Welders helper

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So I am in welding school in the middle of a 10 week course. I have learned a lot but I just feel that a 10 week course can't possibly prepare me for a career in welding. We only briefly covered blueprints and I am sure there is a whole world of things I am just not ready for and have made up my mind that I will be looking for job as a welders helper once I get out of school. The other students are going to try to join unions and become welders and I wish them the best of luck but I just don't think any of us will be truly ready in my opinion. I'm hoping that I will get assigned to a welder that will give me an on the job education but I've heard a few horror stories about pranking and bullying directed at helpers. I don't mind a few jokes or even making me run around doing a few fake errands that don't exist now again so that everyone gets a laugh as long as I'm getting something out of it. I don't want to be the entertainment all day for the experienced workers and not get the any learning done. Can anyone tell me what I can expect out of being a helper? Will they teach me what I need to know and will they make my life a living hell while I'm a helper?
Reply:Generally they will only pick on you for a little while. How you handle it, will tell how long it goes on, and to what extent. I was lucky, I never got picked on much. People in other trades were more than willing to show me anything I wanted to learn about their trade. My last job as an apprentice was with all union pipe fitters and pipe welders. The pipe welders would have their fitter come find me so I could watch them make critical welds.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Totally depends who you work with. Some will be jerks others will be very helpful. Just dont give up because your getting grief due to not knowing everything yet. Welding is a rougher crowd.
Reply:Your 10 weeks is better than the guy with none. Even in the union you don't just start off welding. What you want is to find a place that will give you a welding apprenticeship. You may or may not be welding right away depending on the work they do but in the end they want you to become a licensed welder. If the union wants apprentices, nothing wrong trying to get in with them. Unfortunately, there are some jerks but if you have a good foreman makes a difference. I was working as a fairly new pressure welder and another welder was complaining about me to me. It was on night shift and I asked him if the day shift foreman had said anything and he said yes. Odd nobody said anything to me? I mentioned it to the night shift foreman who was a great guy. He knew I was new at pressure welding and thought it would be good experience. He told me no one had said anything and as long as my x-rays passed to ignore the other welder as no one had any complaints about my work. I found out later that another welder was hired that was friends with the one complaining about me. The complainer wanted to get me kicked off pipe spooling so his buddy could come and work beside him. The complainer was such a total jerk! He wore a $1200 triple filtered helmet yet was a smoker. In his own defense, he smoked the lowest tar cigarettes. You couldn't eat seafood in the lunch room because he was allergic. He decided he liked my employee number better because it matched his birthday so naturally just switched with me. Too bad for him the payroll guy was standing by the time clock when this idiot tried to switch numbers. He was promptly told you can't switch your payroll number with somebody else... Just stupid! I did get the last laugh though. This fool who had been there several month's before me was laid off a couple weeks before Christmas and didn't get a bonus. I did and then about a month and a half later, the laid off employee's were called back. The manager had an impromptu meeting and explained they had lots of work but unfortunately the people called back from lay off wouldn't be receiving any bonuses. Man was that sweet revenge and I didn't have to do anything!!! In my head I was thinking, "It sucks to be you". Attitude is everything. Try to get along with everyone and learn as much as you can and don't complain too much. I think people feel more important if you ask them questions about how to do things. I always take it as a compliment if someone asks me for advice or how to do something.Last edited by Welder Dave; 02-01-2015 at 07:15 PM.
Reply:i been a welder a long time and have worked lot's of jobs, some big and other's not so big. what worked for me was giving it my best shot every day not worrying what the other guy was doing. the new guy's are always in for a razzing but it's never mean spirited. where i work unless you have 10+ years you are the new guy.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Usually it's not mean spirited but check out the threads from a few weeks ago talking about welder pranks. There's some in there that would land the prankster in the hospital or worse if they pulled it on the right person.
Reply:Everyone's replies have put me at ease. I may look into an apprenticeship with a union as well then. I just want further instruction on the job. The day I decide to stop apply for a job as a welder I want to be sure that I am proficient in at least the things my employer will expect of me. I am learning a lot at school and I think I will be ahead of the game when I get out as far as helpers go. It'll be nice to make the good money that welders can make one of these days but it will be better to have the skill to be able to hold onto the job that pays like that.
Reply:Originally Posted by Kevin G.it will be better to have the skill to be able to hold onto the job that pays like that.
Reply:I have been a helper for a year now, as far a learning how to weld as a helper, didn't happen for me. You need seat time with a stinger or a torch, neither you will operate as a helper. I have two certs. Got them taking a class after work three hours ever day for 6 months.  What I mean is the actual welding that you learn will be on your own time, at break time, during lunch and after work.
Reply:only 10 week course? sounds very short, IMO.here in BC the welding foundation is 7 months. stick with it. your skills will grow, and work will get better in time.
Reply:Originally Posted by KsnyderI have been a helper for a year now, as far a learning how to weld as a helper, didn't happen for me. You need seat time with a stinger or a torch, neither you will operate as a helper. I have two certs. Got them taking a class after work three hours ever day for 6 months.  What I mean is the actual welding that you learn will be on your own time, at break time, during lunch and after work.
Reply:Ksnyder I guess it depends on what quality of work you guys are doing. Generally most welders are more than glad to let someone else weld for awhile, and they'll go do something else. I know I was that way. One time it really bit me in the butt bad. My partner wanted to get some hood time, so I got him all set up to weld. Only thing for me to do was build some log cabin supports out of 12” x 12” creosote timbers. I threw my lower back out carrying those timbers on my shoulder! I should have stayed behind the hood and let him pack the timbers.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I think it's good you wanna be a helper.  That's how I started out.  My best advice is LISTEN, ASK QUESTIONS, HAVE AN OPEN MIND,ALWAYS TRY!  Good luck man!!!