Okanagan Welder Needs Work

[I R Welder]

Hey im new to the welding industry, i just graded from OC for level C welding, if anyone knows of any kind of work that would be able to help me to get hours for my logbook that would be awesome, or even some tips or hints that could help put me ahead of the pack. im willing to work any kind of hours/shifts. let me know... Thanks :)

[lotechman]

You live in one of the toughest areas for steady employment. I know because I moved from Kelowna for that reason. Make the rounds from shop to shop regularly and then expand your search to other towns within an hours drive.
I got so desperate that once I did four tens and drove 1.75 hours each way to sleep in my own bed. It was only ten weeks but it got me contacts and other jobs after.
Plan on taking any available job until spring when things pick up. You may not be welding but at least you can put some bread on the table to get through the Winter.

[I R Welder]

your tellin me... well on the bright side im 18 and just finished high school a few months ago so i can still get some help from the parents, i think my plan is to get a job anywhere i can find it like you say probably at like a grocery store or somethin like that, but keep handing out resumes and hopefully be able to find some kind of employment that will get me some hours for the logbook so i can at least go back to school for B

[lotechman]

If you have that attitude you will have no problems. I used to go by every shop in my area at least once a week. I just showed my face and did not become a pest... Just a quick " Hello , I am still looking for work." In some cases I even have been invited in for a coffee at coffee time even though there was only a small crew and no work.
Get in the habit of exchanging phone numbers with workmates as well as school mates and any upgraders that are in taking tickets. In one case I got questioned in one shop by the supervisor: "You know those guys already? How do you know them?" I just played stupid and mentioned that we had worked together before. I didn't mention that we had phoned each other as soon as the word went out that the shop had a big job coming up.
Every Spring things pickup and in the middle of summer when your buddies are wanting to go to the beach you will be working. Save up for the Winter and go skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, or travel to Mexico for holiday.

[I R Welder]

yeah thats what i hear, just keep making the rounds, a manager at Enterprise Steel ( a big idustrial shop in Kelowna) said that they didnt have much work but i could come by and he would give me a shop tour and show me whats happening so maybe thats the start of them getting to know me or maybe refer me to someone hopefully... right now i just need money from any kind of job because gasoline isnt getin any cheaper and either is my insurance rates

[Doug247]

You were probly in my cousins class, his name is vince, and he is looking for work out there too no bites yet. Things are tough right now, I live a little ways away from kelowna in the shuswap, ive been out of work for a while here and willing to relocate, but its slow all over. I am tempted to go pump gas but i know my time is worth more than that. at the same time, gotta do what u gotta do.

[mb_welder]

I worked at Enterprise. :waving:

[I R Welder]

Vince sounds framiliar but was not in my class... yeah the job situation is $hitty in kelowna for sure, not just trades but everything... the only jobs that are in demand right now are orchard pickers with the whoppy wage of 8 bucks an hour... oh well ill figure soemthing out but thanks for the feedback everyone