Saved my Life

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Hey, Whats up guys?  I'm so new to welding I don't even qualify as a "newby"  Here we go. Without sounding sappy, Welding literally saved my life.  I need to know if with a felony on my record will keep me from getting into a training/apprenticeship program, and getting a job? When I was 15, I got caught up with the wrong crowd and got into drug use and other stupid activities. Anyway, I had to "go away" to a rehab facility to stay out of "juvy". It didn't help me at 15, So for the next couple years I was in and out of trouble and was hospitalized or sent to "Juvy" or treatment centers and rehab facilities. None of it seemed to help. It didn't work at 15, 16 or 17 years old. Then, I turned 18(an adult) I stood before the Judge again, he said to me, "I don't think anything is going to help you but something is telling me to give you one last chance before you either get sent off to prison or end up dead". This 18 month program he sent me to was much like all the others with one exception. (JOE). We had to live and work in this REALLY small, rural town. I did everything from milking cows to washing local Police cars. To make this long story shorter, this old, grouchy man wearing overalls named Joe picked me to clean his shop. He said I sucked at it and he yelled at me A LOT for standing around watching him, but he kept picking me to come back. Every morning he would yell out, "Hey saggy britches, get over here and put this on before your eyes get burned and you might as well hold this for me". It took me a bit to realize he really didn't need me to "hold" this or that. He saw my interest. I was HOOKED and he knew it. He let me do just enough to want more. Then he dropped the bomb and said he wouldn't teach me anymore unless I got my GED and pass every random drug test. That was the first time I ever heard him laugh out loud.  He said I looked terrified. I was. I was afraid I wasn't smart enough to get my GED, afraid I wouldn't get to weld again. But truthfully, I was afraid of letting Joe down. I did get my GED, I did get clean, I found a productive career path to pursue that I enjoy. I found an unlikely lifelong friend in an old grumpy journeyman who took the time to teach a boy to be a man thru welding. So will I get a job? And does anyone know about WEC Welding Institute in Chattanooga? Or other apprenticeships or Welding Schools that have financing? Thanks for the forum. Sorry so personal but it was necessary to get my situation across.
Reply:I don't think you'll have trouble finding work as long as you can weld. I worked a job in Corpus Christi a few years back and I swear 75% of the guys there were either on parole or probation. We even had a helper on the job that got caught at the border with 400 pounds of weed.
Reply:Yeah I was gonna say, I work in a shop now that has several people that are either on probation or just recently came off. There either smokin' pot drinkin liquor or snortin pills or all of the above. Thank god I've got an interview with another welding shop this Friday, so ready to get the hell outta that place. Just don't be surprised if you don't make half of what an entry welder should make. Hell I don't even make what a gopher in a welding shop makes.93 Bobcat 225GMillerMatic 135HF Tig 91811
Reply:There is plenty of jobs out there even with your history. One guy I used to work for told me he prefers to hire people on parole, in rehab or with felonies. But then again not all jobs will accept your past either. I'm glad your working on getting your life back on track. Wish you the best of luck.1982 miller blue star 2E ac/dcHarbor freight flux core posVictor oa
Reply:Gee it is different up here in Canada.  If you don't have your GED you are automatically enrolled and that is about all you will do.  You will be hounded until you have your GED.  After that there actually are some training programs in the prison... not great but they do train.  This is for Federal time... over two years.  Provincial time they are not so pushy but usually there are courses offerred.   Look carefully at the school you finally select.  In Canada up here there are a lot of fly-by-night schools that do not really train properly.  They just take your money.  There are many people who have done time and end up in the steel trades.  Most are quiet about it and employers if they know don't broadcast it to the other workers.  You will be blocked from some jobs involving security and government but there is lots of welding outside those categories.   Good luck and don't give up.  There will be tough times but don't  let it stop you.  This week I met an ex welding student I had not seen for almost 3 years.  He was a skinny kid and I worried about him doing heavy work... He is welding stainless ... kitchens, brewery etc.... $32/hr.  He is in night school now upgrading between working dayshift.
Reply:there are certain jobs that are strict, have background checks etc etc. normally they are for working in a higher security type of environment. If you show that you have gone through your program successfuly and are clean, Im sure there are places that would hire you. Like anyone else, show them you can weld.- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:In some of the shops my son has worked in, one would have almost thought it was a requirement to have law troubles to work there,  for a time on the day they held court the shops was nearly shut down as 2/3 of the guys were down in the court house waiting for there court appearance. yes there are places that you may not be able to get hired on, some secure government jobs and so on, but I think that most will treat you fairly,  and take you for your skills,Glad you found some one who would help you, and that you on a productive path for the future,
Reply:Trey - My hat is off to you for getting yourself turned around and on the right path.  Thank you for sharing your experience.I wish you the very best from here on out and where ever you land make sure you steer clear of those "wrong crowds" that you will likely find yourself working with.  Be sure to keep your nose clean and don't become like a dog that returns to its own vomit.  You obviously know where THAT road leads and your new life example is sure to save someone else one day.Go make it happen!MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Thank you guys for the positive replies...as soon as I had posted I was sure I was gonna catch some "&#@%! But this is a hell of a forum. Great topics and interesting people with humor, knowledge, exerience and even a few hot heads...and it keeps it all interesting and I'm learning alot. Right now I am trying to find a local Welding School or maybe an apprenticeship.  I heard this place WEC Welding will train you for 7 months and then have you sign a  contract you work for them for  2000 hours at $18.00hr., then you can move on or possible work with them for up to $30 something???an hour?? They say it really hands on which is the way I learn best but I think they build for Nuclear and I'm not sure with my back ground If I would even be considered for the training.  I struggle some with typical "classwork" agenda.  I know we will have some "class work", such as learnng blue prints and so on.  But I'm having a hard time getting contact info for htis program. has anyone heard of this WE Welding Institute sponsored by Westinghouse? O anyone with ideas of a different place? I really need to go where they either offer financial aid, or allow a payment plan...or even do an apprenticeship that will pay while I train....Do those positions really exist?  I live in Chattanaooga and would appreciate any and all responses. Thanks again, enjoy the weekend guys.
Reply:Good luck Trey....If you come to AK, there's always work up here for you....Best,~JohnJust a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Do yourself a HUGE favor and jump at the opportunity to get into the Westinghouse program.  You can work nuclear if you remember to always be 100% truthful when having background checks done. They WILL look into everything and they will know more about you than you know. Have you been convicted of a felony?  I am in Chattanooga and know about the Westinghouse program so with certainty I say go Monday morning and sign up immediately.
Reply:they had one of those schools here locally, it was part of westinghouse. The deal was, you came in and they taught you for free. 8 months to learn how to weld pipe. In the first week if you were not cut out for it they let you go.... If you go through the entire program and could not pass, you were expected to pay for the teaching. (it wasnt cheap) Or if you break the contract at any time in the 2 years you are responsible for the$$$. At least this is what I have heard and been told. they quit the program here, they were not having much luck with it I guess. I went and toured the facility and got to hear the whole pitch about the place. Where they will be working will probably conflict with your background. It never hurts to ask though. Is there a local Community college with a welding Program? what about some local shops. The best training is on the job, from the guys who do it everyday!- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Any luck yet I hope u have luck and congrats to getting your life together,  I'm sure your gonna have some slaps in the face but keep your head high I always say if you want it bad enough you can get it the biggest failure is failing to try so keep at it fight for what you want that's the problem today is people throw their hands up and give up