Expectations

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G'day all,At the end of last year I finished school (Year 10) and have been looking for a Boilermaker (fabricator/welder) apprentichip for the past couple of months with a local job seeking agency I have signed up with, Before chrismas I got an opotunity to do a weeks trial for an apprentichip at a engineering shop that specialise in mining equipment and general fabrications.So the story goes I done the weeks work with the confidence that I had done pretty well for myself that week, I done everything that was asked of me with out a quenstion or a complaint, followed all safter procedures, supplyed my own saftey equipment cloths,boots,glasses,gloves ect. except for the ear plugs, I was sick at the time and put up with days of repetative work no questions asked.Pretty much monday started off I come in and the boss took me over to a linishing machine were he showed me how to grind these stainless steel sand sorting plates the rite way, I done the pallet the first day and then the second they had me cleaning the weld spatter out of the same plates and then filing the inside so the sand could flow freeley through and that took another 3 days or so and then the remaining days they had me drilling holes every 10mm or so in steel plates that were over 4 meters long.They told me they would let me know by January if I had got the job or not so Jauary came and my stepdad had to end up ringing the job agency up and asked what was going on, they said the company was not taking on apprentices this year   although they had told me to my face that they were  so I was abit upset because I really wanted to get a job there. Later my mom rang the agency up and they told her that the engineering shop said I was not what they wanted and listed some absolute bull$hit reasons why.Now this is not the first time this has happened to me so I now ask the question, do Boiler maker employers expect the sun to shine out of your *** or for you to walk like a fairy or you won't get a job?, I am only interested in working in the metal fab/welding industry, this really only sounds like something an employer from England would do to you. Some of their expectations of "The way you must walk" or you should not stand with your "hands on your hips" sound more like a custody hearing than a job trial.They had a fair bit of this repedative work lined up (a couple of woodern pallets) and I have the feeling that they get young kids in to do the work the tradesmen do not want to do with the promise of an apprentichip out of it and then tell them to **** off at the end of the week..I am very quiet so maybe they did not like that?Anyways can you guys offer me any advice to get a job? it looks like I will have to wait till next year to try again, maybe if I walk into the shop wearing a welding mask, pink skirt,gstring and a set of stileto's they might give me a job.   I really would like to hear what you guys have to offer to this thread.Metal working it was the only subject I ever done well in at school (toped my class with a mark of 90%)and recived an award for the best industial arts design award (Not for the barstool racer but some of the parts that went on it) and was extremley enthusiastic right to the point were I built a Barstool racer for a school project (pic below) mastered a vertical up with a stick welder and joined here.ps. sorry about the spelling errors.Matti.Last edited by mat; 03-06-2007 at 09:46 AM.
Reply:Matti,you did your part, did your best, and it's their loss because they missed out on a bright, motivated, hard working young man.  Keep up a positive attitude and stay at it.Yep, stiletos (spelling?), that's creative.Last edited by pulser; 03-06-2007 at 10:25 AM.
Reply:Hey Matti,Well unfortunately some shops do pull the we need someone to do the crappy jobs that we can't afford or don't want to pay someone to do scheme, offer training or vocational trade off at your expense. Don't get discouraged though, think of it this way, no matter what.... you're getting life experience and learning how to use equipment and perform jobs correctly and hopefully in a safe manner. So you can at least find some comfort in that.If I'm reading your post correctly I'm assuming you're still a young guy and to see that you have the work ethic you state you have is great. I know people a lot older than you who just don't care enough to help themselves.Maybe you should try going directly to some fab shops in your area and talking to the owner directly. Explain what you're looking to do, ask if there are any jobs you can do in their shop to get some experience. Even if you are allowed to do this and it dosen't turn into a job position you still get the experience and you get a chance to show someone your work ethic. In the end a strong work ethic may be a deciding factor in being hired vs. skill alone. You can always teach someone to do a job but as an employer finding people who are dependable (especially in this trade) is a real task at times. Hope this is somewhat helpful._________________Chris
Reply:When you are starting out everyone that hires you expects perfection and finds something to complain about.  You will go through many employers until you find a situation that you will be happy with.  That is just the way it is in the steel trades.   Lorenzo has given you good advice.  Eventually you will find co-workers and supervisors that are supportive and remember when they were starting out.  Unfortunately there are too many that forget when they were young.   Even if you get short term repetitive jobs such as grinding you will learn something.  The other thing you need is some formal training.  Start planning to attend a vocational training program of some sort.  Local waiting lists are over a year.  The combination will give you the skill set that leads to the big bucks.  It is out there.... Us Baby Boomers are going to retire in droves in the next few years.  Hopefully you will wheel a few of us out in our wheel chairs :'))
Reply:Matti, some of these   fellas on here have forgot a lot more about sticking steel & aluminum together than I will probably ever know.... I don't know how old you are or anything about you personally. So don't be offended by my advice. After all I am just a dumb tree monkey by trade....  But have you ever thought of taking the first step Your self & confronting Your issues in regard to Your LIFE & YOUR career, Yourself, with out your Mom & Dad's help.... In my vocation people die from making bad decisions or being complacent. I need some one that can think on their feet. Using their own brain with out looking for some one else to answer every dilemma... Exact same thing that's needed here & every other vocation where tools are held with hands.I wish you the best & I hope you don't think I am being a jerk.... But  Matti, that knot that is tied at the uppermost end of your spinal chord was put there for more than added ballast for a speedy down hill run.....Use it. I know you can judging by your postLast edited by RIVERRAT; 03-07-2007 at 12:13 AM.
Reply:Thanks for the advice guys, I have enroled today in a tafe (Australia) MIG welding corse that is one day a week for a year, hopefully the local places will pull the sticks out of their arses and hire me either way I don't mind doing the boring repetative work aslong as I have my can of coke, a radio, and a seat (can't stand in the one place all day, sorry just can't) and some $ at the end of the week.But have you ever thought of taking the first step Your self & confronting Your issues in regard to Your LIFE & YOUR career, Yourself, with out your Mom & Dad's help....
Reply:Mat,Just took a look at this thread, and while Im not in the trades currently, I have worked numerous similar jobs (heavy road loader operator, etc).  This is pretty common whats going on in many economies.  Its unfortunate that you couldnt find a good supervisor, and I mean a GOOD supervisor.I agree with these guys that you need to get yourself some certified education if you are gonna get into the "better" jobs that the baby bloomers are handing down.  Company/State requirements are only going to get tighter, and the added knowledge/certification will only bring the creme to the top of the application lists.  Just plan to go all the way with the education.  No thinking: I'll take one class and maybe that will show some education...Its that kind of thinking that many will see you as a "drop out".  Be serious about it, get cert, get the super's job, and fire his a$$.Fortunately this is a great opportunity to save some $, get some of your own equipment over the next year (ie: welder), and do some odd's n' end's jobs while you finish the schooling.  Maybe you have a Craigslist bulletin board down there that you could advertise once youve gained some marketable skills?  I used to live just outside Brisbane, but dont remember anything about the opportunities out there...BTW: Please excuse us if we sound a little rash here regarding your age.  It sounds like you are taking a very mature action for your part.  We dont get enough of that around here.  Its unfortunate that here in the states there are so many younger people whos parents are doing everything for thier kids, and the kids are expecting everything to be handed to them.  I say this, because there will be ALOT of bias just due to age discrimination.  Thats life, but you gotta deal with it cause its ingrained in the trades (ie: unions).Oh, and dont worry about student loans as long as you can work to support your needs of food/housing.  Its an investment in your career!  The loans are stretched out 30 years, low interest, and tax deductable.  I know of so many people who keep whining "I dont want to be in debt for life...I dont want to take out a loan...".  They are the ones heading for the gutters.  A degree might just save your dream.Me, Ive currently got 3 Bachelor's degrees, and am wrapping up a dual Master's degree.  I would have loved working metal for a career, but alas was not introduced until I decided on my own that this was something I wanted to do.  Ive looked into the welding trades future (policy research), and the future worldwide is looking great for welders who know what they are doing (certified).  Dang, that's gotta be my longest post on the forum.ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!