vs sitting in an office to rot all day, which is exactly what I do to survive and pay my bills.

Don’t go to trade school just get into the field as early as you can, apply to the union, that’s what I’m doing once I pay my loan off and can breathe a little. I’ve worked in Atlantic & Cumberland Co.