Seriously... I’ve seen people on here looking for jobs, and heard of a lot of general job loss out there. There’s been a shortage of blue collar workers for a looooonnng time and I’m telling you it’s not getting automated anytime soon. Among other things: we need more good welders in general but especially people who can weld stainless. We need more people who are good with miscellaneous & ornamental metals (think stairs, railings, fences, gates, & various non-structural supports…). And we need even more people who can draft the work in CAD + understand the work in the field.
You want “fuck you” money? Well these are “fuck you” skills right now. There’s lots of freedom in being a skilled journeyman.