Welders and machinist are retiring in droves and very few young people are coming in to replace them. Worse, the skills they're showing up with aren't applicable to the reality of the job. I've seen a LOT of CNC guys twist up their whole scrotum when asked to manually set up a lathe or mill. Programming or whatever is nifty but it won't help you actually make a fucking part. I can't tell you how many apprentices have given me a blank look when I ask them to read a mechanical micrometer instead of a digital. Or worse, VERNIER. It's pathetic. And that's just machine work. Welding is worse. The smoke and sparks are "scary", but they'll try to turn up the acetylene past 15 psi like they're not about to blow up half a block. Surprise, they don't know how to run a torch either.
I got laid off Monday, and Thursday I'm doing paperwork to get paid at a new job next monday. Skilled trades feels good.
Red Eaglefeather. Obvs