Which is better?

[candicane83]

I'm looking to make a change of career. Is it better to go to school for welding, then seek employment? or find a company that allows on the job training?

That's probably a dumb question, but I wanted some feedback.

[TxRedneck]

Learn to weld first, than you can find a job

[Rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by candicane83

I'm looking to make a change of career. Is it better to go to school for welding, then seek employment? or find a company that allows on the job training?

That's probably a dumb question, but I wanted some feedback.

Not at all a dumb question. Look at it from 2 angles. If you have welding as a hobby, then take a class, get decent at it, and when you are confident in the job you do, go job hunting. If you are in need of a job NOW, and can't do anything else (unlikely) look for a job that offers OTJ training. You will work for lower wages, and you will likely move on to another job or 3 quickly, as when you start low, it takes some serious time to go up very far. For sure, no matter what job you get, you will be learning when you are there. The difference isstarting at $8 an hour, or $12-16 an hour.

[candicane83]

I've never actually performed welding before. I have "book" knowledge but, not actual work. My mother has kept me away from that kind of thing because it was too "manly" for a girl. Now that i'm on my own I want to actually perform it. I would honestly prefer OTJ training because I learn better and faster that way as opposed to being in a class and learning. But I may have to break down and take a class because I haven't found any OTJ training positions. Grrrrr Thanks for the suggestions!!!

[zapster]

Originally Posted by Rojodiablo

Not at all a dumb question. Look at it from 2 angles. If you have welding as a hobby, then take a class, get decent at it, and when you are confident in the job you do, go job hunting. If you are in need of a job NOW, and can't do anything else (unlikely) look for a job that offers OTJ training. You will work for lower wages, and you will likely move on to another job or 3 quickly, as when you start low, it takes some serious time to go up very far. For sure, no matter what job you get, you will be learning when you are there. The difference isstarting at $8 an hour, or $12-16 an hour.

12-16$ hr??
now??

thats all??

man that is 1990 pay


...zap!

[candicane83]

so what is 2000's pay rate then?

[zapster]

Originally Posted by candicane83

so what is 2000's pay rate then?

around here?

if your any good...18-22$ hr

...zap!

[candicane83]

that's kick ***!!! One day if I ever get a job in welding I'll make that much. But for a newbie I doubt i'll get that much to start off with.

[bluestreak]

Check into an apprenticeship with one of the trades.. ironworkers, piledrivers, millwrights. Best OJT there is.

[candicane83]

oooooo good idea! thanks!

[Tailshaft56]

Welders are in big demand in the Tulsa OK. area. Some places will do ojt but turn away over 90% of the applicants. Criminal records and drug screens weed them out fast.

[candicane83]

well i'm not a criminal and i don't do drugs so that shouldn't be a problem. i live in houston, tx and there is a demand for welders and pipe fitters, etc. Just trying to find the ones that do OTJ training or as one said earlier an apprenticeship or something.

[Rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by zapster

12-16$ hr??
now??

thats all??

man that is 1990 pay


...zap!

No, not journeyman/ very experienced. I am talking mildly experienced, light production. In Huntington Beach where I am, some of the top welders get a good bit more, but that is for either specialty work, x ray stuff, or fastfast production. $10-12per hr. is pretty common starting wage, at least for the first 30 days.

[chopper5]

here to $10.00 -$12.00 to start welding you have to be very good or luck to get more im both

[candicane83]

even though i'm a very fasy learner i'm not expecting to make that much when and if i do find a job in the field.. one day though!

[JeffB]

Can't say how it compares, but I'm starting out with OJT at $10 an hour. That's with no experience, no training, and no book knowledge. The company has a very nice benefit package though. After I get through 90 days they send me to night welding classes at BOCES(a county technical school) to get real training and my welding certification. Really, an apprenticeship with one of those trade unions would be an ideal choice, but if you can't get in and still want to weld, look up other companies. By the way, I work for Waste Management in the Container Shop, and the company is based in Houston.

[Roy Hodges]

It's too bad that (as far as i know ) real 4 year apprenticeships , such as i went through -U S navy (1965-1969) are long gone . I think the main problem is that no "trade" such as machinists,boilermakers , iron workers will recognise welders as a SEPARATE trade. these (!#@$%! ) people are afraid of welders having their own separite UNION- can you imagine welders having ONE national WELDERS UNION - they would have the power such as the TEAMSTERS - my point is that all those trades
consider welders as PART of their trade , and nothing more . if any body deserves the highest compensation , it is without question the ( certified ) welders . and i am talking about real welders , NOT the guys who have struck an arc with a buz box a few times , and think they are welders . when i went back to Mare Island the second time , they put out a call for 30 welders, thinking they could get them , only testing 300 (!) . they was wrong - they only passed 20 in the X-ray tests . they then tested 200 more to get the last 10 they needed . And , this after making each applicant
do a verticle demo (just a visual fillet ) before allowing them to do the x-ray test plates. Many more were flunked
on the visual and NOT allowed to take the x-ray test . (reason- x-ray tests cost TOO much to test every guy who claims he's (she's) a welder )

[Roy Hodges]

Candicane 83- I hope you know that most females quickly quit welding , after getting some dingleberries down their shirt and burning their boobs, chest etc. maybe this is crude , but it's a fact of life . a welder gets burns all over the body , maybe not as much now, with so many processes replacing stick welding , but something you have to consider .

[Roy Hodges]

And, before you guys yell "what about wearing leathers ?, come on- you know darn well , that most of the welders wear them no more than they think they have to. Hot, and uncomfortable - they are a pain , if you wear them or get a pain , if you don't .

[zapster]

i weld in a t-shirt
you have better protection from uv rays in a dark one other than a light one..

and use this on your arms before you begin...

Attachment 4033



...zap!

[TxRedneck]

lol I hate the feeling of dust on my arms wiht suntan lotion lol

[zapster]

believe it or not that stuff is'nt so bad...

once its "dry"

...zap!

[candicane83]

roy, i'm a hardcore biker that rides all over the country, get banged up bruised, i work on cars and get my hards dirty. i've even been burned. i'm at my most happiest when i'm in there getting my hands dirty and working my *** off and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not like most girly girls, but a lot of people don't see that and won't give me a chance

[zapster]

now just calm down you firecracker

women with spunk is ok in my book....

...zap!

[candicane83]

i'm on the phone with my b/f who is an offshore marine surveyor and he's giving me his lecture on how welding isn't a glamourous job and majority of them are grumpy and hate what they do and stuff like that. do you think all welders are mean and grumpy and hate what they do? oh and he said they yell at you alot.