Beginning a career in Welding

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Hey guys,I'm 17 and will be out of school in a few months. I love working with my hands and have been making stuff out of wood for years. Metal has fascinated me and soldering my guitars and cables just isn't making it for me anymore. I want to get into heavy duty welding. Some things I would like to know about-The Industry (Could I make a career out of welding? is it on the way up or the way out? Do all markets have a need for qualified welders or is it a regional thing?)-Education/Certification (How many years of schooling does it take to get the bare minimum/maximum certification? How long of an apprenticeship is recommended? Can I take the classes at a typical community college or would a specific vocational school be recommended?)-The Tools (Are there any books or a welders dictionary type thing I could start reading to learn the lingo and tools ect? )I think that about sums up my initial curiosity.Don't feel the need to answer all of them, just help where you can would be great.Thanks a ton
Reply:best bet is to get a hold of your local union hall be it boilermakers or fitters and find out if they are taking apprentices in.their schooling is top notch and is free for you unlike going to a separate school.the local hall will all so find /put you to work and you will earn a fair wage for your skills.That cant be said for many jobs on the outside.They will allso help you get your certs and teach you all aspects of the field. There is a need for welders especially since the baby boomers are getting ready to retire.After the arc has died the weld remains
Reply:You’re asking the right questions. There are many ways to go, from hands on welder to formal education as a welding engineer. Maybe get a taste of welding and later get more education and certifications. Some welders never touch a stinger, they setup robot welders, still need to know welding. The military is always looking for welders, people that can learn.
Reply:Originally Posted by Boilermaker237best bet is to get a hold of your local union hall be it boilermakers or fitters and find out if they are taking apprentices in.their schooling is top notch and is free for you unlike going to a separate school.the local hall will all so find /put you to work and you will earn a fair wage for your skills.That cant be said for many jobs on the outside.They will allso help you get your certs and teach you all aspects of the field. There is a need for welders especially since the baby boomers are getting ready to retire.
Reply:Originally Posted by transitYou’re asking the right questions. There are many ways to go, from hands on welder to formal education as a welding engineer. Maybe get a taste of welding and later get more education and certifications. Some welders never touch a stinger, they setup robot welders, still need to know welding. The military is always looking for welders, people that can learn.
Reply:Next week I’ll be 70 and I’m still learning something new. Been thinking of going back and getting my doctored. Use it or lose it.Than I can Play Doctor.
Reply:People differ on their oppinions of unions. I was in a union for a short time. Didn't like it. But thats just my personal opinion. I know in my area, besides the different unions there are a couple technical schools with 1 or 2 year programs, a few colleges with 2 year programs, there is a regional skill center with welding basics for a few weeks, and some of the highschools offer welding programs after school. And of course you could always get a welder for at home and be self taught, there are plenty of people on this sight that have learned to weld on their own.Just to get your feet wet you could see if the highschool offers any welding courses or if there is a regonal skill center that has basic classes. Nothing as commital as a tech school or college.You could learn on the job at a small shop, but if you want to make a career out of it I do recomend some kind of formal training, be it through a tech school, college, or a trade union school. Not that you need the formal education to get a job, but you'll learn more of the technical side of welding, and with some one there to guid you you'll save alot of time and head ache.
Reply:I'm a middle-aged guy who went back to school to get a degree and took a welding class to prep for restoring my mustang.  Our instructor was an inspector as well a qualified to certify welders in several areas.  You can get multiple certs in less then 1 yr that will at least get you started at $20 an hr.  The more complicated the cert, the more money you make.  Unions are nice, such as iron workers union, etc, but not necessary.  The big money is high end welding such as underwater, or nuclear energy, etc.  There is a very technical side of welding that makes up a very small percentage of this field.  You can make decent money, but the big money comes with the technical training.
Reply:Originally Posted by grohoI'm a middle-aged guy who went back to school to get a degree and took a welding class to prep for restoring my mustang.  Our instructor was an inspector as well a qualified to certify welders in several areas.  You can get multiple certs in less then 1 yr that will at least get you started at $20 an hr.  The more complicated the cert, the more money you make.  Unions are nice, such as iron workers union, etc, but not necessary.  The big money is high end welding such as underwater, or nuclear energy, etc.  There is a very technical side of welding that makes up a very small percentage of this field.  You can make decent money, but the big money comes with the technical training.
Reply:It all comes down to practice practice practice. I was mostly self taught (some professinal help given) but i was able to get into a fab shop around my area. Had to take a test to get the job 1g and 3g. I passed it and am still curently working their, and im learning alot from the good old pros that have been actually doing this for many many years. Everybody i talked to, has said on the job (real world) training is the best. Not in a booth running piece after piece. BUT if you have no welding experience at all, please check out local tech schools, or a company offering apperitienceships. you can't just read books and think you will lay down a perfect bead your first time. Books are worth every $$ (lincoln procedure) but like a said alot comes down to just practice! My vote goes to finding an apprentienceship or union. True story, i guy i worked with actually just got out of a tech school and was actually fired because of bad welds. ( Tech schools don't always make good welders, ALOT comes down to how good the teacher is!)Good luck with your choice, im young too so i don't know everything but thats just my 2 cents.ShaneYa gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Check into your local community college for a learning program.  They are much cheaper and will give you hands on practice.  They also don't have an age requirement for the most part.Miller 185Lincoln Weldanpower 225Lincoln 225 buzz boxCheap-o C&H 110v (my first welder)
Reply:whatever you decide, make a goal for yourself and complete that goal, do it in steps, and always at least complete the step in that goal you are trying to reach. if you want to weld first things first go and apply at all the unions you think you'll be interested in, they might take a while to get a test and an interview. most unions don't look for experience they just look for common sense, willing to learn and good work ethic. from here on out if you do get a test or interview always show up an at least an hour early. if you decide to take a welding course always complete it even if you lose interest (it might help you down the road when life situations are different from that moment). If your young, listen to your parents and older people, don't blow them off like I did, I wish I could go back in time and do things different but I, like many, am a hard head and therefor I had to learn the hard way and I am still learning. Your doing good by coming on here and asking around, follow through with your plans and they will pay off, I wasted a lot of time "finding what I wanted to do" but welding has always held my interest so here I am going back to school and doing what I should have done a long time ago. I also do think that getting certified is important because anyone can say they are a welder ( I've seen plenty) but when your certified and you tell someone your a certified welder they are less likely to question whether you really do know how to weld ( hope I don't catch flax for these last comments but there is always exceptions) I know, but I am just saying in generalif your in CA here's a web site to look at if your not in CA look at it anyway and you can get an idea of what trades are out there... there are some trades missing like elevators and maybe some more but I hope this helps  good luck TSOL,  does that stand for true sounds of liberty?   http://www.calapprenticeship.org/"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal"   -Henry Ford
Reply:me working a non union job, I am really hoping to get a union job, your wage is set by a fair negotiated amount, and not decided by someone else (boss) who gets to decide what they think you should make. believe me when I tell you that union tradesmen earn their money, the notion that union guys are lazy is bull$hit, the hardest jobs I have ever worked are union jobs. or if your the right person work for yourself. unions have there problems but so do non union jobs. just my opinion"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal"   -Henry Ford
Reply:Watch the friends you make. Don’t blow a good career by hanging around with the wrong crowed, seen it happen too many times.
Reply:heck man.. for what you wanna do, tech school is all you need.. spend a couple hundred dollars and you're basically renting a booth.. first class you'll go thru is learning how to cut metal with a torch.. then you'll learn stick welding, then MIG/TIG.. what you want is MIG welding.. not stick.. if you're going towards the artistic route, MIG/TIG is what you 'need.. but.. if it's schooling for welding you want.. first question is, where do you live.. fluor daniels offers free welding school and a guaranteed job when you're done.. it's in greenville s.c. though.. and dang good money.. and if you are looking for a carrer, union ain't all that's out there.. there's plenty of non-union jobs out there that pay good money.. i'm non-union and doin just fine.. main thing is the health factor.. check into that.. anyways..
Reply:welderShane: I teach at a technical college so your remark about instructors hit a nerve. I don't teach welding, I am in aircraft maintenance. Yes there aresome not so great instructors but the student plays a huge part in their education. If they don't work hard at it or don't care they will not do well. I see it all the time. Some just don't have the aptitude, don't really want to be there, just don't care or a number of other factors.How do they pass? Getting a 50% to pass is normally not that hard to do and a student that gets 50% can only do half of what is expected and is not that good.Remember it's adult education and you need to take responsibility for your education. The instructors can only do so much.
Reply:Scary to think that the people wrenching the engine on your next 747 or L 10 flight only know half of what they’re doing.  It’s really not that bad, hirer two and each half will make up for the other.
Reply:It is a scary thought transit but that is why you have the licensed guy check it and sign it out. Unlicensed guys are watched pretty close until they prove themselves and those that make it through with 50% will probably not be in the trade very long which is a good thing. Hiring two would work as long as they remember different things. LOL Last edited by MrBill; 02-13-2010 at 10:39 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by MrBillwelderShane: I teach at a technical college so your remark about instructors hit a nerve. I don't teach welding, I am in aircraft maintenance. Yes there aresome not so great instructors but the student plays a huge part in their education. If they don't work hard at it or don't care they will not do well. I see it all the time. Some just don't have the aptitude, don't really want to be there, just don't care or a number of other factors.How do they pass? Getting a 50% to pass is normally not that hard to do and a student that gets 50% can only do half of what is expected and is not that good.Remember it's adult education and you need to take responsibility for your education. The instructors can only do so much.
Reply:If you do decide to go into a union apprentice program, such as the UA, before you take the test make sure you're math skills are not rusty. Be prepared for alot of math on the test! You will have plenty of time to complete the test, so don't rush it. If you pass, you may have several interviews before being accepted, answer you're questions wisely and have a positive attitude. Good Luck!Lincoln Powermig 300Lincoln Weldanpower 250 G9 ProLincoln LN 25Lincoln AC 225HTP Invertig 201 AC/DCHarris O/A
Reply:The OP said to join a union he'd have to wait a year. He wants to learn now. Any one have any more advice to get the ball rolling untill he can join a union if he chooses?TSOL, you should check out the various unions now to see if any of them are what you want to get into. If you decide to join one, you might want to get a welder and just mess around in the shop for the next year, or maybe take one of those short highschool, or skill center programs I mentioned earlier. Once you join the union they'll put you through their own school. If you dicide you don't want to join a trade union, you'd rather work in a shop or something, then you'll probably want to sign up for a tech school or college.
Reply:Woah thanks for all the reply's guys. I've been busy and havn't been doing much on the computer lately. I truely am greatful to all who took the time to share their knowledge. Originally Posted by Grimm1People differ on their oppinions of unions. I was in a union for a short time. Didn't like it. But thats just my personal opinion. I know in my area, besides the different unions there are a couple technical schools with 1 or 2 year programs, a few colleges with 2 year programs, there is a regional skill center with welding basics for a few weeks, and some of the highschools offer welding programs after school. And of course you could always get a welder for at home and be self taught, there are plenty of people on this sight that have learned to weld on their own.Just to get your feet wet you could see if the highschool offers any welding courses or if there is a regonal skill center that has basic classes. Nothing as commital as a tech school or college.You could learn on the job at a small shop, but if you want to make a career out of it I do recomend some kind of formal training, be it through a tech school, college, or a trade union school. Not that you need the formal education to get a job, but you'll learn more of the technical side of welding, and with some one there to guid you you'll save alot of time and head ache.
Reply:TSOL   What exact city are you in?
Reply:I don't mean any offense but if you are 17 yo you have plenty of time to decide on a career.  Much good advice listed here on where & how to get there.  Set a long range goal and break it down into smaller benchmarks.  for instance project out where you want to be in 5 yrs.  Break that down into 5 smaller accomplishments needed to meet the long range goal and mark those 5 steps along the way.  There is plenty of time for you, proper planning!
Reply:I was in a similar positionI started welding in high school by taking a few classes after school at my local community college.  I stuck with it when I graduated high school and picked up an associates in welding and fabrication. I also picked up a certificate in CNC machining and one in manual machining.From there I got my Bachelors in welding engineering.  along the whole time I worked as welder, machinist or fabricator.  Now I do high end welding and engineering work all over the country.The only thing I suggest is to stick with it and make sure you get some formal training of some type whether it be a union apprenticeship or a degree.  Sure you can still be self taught these days or pick up a lot of on the the job training. But over a life time these days employers want to see formal training.anyways that's my suggestion.  I love the field of welding, I maintain my skills and practice the difficult welds, even though I'm an engineer now. I still weld as a hobby and weld a few hours a month at my job.TSOL, it looks like you have your act together. You’re lots smatter than most adults i know, using your head for more than keeping your hair from falling into your neck.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jay OTSOL   What exact city are you in?