Pipe welding in Canada...good career choice?

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Hi all, I'm new to the forum and like most new members I've registered looking for some advice from the guys who know best...I'm 25 years old from central Ontario, Canada and have 4 years experience working in a pipe shop (worked in other fab shops but had little to no interest in the work being done). I've done most duties in the shop and have become comfortable working with pipe and starting to think about pipe welding/fitting as a career. My concern is a lot of the shop work is not there anymore and it doesn't seem to be coming back. Based on what I've seen at work all of the stainless steel pipe fittings we use are coming from China now and the flanges from India.My question is regarding pipeline welding and mobile pipe welding/fitting. Is there enough work? If so, where is it and will it last?I want to get trained and hopefully have a TSSA 6G ticket by the end of the summer, but these things cost money and lots of it. Any input is greatly appreciated Thanks!
Reply:Originally Posted by DukeBurgerHi all, I'm new to the forum and like most new members I've registered looking for some advice from the guys who know best...I'm 25 years old from central Ontario, Canada and have 4 years experience working in a pipe shop (worked in other fab shops but had little to no interest in the work being done). I've done most duties in the shop and have become comfortable working with pipe and starting to think about pipe welding/fitting as a career. My concern is a lot of the shop work is not there anymore and it doesn't seem to be coming back. Based on what I've seen at work all of the stainless steel pipe fittings we use are coming from China now and the flanges from India.My question is regarding pipeline welding and mobile pipe welding/fitting. Is there enough work? If so, where is it and will it last?I want to get trained and hopefully have a TSSA 6G ticket by the end of the summer, but these things cost money and lots of it. Any input is greatly appreciated Thanks!
Reply:I agree!!!!! Lots of rumors about an up coming shortage of welders. Jay Leno even made a video about it. I have yet to see this shortage. Plenty of new cert schools popping up but no new jobs. The local offers are less pay than 15 yrs ago. I've seen a few traveling gigs around $30.00 plus per-diem. I was earning that 10 years back. Technology and china killed the real money.Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:Try UA.org and look into the union locals in your area.UA Local 598
Reply:Not sure where to tell you to look, only you know. But once you find your nitch, never doubt yourself and you will do fine. It takes time. We weld anything that comes through the doors and have built that reputation. I never liked to do the same thing everyday. And for all the people that say there is no work etc. We have grown fast and steady, there is plenty of work out there you just have to know where to find it. Hope this helps you on your way.
Reply:The work I did in other shops just became boring to me after a while...I don't want to sound rude or anything but the only thing a MIG welder is to me is a glorified glue gun. It can be learned by anyone with minimal practice and that's what 90% of the welding jobs are around here and the pay rate has decreased to the point of almost minimum wage.That being said, I've always liked working with pipe and just building things out of pipe in general. I'm confident enough in my SMAW skills that I can pass a 6G TSSA test with some practice. My TIG needs some work so I will probably aim for that ticket next year if I decide to chose this path. The reason I'm asking this is because I've developed somewhat of a friendship with my current boss who is a steamfitter (whose shop is currently sitting empty) and he was telling me that the only way to make it in pipe welding/steamfitting is mobile site work and that fabrication shops aren't likely to exist in Ontario in 10 years unless it's for anything structural. Any of the shop work he quotes the customer does not want to pay him any decent money because they can just get the work done somewhere else (mostly overseas). By the time pipe, fittings, and consumables are all purchased to build the job, there's almost no money left to pay the rent or hydro let alone workers. He also says that the majority of people in his trade are approaching 65 and there's little to no young people learning the trade. It sounds gloomy to me, Is there truth to any of this? Also thanks to whughes for the link, will definitely look into it
Reply:I found an old picture on my phone just to show what kind of work I've done the last 4 years. Anything ranging from 1/2"-16" size pipe SCH10,40,80. TIG root (butt weld, no gap for sch10), and Stick fill. Also TIG welds on the inside of slip-on flanges and Stick on the outside of slip-on flanges. All welds were rolled with positioners, nothing was ever welded without the use of a positioner (except the odd flange).I can't remember what size this pipe was, looks like 1/2" or 3/4". I tacked them, but didn't do the welding, it was far too small for me.Last edited by DukeBurger; 06-01-2010 at 02:23 PM.