Welding Job help

[Mikey D]

So how does one get an apprenticeship in welding? I mean, I go to night school for it, but I would love to get even just a helper position. Anyone else know what good unions are to get into? I like to do MIG welding mostly but will learn Stick too. I guess I am just trying to find ways to find jobs ya know? I just want to break into the field somehow and start somewhere so I can get experience and practice until I get certified and then go from there.




I'll be back to check this post on Sunday, going away for the weekend

[DSW]

Have you asked at school? Some schools have a placement program. Other times shops go to the instructor looking for the top kids. My buddy picks up 1 or 2 kids each year from the local tech school. Yeah you do grunt work mostly, but even if you go thru the union you're going to do grunt and carry work for quite a while.

Grab the phone book and go talk to welding contractors. Don't expect to weld. Expect to do $hit work. IF you prove yourself THEN they may move you into fitting or welding. There's also always the classifieds. One young lady in my mig class found herself work in a factory mig welding by answering an add. Sad thing is my welds are 10X better than hers but it hold metal together and that's all they seem to care about. I doubt she welds anything major but shes got her foot in the door.

[Mikey D]

Yeah, I tried looking around even for helpers, I guess with the way things are economically, I see alot of people want certificates and like 2-5 yrs experience. I dont mind doing BS work, its money in my pocket and a foot in the door, mostly as you said I would be doing it for the experience.

[specter]

We have eight apprentices in our cnc shop. They come from the New York State loocal community college and university. Before we went with the state run program we had one or two apprentices mainly from folks that just came in off the street. One or two also came from farming families.

Big thing is that if your in a school check to see if they have an apprentice program. I looking for a school try to look for one that established apprentice program. And if your someone that wants to learn without attending a school then check around! Most shops love to have helpers. Don't expect them to just welcome you into the shop and immediately start teaching you. Working shops are just that WORKING. You may have to work as a helper for awhile till you prove that you really want to learn to weld and that this is not just some passing fad. Aslo remember if you went to a school you would be paying for this training so don't expect much pay. I had two guys approach me over the years that "really" wanted to learned they started out as helpers with no pay they worked extra hours and asked to be taught even from the apprentices.
Hope that helps,
Tom

[Sparky#1]

Originally Posted by Mikey D

So how does one get an apprenticeship in welding? I mean, I go to night school for it, but I would love to get even just a helper position. Anyone else know what good unions are to get into? I like to do MIG welding mostly but will learn Stick too. I guess I am just trying to find ways to find jobs ya know? I just want to break into the field somehow and start somewhere so I can get experience and practice until I get certified and then go from there.




I'll be back to check this post on Sunday, going away for the weekend

First of all find out all of the Welding Locals in the Tri-State Area and start making calls. Those would be Plumbers,Steamfitters and Ironworkers Locals. Like someone mentioned the school you attend would be the most helpful to you and probably the quickest way into an apprenticeship and if you get into one just know you will have to got to school for at least 4 to 5 years. Also you have to be persistent when pursuing employment as an apprentice,because you don't get in right away doesn't mean you just throw your hands up and say forget it. Most Locals take application requests every 1 or 2 years and you have follow the instructions to the letter in order to get the application.

[Mikey D]

The pipe fitters union is taking apps soon in my area. I always thought welding pipe would be interesting. I hear its challenging and I love and am always up for a challenge, but its not that aspect that concerns me. I am more worried about even getting accepted, and then having work to work for, considering the state of things in this country. I am honestly surprise they are even taking apps, a lot of other places told me not till 2010 and 2011.

[mastrtcal]

Hey mikey I'm in queens NY mind if I ask you what union in your area that is? Please

[hrdhatdivr]

well mike right off the bat you don't seem to be a go getter . bad attitude
get all these locals addresses and go get applications fill them out . if pipefitter are excepting keep after them . don't worry about what state the economy is in get out there ans persue. it has to get better. just go down and turn in those apps . maybe find someone in the field of pipefitting and try and get a sponsor to get you through faster