The Most Valued Jobs After The Collapse


(Great Depression era corn farmer)

 
The economy will be in shambles after “the collapse”. What is the collapse? For the sake of this discussion it is a hypothetical wherein we are all affected after having been hit by a major crisis/disaster. It is a global crisis throughout the modern developed world that has extended to the point of massive job loss, financial collapse and loss, and levels never seen before of turmoil and social chaos.

This event could be a massive global financial collapse triggered by some major event having caused all the dominoes to fall (seems plausible these days…).

Although the hypothetical that I’m referring to is not necessarily a devastating event such as “grid down” of our electricity and electrical infrastructure, a reader here on the blog recently commented on the article, “Without Electricity Most Of The Population Will Not Survive”

Here’s something to think about: when/if the lights go off, there will be certain specific jobs that will guarantee income in the days, weeks, and months after such an event- barring complete societal breakdown. Getting a job now in the electric, gas, and water utilities or in security, medical, or law enforcement could pay huge dividends later.

While most struggle with their basic needs, people in these fields will not only be in high demand (and absolutely critical to restoring the infrastructure and in serving/protecting the lives of the rest of society) but will prosper.

 
It’s safe to say that some of the most valued jobs after “the collapse” will be those which specifically relate to whatever it might be to fix the damage caused by the event itself. Whether this will be possible or not will depend on what exactly we’re talking about…

Additionally though, and depending on the extent of collapse, presumably many will be largely on their own. There will not be enough (or any) .gov assistance in this hypothetical. This in and of itself will bring on tremendous societal breakdown given that so many today are dependent on .gov in one way or another.

That said, the most valued jobs will also vary upon geographical location, the needs of the many and the needs of the few.

Assuming that it’s not an environment of complete utter breakdown “every man for himself” and there is still some semblance of civility remaining in various regions or localities (forget the cities!), I suggest that some of the most valuable jobs might be those related to…


 
…practicality, infrastructure, security, basics, hands-on, mechanical, electrical, carpentry/building, entrepreneurship, farming, animal husbandry/livestock, health-care/doctor/treatment, and others.

Let’s face it. Most people today can’t fix much of anything or do much of anything practical with their hands (other than work a smartphone). When some or much of today’s modern life conveniences are disrupted such that one’s lifestyle is forced to change, this will also create opportunity in the realm of that new lifestyle.

Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills

Some will not be able to cope with it. Some will resist, kick and scream while others will rage and riot. You however may be able to leverage what you have and what you know to your advantage.

Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre

So what do you think? What might be some of the most valuable jobs after “the collapse”, presuming that it’s not all-out chaos out there…

104 Comments

    1. Fish boats and equipment.
      Like all primitive societies we will move back closer to water to provide us with food and transportation.
      Who Will build the Roads??? God, and those roads are smooth and flow like water.

  1. Any job associated with food/water production or safety. As things move back toward (a) normal other jobs will be added to the list, but at the beginning I think people will be mainly focused on staying fed.

    1. Just happened to have acquired one of those. Must grow more potatoes and practice!

      1. In these parts, corn, rye, barley. Virginia/Appalachia is the home of American moonshine.

  2. Well if it is an economic collapse then I would think that people will not have to means to replace their vehicles as they age. So I would think an auto mechanic, since their vehicles will be breaking down more often.

  3. The first two professions to appear in any society in the past were shaman and prostitute.

  4. Out here it would be farming, water, and wood cutting. Then transportation, probably by horse, and ultimately defense would become important because as remote as we are, there are always those who think they should be “king.” Our population here is senior, but a lot of the people are highly educated in many fields which would enable us to eventually thrive if we can learn to share and after we got the rabble out!

  5. This is promising. So far there has been no mention of lawyers and bankers! My dad always said that they are the two lowest life forms on the planet.

    1. Add politician to that, if there was a virus that wiped those three off the face of the earth we would be headed in the right direction

  6. I think the most sought position will be that of a leader. The sheeple are clueless and can hardly think for themselves the way it is now. They will look for anyone who can meet their needs, make their lives easier and help them understand the situation their normalcy bias cannot comprehend. This leader may be a good or a bad person, but he or she will be able to adapt quickly and think outside of the box. Sheep won’t care what type of person it is so long as they are taken care of. The leader will likely have many of the skills already discussed or be able to organize a system where those with those skills are able to work together to maintain some type of group/community. lI don’t think most here would necessarily be looking for this leader at first, and I would be very wary of someone I don’t know trying to take control of things right from the beginning. Unlike the sheep, those of us who are prepared will not be forced to go along with someone or starve to death… for awhile.

    1. I just played the role of leader to an actual sheep, so would like to draw a few more comparisons of sheep to sheeple. The lamb was bleating, separated from the rest of the flock. It was not easy to convince him to go out the open gate, even with the herding dog helping. (So my leadership was questioned, as if I didn’t know where the other sheep were.) Finally he went out the gate with the guardian dog. (So the lamb valued his friend’s opinion more than mine. After all, the guardian dog lives with him day in and day out.) It took more coaxing to get him down the alley through another gate where the flock was hiding over the hill. (Not one of the flock bleated back to the lamb to let him know where they were. They were thinking the coyotes would get him, not them.) The herding dog and I followed him up the hill (over recently disked ground in the hot noon sun. Leadership is not easy.) until he found the flock in the far corner of the pasture.

      It was a fine example of how stress and panic can block out any sense that a sheep may have had. And a leader must employ many strategies and assistants to get the job done.

      1. I did not mean to Anonymous. I am using the laptop, not the iPad as usual, and it did not know my name!

      2. I did not mean to be Anonymous. I am using the laptop, not the iPad as usual, and it did not know my name!

  7. It all depends on how bad the collapse is. Value is in the eyes of the beholder and will most likely change as circumstances change. When the food runs out everything will change and society will become very dangerous and chaotic. Beholders are very chaotic, dangerous and violent creatures so I have to say the three most important occupations would be gunsmithing. food production and whisky making. There is no single most important occupation. Now, anyone who can do all three will be very valuable indeed. That’s my 2 cents.

  8. Have a farm, am a carpenter and cabinet maker, and can burn steel,,,,,,,,,,im good

  9. Let me ask the tough question.

    Will the Nation need resources for the protection of the country, move production from over abundant areas to areas in critical need, keep critical infrastructure safe and producing (mainly energy – dams, nuclear,…)? If so, we will still need tax collectors. Or do we all just go feral? We all know that voluntary contributions would be minuscule.

    There may be other distasteful jobs that must be done – any ideas?

    1. @ Hermit us

      Would that not be an interesting question to ask people living the Great Depression, knowing what the overinflated fat government leach has turned into now…. IF and of course it would NEVER happen, but IF the .gov would revert back to what it is meant to be, than yes, BUT knowing what it is now, NO WAY IN HELL would I support the leaching of the hard working people and the citizens that contribute to those that suck the life-blood from this Great Country, PERIOD!!! Absolute control begets Absolute corruption.

      Got me fire up didn’t ya???? HAHAHAHA
      NRP

      1. NRP

        So you don’t prescribe to the “i’m from the government and i’m here to help” philosophy. But who pays the military to keep out the “third world”? Who gets the power grid up again? Manure smells but sometimes we need it.

        1. I guess the arseholls in government shoulda thought about that before they decided to become a bloated wasteful bureaucratic waste of oxygen

        2. Ya, i usually ignore that ignorant side of me, i go for the let it all crash and burn side

        3. Let it collapse.

          I’m here from The People’s side…Let me help burn it down.

        4. The framers of the constitution talked about a well armed militia. It was always supposed to be the people who kept the borders clear, and a standing army was NOT allowed by the constitution. As for the third world–in this situation we’ll BE the third world.

          Electricity was started and maintained by free enterprise long before the .gov took over and messed it up. I think if it comes back it will be people who do it.

          Manure smells, but it has a very limited set of functions. Using raw manure to power your car or feed the hypothetical army wouldn’t work very well. Gov’t also smells, and it also has a very limited set of functions.

        5. Apologies if this posts twice–it was showing on the discussion page but not on the post.

          The framers of the constitution talked about a well armed militia. It was always supposed to be the people who kept the borders clear, and a standing army was NOT allowed by the constitution. As for the third world–in this situation we’ll BE the third world.

          Electricity was started and maintained by free enterprise long before the .gov took over and messed it up. I think if it comes back it will be people who do it.

          Manure smells, but it has a very limited set of functions. Using raw manure to power your car or feed the hypothetical army wouldn’t work very well. Gov’t also smells, and it also has a very limited set of functions.

        6. Who pays the military now?
          We have the Federal Reserve. They print money.
          “How much do y’all need?”

  10. NRP

    Looks like he lost some weight too. Long time waiting for that corn crop to mature.

  11. I agree with ChameleOn. Leadership/organizer will be critical in the days after catastrophe, when the population consists of the survivors.

    As the saying goes “no man is an island”, despite those who think of themselves as lone wolves. In earlier times, communities were cohesive entities, bound together by family, economic, religious, and social ties. They were bound together with common needs and goals. This is not the case now. Most “communities” are not bound by anything but geography.

    There will be a need for someone with the skills to bind survivors together into a cohesive unit for long term survival. I say this as someone who has always considered myself as self sufficient, but there are many folks with needed skills that are not, who won’t survive without help. Without help from a community, those skills may be lost for everyone.

    1. Dennis, I agree completely with the need for a community bound together by more than just geography. If the tiny town I live in could come together during a crisis, I am sure that we would have the active teachers that NRP speaks of, a wide variety of skill sets that would include medical, water treatment, farming/ranching and food preservation, the bodies for all of the manual labor, security, and the leadership to delegate areas of responsibility to teams with the appropriate skills. I think it would take time for all of this to happen, and there would be a period of chaos, violence, and turmoil prior to that. I’m hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.

      P.S. I imagine that the guy down the street who has an operating steam driven tractor is going to have lots of friends.

    2. @ Dennis

      Leaders/organizers? Good luck with that. I disagree wholeheartedly. I don’t need some arrogant, smooth talking bureaucrat bringing me together with a bunch of people that cannot take care of themselves, or leading me out of chaos or dictating to me what I can or cannot grow or how to do it. I’m quite capable of doing that on my own. Almost ALL of the so-called “leaders” I have encountered during my life are nothing more than arrogant, incompetent parasites and useless eaters. They have absolutely nothing to bring to the table during times of crisis but more bureaucracy, sorrow and destruction. Most so-called leaders I have encountered in my life were in that position because they were too incompetent and incapable of working at the deck plate level to repair or produce anything. They conned their way to the top because real producers do not care about telling everybody else what to do and they generally can do it without supervision. We need producers. People that can build and produce. We DO NOT NEED MORE BUREAUCRATS AND PARASITES telling us what we MUST do to survive or telling us what we CANNOT do. If the “leader” can come out and follow me though a days work clearing away debris, cutting down trees and cutting them up and splitting two cords of wood, half by hand, plowing, tilling and cultivating a two acre garden, cutting brush with a swing blade for 8 hours and do that for several weeks on end without complaining, and if he does a good job, then I might… just might consider nominating him to bring the community together. Otherwise, forget it.

      I’m neither an “island” or a “lone wolf”, but I do not need someone binding me to my neighbors. We already have an implied cohesiveness that works quite well. Thank you.

      1. CrabbeNebulae,

        Wow. I guess I struck a nerve. Not my intent.

        Your idea of a leader is much different than the type I expect to rise up in the aftermath of widespread catastrophe. The type I’m referring to would be the one, who by example, would have people gravitate to him for advice and guidance. Not someone looking for the role, rather someone who really doesn’t want the job, but is willing to do it for the welfare of others. This person would probably evolve into the role naturally, never asking for it.

        If you can’t accept that type leadership, by all means, don’t.

        Being the “lone wolf” means it will be you against the world, with no help from the “pack” from which you separated yourself from. Tough life to maintain.

        Did not mean to anger you. Good luck with all your endeavors.

        1. @ Dennis

          Actually, I didn’t get angry… I just have a sternness that a lot of people misinterpret, sorry. Anyway, I suppose I could go for someone who was a hard worker, new how to survive and really didn’t want to be a leader of the pack but through no fault or effort on his own fell into the position naturally because of whatever natural abilities he had. That is a little more palatable. On the other hand, most people I’ve encountered who were in leadership positions were totally unqualified to be a leader. Those… I would not follow. There was a time when I was bound by a unilateral contract to follow even the most worthless POS or reap dire consequences against my life and future but today I’m no longer bound by that contract. Thanks.

        2. CrabbeNebulae,

          I know what your saying about the “leadership” that has evolved in big cities, state level, and federal. I was raised and have lived most of my life in small towns (2000 population or less) or on the farm. In most cases, the leadership in these environs are unpaid, thankless positions.

          As a child in the 1950’s, I was raised in a farming community 20 miles east of Dallas, Texas. In those days, small towns like ours (less than 2000 population) tended to be self sufficient. We had a bank, schools, a decent grocery store, a hardware store, a dry goods store (sold shoes, cloth by the yard, sewing supplies, etc.), a post office, my Dad had the mechanic shop, my Grand Dad a blacksmith shop, there was a couple of gas stations, and one doctor who owned her on clinic. 95% of all commerce by those who lived there took place within the city limits of that town. When the community decided they should incorporate, the state informed them they would have to have a mayor and council. These were unpaid positions, filled by local business people, more out of civic duty than desire. My Dad resisted calls for him to run for Mayor for several years before he relented and served one term. As he put it to our family, the Mayor’s job was to work all day at his own business, close the doors of the shop, go get onto the city’s road grader and maintain the unpaved city streets, make sure people’s needs were being addressed, and make sure the people didn’t get screwed by the county or state politicians.

          Different times then. Hopefully in the aftermath of a catastrophic re-set, that type leadership will emerge again. It still exists in small town, fly-over America.

      2. Read Robert Heinlein’s Tunnel In the Sky. The MC is that kind of leader, pushed out of an election by the smooth talking bureaucrat–who comes later, privately, to apologize and tell him it was for his own good. But when there’s a real disaster, the professional politician can’t hack it.

        I like that book. It clearly shows what happens when a bureaucrat faces off with a real leader.

      3. I am also in agreement with you. I know MANY MANY people who have very good skills and some who are masters with specific skill sets. I also consider myself and husband to be among those people. None of us would be interested in ‘leadership’ because we are doers, not politicians. I have been a leader in times past (not by choice) and NOTHING gets accomplished when trying to lead and/or organize a group of people. And leading, if it is by example, is not what would be required in a true chaotic or grid-down/collapse situation. In that situation, leadership would be communication and some organization/control. And that’s the rub…that ‘control’ thing. Group leadership would provide a community with some benefits, but the risks are great. Most leaders are talkers and not doers — their gift is the gift of gab, brown-nosing, and politicking. And this is the reason that most people who are doers, have skills, are too busy DOING and ACHIEVING to be bothered by those who can’t or won’t.

    3. @ CrabbeNebulae,

      Could you please clarify your standing on your feelings of a ‘leader’, thank you…. HAHAHAHA

      A true leader does NOT come from reading a book, or going to school for XYZ years, when one speaks of a leader, one had better know the abilities of that person they want to follow.
      I’m going to revert back to the .gov again. I have worked construction for most of my life, and I have seen it over and over again, those that fail at being a contractor will 99% of the time go to work for the .gov as an Inspector (or ditch digger) as if by magic they now know everything and can tell the successful Contractors how to do this or that.

      @ Dennis

      A community will find out very quickly who is full of Manure and who know what is needed to be done, as you said ‘They were bound together with common needs and goals’ These needs and goals will be satisfied by that person that “gets-er-done” not by that blow-hard that can talk a good line yet does NOTHING productive.
      Sadly all we see now days in our ‘leaders’ are those that know how to talk a good line and the sheeple and snowflakes follow them right into the preverbal lion’s den.

      NRP

      1. @ NRP

        I would have answered earlier but there seemed to be some kind of server error related to WordPress. Looks like it got fixed.

        Anyway.. I think leaders are born, they are not created in a classroom. You are right, leaders do not come from a classroom or from reading a book, but good leaders are generally well read but mostly in topics not necessarily geared toward leadership. A good leader doesn’t need to read a book on human behavior and development or leadership to be a good leader. A good leader does good work, has an honest work ethic and has experience with the work he does, he’s humble, has empathy for others, does not seek or need recognition, stays calm under pressure and does not freak out when the chips are down or point fingers at someone else for his own mistakes. A good leader is also a teacher (not the classroom type). Good leaders stand strong against adversity and never leave their shipmates hanging in the wind or abandoned in a benjo ditch. Those are just a few characteristics of what I think makes a good leader. Those traits are sorely lacking in America today. I have no feelings of what makes a good leader since I’m not a feely person. (I couldn’t help that). LOL Stay strong.

        1. @CrabbeNebulae;

          I agree with your take on who/what a real leader is. My experience in corporate America has been that most official leaders, especially as you go up the corporate ladder, are full of hot air. We work around them, and every group I’ve been in has quietly formed an unofficial hierarchy that puts competent, conscientious folks in the lead so that stuff actually gets done. That is, when the official boss doesn’t have us in meetings or doing stupid crap to make themselves look good.

      2. Looks like some of us agree that ‘leaders’ who show bureaucratic or political slants will have their place.
        It’ll be right next to the 50 pound bags of lime!

        1. Modern Throwback
          ‘bags of lime’ rolwl thank you for the hilarity this morning, made my day

        2. @ Modern Throwback –n- Antique Collector-ACDH

          Please don’t use Lime, worms gata eat also y-know

          NRP

        3. NRP
          OK, no lime, but ‘Buzzards’ have to eat u a know and they get tire of ground squirrels..per dh..lol *and buzzards are faster than lime*

          How about a few composted banana peels, with a large scoop of junk dirt from your backhoe.

          Ken, yes I know off subject again.

  12. I don’t believe that jobs will be super important so much as skills. Its funny, when we look at the current jobs out there. Many of them only exist because of computers. Their skills involve coding, creating programs, data analysis, digital production, etc. But those skills won’t be extremely valuable.

    If I were to just list a few thoughts on what would make someone useful and be allowed to join in a community after SHTF they would be (in no particular order):

    1. security/fighting/hunting
    2. food prep (growing, harvesting, preserving, cooking)
    3. medical skills (alternative/herbal included)
    4. water (find, acquire, purify)
    5. handyman (build, fix just about anything)
    6. leaders (military, preachers, teachers, etc)
    7. sewing
    8. brewing
    9. OTHER (there are other, dare we say, naughty things that someone can have a skill in that could be considered useful, ie prostitution)

    In truth, I think the activity we should all do is create a PREPPER RESUME. If there was a prepper community that we wanted to join after the SHTF, what would be on your resume? Because it is those skills that will either make you a valuable asset or banned.

    1. kynase

      Careful about who you submit that resume to. Did not work out to good at Jonestowm. Idea was okay but the leadership was crazy and the farming practices were a failure. It’s about that absolute power NRP mentioned.

  13. Dentist. I’m wondering what kind of care they could provide without electricity tho. Could they run a drill using a tredal type motor? On second thought…a denture maker would be in demand. luv ya’ll, Beach’n

  14. CaliRefugee,

    According to how deep the fall goes. Formal education such as Jr. Colleges will be replaced by apprenticeships and OJT with students offering labor in exchange for room and board and training.

  15. Thanks… working on it. Having problems at the new web hosting provider.

  16. I’ve chosen to be a provider of locally grown, locally adapted seeds and plants. Cuttings from my 10 varieties of elderberries could provide 100s of plants in 1 growing season for both nutritious food and flu medicine that’s safer and more effective than Tamiflu.

    1. FYI, replacement for tamiflu is sweetgum tincture, should be double tinctured for same dose as tamiflu….made from first leaves or seed pods. source video by “the southern herbalist”

  17. Persons with manufacturing/mechanical skills will be in high demand. Someone needs to repair that farmers tractor or manufacture a replacement axle for that tractor. They will be needed to manufacture and build the parts to get the grid up as well as the rest of the energy industry.
    Ammo reloading and gunsmith skills will be in high demand.
    Farming skills will be in demand.
    Doctor and dental skills.
    Carpenters and builders.
    What won’t be needed is lawyers, politicians, social workers, etc.

    1. @ Texasprepper, I think you mean a toolmaker, not manufacturing.

      1. More accurately, a machinist and someone with mechanical aptitude, that’s why I lumped it into manufacturing. A machinist isn’t any good if he can’t assemble what he makes and a mechanic isn’t any good if he can get/make the parts he needs.

        1. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Give me a lathe, mill welder and benders and the rest falls into place!

  18. Time to trigger someone about a not so favorite occupation.

    Good building inspectors spend the most time teaching – many a young person has been convinced to get into the “trades” for good money and job satisfaction.

    Good building inspectors have the interests of the public, the property owners, and the builders in mind when inspecting a project.

    Good building inspectors hold the safety of people as their highest duty. Structural integrity, fire safety, and construction safety is job one.

    Good building inspectors encourage innovation of building systems, reduction of building costs, impact on the environment, efficiency in construction, …

    Good building inspectors work in cooperation with designers, owners, builders, engineers, health and fire jurisdictions.

    Good building inspectors catch bad builders and scam contractors before the owners are left to call in Mike Holmes to make it right.

    Bad building inspectors have attitudes and practices that encourage obfuscation, anger, mistrust, and are the worse slime in the construction industry.

    1. I should add that anyone that works as an inspector MUST be able to do that job as well or better than the trades people. When someone has worked successfully in the trenches for many years, it become clear to all the people he comes in contact with that he is not full of crap. Respect must be earned.

      1. NRP

        Okay, it was a spoon feeding rant – some arguments need succinct points.

    2. @ hermit us
      Tis what I love about Ken’s BLOG, everyone is welcome to their opinions, and i respect yours.
      Although it did read somewhat like a Collage Recurtment Poster…. hehehe
      NRP

      1. NRP

        I can not just paint a profession with a negative broad brush – you talk about the people that can do – well there are some of these that can – in a future bad situation, you will still need the ones that can show you how to do the job right – why did the roof cave in? why did the barn blow over, why did the building catch fire. Yes, I know everyone is responsible for themselves but when computers are gone, where is the wealth of knowledge – from those that can.

        1. I can definitely can paint two professions with a broad stroke!
          Lawyers and Psychiatrists!

      2. NRP

        I have friend that is a top machinist and welder. He took on the job of inspecting pressure vessels and structural welding in his later years. Yes, many young smart ass workers thought he was a jerk for failing some work but he probably save some lives along the way because of his work. He is the smartest metal worker I know and because I am not, I seek his advise quite often.

        1. I spent a lot of years as a machinist. I learned mostly on the job taking some basic classes from one of the model makers. I had quite a few tools (micrometers and such) and offered them free to a young man a couple years ago and he turned it down as they were ‘old fashioned’- they are only being taught to use battery operated digital mics and calipers.

          I did recently find a home for them with a guy my age and his grandson. Man his eyes lite up and he almost cried when I told him I’d tossed a big bag of reamers and stuff.

        2. aka

          I’m waiting until I try to give away my woodworking tools – they will ask where does the battery go in that hand planer?

        3. @ hermit us

          I had a good chuckle at your “they will ask where does the battery go in that hand planer?”

          At the local County Fair each year there is always a building full of Tool Venders showing off and selling all the ‘Latest & Greatest’ tools, having the right connections, myself and a couple of buddy’s are afforded a medium sized booth right in the middle of the ciaos. We set up an entire array of antique tools, everything from Hand Leather working tools to belt driven drill-press/lath to dozens of carpentry tools that are worn by true craftsmen. Most of what we display 95% of the visitors have never seen or even heard of before…. It’s a hoot to watch someone stand there and stare at a nice set of hand woodworking tools and have a look of WTHeck is that…. HAHAHA How many people really know what a ‘draw knife’ is??? Or better yet, know how to use it without cutting off their ‘never minds’?

          The ‘art’ of fine craftsmanship is lost, now days it’s how fast and how much can I charge for this-that or better yet, can we get a Robot to build that 24/7 …. A real shame I believe, for a nice hand crafted table with a hand rubbed finish for instance is truly a work of art.

          JMHO
          NRP

        4. NRP
          May not know the ‘drawing knife’ by name but by sight. Dh probably would know it by name, he loved to work with hand tools. He still has his grandfathers, and I have purchased him other hand tools from yard sales.

        5. NRP,

          My grand-dad made draw knives in his blacksmith shop when I was a kid. I actually made a couple myself, with his guidance, when I was 9 years old. Starting with bar stock in the forge, folding in the coal for added strength to the steel, forming and shaping on the anvil, grinding the edge, and the finishing oil bath tempering. As I recall, he got $2 apiece for them (without the wood handles). Invaluable tool for shaping wood handles for hoes, shovels, hammers, etc.

        6. The question I have been repeatedly asked for more than 30 years as a quilter”
          “How LONG did that take?”

          Sheesh…..
          I don’t even wear a watch.
          The majority don’t get-it. They don’t even have a clue.
          But I’m with you on the hand tools and have a great collection, including some from past generations in our family. My grandfather, during the Depression, was basically unemployed (got to work 1 day per month to pay insurance). He hand-built a lathe for himself, using found materials. He had it until he died.

    3. And don’t take bribes….!! Latino in a wanabe Sanctuary town in the Midwest

      1. DannyB

        Excellent point – morals and ethics are most important for a leader or teacher.

  19. The last thing we would need when our world is collapsing around us a government agent telling us that if we do not pay a tax, they will take away our home!!
    Only a big government type thinks like that.

    1. Tango

      But, but, but haven’t you heard it’s for the kids schools, grandmother’s home care, the four road crew persons watching the one guy working, the illegal immigrant shelter, …. okay I agree that most taxes should be suspended in an emergency. But the LEOs should be paid if defending the public from looting gangs.

  20. Government building inspectors spend the most time teaching?
    Bullflop!

    1. Tango

      If they do not impart information and advise from experience, education, and past construction situations, they should not be in the job. I said “good inspectors” and yes I have had the privilege to work with some.

    2. Tango

      I should remind you of one of the most recent tragic fire and collapse situations.
      This resulting from a failure to inspect a property (in this case, the fire jurisdiction) in San Fran. Where a commercial building was used as an artist studio but improperly used for residential occupancy – remember the wood pallets as stair leading to the only exit – many died.

  21. I agree with so many comments about people who can get things done, and NRP’s thoughts on also being able to teach others.

    Doctors, dentists, vets, farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, mechanics – skills that keep people and animals alive and fed and watered. Hunters, people who can sew, bake and cook – those practical skills will be vital.

    1. So Cal Gal

      I’m afraid that in a total collapse, only the most rudimentary skills will be possible. The resources required for the more sophisticated jobs will not be there.

  22. What about a community organizer that has masters degrees in Transgender relations, 1800s French poetry,cross dressing for success and safe spaces architecture?

    Adapt and Overcome.

  23. Ken,

    Accessing MSB has become very problematic. Since late afternoon yesterday, when I click on MSB on my favorites bar, I get an instant message to the effect, “your PHP does not have MySQL which is required for WordPress.

    Evidently this is a periodic, not permanent problem, as I have managed to access site now. Will this problem persist if we don’t download MySQL?

    1. Dennis (and all),

      “Knock on wood”, the site should be repaired as of now. The past 24 hours have been somewhat of a disaster while our web hosting provider company underwent a transfer to another web hosting provider company. There were problems which took the site down off and on (and sluggish behavior). There may still be some glitches going forward, however it appears as though many of the issues have been resolved. Sorry for the mess…

      1. Ken
        Like life, some things are beyond ones control no matter how hard they try. Good luck with the larger fish you are now dealing with for your site.

  24. Doctors/Nurses
    Water purifier
    Food preserver
    Builders
    Security consultants
    Leaders
    SOAP MAKERS
    Shoe makers/repairers, cobblers
    Tailors, seamstresses, tanners, knitters
    Distillers/brewers

    I put leaders on the list but they will occur naturally and spontaneously depending on the current immediate needs of the sheople. If lots of people are hurt people will look for guidance among doctors. If they’re hungry they’ll look to people that can grow and preserve food. If they’re really dirty they’ll look for guidance from the soap makers, etc.

    1. I have to ask if anyone knows what training Med students get in basic/first aid care. Perhaps a military trained medic would be better in an SHTF time. Have doctors become so reliant on modern medicines, diagnostic tools, and sophisticated operating rooms that field work may be difficult?

      1. I see dentists on many lists but many survivalists and some going into very remote existences have opted for total removal of their teeth in favor of dentures. As situations get worse, do we become more and more hard core – some things that seem extreme now may be common in the future.

      2. Just a followup – Zero Hedge story showing UK hospitals going dark due to computer hack – turning away patients. How reliant are we on power and computers? And can modern day doctors work without these systems?

      3. hermit us
        From what I have been told SF medic’s were skilled & well trained.

  25. To hermit us:

    Many of us in the medical field did get training initially by getting our EMT license and a license to drive ambulance. I did so at the age of 20. I elected to drive ambulance within a large metro area in California because I was offered a job during my clinical ride along. This was during the Reagan Presidency so in order to break into Federal Service, you had to be a cop or go to Police Academy. ( which I did at age 21.) That was also during a time called “peacetime” within the US so the Military was not looking promising as a career option.

    Driving ambulance within a large metro area will give you more clinical experience in 1 month than you will see in a less populated area for an entire year. (4-6 calls per 8 hr shift) It is a good place to start and see the Beast. I had a friend who was going through the Air Force Academy at the time. He pointed out that I had already spent more time under fire than he has. Whether we are at war or peace, People will always be getting hurt/hurting themselves or each other and simply reaching the end of their lives within a larger city. (remember that the Military will send their medics to big city ED’s in order to See the Beast up close) At some point, we escape or retire then escape the large Metro Areas. -and we have a few stories to tell.

    By the time I got to Nursing School, I had seen some stuff. Lost count of the number of helicopter rides I had taken. My back was still sore from the autorotation that I was in. I had attended a number of funerals for people in Emergency Services and heard about the deaths of 3 Academy Classmates. (2 in helicopter crashes and 1 shot and killed on duty.)

    I kept quiet in Nursing school because I was there to shut up, listen and learn. That was over 20 years ago for me. Now I am a veteran within the health care field and , with my background, I can be a difficult person to supervise but the folks I work with, we get along together well. Patients know I’ve seen some stuff and they like talking to me (in general). On a daily basis, I pass on tricks of the trade such as attaching a bandage to a limb without use of tape to secure the bandage, etc.

    I dont build houses. I do not can my own food yet. I have never raised livestock on my own. I do not have a solar system or wind turbine in place yet. My metal working skills are limited to sharpening knives and casting bullets. I do my job and go to the homes of people that do all of the above. I continue to work within the communities and will do so until something goes very wrong.

    That is why I am a Deplorable Prepping-Type that hoards TP and ammo and joins in this site each week. My off duty adventures involve hunting and shooting and so I share those observations and experiences as well. It is time for me to do the 3 S’s because I have to go work the late shift tonight. With any luck, I’ll be able to come home after 8 hr shift.

  26. Final Note on leadership:

    I remember the sight of a 24 year old Traffic Officer trying to argue with a 52 year old CDF Battalion Chief regarding who is Incident Commander and where to park the pumper truck and establish a hose lay:

    Leaders emerge spontaneously and they maintain their position until they make a series of bad calls. then they are replaced. Experience is usually a key factor. I distrust some of those that actively seek to become leaders as it is a thankless job and you will offend somebody before the shift is done.

    These days, I have been mentoring as part of my job for the past decade. I took a break from this after my job relocation but, the mentorship system is still alive and well. I am currently working under supervisors that I checked off on their skills as new employees years ago.

    1. CaliRefugee

      I think I met this Battalion Chief or someone just like him – He retired and took his extended family out of Cali to near Sandpoint Idaho. He got fed up with the politics. When some left wing politician starts to tell the police and fire services how they can not longer do their jobs, you end up with California.

  27. I do not think that any trade, skill, or ability will not be valuable in a STHF situation.

  28. Well myself I believe martial law won’t work outside of cities , too much area to cover plus the fact that a lot of rural folks won’t get behind it , as for a Lot of the self important beaureaucrats they will be a dying breed , folks will be more concerned about other things than to bother to listen to them , this will be a time when most of civility will be gone , my family and I plus our neighbors will have already shut down access to our living areas , as for a single leader we don’t have one , we have a council to decide matters . Be prepared and ready . Keep your powder dry .

  29. Draft animal breeding, training, and maintenance (farriers & vets). Bicycle makers. Cart builders. Green woodworkers. Young men with strong backs.

  30. The problem with many if not most of the skills mentioned is that they require more than skill and knowledge, they require parts and supplies. A medical doctor is little more then a witch doctor without medicines, electricity, and the various hardware. Mechanics are fine until the parts and various fluids and lubricants dry up.

Comments are closed.