McDowell, Nuchols express concerns over shortage of capable crew members

[fastford]

terry , studies show that 70% of college graduates are unemployed or under employed (working at McDonalds) , a kid with a 2 year associates degree that has a skill , starts out making more money than most with a 4 year degree , i graduated college in 1985 , back then if you had a 4 year degree in anything , there were plenty of jobs available , not any more , in our area now , if you are going to get a job with a 4 year degree , the only opportunity left is medical or education field , and neither one pays no where near what a skilled welder or millwright makes.......

[cjsracing]

Amen Terry.

My dad always preached to me "find a career where you can make good money using your mind instead of your body". He saw how "working hard" took a toll on his body, my grandpas body and my uncles bodies so he didn't want me to go through that when I got older. I took his advice, have a great career that isn't physical (doesn't mean I don't work hard cause I do but it is a different type of hard work). This also allows me freedom to race when I want.

[cjsracing]

terry , studies show that 70% of college graduates are unemployed or under employed (working at McDonalds) , a kid with a 2 year associates degree that has a skill , starts out making more money than most with a 4 year degree , i graduated college in 1985 , back then if you had a 4 year degree in anything , there were plenty of jobs available , not any more , in our area now , if you are going to get a job with a 4 year degree , the only opportunity left is medical or education field , and neither one pays no where near what a skilled welder or millwright makes.......

There are plenty of fields that aren't medical or education that have opportunity (IT, Finance, etc. for example). I agree there are trades that pay the same or better than some fields that require degrees, but in my experience those trade fields can lack benefits such as a retirement plan.

I'm a CPA and have many clients who are both trades people and college education people.

For example one client is a plumber and makes $45/hour but his employer doesn't offer any retirement benefits. Another client is a IT Security Manager and makes $30 with retirement benefits. While it appears on the surface the Plumber is in a better position, I'd argue that the IT guy is in a better position because 1) he strictly works 40 hour weeks, 2) his employer has a 401k plan to help him in retirement and 3) he will have less wear & tear on his body, so his quality of life will be better when he's older.

Not trying to argue just trying to show a comparison.

[No_Weak_Links]

Nobody wants to work for $400 cash for an 80 hour week with no benefits and never home.

[mcarter815]

A software engineer with a four year degree and a few years of experience can make $100k+ plus benefits and can still have a life outside of work and won't tear their body up with manual labor. Working on a race team is awesome, but the math doesn't line up.

[ride height]

I don’t know how anybody can run up and down the highway in an 11 mpg race toter, buy tires, and pit passes much less PAY someone to play race car with you. I always figured the “help” was your buddies and family etc.

[fastford]

evidently what part of the country you live in makes a huge difference , but in the area i live , there is none of the high paying higher education jobs , my daughter has her masters in biology and has a great job teaching biology at a local school , my son is in his senior year and majoring in English and communication , he has no interest in teaching so i told him he may as well be ready to move to a larger city to secure a job , all these high paying engineering and finance jobs are few and far in between in my area , the reference i made toward education or medical i guess only applies to my area of the country because technical jobs far out way engineering jobs........

[Josh Bayko]

I'm sure they could find folks that would want to go on the road with a DLM team. The big problem is finding people that know what they're doing, and do it well. These cars are so complicated anymore, a person with some mechanical talent just isn't enough.

[Tek2747]

There are plenty of fields that aren't medical or education that have opportunity (IT, Finance, etc. for example). I agree there are trades that pay the same or better than some fields that require degrees, but in my experience those trade fields can lack benefits such as a retirement plan. I'm a CPA and have many clients who are both trades people and college education people. For example one client is a plumber and makes $45/hour but his employer doesn't offer any retirement benefits. Another client is a IT Security Manager and makes $30 with retirement benefits. While it appears on the surface the Plumber is in a better position, I'd argue that the IT guy is in a better position because 1) he strictly works 40 hour weeks, 2) his employer has a 401k plan to help him in retirement and 3) he will have less wear & tear on his body, so his quality of life will be better when he's older. Not trying to argue just trying to show a comparison.

I agree, there's tradeoffs to be considered in every field. I make decent money at a white collar job but I have some friends who earn more than I do in blue collar fields. For me, the difference is I come home every evening and I am home each weekend to be with my wife and kids and that's more important to me than the extra dollars I could earn working with my buddies. Its all about your priorities.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

Terry

Really good post.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

My work history

Started in high school working for a racing family at their feed, building supplies, concrete business. Was there 5 summers, high school and college.

I went to a two year school for Heavy Equipment Operating. When I was there it was strictly that. Now it is tied in with our Operators Union. Should have stayed here I grew up and got into the apprenticeship. Then I’d have around 18 years in my Union. But I’d gave never met my wife, so I guess there’s that. Or stayed around Columbus. I’d have stayed near Youngstown/Cleveland.

Then I went to a good size excavating company just north of Columbus. I was there 7 years, non union. Not a bad company. Just didn’t pay attention to things and got very slow. Like in 2010 their workforce was at about 25% of what it was. So I obviously left. No work

Went to one of the largest privately owned construction companies around. I think the largest in Ohio. Was at their asphalt plants for seven years. Do not recommend it. Stupid hours, lower pay, special contract. Just not very good. Not a good work environment. But it was seven years in the Union, got me in the door.

Finally said fuk it when they tried to put me on nights again. I had enough. Dam good at what I do, I take care of my machine. Yes, I would steam clean it. Only person that would. But it was literally held against me. Taking pride in my machine, a 980M CAT, was frowned upon. I got it brand new.

So I left, went to a company that has been around for 108 years. Good, union company based in Columbus. Smaller than other company. But pay very well, never mess with my pay. Great crew, really happy so far. Been over two years. Over a year on the same crew.

Without being political, and it’ll be hard, whatever. I’d advise any young person if you can, and you don’t wanna go to college, get into an apprenticeship. Gotta be the right Union though. Electric, operators, plumbers, etc.

Funny, people for years have cried about Unions and skilled trades jobs, and pushed college, and paying the skilled trades less, with crap benefits. So guess what. Now we have a whole generation that doesn’t wanna be in skilled trades. Sees no future in it. There is, get with the right company, the right position. Keep your head up, pay attention to those you see are good at what they do, and learn.

I have daughters, so I’m not pushing the trades with them. Plus at least my oldest is very book smart. So not really skilled trades material. But if I had a son. I’d push any skilled trades job, except welding. Get in their apprenticeship and learn.

As far as a race team, he!! no. I want benefits, good pay, home with my family, etc. Not a generational thing, priorities thing to me.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

I run primarily wheeled loaders on a pipe crew. We work around Columbus. Operating Engineers Local 18. I’ve been a loader operator on pipe crews for around 8 years. In the field on loaders for about 18-20 years.

[hjr2]

Living the dream is not financially sustainable without someone elses money. How many teams in the pits are led by truly self made men that didn't have Mom and Dad footing the bill?