Career change - serious post

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:44:30 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Career change - serious post

Hello all , I'm typing this post from my phone so bare with me if everything it grammatically correct . Title says it , I'm currently looking into a career change and want to get back into the world of welding and pipe fitting , was looking more into the union side of things because of the training I can get.  My local is , local 10 pipefitters steam fitters , richmond , Virginia.  I have a welding and fab and machining background from my previous jobs , about 4 or 5 years experience.  I worked in a job shop for about 3.5 years , and then worked in the non union sector of construction , specifically for ironworker and pipe contractors . I was working on 6010 root , 7018 out 6g pipe test when I quit , and took a more stable position at a plant with benefits and better money . I have a basic understanding of welding and fitting and most basic fabrication . My dream in high school was always to be a welder , and it was hard work but I loved the 1.5 years I spent in construction , but I was always tossed around like a high school girlfriend and was making less money then most of the people in the job that I could do 10 fold what they could . Regaurdless , my wife is finishing nursing school is april we both have worked our asses off for her to quit work for the last 2 years and persue school full time , and she wants me to go out an try to persue my dream . I want to do this the right way , for the long term . And I'm fully expecting to take a pay cut in order to do this if it's even possible to make this work . My main concerns are travel at this point , I have 2 children and me and my wife are trying for a 3rd , I dont want to travel a whole lot . And when I mean travel , I'm saying live away from home for extended periods of time.  What is the trade like for any of you that are in it right now ? Is there enough work in your state for you to make 40 hours a week ? My heart is really in this , and I want to make this work , but I also want to minimize the sacrafice that my family has to make in order for me to do it . If anyone has any kind of recommendations on what I should do , where to start , what questions to ask . I'm all ears . Thanks for reading . Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Reply:Construction is booming. So long as Trump doesn’t get us into a recession it will continue to do so. It is also fickle, so you are never sure how long you will be making good money. You dont say where you are, that matters. In my experience get a job with your local natural gas utility. They offer good training varying job opportunities  and you don’t generally leave the area where you start. This varies from place to place. Otherwise consider welding school, many offer placement upon completion. The quality of placement will vary. Otherwise start considering exactly what you want to weld, and I be be very precise, and then find a small contracting company that does it. Get on with them and you will learn the ins and outs of the business.
Reply:Originally Posted by walkerConstruction is booming. So long as Trump doesn’t get us into a recession it will continue to do so. It is also fickle, so you are never sure how long you will be making good money. You dont say where you are, that matters. In my experience get a job with your local natural gas utility. They offer good training varying job opportunities  and you don’t generally leave the area where you start. This varies from place to place. Otherwise consider welding school, many offer placement upon completion. The quality of placement will vary. Otherwise start considering exactly what you want to weld, and I be be very precise, and then find a small contracting company that does it. Get on with them and you will learn the ins and outs of the business.
Reply:All unions are different . Chicago has a welding Hybrid program where after ''X'' amount of time practicing , you can take the welding test. IF you pass you maybe admitted as a second year apprentice. https://www.pftf597.org/applications/programs/Check with your local for info. I'm retired UNION PIPEFITTER with 50 years in and still kicking while enjoying my pension and awesome healthcare.
Reply:Originally Posted by walkerConstruction is booming. So long as Trump doesn’t get us into a recession it will continue to do so.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1All unions are different . Chicago has a welding Hybrid program where after ''X'' amount of time practicing , you can take the welding test. IF you pass you maybe admitted as a second year apprentice. https://www.pftf597.org/applications/programs/Check with your local for info. I'm retired UNION PIPEFITTER with 50 years in and still kicking while enjoying my pension and awesome healthcare.
Reply:good luck!!lincoln 125spmonkey wards 250 ac/dcmiller 211 w/spool gunahp  200 sx tiglotos ltp5000dof course duramax diesel
Reply:Originally Posted by duramax-robgood luck!!
Reply:Yeah, good luck, let us know how it goes down.  One of the things about career welding is that there are so many ways to go, and every route has its own set of pros and cons.-RuarkLincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate LX235TWECO Fabricator 211i
Reply:Originally Posted by RuarkYeah, good luck, let us know how it goes down.  One of the things about career welding is that there are so many ways to go, and every route has its own set of pros and cons.
Reply:As you know welding OR fitting pipe is a part of the job. There's more to pipefitting than just welding.Today YOU need to sell yourself and the more you know and can do the greater chance of working all year. Sadly many guys just want to weld. That's great until you run out of welding work. A welder person is a tool that can be locked up in the gang box at the end of day.It's gonna take many years to learn depending on what type of work the shop does. Some may commercial work, others all refrigeration, another warehouses, hospital, industrial, or high rises. You can ask what the PIPEFITTERS scope of work is in your area. I think you'll be surprised what it envolves. Listen but don't hesitate to ask questions. This might be the way you get in. It might not hurt to have a resume to give them. Remember , you want to present yourself ready to accept any challenges they have. Good Luck and please let me know if I can help.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1As you know welding OR fitting pipe is a part of the job. There's more to pipefitting than just welding.Today YOU need to sell yourself and the more you know and can do the greater chance of working all year. Sadly many guys just want to weld. That's great until you run out of welding work. A welder person is a tool that can be locked up in the gang box at the end of day.It's gonna take many years to learn depending on what type of work the shop does. Some may commercial work, others all refrigeration, another warehouses, hospital, industrial, or high rises. You can ask what the PIPEFITTERS scope of work is in your area. I think you'll be surprised what it envolves. Listen but don't hesitate to ask questions. This might be the way you get in. It might not hurt to have a resume to give them. Remember , you want to present yourself ready to accept any challenges they have. Good Luck and please let me know if I can help.
Reply:You can always change jobs again. Nothing to lose.www.urkafarms.com
Replyots of them are plumbers and steamfitters. Also water pipe is plumbers work.  Use welding to carry you along and get a plumbers licence in your pocket.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:So for all of those that's wished me luck . I'll say the whole meeting with the local went alot better then expected . I'm going back on the 27th they want to test me a little to see if they can place me as 3rd year or 2nd year apprentice . They want to see where I'm at eith my welding which makes me a little nervous considering I havent struck an arc in almost 5 years . But the guy told me if I can root a pipe on 6g with 6010 that I'll be a 3rd year going in . Which I'm confident I can still do . The benefits package they offer is amazing . And i was already prepared for the pay cut I'm going to take , but they are going to do everytbing they can to get me into 3rd year placement before next april , even offering practice time to me on mondays and Saturdays untill April of next year.  So thanks to everyone who wished me luck , I dont think this opportunity could have gotten any better . Now I just need to find somewhere to burn some rods before the 27th . LolSent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by l0w n slowSo for all of those that's wished me luck . I'll say the whole meeting with the local went alot better then expected . I'm going back on the 27th they want to test me a little to see if they can place me as 3rd year or 2nd year apprentice . They want to see where I'm at eith my welding which makes me a little nervous considering I havent struck an arc in almost 5 years . But the guy told me if I can root a pipe on 6g with 6010 that I'll be a 3rd year going in . Which I'm confident I can still do . The benefits package they offer is amazing . And i was already prepared for the pay cut I'm going to take , but they are going to do everytbing they can to get me into 3rd year placement before next april , even offering practice time to me on mondays and Saturdays untill April of next year.  So thanks to everyone who wished me luck , I dont think this opportunity could have gotten any better . Now I just need to find somewhere to burn some rods before the 27th . LolSent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1That's great !  When I tested we always had 3/32 to 1/8" gap between coupons.Did they say what schedule pipe  ? Our test were 2" and 6" schedule 160. Besides local test certification most jobs have their own testing too. That's lots of welding. Good luck!  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by l0w n slowNow I just need to find somewhere to burn some rods before the 27th . LolSent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by MetalMan23I was gonna say man start burning some rods! You gotta brush up quick, that's great if they'll let u start as a 3rd year, Good luck,  I'm a little older than you, I've thought of going the union route before but I have a pretty good paying job right now, Hope it works out well for u and your family Sent from my moto g(6) plus using Tapatalk
Reply:[QUOTE=MetalMan23;8716808]I was gonna say man start burning some rods! You gotta brush up quick, that's great if they'll let u start as a 3rd year, Good luck,  I'm a little older than you, I've thought of going the union route before but I have a pretty good paying job right now, Hope it works out well for u and your family UNIIN jobs have great pay, benefits, 401K,and pension . I'm retired and my pension and health insurance is amazing  !  Health care is extremely important. I know friends that pay $1200.00 a month ! That's crazy. I hope you have insurance and at least a 401 K.  I never thought about it at all when I was young. Now being retired for 8 years and collecting it is amazing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:[QUOTE=BD1;8716825] Originally Posted by MetalMan23I was gonna say man start burning some rods! You gotta brush up quick, that's great if they'll let u start as a 3rd year, Good luck,  I'm a little older than you, I've thought of going the union route before but I have a pretty good paying job right now, Hope it works out well for u and your family UNIIN jobs have great pay, benefits, 401K,and pension . I'm retired and my pension and health insurance is amazing  !  Health care is extremely important. I know friends that pay $1200.00 a month ! That's crazy. I hope you have insurance and at least a 401 K.  I never thought about it at all when I was young. Now being retired for 8 years and collecting it is amazing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Just an update,  So everything went ok , my welding could have been alot better , but being almost 6 years since I have I could have done worse . There was no written test , and they gave me some basic center in center 90 ° fit ups which I did know what to do on those.  My welds looks horrible and were all attempted in 6g position.  But I got a decent root in all of the 4 welds made . My struggle came down to set up and not being comfortable and slightly nervous the entire time . I have forgotten alot on what amps to run with what rods and alot of technique but I left there knowing I can improve and what I need to improve on. Needless to say the instructor is a real cool guy , very helpful and knowledgeable.  The business agent and recruiter is also a awesome guy.  They must have liked something because they offered me an open door to attend any classes I may be able to on there schedule up untill next April when I plan on making the move . So I guess we will see how things go from here , the business agent once was a fitter/welder . He is confident I can knock some certs out before I start in April so they can give me a real jump in pay.  Thabks all Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk