[Rose]

Needing ideas. Trying to think of some career fields for someone who is mechanically inclined/handyman, people person, mid 40s, back problems.

Cannot involve driving as they wouldn’t be able to qualify medically due to medications for back issues (can legally drive just cannot pass an ODOT physical).

Not into computers or office work, meaning he doesn’t want to sit at a desk all day and is not tech savvy enough to get into IT.

Has held positions in sales and manual labor previously (obviously can’t do the latter any longer and feels burnt out in the sales department).

Only has a Highschool diploma.

The other issue is they currently receive ssdi so any full time position they take has to be something they would physically be able to do for a long period and worth getting off ssdi pay wise.

Also want to be very clear that he is actively looking for a job and could work part time while still receiving ssdi, but we trying to work on being FI so he would like to bring in more income than that would allow if possible.

I am not trying to find a job for him, just trying to offer suggestions of other things he could look into that he may not be thinking of.

[Al]

Could his back be improved with exercise and weight loss, if that is an issue?

[Theresa]

Look into maintenance jobs in schools maybe? Any really hard labor jobs would get contracted out and they always need handyman types…

might be a position mixed with custodial.

No idea what those jobs pay, but health and retirement benefits for schools (k12 or college) are usually pretty good and come with union protections.

Those jobs don’t end up on places like Indeed – they’ll need to check individual school district or university websites

[Stef]

I would send him to his local junior college or vocational rehabilitation department (usually that’s a state level function) to get some testing done on his aptitude, and see what kind of free vocational training is available that interests him.

At his age, he has already been ruled to not be physically capable of a sedentary job on a full time basis.

Sometimes sitting is harder than standing/walking for someone with a back condition.

[Tracy]

See if he can be an instructor at a votech high school or college program?

I am not sure if a degree is required or just certifications and expertise

[Sherri]

Home Depot or Lowe’s. And they’ll work with his hours. My husband recently started working at an auto parts store.

He delivers parts to local mechanics and garages.

Not the best pay but he’s limited because of his SSI.

[Amy]

My friend messaged me rather upset last week because her sewing machine broke and her normal person she uses for maintenance was unavailable to fix it– she was hoping I had an idea of another trusted person to fix it.

So, my idea is to choose a specialty and do small machine maintenance and repair (sewing machine, lawnmower, or whatever).

These people are getting harder to find and seem to be in-demand.

Some people are able to work contract with places like a sewing store or hardware store, or they can also be self‐employed.

[Glenna]

I wholeheartedly agree with Stef A Knee! Get help from someone with expertise in careers, someone who can provide an outsider view of options!

Community colleges, junior colleges are especially useful but any academic institution near you should be able to assist with testing or a referral.

[Danielle]

A lot of electricians, mechanics, plumbers are signing up with online services to provide their expertise online to customers.

I’d google that to find out which companies to sign up with as a subject matter resource.

A couple of YouTubers I listen to have mentioned it recently.

Seems like it has flexibility but opportunity to do pretty well.

[Author]

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