Hiring older guys new to the industry?

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Hello, I am looking into going to a welding school and have been scouring the internet for information about welding as a profession. Some of what I've read is concerning to me. for example one guy's website states that you get severe burns daily and after a while your arms are scarred up permanently. Along with loss of eyesight and lung issues. The main thing that worries me is my age. I'm 37 and am trying to change careers from pest control to welding. I've come across some sites that say that companies don't like to hire guys my age that are new to the field. Can anyone weigh in on that for me? I'd hate to spend 7k and end up not finding work once my schooling is completed.
Reply:as a welder/fabricator it takes about 10 years to be at the top of your game. you'll be almost 50 then.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:I can't speak to the age thing, except to say this -- a benefit of an older employee is that they're likely more emotionally and financially stable than a younger employee.  Most employees who have problems at home will bring them to work.  Also, older guys have seen more things happen and are likely to understand and appreciate safety rules more than the younger guys who still think they're invicible. Originally Posted by Kevin G.one guy's website states that you get severe burns daily and after a while your arms are scarred up permanently. Along with loss of eyesight and lung issues.
Reply:Burns are part of the experience .  Like stated wear the right gear. As you become experienced you should have less chance of getting real burns. Experience is the best teacher. You'll learn how to put your body in positions to avoid it. Granted there will be times when getting a shlt load of sparks shot at you and cannot be avoided. As for age, I'm retired UNION FITTER / WELDER and have not any lung issues. As for eyesight I wear glasses since 12 years old. Had some burns here and there but nothing worthy to mount on a wall.     The important issue is to be happy with what you do and want to go to work to do it. Depending on choice of employer you may have to travel. It would be beneficial for you to post your location. A member maybe close and give some local info as of work available and wages. Whatever you do , do it the best you can. You gotta sell yourself in todays workforce. Good luck !
Reply:I am in west Columbia South Carolina. If the safety gear will negate the daily scarring and hot slag going down my shirt throughout my shift then I'm ok with that. The age thing still concerns me because like one poster mentioned it takes 10 years to get good and that is something I have found everywhere I've looked. It has me wondering if I'll be able to get a company to take a chance on me. I don't drink or smoke or have any home life issues that could follow me into work which I think helps but I think employers may be polarized by the idea that I'll be 50 by the time I'm an experienced welder. Kind of discouraging.
Reply:Look at the bright side, if you can proof they are passing over potential employee based on the age alone, you can probably retire with the settlement from the age discrimination law suite.
Reply:I believe that thinking has changed in general because of the quality of the young American worker.  The youngins now are cell phone driven and don't care about their jobs too much.  I like older workers, not as energetic, but get the job done better.  You're unlikely to be hired into a place with younger guys, you just won't fit in The same way.  The only other issue is the damn pension laws which make you favor a younger employee.  You need to put away the same BENEFIT for all employees, not the same AMOUNT.  So if you're 60, they'll need to put $10,000 away for you to have $12,000 at retirement.  They only have to put $200 in for the same amount at retirement for a 20 year old.  That is the sad truth, so it disincentivizes you to hire older people.  At 37, I don't think you'll have many problems.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Not sure the 10 year learning curve is exclusive to welding and fab work. There is a learning curve in any skilled craft, and you would have to go thru that with any change in craft. Mike
Reply:37?  No problem.If you are taking care of yourself, you could work into your 60s. If I was 37 and know what I know now, I would be welding on bridges. I gotta a thing about bridges. And they are falling down around us. Mig and tig is my gig, and yes it would take about 10 years for the metal to understand you and bend to your will. But perhaps by that time you will be a supervisor or inspector.Last edited by shovelon; 09-16-2014 at 08:51 PM.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:You have quite a ways to go before you are not hired because of your age. There comes an age when people tend not to want to learn new things.I think I would rather shoot myself dead than to have to look forward to being a welder all day. A well rounded welder is a hell of an arrow to have in your quiver but electicity is so beautiful.
Reply:don't put too much emphasis on age.  has anyone seen pretty boy floyd mayweather fight? he's 37 and get's around that ring like a 20 year old.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:You have been working pest control and feel comfortable with this job . Welding is the same thing, after welding for awhile you become comfortable with it. Both jobs have there dangers, all jobs have there dangers. Some people feel dealing with chemicals is very dangerous , but if you follow safety rules you are good. Go for it get the most out of life.
Reply:Just wanted to thank everyone that posted for taking the time to reply. You've been a big help and I am going to take a tour of the local school out here and try to ask the recruiter as many questions as I can in an effort to continue my research so I can make an informed decision. I am not ready for the nursing home yet but at 37, I just want to know that whatever I decide to devote myself to learning as a career for the next few years is the best choice for me. I don't want to be in this position again at 47. Thanks again.
Reply:Originally Posted by Kevin G.Hello, I am looking into going to a welding school and have been scouring the internet for information about welding as a profession. Some of what I've read is concerning to me. for example one guy's website states that you get severe burns daily and after a while your arms are scarred up permanently. Along with loss of eyesight and lung issues. The main thing that worries me is my age. I'm 37 and am trying to change careers from pest control to welding. I've come across some sites that say that companies don't like to hire guys my age that are new to the field. Can anyone weigh in on that for me? I'd hate to spend 7k and end up not finding work once my schooling is completed.
Reply:Originally Posted by Gerry1964Hi KevinTry not to listen to the scaremongers, all that crap that you get severe burns and your arms are scarred up is rubbish, what do these people do to get injuries like that, weld in the nude??, As for anything industrial you do need to have a sense of responsibility in looking after yourself and others, for example always wear a shield/ helmet when welding and ensure fumes are taken care off by using either local exhaust ventilation or natural ventilation.Apart from that, what type of welding do you want to do? do you just want to weld or fabricate too?? You can do all different types of welding, and i would say mig is far the easiest to learn, if you can get a job doing production mig welding to start, then you'll soon pick up and learn new things, But production mig welding is often very repetitive and boring, it could mean a alot of Jig work, but at least you'll learn to mig, but don't expect the money to be good doing that.You may find it hard to accept that younger people that are qualified will probably be on a lot more money than you and i can't really see employers paying you much more than an apprentice rate, since your learning as you work, can you afford to live on that kind of money for a few years??
Reply:So, if money is OK, start now as a helper (do helper jobs still exist?). Then start a night school welding program.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:I think the worst thing you can do, if you really want to make a change in your life is search the internet and get depressed by all the negativity that is on the internet. don't let what you read on websites discourage you! I had a big problem with this as well,  you will always wonder what if, I did the same exact thing before I started welding, and now I'm about to finish school and I absolutely love it...even all the burns!
Reply:Go for it!The burns aren't so bad, you grow to enjoy them Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:You don't say where you are geographically.  If you are in pipeline country and learn to pipeline weld chances of a job are greater than if you are in rural Mississippi.Here's a page with pretty pictures and stats:http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes514121.htm#st
Reply:Originally Posted by newburyYou don't say where you are geographically.  If you are in pipeline country and learn to pipeline weld chances of a job are greater than if you are in rural Mississippi.Here's a page with pretty pictures and stats:http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes514121.htm#st
Reply:Look- you are already in the top 10%- you WANT to change, you have had the INITITIVE to find a place to ask questions, and you want to LEARN- that "ten year" stuff- may be true, as an average- but , with your atitude, if you work hard and take every opportunity to learn, you are gonna be well ahead of the rest. Study your butt off, let the instructor know you are not just there killing time-there is nothing a teacher likes better than someone really serious about learning. you are still young- if you go through school and have to take a boring job to make the bill's , then go back to night school and learn some more-or get good in a particular area, and be the guy folks go to in your area because you have pushed yourself to be the best at what you do.  you will never stop learning, nobody is ever as good as they could be, but the first steps are the hardest-that is when the learning curve is steepest.
Reply:Thanks again to everyone who replied. You have all been very helpful and encouraging. I am going to talk to the recruiter at arclabs to take a tour of the facility as soon as I can and hopefully I can report back that I have taken the first steps up the mountain in the near future.
Reply:Cool! Let us know how it goes.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Kevin G & All,I'm not a Pro Welder to Give Out Specific Advice. I'm 65 (retired) and have number of friends in the business & a couple of them own their own welding shop.From my perspective... being a welder is a...  A Ok Profession. You can make a fair buck too; it may/ will depend on where you are located and job availability. If you become a certified welder, more bucks. Some folks make a good buck, perhaps a great buck as a certified welder. Not everyone has the skill level to pass the different cert's and do it very six months or annually. I'm going out on a limb here, and thinking what I'd get into at (37) if I was looking to change my Job Profession.  I'm concerned about where our country is going in the next five years.  We might nose dive as far as being a productive country. Welding jobs and others like it may become a dime a dozen.. I sincerely hope not.  My pick of jobs in the future -- Security Installers, Lock Smiths, combined on-site with Computer Repair & Service.  I'd go one further with HVAC... nearly everyone needs heating and cooling for their home or business.  I took HVAC from a home study school and it was very good course for my own repair of my heating & cooling. Home study schools offer - Lock Smith, Computer Repair, HVAC and lots more.  I was going to order in the -- HVAC, Lock Smith and Computer Repair Courses for my Son. I already have the technical skills to tutor my Son in these 3 areas. I advised him to seek out a job with a local HVAC company to reality learn the HVAC business. Later on, I buy him a repair truck. tool it with the most common HVAC parts & tooling. He could/ would develop this business into a very profitable business.  Everyone, needs HVAC, Computer repair. Security Systems in there Home & Business. I offered to buy out a local Ma & Pa Lock Smith Shop that they were selling/retiring from their long term business, they were both in their 70's. I realized that my son was too young to be interested in being part of an established Lock Smith business.   Now, we all know that a 19 year old does not have the maturity to recognize a good gig to make some serious money and be his own boss. Some of You All may like my idea (HVAC, Security Systems, Computer Repair)  is A Ok. It would not take big bucks to get yourself set up in business.. perhaps $ 25 K or so. You could/ should develop your business as you worked your present job until you had a clientele built up. Just for your curiosity, I'm a retired army pilot and aircraft mechanic & other skills. My Son is in his 2nd semester to become a -- FAA Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic. However, his mind is not right (yet) to be in this business. He's careless and going to A & P school to make good $$$ money.  Currently, I would not let him within 50 feet of an aircraft. His mind is on cell phones (texting, etc.) and video games. One of the guys (above) brought this up (younger folks) in your post and I had to smile & frown at the same time (they have a different mind set).  The other job profession is -- Law Enforcement/ Prison Guards. My father was a -- Guard/ Tradesmen Instructor in PA. He retired with excellent benefits and made a good buck.  However, working around/ guarding inmates is not for everyone. I will say.. it's a growing business, the USA is tops for putting folks in the slammer & No# 1 in the world. My purpose was Not to Derail you from being a Welder.  I always enjoyed (welding) fixing things, rewarding job and was fun too. When tour a welding school.... be advised that some schools are sort of a rip off.  They take you money and if you get something out of it.. Ok, if Not OK too. Take a look at the what the graduating students say about this school in their reviews.... this will speak volumes about this school.  The Best to You, Avery BakerLast edited by HighFly27; 09-30-2014 at 04:38 AM.Reason: mistakes** Live Life as If There's No Tomorrow, then, You'll have a Number of Remembrance Smiles as You Prepare to Meet your Maker **Miller(s) 251 w/ Spool Gun 30 A, Big 40, Trailblazer 250 G.; IdealArc 400, SA-200, Classic SA-300, High Freq. Tig., LN-25.
Reply:Hi, I was 60 when I got retrenched from my 17 year desk job and had to go back to the bench.......nobody wants you at 60 so when I got a 3 hours twice a week part time offer for a local welder as a help out for his "busy" time, I went for it.......ended up after 4 weeks as a 4 hour 5 day week part timer mornings only, 8am to midday.I've welded on an off for the last 50 years, but you'd have to point me to the rods and say "use those" etc......so the fact that I fell in with the guy for 3 years mornings only makes me a quick learner or a gifted amateur.....whatever, he paid me the top going rate.Your big problem is you won't like the low wages that apprentices get when they start out in their early twenties, but not having any experience means you are a raw beginner and an oldie at that.If you have a wife, mortgage, car payments or other outgoings on your back....learning from the beginning will make you want to have a night time job too just to get the money to pay the bus fare to the job.Now I weld for fun at home.Ian.