Burnout at the starting line — What's Killing the New Trades Talent (and How to Fix It)
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| @skilledtraderescue on Tiktok |
Remember what drew you into the trades?
To fix what's broken. Build what matters. Help people in real time. Be proud of what you created with your hands.
You showed up. You worked your ass off. You picked things up fast. You’re talented and good at this!
But now?
You’re seriously thinking about walking away.
Not because you can't cut it.
But because you’re burnt the hell out.
If that doesn’t scare all of us, it should!
Because it’s happening everywhere. We’re not just losing workers — we’re losing craftsmen, talent, mentors, friends, our way of life.
🔥 The Burnout Nobody Talks About
It's easy to assume the new guys leave because they're lazy but here's what the research says:
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Fast paced, high pressure, physically and emotionally demanding work environments.
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Mandatory overtime in by most companies, especially in peak seasons.
- Uncertainty of work or steady income among seasonal trades
- The "tough-it-out" culture means long-term stress, isolation, mental health and substance abuse is overlooked.
- Suicide rates are high, with construction workers ranking in the top 3 among US industries. (CDC report, 2021).
The jobs are there. The pay’s better than it’s ever been. But the paradox is that great people are still quitting — or worse.
"I was thrown onto a job with no training and screamed at for asking questions. I quit the same week." — HVAC apprentice, on Reddit
Burnout isn’t inevitable. It is avoidable. Let’s fix it!
⚡ Real Ways to Beat Burnout (Right Now)
These aren’t theories. They’re lifelines.
🧰 1. Create Micro-Mentorship
Find a micro-mentor. You don’t need a full apprentice program, pick one person - a senior workers in your organization - and develop great working relationships.
- Ask them to critique your work to help you grow
- Participate in any training opportunities where you can network with the senior staff and techs.
- Circulate and connect
- Get great at noticing the crew and staff that are handling things well and learn from them.
One mentor changes everything. Tell us about your mentors.
🤕2. Pay attention to the Pain
Too many of us push through injuries like it’s a badge of honor — until we can’t anymore. Crazy, right?
Sure, it's easy to cary that ladder, lift that compressor, or spend all day on your knees roofing when you're young. But you'll pay for that stress on your body in 8 hours, weeks, months or years.
Know your limits and speak up!
"When dispatch gives you a job, they don't have a clue about the physical labor required to do that job. It's your job to speak up to say how many people are needed to lift, move, or do a job.
Don't just tough it out or push through, say what you need" - Martin
Protect your body. Go back to the basics: Sleep. Eat. Exercise.
Longevity starts with healing, not hiding the hurt.
🧠3. Talk About Mental Health — Out Loud
You’re not soft for being human. When you find a good mentor, create conversations:
- "What’s helping you handle the stress of a 12 hour shift?"
- "What do you when the service manager chews you out?"
- "What do I need to know about Bob to work better with him?"
Normalize support. Kill the stigma. Talk about it!
At Skilled Trade Rescue we've got a channel dedicated to this conversation, because it matters.
🤝4. Plug Into STR
Skilled Trade Rescue was built by tradespeople, for tradespeople.
We've been through the trenches, the deep end, and the attic, we've seen it all — and decided to build a better way.
Inside Skilled Trade Rescue, we’re not just venting — we’re solving.
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Real connections with mentors
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Burnout survival stories and resources to stay healthy
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Real pros giving each other helpful answers
Get the back-up you need.
Plug into Skilled Trade Rescue
âś… Action Plan: This Week
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Reach out to one crew member. Develop positive working relationships with the experienced and balanced staff, the ones doing it well.
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Get it checked out if you're working through an strain or injury.
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Say something if you're drowning in your trade. Talk to the company leadership or mentor for guidance.
- Build your money muscle. Set aside that extra summer cash. We'll guide you on how to handle the ups and downs of the slow season.
- Jump into the STR community. Post what's working and what isn't.
Burnout grows in silence. Let’s shine a serious light on it.
Get Burnout Resistant on Skilled Trade Rescue
🚨 Bottom Line - We ALL need great tradesmen and tradeswomen!
This industry doesn’t die from a lack of jobs.
It dies from the exit of good people who feel alone, exhausted, and unseen.
If we want the trades to thrive, we’ve got to protect the people doing the work. You! You're the heroes that come to the rescue.
Our community should honor our tradespeople and give them the support they deserve!
And if no one’s doing that near you... 👉 We are!
Join the STR Community Today - it's FREE!
📌 Next Saturday @ 9 AM PT — Paradox #3: Burnout at the top.
P.S. If this hit home, forward it to someone who's burning out. It might be a lifeline they need right now.
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