Morgan McIlnay

MORGAN MCILNAY

Tradesmen Up Close

What does one do if air conditioning goes out at home or if the electricity isn’t working? What happens when someone has a plumbing problem or wants to get a new roof due to excessive hail damage? All of these difficult situations are solved by tradesmen. Tradesmen are skilled workers in specialized occupations like plumbers, welders, roofers, construction workers, carpenters, electricians, and painters. Tradesmen often need work experience, on-the-job training, vocational education, and a license, but a degree is not required. Since a degree isn’t necessary for tradesmen, and it is a “blue-collar job,” society often undervalues their profession. Considering that tradesmen are underestimated, I wanted to find out more about them and if they should be more appreciated in the community. Through interviewing five tradesmen and observing different tradesmen at a job site, I found that tradesmen carry patterns of motivations and personality traits that enable them to succeed in their field of work and help the community function properly. Therefore, tradesmen should earn more recognition and not be looked down upon in society. By going to a job site located in Omaha, Nebraska, I was able to find that tradesmen succeed in their field of work and help the community function properly through their common patterns of motivations and personality traits. The job site I went to was at an apartment complex where buildings were being built and necessities were being added. I saw all different types of tradesmen working on the buildings, such as heating and cooling technicians, framers, roofers, and electricians. I observed the tradesmen wearing jeans, work boots, a t-shirt or a sweatshirt, hard hats, gloves, and protective eyewear. I also saw the majority of tradesmen carrying tool bags around and others holding papers, but the biggest

observation I made was that all of the tradesmen were male. I did not see a single female at the job site, and when I questioned my subjects about it, one of them stated, “I have never met a woman on the job site working at a trade.” As the gender of most tradesmen was identified clearly as males, the age range and ethnicity of tradesmen at the job site were more diverse. The tradesmen ages ranged from 19 to 55, and their ethnicity varied from White, to Hispanic, to African American. This is easily represented through the five tradesmen I interviewed. Their ages were 19, 21, 32, 45, and 55. The 19-year-old was Hispanic, the 21 year old was White, the 32 year old was African-American, and the 45 and 55 year olds were White as well. From interviewing each tradesman for approximately thirty-to-forty minutes and spending the day observing at an apartment complex job site, I was able to find that tradesmen have patterns of motivations and personality traits that enable them to succeed and help the community function properly. After interviewing the five different tradesmen at the job site, I found that they have common motivations which, in return, allow them to succeed and support the community. When I asked the tradesmen, “What motivates members such as you to become a tradesman?” I got similar responses. Tommy (21) answered, “I always knew I wanted to work with my hands. I wanted to figure out how to put things together, fix things, and build. I wanted to build everything from scratch, raw material.” Scott’s (55) response was related to Tommy’s when he said, “I wanted to provide highquality work to others. Becoming a tradesman was my purpose in life because I realized the potential I had to help others.” Cory (45) stated, “I knew I had the basic skills, abilities, and interest for trades. I always liked working with my hands, challenging myself, and trying new things out. I realized becoming a tradesman allowed me to become a part of something bigger. Every day, I get the opportunity to create connections with customers, employees, and other trades members through working together as a team to complete a job, but still getting to do my own individual work and tasks.” From the tradesmen’s explanations, I found out that their desire and passion to want to work with their hands, learn more, challenge themselves, and try new things is providing them with success in their field of work. Furthermore, I discovered that tradesmen support the community from their unwillingness to help others in need and using their skills, knowledge, and abilities to provide others with high-quality work. The patterns of motivations seen in tradesmen lead them to success and giving assistance to the community. The next category of a pattern found in tradesmen that empowers them to succeed and help the community function properly is their personality traits. Through observations and interviews, I was able to find that tradesmen carry patterns of personality traits like hardworking and bravery. I became aware that tradesmen are hardworking due to their work

ethic, determination, and productivity. As I was at the job site, I observed tradesmen walking with intensity, adding little details to perfect their work, and asking questions to better understand. For example, I heard Marcos (19) ask Scott, “What am I supposed to do if the plumber’s pipe is in the way?” Not only was I able to observe the pattern of hardworking tradesmen, but I also got insight when I asked Tommy, “What makes tradesmen hardworking?” He voiced, “Tradesmen are hardworking because we show up every day, on time, whether it is freezing cold outside or scorching hot. Sometimes we start early on the job, sometimes we work late on the job, and other times, we might skip lunch to complete a job. We give 110% and fight through the soreness and fatigue we face. We rarely take “sick days” or vacation time. For example, I know that Cory has only missed one day of work due to being ill in all of his 17 years of being a tradesman.” The next pattern of personality traits seen in tradesmen is their bravery. I noticed the pattern of bravery in tradesmen through observing different trades at the job site. I saw roofers on top of the apartment buildings using nail guns to install shingles, electricians working with wires that could cause electric shocks or burns, framers using sharp saws to cut wood, and construction workers drilling holes right next to their fingers. I was also told a story by Alonzo (32) when I questioned the kinds of dangers tradesmen come in contact with every day. He mentioned, “Actually, a couple of weeks ago I was up in an attic and I was standing on a ladder. I was reaching far to my right with my drill in hand and suddenly the ladder slipped from under me. Luckily, I was able to grab onto the ledge and dangle there while Tommy put the ladder back under me. I was close to being seriously injured, but that is what comes with this profession. Tradesmen accomplish an act of courage once making it to the end of each workday and showing up the next day to risk it all over again.” After watching tradesmen and asking them questions, I found out that they have patterns of personality traits including hardworking and bravery. Through these traits, tradesmen are successful in trades and improve the community. In conclusion, tradesmen should earn more recognition and acknowledgment for their work. After interviewing five tradesmen and observing different tradesmen at the job site, I was able to discover that tradesmen hold patterns of motivations and personality traits that make them succeed and keep the community functioning properly. Tradesmen have the desire and passion to learn more, work with their hands, challenge themselves, try new things, and help others. They hold personality traits of hardworking and bravery. Overall, people should appreciate and recognize the work of tradesmen because what is one going to do if the water runs out in one’s home? Additionally, they should think about how their homes came to be in the first place.