Career

[Anonymous4-11]

I'm interested in welding as a career but I'm not sure about how to get started and I don't
want to go to school, since I'll be moving from MN to CA. Would I have to find some apprenticeship somewhere?
Or join a union? If I had to join a union how would I go about that? Or even apprenticeships,
where should I be looking?

[EvilBunny]

I'm interested in welding as a career but I'm not sure about how to get started and I don't
want to go to school, since I'll be moving from MN to CA. Would I have to find some apprenticeship somewhere?
Or join a union? If I had to join a union how would I go about that? Or even apprenticeships,
where should I be looking?

http://www.calapprenticeship.org/ if your looking to be an apprentice.

[Daniel-B]

I started by getting hired as a labour in the biggest fab and repair shop I could find, I never said no or argue about what I was told to do. I always did more then I should. And they givve me chances to try on little jobs, I really listen to my more experience co-worker and I always ask question when I wasn't sure.
Went to school every time I had my hours to do my next year certification.
Good luck getting in an apprenticeship with the union if you don't have your first year.
But that's me in a million and in Canada.

[92dlxman]

depends on where you are in california. where i am, Its tough to survive as a union welder. not enough work cause unions have to charge too much.

[Anonymous4-11]

It would be Southern California

[docwelder]

I started by getting hired as a labour in the biggest fab and repair shop I could find, I never said no or argue about what I was told to do. I always did more then I should. And they givve me chances to try on little jobs, I really listen to my more experience co-worker and I always ask question when I wasn't sure.
Went to school every time I had my hours to do my next year certification.
Good luck getting in an apprenticeship with the union if you don't have your first year.
But that's me in a million and in Canada.

with that can do attitude chances are you would do well in any occupation or shop you landed in.

[CEP]

I went through my building trades apprenticeship in Oakland California. Before you apply for any apprenticeship, brush up on your math! That will make or break you getting into any apprenticeship.

[mikecwik]

If you could expand on I am interested in a welding career a little.

[92dlxman]

another option is a state recognized "meritt shop" apprentice.

private companies need to hire accredited apprentices (either union or through the type of program im talking about) to do public works projects.

the company i work for is so anti-union its almost funny, so they indentured me in one of these programs as a plumbing apprentice. i welded all kinds of pipe as an apprentice "plumber", and made more than any of my co-workers doing it. pay is determined by the program and is basically union scale. so as long as you work your hours and go to your classes, you get a mandatory raise every six months.

you can also sign yourself up to do this and the program will lease you out to private contractors that call and ask for you. that is the way most guys do it, and if you have half a brain and 3/4 of a work ethic, you stay pretty busy. the real benefit is that when your done, your called a "journeyman" and you know a thing or two about your trade, and job security is pretty good after that.

http://www.abcnorcal.org/

gloss that link over and see what you think, just be warned, unions are trying constantly to kill these type of programs because they put their guys out of work. districts with strong union forces in one trade can legislate exclusion of these programs for ALL trades if they can swing votes their way. its aways cut-throat out there so make wise decisions.