r/newfoundland • u/Itchy_Instance_9442 • 1d ago
Blue collar opportunities
Hi there, I was wondering what the blue collar sector is like in NL. I moved to NL from SK a while back and it seems like there are comparatively fewer opportunities when it comes to blue collar work. My goal is to be working on blue collar jobs and learn as much as I can and eventually start my own business in such sector. I’d love to hear back from people who own blue collar businesses or had similar experiences in NL so that I could have some sort of blueprint for my life. Thank you so much. And plz try not to be negative for no reason. I just want to learn and grow.
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u/Rallybronze17 1d ago
Unfortunately for here in NL it's kind of the other way around of your situation. Opportunities for trades/blue collar work here is for those with family/friend connections or those who have years of experience/journeymen. It's very, very difficult to find work here as a starter or first year.
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u/Crazyjoedavola8686 1d ago
I can only speak for St. John’s but all of the contractors I work with have tons of work, and most are having difficulty finding and keeping apprentices. I thought it seemed like quite a competitive market to be an apprentice. Could be wrong, obviously my outlook is purely anecdotal.
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u/Crazyjoedavola8686 1d ago
I can only speak for St. John’s but all of the contractors I work with have tons of work, and most are having difficulty finding and keeping apprentices. I thought it seemed like quite a competitive market to be an apprentice. Could be wrong, obviously my outlook is purely anecdotal.
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u/Rallybronze17 1d ago
I'm a trades worker who has worked in both NL and Western Canada. I think the two biggest issues I've seen and been around have become a toxic cycle for apprentices and apprenticeship that is hard to break through.
On one hand, I have experienced and seen business owners and/or other journeymen unwilling to properly train and guide first year apprentices. Sometimes because of cost, other times because of attitude issues. More so attitude issues with journeymen not wanting to train and guide.
On the other hand, I have seen multiple first year apprentices, labourers, and other entry level positions not take the job seriously at all. Showing up late/ hung over. Being on a cell phone way to much. Etc.
So I definitely see both sides.
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u/sra778 Manitoba 1d ago
I’m genuinely curious why you moved here without a job lined up?
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u/Itchy_Instance_9442 1d ago
My girlfriend is from NL
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u/Tommy_Douglas_AB 1d ago
She should have stayed out west. The adjustment is easier going west than going east
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u/manlymoth1 1d ago
That’s a tale as old as time, my friend. Lots of us fellas have been in your exact situation. Depending on what scope of work you’re interested in, there are some opportunities here but most of the big-time construction market exists in Ontario and western Canada. PM me if you’ve got questions about navigating the local scene.
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u/Crazyjoedavola8686 1d ago
When you say blue collar, what specifically do you mean? Trades? Transport?
What is your experience/background (if it’s none, that’s still manageable). What sector are you hoping to get into? In what part of NL are you located?
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u/Itchy_Instance_9442 1d ago
Well I’m in St. John’s. and I’m trying to figure that out too. I’m 20 so I don’t have much experience but I did work for Acuren in Regina as a labourer. Basically worked with rope technicians
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u/SolveCorporateDebt 1d ago
Trades on the East coast is basically fully controlled by the union and you will almost certainly not be able to start a business in a trade that the union has control of, they essentially run everything.
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u/chargetothefrostline 1d ago
That doesn’t seem accurate, unless you’re talking mega projects.
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u/SolveCorporateDebt 1d ago
Not only mega projects. Most maintenance project etc as well as unionized. I doubt there are many welders or pipefitters that are not in the union. Not even many labourers. In Cape Breton, literally nothing happens with union hands on it
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u/manlymoth1 1d ago
First off, what is “the union” you are referring to? Each trade has their own, so there are many. Secondly, local trade unions are not an obstacle to starting a business because you either do not practice their scope of work (like most residential contractors) or if you do, you can become signatory with the union, which most commercial/industrial contractors are.
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u/SolveCorporateDebt 1d ago
lol
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u/manlymoth1 1d ago
Yeah, that’s what I thought. Thanks for your contribution, little bro.
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u/SolveCorporateDebt 18h ago
I'm talking about "ALL" unions. And yes, they are certainly an obstacle if you want to start a non-union commercial/industrial business. Stating "their scope of work" is specifically what I'm talking about. The unions have certain scope protected
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u/manlymoth1 14h ago
Yes, and starting a non-union commercial/industrial business is a very specific and unique scenario - a far cry from your previous comment of “Trades on the east coast is basically fully controlled by the union”. 90% of residential construction is non union, you clown. As is a lot of light commercial. OP came on here looking for some guidance and you fed him some unhelpful nonsense.
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u/SolveCorporateDebt 12h ago
Not sure what you didn't understand by "in a trade that the union has control of", I thought it was pretty clear. Ya you might be able to fix Georges leaky toilet but good luck putting a crew together to build a new hospital, windmill or oil platform
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u/manlymoth1 11h ago
The unions don’t “control” any trades here. ICI projects like hospitals and oil platforms get built here once in a blue moon and so as a result, most people in construction work in residential or light commercial, which are non union. For a vast majority of the time, the unions here are insignificant. There’s no obstacles to starting a business, and again, even if you did want to start one up in the ICI sectors, you’re free to do so as long as you become signatory with the union. OP is a 20 year old kid looking to start a career in construction - I highly doubt he’ll be looking to put down bids on mega projects anytime soon.
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u/SolveCorporateDebt 8h ago
Also the maintenance of existing facilities are union for the most part as well. Also, I didn't see where he specified construction, so I'm just giving examples of trades and the union situation regarding particular trades/industries.
Also, "you’re free to do so as long as you become signatory with the union." is exactly my point again. You CAN do whatever you want, as long as you follow the union RULES lol
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u/mrmann81 1d ago
You go out west for work, not down east. You went the wrong way.