Respectable blue-collar jobs

[TheOptimist]

Last time I checked, it wasn't "blue-collar" workers that completely f**ked both the Irish and global economies with their smoke and mirrors bullsh!t.

Them and builders

[Aristo 60]

[/quote]

Sad but true. Your value is measured in many quarters by the size of your bank account, not your contribution to the betterment of your community.
[/quote]

In this life, one thing counts.
In the bank, large amounts.

[RadioGAAGAA]

Them and builders

Kinda yes, kinda no. Builders were building to demand - many got very greedy. But at least they were actually doing something -

Bankers were "re-packaging" (which is a euphemism for lying and hiding the true nature of) loans on sh!te to send off to some other guy to take the hit on. They were too stupid to realise what they were sending off down the road was coming back to them a few months later and they were drooling over the "investment opportunities" with €€ signs in their eyes.

[TheOptimist]

Them and builders

Kinda yes, kinda no. Builders were building to demand - many got very greedy. But at least they were actually doing something -

Bankers were "re-packaging" (which is a euphemism for lying and hiding the true nature of) loans on sh!te to send off to some other guy to take the hit on. They were too stupid to realise what they were sending off down the road was coming back to them a few months later and they were drooling over the "investment opportunities" with €€ signs in their eyes.

Most bankers were just doing their job- many got very greedy. Loans were being provided to demand also.

Point being greed is not a "class" issue, its a human one.

[armaghniac]

Most bankers were just doing their job- many got very greedy. Loans were being provided to demand also.

Point being greed is not a "class" issue, its a human one.

Indeed, many "blue collar" individuals borrowed money from these bankers without any clear prospect of being able to pay it back.

[Declan]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/16/universities-accused-of-importing-sports-direct-model-for-lecturers-pay?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-2

[Milltown Row2]

In the current climate I don't think I would send my kids to University... the job I do now I could have been doing 10 years earlier without a University education!

The sooner you're in the workforce the less debt you have the more provision you have for a pension and the better equipped you will be for the more Senior Roles when they become available!

So I'm nearing this with my oldest girl, her hopes are to go to university get degree and better job, wife wants her to do that I'm two minds as to it being better or worse for them. It won't be my choice or wife's unfortunately they will make that based on results ... 

[TheOptimist]

In the current climate I don't think I would send my kids to University... the job I do now I could have been doing 10 years earlier without a University education!

The sooner you're in the workforce the less debt you have the more provision you have for a pension and the better equipped you will be for the more Senior Roles when they become available!

So I'm nearing this with my oldest girl, her hopes are to go to university get degree and better job, wife wants her to do that I'm two minds as to it being better or worse for them. It won't be my choice or wife's unfortunately they will make that based on results ...

Education gives you options. The more options the better.

Degrees though in my opinion should be those that are a clear step in a career path as opposed to one where you're coming out wondering what do I do now.

I worked night shifts in a factory as a young fella. Gave me the drive to not end up doing that. And that is not an offense to anybody, I personally just couldn't possibly do that all my life and be happy at the same time.

[delgany]

Software development   medicine. And accountancy are the top 3. Wage earners from a degree level education

There are good alternatives however in higher level apprenticeships...learning on the job ..salary etc.

Companies like kainos in belfast. Pay their young people degree fees in software development.

There is a worldwide shortage of software developers
They can go anywhere with it

[bennydorano]

In the current climate I don't think I would send my kids to University... the job I do now I could have been doing 10 years earlier without a University education!

The sooner you're in the workforce the less debt you have the more provision you have for a pension and the better equipped you will be for the more Senior Roles when they become available!

So I'm nearing this with my oldest girl, her hopes are to go to university get degree and better job, wife wants her to do that I'm two minds as to it being better or worse for them. It won't be my choice or wife's unfortunately they will make that based on results ...

There's an NI Civil Service ICT Apprenticeship available now, applications close soon.

[Tony Baloney]

The highest graduate wages are those leaving the geology degree from ICL. £73k on average 6 months from graduation. Not too shabby.

[Milltown Row2]

My friends daughter just got accepted by PWC for a trainee graduate programme straight from school, she starts in September, apparently a very difficult process to get picked but she did well, all fees and degree paid for (providing she passes)

As for trades, plastics/carbon fibre engineering is well paid Bombardier pay very well with lots of options within the aerospace industry, the oil rigs still a great paying job and a specialist field...

Having personally went through apprenticeship program going on to actually teach lads like myself I can see the benefits of that pathway, no debt (until I got married) though in fairness my wife's student loan was very small when she completed her degree 23 years ago!!

A few of the guys that started out with me have their own successful engineering businesses, they've worked very hard to do it and continue to get more business, so in life to do well regardless of exams is to have a work ethic, and take a chance when it presents itself!

[Canalman]

Personally think nowadays it is nearly mandatory to have a qualification or a trade. Be it teacher, accountant, plumber , electrician whatever.
Everything nowadays needs to be "signed off" and this is where qualifications are vital.

[omaghjoe]

Is the only purpose of education to get a job and career?

Its certainly how I looked at it at the time and how alot of you appear to look at it, but now I wish I had a different attitude at the time. In fact when the weans are a bit older Ive been thinking about doing another degree completely for the hell of it.

[Milltown Row2]

Is the only purpose of education to get a job and career?

Its certainly how I looked at it at the time and how alot of you appear to look at it, but now I wish I had a different attitude at the time. In fact when the weans are a bit older Ive been thinking about doing another degree completely for the hell of it.

Id say initially it would be, would always wanted to learn French or Spainish when i've more time on my hands