Shipyard question?

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Hello, I'm about to graduate from a local technical college's welding program and I'm thinking of going to work in a shipyard to put back money and start my own mobile welding business. I'm going to have to relocate to work in the shipyard though and was wondering which areas that do shipbuilding would you recommend going to work at?
Reply:Self employment can a hard road. You must be dedicated to be Self employed and flexible too. The easy way is the job but they can run out of work.  Dave

Originally Posted by Odysseus

Hello, I'm about to graduate from a local technical college's welding program and I'm thinking of going to work in a shipyard to put back money and start my own mobile welding business. I'm going to have to relocate to work in the shipyard though and was wondering which areas that do shipbuilding would you recommend going to work at?
Reply:Thanks for the advice!
Reply:why u fixated on ship yard, or whats someone(s) telling u ?     not, sure, but id think most places by water w/ something goin on, would be high rent district, so might be hard to save $.   at least by me it is.     ive seen ads for ship welders in "aLAMEDA CALIF" for ship welders, saying bring ur own whip  for a test/tryout.     i suppose alsaka woudnt be such a high rent/desireable place to rent   and id think there would be repairs on ship/boats there,  maybe save some $ there if the environment doesnt drive u to drink       not a thing or type of crowd id be attracted too.Last edited by 123weld; 1 Week Ago at 11:04 PM.
Reply:Thanks, I may get into construction or fabrication instead.
Reply:There also repair too.Dave

Originally Posted by Odysseus

Thanks, I may get into construction or fabrication instead.
Reply:The Electric Boat division of General Dynamics is here in Groton, CT and they are building the Virginia class submarines. They can't hire welders fast enough. They are advertising on local TV all the time for welders, painters, pipe fitters, etc. I read somewhere they are paying $80K per year for welders, but not sure how much experience you need to make that kind of money.  https://careers-gdeb.icims.com/jobs/...hed=-625976242  Cost of living in that part of the state is not too bad either, relative to some other parts of CT and the NY metro areaMiller Multimatic 255
Reply:Don't rule out refineries.  There is one in my town, and they hire out most of their welding work to outside contractors.  I've got a bunch of furnished rental houses that I rent out to the traveling contractors.Furnished houses in Coffeyville Kansas.  Weekly rental rates.  All bills paid. Full kitchen, washer/dryer, cable/wifi.  For traveling workers.
Reply:A ship yard might be a good place to get experience, never worked in one.  Learn your skill maybe jump around to find what you like and when you think you know something, get fired and start your own thing!   Been self employed since 2003 and loving it!It seemed like a good idea at the time!
Reply:Seen a couple really good young welders come from ship work.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:How hunting going.It is a hard decision 😪 I spent 40 years self employment. The I was disabled then work federal government with a small retirement from the federal government with ssa. Myself if I had to do over agin I would do  repair welding on a pickup with a few tools like lathe and press. There is a lot money in repairs for someone that has the right tools on a pickup. Dave  

Originally Posted by Odysseus

Thanks, I may get into construction or fabrication instead.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Sberry

Seen a couple really good young welders come from ship work.
Reply:Ya, I met a couple then 23 or so that were just joining Ironwork.  One very clearly one of the best I ever see considering,,, he said, yes, burn a box of rod and move a foot or 2.  Its not something I might want to stay at but a couple years there and the trades like you.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Bath Iron Works in Maine is a General Dynamics operation and they too are advertising for all trades constantly. Its a nice area if the cold winters are somethig you can tolerate.
Reply:Many people, when you say "ship welding," automatically think, "Newport News."  That's up in Virginia, a huge, huge place where they build aircraft carriers and nuclear subs.  I hear mixed reviews on what it's like to live in NN, but the people who work at the Huntington-Ingalls shipyard seem to love it with a passion.  Do some YouTube searching for it.Just remember, there are a MILLION different ways to get into welding.-Ruark"Become one with the puddle, grasshopper" - Welding InstructorLincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate LX235TWECO Fabricator 211i