Steve,
I have this to say, if your son WANTS to be an electrician and he MUST want to, not just some half-assed attempt at it, I say teach the kid all you know.
After all, you've been there before through the good and the bad times, no college education or degree from a Uni can teach you that IMO.
Some of the kids I went to high school with ended up as apprentices with their fathers as the Boss, some of them lasted maybe a year and gave it in, their reasons were varied, but some of them stuck with it and came out with real qualifications and a better understanding (and respect) of their old man as well.
Other side of the coin, is the son that is always treated like the Boy, even though he has long since completed his time, that's why I could never work with my own father as a Engineering fitter.
When I told him I was going to be an Electrical apprentice, it was almost like I was coming out as Gay, he didn't like that, it was like HIS Trade or none.
Having said that, I worked for a company here in town that the Managing Director, had had the business pretty much given to him by his father after he had served 2 apprenticeships (Electrical and Refrigeration) and he was the worst guy I have EVER seen at quoting a given job, think more or less "let's buy the job or the customer won't return".
When I first started there, I asked to start quoting a few jobs, as this place was wilting like the proverbial flower in the sun, IMO, it was either that or they start laying off tradesmen and apprentices, not a good look for any company with 50 years of service in the community.
I was told "You won't do any better than me!", I priced a new house wire, 2 re-wires and a new commercial building.
I ran the itemised quotes past the guy as they were faxed off, he told me there was "no way in Hell" we would get the work and to "stop wasting his time and money".
2 weeks later, we had 4 new jobs that needed doing.
Maybe sometimes you need some new blood in there to re-ignite the flame for your business?
