Plying their trades 

Love this. I walked away from a suit/tie job and eventually wound up in landscaping. That was 15 years ago. It has been hard yet rewarding work and I’m so glad I made that choice all those years ago.

Great piece, would love to see more like this, things challenging social norms and stigmas.

There’s nothing better than a highly skilled tradesperson when you have a problem in your home and they come over and straighten it out. I have always had the utmost respect for these people same as I would for a great doctor. If you know your business I will gladly give you my business.

The “dirty jobs” make the world go ‘round. Thank you to all the tradesmen and women. When things break in your house/car etc the person in the office can’t help you.

Throughout history it's the trades people that have provided major contributions to keeping nations running & thriving. Learn a trade & you'll always be in demand. The people unskilled in trades will always have to pay. They are dependent on trades people. Not the other way around. Excellent story!!!!

Any trade is an honorable and necessary profession. Before I went to grad school, I worked in a restaurant. I was treated badly by a lot of people. I never wanted anyone to feel like that. Plus, my parents, who grew up poor, taught me to be kind to everyone. Treat others how you want to be treated. I have four kids. One has a learning disability and will probably not do well in college. He is looking at a trade. He may make more money at that than his siblings going the college route. Each person has to find their fit for their life. I'm glad these folks have found theirs.

This was a great piece. I have been a plumber for over 35 years. Take my advice and you will go far. A) Hold your head up high. Be proud of what you do. B) Your image is part of your trade. So always be honest and and show your customers that you care. C) Instructors: VERY IMPORTANT; Teach your students the business side of the trade. Let them understand their value. Selling the job at a price that is profitable and knowing how to reinvest in your business. Each specific job or repair shouldn't be about, "time and material" or the "lowest bidder". What about your overhead? What about the tens of thousands of dollars you need to reinvest in your vehicles, tools and much, much more? It took me 20 years to learn not to be afraid to raise my prices. Often, your prospects will not do business with you because your price is too low! Being an excellent plumber should be half of your education. Being an excellent businessman and salesman is equally as important (or woman). And "salesman" is not a bad word. "Sales" is what keeps our economy running. Remember to be honest and fair. Never cheat anyone and you will go far. Your reputation is more important than anything else.

We need skilled workers in every way

Both my grandpas were blue collar. They took great care of their wives and children. They both were highly intelligent men.

Plumbers and philosophy degrees both charge an outrageous amount of money; Matt Crawford is definitely onto something (support unions)!

Julius hit the nail on the head. The worst of our nature, human nature, demands that someone or groups of people occupy a place or status beneath us. The old song "Everyone needs a n....." addressed that well. Beyond that, great to see a union utilize an apprenticeship program. That is the best way to learn, in the minds of many.

This shouldn't even be a competition. Follow what lane will make you happy, pay the bills, build a future for you and your family. Some people want the trades. Some people want college. We need diversification of education. Trades are just another form of education.

At the high school I went to the guidance counselor chose whether you were on university or technical path. They decided when you were still in 9th or 10th grade whether or not you were going to college without your parents knowing unless your parents were very involved in your schoolwork.

Couldn't agree more about a trade for a career! Not everyone is suited for, or can afford, a four-year college. One of the best trades to learn is welding, and another one is plumbing.

WOW, 5 years! That is dedication, determination and discipline to get the unsavory job done.

awesome. I grew up on a farm setting working with my hands. I went to college almost all the way to PhD. I still feel the trades are more fulfilling. For a few years, to pay the bills, I built houses and worked as a maintenance tech in a factory. No drama there, more acceptance than anything. I don’t care who anyone is. If they care about their work and do a good job, they deserve respect. Show respect to everyone that works - even the counter clerk at the gas station. They are doing something that you would not do. Life is better with mutual acceptance and respect - even if they don’t respect you.

Blue collar is the new white collar class. An electrician, plumber, mechanic is far more in need than another programmer.

When I left high school over fifty years ago, the wisdom was that you had to go to college to earn a good living. By the time my children graduated from high school, the “right thing” was more murky. My husband is a contractor, but when we need a plumber, an electrician, a heating and air conditioning guy….they are in short supply now. All the ones we knew have retired or passed away, and there just aren’t enough replacements to go around.

I Would Like to Say that We All Love Plumbers,We don't look down on them,I look up to them,and when I need them, I'm desperate for their skill and knowledge.I Don't agree with them saying people look down,not true. 5 year apprenticeship alone, and you need a passing rate of at least 80 percent on test.These people are amazing, and we all agree on that.

I admire people who can do trade work.

A good opportunity was missed by not interviewing Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs". He strongly encourages young people to investigate entering the trades. He has even set up a scholarship program to that end.

Wonderful story ❤

I see less young people attending college and more going into the trades and the military…it’s great to see!

Agree 100 percent! Education does not guarantee intelligence nor does it necessarily prevent ignorance. And the added burden of huge personal debt is a huge disservice to younger generations. I worked full time went to college and grad school 2 degrees) at night and have no student debt because my employer(s) paid for it. Getting my undergraduate degree in 7 years debt free far surpasses student loan debt for decades.

My father was a plumber who attended the old Hampton Institute before it became Hampton University. He loved Hampton and he loved his trade. He served as a Goreman plumber in the federal government. Y'all know there are maintenance people who help make sure all of our government buildings are heated, cooled and have cleaning running water. I once daw a sign that said "plumbers keep us healthy." Also heard that the plumber's bill is often higher than the dentist's bill!!! When I was growing up, I and others always respected my father and his work!

I never finished college. Always worked with my hands. Now, I am in the Semiconductor business, working on tooling and make VERY good living. Don't regret that even for a sec.

I have to pushback on the premise of this report. I spent nearly 20 years in the trades, and now I am approaching 20 years as a white collar worker. The other white collar workers I know very much respect people in the trades. I cannot over emphasize how important it is to white collar workers to know a good tradesperson whether they're an electrician, plumber, HVAC or other. To have someone in one of those trades or others that do good work for the quoted price, show up when they say they're going to be there, communicate well, get the job done effectively, efficiently and on time, and bill quickly after the job is done is a rare and precious thing. We cherish those people and recommend them to everyone. White collar workers I know respect the trades!

That intro on the thrones (😉) - Ted has a great laugh.

He's exactly right, "Who's winning, the college or the trades?" It's always been the trades in my eyes. They are the true essential workers of the world. We need them more than we need the college grads and don't say I'm wrong because you wouldn't have running electricity, water, or sewage if it wasn't for the unionized trade workers.

What a wonderful piece, CBS SUnday mornings -- I know I could NEVER fix what they actually FIX.....and I'd wager to guess most people could not!! Trade/skilled schools are MUCH needed in this world and as we get more complex -- we'll rely on them even more!!! It's time for employers to realize -- w/o THEIR workers they'd NOT have the business they have.

I have worked in a large home improvement center fir almost two years as a cashier. I have had the honor of meeting some of the smartest, nicest, respectful , kindest men and women in the trades. Real people making a real difference in the world. They bring their kids in on the weekend and are the best dads. These guys are the real deal. Give me a man who gets dirty for a job any day. They are my heroes ….

I certainly do not look down on plumbers, mechanics or anyone in the trade industry! I think they are amazing!!!!!!

I graduated high school in 1976. Was offered an apprenticeship with Michelin Tire in Nova Scotia as a Millwright/ Industrial Mechanic. At 22 I had my journeyman certification. I worked for GM in Oshawa Ontario in the truck & car plants. Moved to the 🇺🇸in 1990 Repaired Medical equipment in labs & Hospitals for 20 years. Just retired from Astra Zeneca facilities dept.after 16 years @ 64 Always employed,with a great salary. No debt.😃

One of my kids went to a trade school. They're doing quite well for themselves.

Kids need to learn a trade, physical labor - electrian, plumber, drywall, Carpenters, car repair, etc. Look how much you pay them for coming to your house to do these things

I have my doctorate in PT and I have always been envious of my manual labor friends. Especially those who had paid apprenticeships. Meanwhile the schools, hospitals, rehabs, outpatient services profited from my 42 weeks of work (that I paid for in tuition) during my clinical rotations.

This is awesome! I came from a trade and now into the tech industry. Dirty jobs are important! Never underestimate trades, they are crucial.

Glad to see a real anchor on Sunday morning

I know someone who went to college for 17 years. Yes, 17 years. And still uses people for money. Be dang proud of yourself. You have way more than the person going to college for 17 years. Hand on is the best kind of trade. Be very proud of yourself!

Plumbing is a very important job. We need them. And they're very talented. Automobile repairers are important too. Cars are complicated. Not everybody can learn this stuff. Just think how much a plumber or a mechanic can save himself over a lifetime? Knowing a valuable trade like this can help you to live very good.

I got a Master's Degree. Top of my class. Was a high school teacher and an EMT. I opened my own handyman business so I could see my kids more. Haven't looked back in almost 20 years. Painting a house as I type this. Putting in some floors in a couple days. I'm in good health because I move my body.

True on that blue collar all the way

Excellent!

Everyone learn a trade. I went to my 40 year class reunion and there are still people paying student loans.

I worked in the restaurant business for 43 years..i.learned quite a lot in that amount of time how to work under stress working under the most stressful situations..old kitchens out dated..newer kitchens both having to learn how to keep your cool and not hurt yourself or others.Proper food handling, inventory control..the timing of orders..and very rude customers not always but often and owners not appreciative of your hard work..diligence..day after day.I hated hearing if they were smarter they would be doing something else.The food and beverage industry is huge and an under appreciative job.Hopefully this will change in the near future one can only hope.

Have never looked down on any of these folks...always ADMIRED them!!!!! 😁

Trade school. Hands down.

Ignorance applies to Anything in life...... Not understanding..... Not just a trade.... just my opinion 😊

Excellent and true video!

Wonderful.....I had 3 years of university and left school and became a police officer.....also I was a tradesmen in my military career in the reserves....I have 3 pensions now.....not to knock university schooled people, but I can not believe that anyone looks down on a tradesman....at the end of the day who cares what anyone thinks about how you make your money once you are home in a house that you own and safe and at peace.....

I tell people all the time to learn a skill and you’ll never go hungry! 😊

I say….learn a trade first. Save money for college, enter later, say abt 25 years old. You have tat trade, to earn money to go to college. There is no sin in entering college later then 18 years old.

This was a good watch 😊

Great points are made in this video. My Son In Law is a Journeyman Electrician. I don't worry for my daughter or grand babies. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

I make $100k a year in the trades with zero student loans. My friend is a school principal who makes about a 120k a year but she spends $1,200/month to pay off her student loans. So who makes more money? There in no college the costs 30k/year. On the east or west coast you are looking at at least 45k or more. I live in Boston and out here a BA will cost you 200k on average and that doesn't include Harvard or MIT.

What a great idea🎉❤🎉

Colleges are no longer the best answer to having a better job or a better life. If every kid learns about trade instead of borrowing extravagant amounts of money they will never pay off without having any backup plans, they would not be in so much debt they are in now.

good segment

I tell parents of kids who are into tooling around things to look at the trades rather then college. I tell them if they learn a trade, they can have a stable job for life.

Doing trade jobs in US is really tempting. Everyone needs your skills and the most important the money is real sweet 😊

As someone who spent their entire career as a white collar worker, I envy trades people. They know how to fix things! These are the folks who keep everything running. And as for the notion they’re not intelligent, well that’s downright silly. They have problem solving skills that are off the charts.

They are being overly dramatic. Most people don't look down on trades folks. These are the people that keep things going so why would I look down on them?

Worthy of respect are those people who possess skills, regardless of how they were acquired-- whether via 4-year college, advanced degree program (medical, law), vocational/trade school, or in some cases, self-taught (like pro musicians). But an able-bodied, American man, with no skills, beyond figuring out how to game the system out of disability benefits is contemptible and borders on criminal.

It’s gonna be funny one day when a plumber or electrician makes more than a lawyer

FINALLY!! IN PRAISE OF SKILLED MANUAL LABOR!! I BLESS these people. Going to the bathroom to $H!T, Shower, and Shave... Thank a PLUMBER! Turning on the LIGHTS and pushing the switch to power up you computer.. Thank an ELECTRICIAN! Adjusting the thermostat to either stay warm in the winter/cool in the summer... Thank the HVAC person! And don't forget the pipe-fitters, Carpenters, and machinists whose skills deliver gas, and water to your home that by-the-way was built up from a bare section of land. The average (NORMAL) people have NO CLUE how VITAL they are to our society!

It's not because people don't want to get dirty or that it makes you look like that's all you could do from an IQ standpoint, it's that people know they can get paid more than a plumber by taking the risk that comes with everything else and that itself is exciting even if they fail or even end up homeless. This something you genuinely have to be interested in doing and I'll tell you upfront that the people who like to call themselves "independents", "homesteaders", and "jack of all trade" types are the people who will get a job in this. I would know as I used to call myself a "jack of all trades" type until I decided I liked talking about consumer law and legal remedy when it comes to getting generational wealth. That took a very long time to get to. Know yourself before doing something you end up doing it. Just because it pays well, it doesn't mean it's right for you.

You know, as a property manager, I've been saying to my friends and family that the world needs more plumbers, electricians, carpenters and painters. Plumbers will never not be in demand.

Most people who go to college never end up working in the profession that they spent so much money on. So sad for a stupid piece of paper. I went through a four-year apprenticeship program to become an operating engineer. Apprenticeship programs are amazing and we need them. I am also living a better retirement life because I was in the union and I have a pension besides my social security

I believe in the value of the skilled trades

PLUMBERS PROTECT THE HEALTH OF THE NATION !!!

"that stigma had pushed the trades out of schools" no it hasn't the budget cuts did that

I know 2 plumbers, both make about $200,000 per year, South Florida everything is expensive.

"All honest work is honorable". If you work hard and do your job well, I don't care what you do for a living. Just be prepared to live with the pay that comes with it.

There’s a reason why no one wants to call plumber because it’s freaking expensive

I have worked in I interior design both commercial & residential. Some of the people I have met are some of the smartest & resourceful people I have ever know. I could never have done my work without them. I do not think college is necessary’s. The trades are a valuable career. We need people to do the work. It is valuable work. We need to treat it as valuable work & encourage apprenticeships. Vote Blue

You can make more working at home Depot than most trades unless your management.

I know a lot of young tradespeople making between 100 and 150K a year with great benefits and solid job security, that get quite a chuckle from their proud "college educated" peers 100K in debt working 60 hours a week to barely hold down a 60K desk job, proud of "how much smarter" they are than tradespeople lol.

Amen! Awareness that every career in the trades are essential work. You might get dirty, but soap and water cleans everyone up. Go Unions!

More than $77k in Massachusetts

This is what unions should be doing ( apprentice programs ) Vs what the UAW is currently doing ( Demanding a 40 % raise , 32 hr work week but paid for 40 AND more vacation days )

@4:58 Where I work, the pay is the same for the same work and experience, regardless of sex of ethnicity. No union needed.

I don't know a single person that looks down on plumbers. The reality is people want easier jobs that pay the same.

Okay.

Its nice sentiment and trades are obviously needed. However your body will be broken by the time you're 50. If you're non-union its even worse as benefits are slim and pay is kept low. A unionized journeyman plumber/pipefitter in expensive Austin is only paid $33.15/hr plus benefits.

Black people are so kind, helpful and they are really hard workers. We see it everyday in our normal lives.

Being a retire residential from a trade school . I was debit free may a good living at it . The reason I keep it a secret is once they knew what I did they will be at my house or calling me do some work for them. I am talking about professional people money was no issue

💯💯💯

People who look down their noses at tradespeople only do so until they need a plumber, electrician, mechanic...

I am a cabinet maker. The last twenty years of my career was fixing the screwups by people that didn't listen to me and who threw their degrees in my face. Sorry, 4 years of book learning does not top 30 years on the job.

What I find strange is that people still look down on trades when the overwhelming majority cannot build their own house, install the plumbing or electrical wiring much less fix their own vehicle . Good luck with that.

I salute you all. What would we do without plumbers, electricians and blue collar workers? Try cooking in a kitchen with a broken sink. You'll hate yourself.

College is not at all what it used to be. People are not as prepared going into college (generally speaking) and prices are through the roof. So who's the smart one? I taught 37 years and college was a good fit for me but...

Good money.

I make 95,000 to 115,000 a year doing concrete. I also get winter off to travel if i choose or i can grind harder to make more money.

As an office worker that made $27k less a year - I’m assuming the money was for you getting dirty…. not cheap, just trying to figure out how to cover the bill.

As a "Normal" person, trust me we are not looking down. We might be thinking, damn, he looks hot or he's making that look so easy. But I promise you, we are not looking down.

When the world goes to pot through tornadoes, floods or just everyday things breaking you want a trained, skilled blue collar guy or gal on hand to help you out.

These jobs are safe fro. Software automation, AI, or moving the job off shore

This should be mainstream news. Instead we've Incentivized the youth to sit sround and stream on twitch. The answer/ solution should be obvious.

Yeah so when the world ends im not looking for an IT director or a business manager, or an accountant….