Future for welders!

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Hi,As I have just turned 23 and I am training welder..what's is the future like for welders! Economy wise?At the moment..do you welders find it easy to pick up a new job? Or is jobs for welders tight at the moment?In the U.S and Canada how do you guys find it?In Ireland we are in a massive recession so there's no work in any sector really hence the massive emigration to Canada and Australia!!From what I read there is a massive demand for welders across the world and that there is not enough qualified welders..In reality is this true? What does the future hold!
Reply:There's a "demand" all right, but like most things the media puts out, the "facts" seldom fits the "reality".Most of the jobs in "demand" are those where the skill level needs to be high, usually in industries and locations where working conditions are tough. There may be "jobs" but there's still a limited quantity of them. On average these higher paying jobs aren't entry level and with the experience requirements the pool of acceptable candidates is fairly low. On the other hand things are a bit different with entry level jobs. Again these jobs are often dependent on the area, and pay and bennies are usually low. Mostly they are high production repetitive type jobs and the working conditions and low pay usually leads to a high turnover, thus the constant need for more "fodder" to fill them. You'll see there's a "demand" for pipeline welders, but chances you can fill one of those spots with limited experience is nill. You'll find solid mid paying jobs to be hard to find. The problem is the same all over, the poor economy. There's simply not enough chairs for everyone to sit down when the music stopped. As more and more companies close up or downsize, there are fewer chairs, but more people looking for a seat. Older welders can't afford to retire and newer ones don't have the experience to land the better jobs.  Guys with more experience are willing to take jobs that were "beneath" them a while back at a lower wage, simply to try to eek out a living and survive. This allows employers to be picky and only take the best with the most experience and pay them what they would have for entry level employees a few years back. Add to this the number of guys working below cost in the gray market economy on the side....No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by PaddypowerIn the U.S and Canada how do you guys find it?
Reply:work is picking up along the Gulf Coast, there's plenty of work down here for welders now.
Reply:If you are willing "follow the oil" there is usually work to be found.  It's not all pipeline there is a lot of fabrication work associated with the oil fields.
Reply:As a co-owner in a manufacturing company in the metal industry, I can tell you that business is rotten right now.  Expansion for the majority of major manufacturing companies is slim to non existent.  Customers I used to have, have since sought out the same product we manufacture, yet get it done in China now.   That's just reality.  We continue to barely make a profit, just to keep 33 full time employees working.  Otherwise, my partner and I would just easily close the doors and liquidate all property at a loss.  I don't need the second career because I have a second one to survive.  However, my employees don't have that luxury. For welding......... Sh!t, America just isn't building like we used to.  Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcFor welding......... Sh!t, America just isn't building like we used to.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPSooner than later our politicians will have to realize this, and stop sending our tax dollars abroad, and start rebuilding this country!
Reply:We (shell) just put out a ad for journeymen fitter/welders. Pay rate is $39.XX per hour. There were 75 ish applicants out of those applicants the top 11 were tested (6" 6G SMAW ASME IX) only 3 could even make it past the root and 2 of those three who passed were borderline failing they just passed because it was a 6" not 2"...I'd say there is a serious lack of code welders out west.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPIt is real simple here! Call the hall, ask for the dispatcher, tell him to put your name on the out of work list.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWProblem with that is around here none of the unions are adding any guys. Even then it will be a few years before you are doing any big money work if you get taken in as an apprentice.
Reply:Southern Indiana is preparing to start fracking for shale oil and gas, so I would think its going to start picking up in that area, they are saying within the next year..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by brucerSouthern Indiana is preparing to start fracking for shale oil and gas, so I would think its going to start picking up in that area, they are saying within the next year..