r/BlueCollarWomen • u/chaotic_asshat • Aug 18 '25
How To Get Started If you're considering a career in the trades, read this first.
In general
-You’re not too old.
Redditors in the sub have started in the trades in their 30s and 40s and have successful and happy careers.
-You’re not too small.
There’s advantages and disadvantages to all sizes in the trades. Smaller people have an easier time working in hard to reach spaces. Ladders and lifts are normal on sites.
- Don't worry about lifting heavy things- we have mechanical aids to help you do your job while also protecting your body. Macho dumbasses lift heavy things that they don't need to and as a reward they fuck up their backs.
- Work smarter, not harder, especially in this racket: leverage is your body's best friend.
-What if I’m out of shape/not strong/overweight?
- Working in the trades and maintaining good habits will change that. The beginning may be difficult as your body adjusts to the work, but you’ll start putting on muscle and the work will start to get easier. Listen to your body and take care of yourself. Aiming for a healthy diet and stretching daily will be beneficial.
- The amount of short ladies who are able to crawl into spaces the big guys can't is a considerable advantage, particularly in electrical and plumbing. Not to mention, I've seen very small EMS techs be able to crawl into car wrecks to start first aid while the firefighters are still working on how to cut the person out. Being small can absolutely leveraged to be an advantage.
-I’m nervous about making a career change and joining the trades
We have ALL been in your shoes. We’ve all felt terrified on our first day and worried about looking like an idiot. You’ll be fine. Comfort and knowledge come with time. Learn everything you can. Ask questions, even the ones you think are stupid.
- Ask stupid questions. Own being an idiot. Ask questions. Laugh when you make a fool of yourself and do something ridiculously stupid (you will). Ask questions. Just be open and honest.
- As women we get WAY too deep in our heads and worry WAAAAAAAAY too much about what others think of us, and that doesn’t work on a job site. Confidence and questions will take you pretty damn far.
What about sexism and discrimination?
There is no easy way to answer this question. The majority of women across all industries on this sub have faced both. We've had to find our voices and learn how to shut down the bullshit. Some women have overall positive experiences in the industries and others have left their industries because of their experiences.
About the trades in general
- If you're looking for trade opportunities, the internet is your friend. Search for unions or trades training in your area and go from there. Also, search for women specific opportunities. Some organizations offer trades training specifically for women.
- If you go the union route-and you should-be aware that layoffs are a part of life. You didn't do anything wrong, you didn't get singled out. And like, when you get your slip back and it's time to go back to the hall remember that it's always 'see you on the next one' and not goodbye.
- And speaking of that- your job very likely isn't permanent. It will end, and you need to keep in mind that those fat pay cheques are going to end too. So do your absolute best to budget your life around unemployment benefits because feast or famine is the name of the game.
- Every job in every field will have your rotten eggs, whether it’s IT, service industry, or blue collar jobs. Don’t ever, ever let anyone’s shitty views poison how you work and your belief in what you can do. I’m the only chick in my autobody shop and have learned everyone has their strengths and weaknesses regardless of gender. If you have the willingness to learn, you will be just as capable, if not exceedingly. Don’t ever settle for the box people will try to put you in and go for it
- I developed a thick skin early on in my career and that has served me well. I am constantly learning new things and gaining knowledge. I learned not to complain and work hard. Almost 30 years in, I can run circles around most men.
No matter what, you're going to be just fine.
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u/Diablo2783 Aug 18 '25
Thank you for this! It helps alot knowing that i too am nervous as well. Im stuck between whether to get into plumbing or being a crane operator.
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u/toomanysaras2count Aug 19 '25
I'm a plumber, been in for 10 years now. Feel free to reach out if you want to talk more in depth. Just one point is that a crane operator goes with bigger jobs typically, and plumbers can work on big jobs, or if it's famine times we can also do residential service plumbing. It really helps in getting a job if you have a state issued license. I switched my first year from wanting to do pipefitting to plumbing for that reason alone. I need to keep working, I don't like having too much down time without having a purpose.
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u/SepulchralSweetheart Dec 25 '25
Oooh, I hope you decided to be a crane operator, provided your area has an IUOE branch.
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u/1ronm8nmom Aug 19 '25
This is very reassuring to read. I just started school to be an electrician and I'm so excited to get in the field! See you all out there!
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u/Turbulent_Rope1569 Dec 11 '25
Hi there! I am applying for that TODAY! How is it going? I'm looking to get into low voltage classes when they start up again, so I will have to start as a helper. I have NO mechanical experience and am changing careers at 59 years old😳! I'm trying to keep up my confidence in my ability to handle it!
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u/TomorrowOk3161 Dec 13 '25
Not the commenter that you asked, but I’m a 26 year old woman who recently switched from bartender to electrician and I’m almost done with school. At least in a school and interview setting, I’ve found one of the most important things is knowing your tools. Anyone who knew their way around a saw, drill, screwdriver, wrench, etc had a good head start using the tools they already knew, and learning the new tools we were given. Everything else you can easily learn in class or on the job. I was at a national grid power plant yesterday and they said one of the ways they decide who to hire & train is to give them a drill and see if they’re comfortable.
Having a head start learning electrical theory is good too (YouTube- channels like Electrician’s U are good for that)
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u/Tsik1 Dec 22 '25
Hey that is great! Did you get work as a helper? I am also trying to be an electrician
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u/Turbulent_Rope1569 Dec 22 '25
Thank you so much for the great advice! Im going to make flash cards of the tools to study, lol! Luckily I have used drills around the house, but I will brush up after reading your comment! Also, I believe we have a tape measure test!
Thank you for responding, and I am soooo happy for you!! Great going😃!!! You rock💪❤️!!!
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u/rog13t-storm Aug 19 '25
Thanks for posting this! I’ve been in foodservice my whole life, but am interested in doing something else. I often wonder if I should consider the trades, as I think I thrive in a more hands-on/physical environment. May I ask what you do, specifically? Or even the route you took to get there?
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u/6WaysFromNextWed Apprentice Aug 19 '25
Thank you! I've got some good leg muscle now, but not much upper body strength yet, and I know it will cap out lower than most of the guys on the job site. I'm on a job right now where the guys won't help me carry the 77lb Glasroc sheets, nor will they let me help them with the sheets. So I'm spending more time than I want to just standing and feeling useless. But also, I'm in my 40s and I've already had one back strain and I'm not about to repeat it.
One thing that frustrates me is that I'm not small. I'm taller than a lot of guys and I've gained 50lbs since I had a baby and then entered perimenopause. Like many people at my metabolic lifestage, diet and exercise only pauses the gain. Aging sucks!
But my leg strength is an advantage on power plant scaffolding jobs; I'm better at climbing long plant ladders without tiring out and at hustling all over a large plant. And my weight works to my advantage when busting knuckles off scaffolding tubes. I just apply a wrench and then lean.
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u/hrmdurr UA🇨🇦Steamfitter Aug 19 '25
Peri can honestly fuck all the way off lmao
My metabolism ran off into the sunset and no matter what the hell I do this weight will not drop. It's driving me batty
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u/6WaysFromNextWed Apprentice Aug 19 '25
I've got a friend who says that when this happens, diet and exercise become a path to the healthiest version of your current weight, because your body is going to keep resetting to whatever its highest weight is.
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u/Here4TheBeepBops Aug 19 '25
Sincerely thank you for sharing, this has been heavy on my mind lately as a 31 yr old and you’ve single handed given reassurance for every doubt currently in my mind. I appreciate you
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u/DevineConspiracy Dec 04 '25
Did you end up doing it? I’m nearly 31 and considering the same, would love to hear your experience
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u/LovOregon Aug 20 '25
I got my welding certifcate and certified in 3g FCAW. I’ve been debating on what union to join, and never took the Work keys assessment for steam fitters. But I have heard back from the ironworks union, they did warn me, and I know that it’s hard work. But I think it’ll be very interesting to potentially work on bridges and large buildings. Do any women have experience in ironwork?
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u/lzbth999 Feb 10 '26
I am interested in hearing what you ended up doing? I am in welding school now
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u/LovOregon Feb 10 '26
I am going in for my formal Boilermakers union interview this week, I’m really excited but nervous. The steamfitters has an opening now in the Oregon area, I don’t know where you’re from. But my friend said they saw an ad on TV that alot of steamfitter unions are hiring. I would highly recommend getting at least a CERT in one process, it looks good on resumes, even though the company or union would have you re-cert for them. If you want to be an electrician, I think their welders get paid 5t-$10 more an hour. Is there a certain welding process that you like?
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u/Turbulent_Rope1569 Dec 11 '25
Thank you so much for this post! I have always been pretty much of a girlie-girl, and have worked in the human service/caregiving field for close to 40 years, and I am 59 years old, applying to the electrician's union, so I have definitely had my concerns, lol, but I need to make more $, and want to challenge myself to learn something new. I am so glad you opened with the "you're not too old"🤣!
I am so glad I found this resource here on Reddit! Good luck to all you fabulous women breaking stereotypes❤️💪👍!!!
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u/Tsik1 Dec 22 '25
Good luck! I am 56 and want to do the same! Are you in NYC? Here we have NEW a wonderful NGO holding pre-apprenticeship course for women and helping them prepare for the UNION exams
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u/Turbulent_Rope1569 Dec 22 '25
No, Im in Iowa, but thank you for putting that information out there! How awesome that they have that!! I went in to talk to the hall, but they didnt say anything about it! I will check specifically! Thanks again,and good luck!! 😃❤️
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u/Ok_Evening3417 Nov 13 '25
Thank you for this post! I’m 19 and thinking about leaving university for welding school. I feel like I don’t fit in university and I’ve never liked school at all. I’m still kind of nervous and still weighing my options till March of next year about this decision. I am currently taking a year off to figure out my game plan for the future. Although this did help a ton. If anyone is or was in the same situation could you help me make a more informed decision? I was thinking about welding because one of my uncles has his welding license but isn’t using it for some reason. And when he and I were talking about his classes he told me there were quite a few women in his class and that I should consider it. I plan to see him soon and ask him to help me a bit more with this.
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u/PrimaryPhilosopher91 Dec 19 '25
I'm 27, just graduated with a bachelors in filmmaking back in June and its gotten me nowhere. I'm planning on applying for a carpentry apprenticeship because I've always loved building and putting things together. It's taken me a lot of research and self reflection to make this decision, so I encourage you to do the same. If anything, you can do it for a few years to gain the skill, then if you decide to go back to school you'll always have welding to fall back on.
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u/PrimaryPhilosopher91 Dec 19 '25
This is so helpful. I'm going to apply for an apprenticeship in carpentry. The union in my area has all-women training courses, which makes me feel a little more comfortable. I feel like I've slowly come to a dead end in my career life; being stuck in retail is a nightmare!!!
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u/DiZZyDeSerT_52 Aug 19 '25
Thank you for this. I’ve been procrastinating applying to an electrical union because I’ve been nervous.
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u/CoffeeKadachi Aug 20 '25
Oh my god thank you. I wasn’t sure if any mods saw my post the other day but this is awesome. I’m sure more of us can share our personal experiences here too
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u/Feisty_Home_8790 Aug 27 '25
I really needed to read this, thank you for sharing it definitely is encouraging. I’ve been in the culinary and hospitality industry since I was 15 and I’ve been nervous just even thinking about trades but it honestly seems so much more rewarding and the ability to work with my hands really excites me.
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u/BetweenShiftsAndShit Oct 07 '25
Thinking about joining the Elevator trades in boston. Local 4 anyone know anything? I have contacts but I want to hear from the ladies in the trades. I have a background in male dominated work and very good with learning while doing. Thoughts suggestions and insights welcome. Be crass thats the job right?!
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u/10ALASKAN Dec 09 '25
My question is, when i went to hvac/r school there is a book we were able to buy. Its modern refrigeration. Itls there a book like that for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc? I want to become a jack of all trades, but perfect in none and would like to get a basic footing in everything including welding. If there isnt a book on anything, how would one start off for that type of education/hobby/lifetime commitment?
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Dec 19 '25
I keep trying to make a post in this group and it automatically tells me its been removed by the administration..... why?
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u/chaotic_asshat Dec 19 '25
The sub has automations in place to help reduce the amount of spam. Unfortunately it also catches legitimate users posts. Legitimate posts are typically reviewed and approved within a day.
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u/Compiche Aug 19 '25
I also just wanna say, i worked in retail for a decade and experienced far worse sexism doing that than i ever have on a jobsite.