Apprenticeship is the new unknown calling for some!

[dfrecore]

Trust me. NOBODY likes crawling around in 120 degree attics. Or outside When it’s 10 below  working on a heat pump.
I didn’t say these were bad jobs. They are good paying jobs If you want to recommend that for your child Then so be it. I do call it settling for a 17 year old that can do anything they set their minds to.

PLENTY of people like working in 120 degree attics or 10 below on heat pumps.  Just because YOU may not doesn't mean that other people don't absolutely love doing stuff like this.  My dad was a lineman for 30 years - he worked outside every day of his life, no matter the weather, and loved it.  He was offered promotions all the time, and never accepted one, because the thought of working inside would have sucked his soul from his body.  I know MANY people in the trades who wouldn't consider doing anything else unless they absolutely had to. 

As for my son, his sights are set very high for his age.  His friends are either working crappy fast food jobs, or are going to college with the thought that they may get a decent job in 4+ years when they get out - and that's assuming that they will graduate, which statistics show that most won't (less than 50%).  He will have a decent job in 3 months, and be making much more than they are by the time they all start looking for jobs.

Thats's not to say that he is going to do this forever, or that he doesn't plan on changing careers at some point in his life.  But to assume that if he DOES stay in the trades, that he is "settling" for less than someone else is just ridiculous.  If he's happy, then I'm happy for him.  If he comes to me someday and says he's thinking of doing something else, I'll offer to help in any way I can.  If he wants to take classes in business, great, I can help him with that too.  Whatever he wants to do is fine.

I didn’t mean any disrespect. I wish your son nothing but success and happiness. I have nothing but respect for these men and women. I’ve said that in just about every post. One of my lifelong best friend is a commercial hvac / refrigeration supervisor. He does very well. I have a brother who’s a successful electrician who owns his own company. I personally work with hvac / commercial refrigeration , maintenance techs , electricians, everyday. I respect and admire them all.

When you say that someone's settling, you are totally meaning disrespect.  And yes, he hates school.  I'm THRILLED that he's trying this, rather than going the traditional route.  I don't expect that he'll do it forever, but he's not settling, and he'll learn a lot about life and the trades and hard work whatever the outcome may be.