Can anyone help out a pre-apprentice?

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I'm currently trying to get help through the government(WorkBC) for financial sponsorship to return to school and enter the welding trades, my goal is to get certified as a pressure vessel welder. I have done a lot of research in the BC area regarding training and now I've hit a roadblock.WorkBC wants me to conduct a series of "information interviews" about welding market research, and whether welding will be a viable future career. I have talked to a few welders and one employer. Unfortunately most don't have the time to spare (or are unwilling) for a 15 minute discussion. I was curious if anyone had a few minutes to answer a few questions for me to complete my task. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Please answer the questions which apply to you (employer/employee). any other input greatly appreciated.If you would rather answer this privately, feel free to PM me. Employers:1. What is your current job title, company, and location; briefly describe your responsibilities.2. How did you get into this line of work? What attracted you to this industry?3. What skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are you looking for when you hire someone?4. What particular training and/or education/certifications does a person need and where would you recommend that a person receive this training?5. Do you provide on the job training and if yes, what kind of on the job training is provided?6. Are there any other particular skills that are essential to this position?7. What could someone expect to make in the welding industry?8. What are the employment trends in the welding industry? Is demand going up or down? What particular things have the most influence on the welding industry?9. What are hours of work in the welding industry? How many hours per week? Do you hire primarily full time positions? part time? seasonal?10. What are other kinds of employers hiring in this field? Where could I find openings?11. What does entry level employment look like for this type of work?12. Do you plan on hiring for a junior welder in the next 6 months?Employees:1. your name, company, location, and position?2. How long have you been in this position? How long have you been a welder?3. Describe your duties and responsibilities?4. Did you receive on the job training?5. Where did you attend school, and what course did you study? What are your certifications?6. If you had the opportunity to start a career again, would you do anything differently?7. Are there opportunities for advancement in the welding trade?8. Briefly describe how apprenticeship works and the stages/levels of development.9. What is the current starting salary range for a welding apprentice?10. What are the working conditions of your position? i.e: excessive noise, physically demanding, etc.11. What do you enjoy most about welding? the least?12. Please recommend any further information sources.Thank you everyone for reading my post. Your input will be appreciated.
Reply:wow. thanks for all the overwhelming responses after over 200 views. LOL!
Reply:I could answer the employer side, I own a motorcycle business and welding is not the main focus or qualification but it is a good part of the custom work that I do. I'm not sure if this would help you? If so I will gladly help you out!Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:Originally Posted by Dantheharleyman99I could answer the employer side, I own a motorcycle business and welding is not the main focus or qualification but it is a good part of the custom work that I do. I'm not sure if this would help you? If so I will gladly help you out!
Reply:Basically the same system for 40 years...they want every future student to interview  a half dozen potential employers...things get ridiculous pretty fast.  You got the government saying their strategies are creating thousands of new trade jobs and yet they want you to go out and prove it for them. Realistically no one has time to answer all your questions but go out anyhow and get a business card with a date on it saying you tried.
Reply:Good Hunting, from a hobby weldor in southern California.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:I hear ya on the difficulty of trying to get someone to help out a new guy to the welding field.  A couple of years ago I was to get into that wbc program, go ask the employers/employees questions and report back. I said after the first week, no one is even bothering to stop to look let alone answer a or a few questions.  The other people in my group had fairly good results in there search(but theyre going for non industrial jobs),weeks later, I ended up not getting any help from the government as I couldnt provide any personal job info.  I did however did provide my search, but that wasnt good enough, apparently. I will say if you can plan to be at the shop of choice first thing in the morning with doughnuts and Tim hortons coffee, your mileage might be a bit better. Unfortunately you can only cover a few at a time.