Truckers, plumbers, pipefitters seek young applicants for high-paying jobs

Student driver Luis Barrientos, left, gets on a truck as instructor Daniel Osborne watches at California Truck Driving Academy in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) 

Originally published By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

Plumbers, truckers and pipefitters are offering hiring and signing bonuses — and promoting their six-figure incomes — to entice high school graduates willing to do dirty jobs, but young people keep turning up their noses to blue-collar work.

Even the prospect of a $1,000-a-week starting salary that could double in six years isn’t persuading young people to get into plumbing, says Chris Robertson, who has worked as a plumber for 24 years in Rockville, Maryland.

“It requires you to work hard, and I think a good part of the younger generation wants to be rich without putting in the effort,” said Mr. Robertson, owner of Robertson Plumbing Services. “And I think that’s part of the problem. Why do I want to dig with a shovel when I can sit at home, post videos and become YouTube famous?”

He said he’s been looking for an assistant since his employee of four years quit in February to work for a bigger company that offered a signing bonus. And the job vacancy is forcing him to turn down jobs, he added.

“Every single plumber I know is busy and can use extra help,” he said.

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