wage for a kid out of trade school

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My son is closing out his senior year at school, welding program of the state trade school. over the year a few kids have been found jobs by the instructor as work experience, My son has found there is a direct corilation to kissing the instructors *** and getting a job as he has watched the screwups get jobs and skate out on the assignments over the last couple years. It also seems the females get sent to aircraft shops, get hired but can't start till the teacher gets them up to speed to pass the test but it's OK cause they have already been hired. Now my son recently place well in the Skills USA for the second year and after another kid was sent for a job my son finally approached the instructor and basically said what gives, how about a little effort here? So the instructor called up a local shop that does metal structures and butler buildings and get's the kid and interview. The instructor has also told me in the past my son has a good deal of talent and could go far if he wanted too. I already know, but I don't want to get in his business just yet. This particular shop has had multiple adds in the paper almost constantly for many years, and we all know what that means.  Anyway the kid gets and interview and the guys says sure, $10 hr. This is heavy beams, overhead crane steel house welding the plates and connectors on with flux core mainly. When my son came home I won't tell you what my reaction was but basically told him to pass. Tell the guy 13 minimum and see what he says, well he said no.  Am I totally out of touch or what? Now this is a kid who can rig, run a forklift , bobcat, excavator , drive a dump truck, weld better than most 17 year olds and some men. He is a good worker, the difference being from a young age he new what had to be done and how to get it done without wasting a lot of moves, if you work the trades you know what I mean. First I think the instructor should call the company and ask what kind of **** is this, I send you what is a decent young welder and that's the best you can do.  Second, I think grinders and guys sweeping the floor are getting more than that. The main question I have is am I expecting to much or should I back off.  Also I found the next quote kind of funny, Apparently the instructor told him to try the job and when they see what you can do they will probably bump you up 4 or 5 bucks right away.    I found that funny,  anybody here ever get a 4 or 5 dollar raise at a shot, I'm, not talking rig welders I'm talking working in a shop for somebody else. I worked my tail off when I was younger and I quit more jobs than I can count when I had to fight for quarter and fifty cent raises because the cheap owners wouldn't come across for nothing. I alway found I had to make my deal going in the door cause raises weren't something that were thrown around much.  Getting long winded here but this kid has used all of my equipment for years and has gone out with me in the field to fix some pretty big stuff, when we go we take 2 welders and he doesn't just grind or carry my rod.  Point being he and his brother have been around heavy equipment, welding , excavation , carpentry and a host of other things for years so he is not just a green kid. Should I have him hold off for another employer, I know he has to start out walking but I think 10 bucks is insulting and a directly taking advantage, after taxes 10 is more like 8.50 and then the gas to get to work.Last edited by kolot; 04-09-2012 at 08:14 PM."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:I know from talking with the guy running the tech school welding program that most of the jobs he's placing night school students in are starting at around $10-11 / hr. Mostly we are talking about guys with basic weld skills in mig. A few of the better guys have managed to pick up jobs in the $15-17 / hr range, but that's the exception rather than the rule.I agree that sounds low, but around here there's tons of guys out of work. Most of the bigger contracting companies have let most of their repair guys who can weld go simply because they don't need as much equipment repaired with the housing slump. Add in all the guys out of work from other jobs where they welded, and most places want 2-4 years of experience and still are paying peanuts. Makes it tough for "kids" to break in except at a very low wage..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Were in CT, can't be much wage difference to Philly,  here's the kicker, local concrete guy will hire him for the summer probably at 15 or16 bucks,he worked with him a couple jobs last summer but school started and he needed more steady help, Long time concrete guy said to me he works better then the 35 yr olds I have.  he has a pt job now looking after the car wash in town, basically sweep out the bays and hold the old ladies hands when the machine don't work for 10 bucks. not worth driving a 1/2 hr and ruining your clothes and lungs is it? what do you think of the 4 dollar bump theory?"Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:I think it is bad form to argue about wages when you are starting out.  Once you have been working three or four months and the wages are still low it is time to look around.  By then the present employer likes me and I am pleasant to him giving out 110 % coming on time and suited up a ready to go when the horn sounds every day.  If he doesn't appreciated me the next shop will.I have never ask about wages when I take a job.  If the employer does not pay me enough I figure the job will carry me until I find something else. I NEVER ask for a raise.  I don't lower myself.  As I told one of my bosses.  " Sorry, but I got an offer I just could not refuse."   Working in a shop even at low wages gets you in tune with the job market when you talk to workmates at lunch and coffee.  We all are a bunch of fish wives at the market when it comes to knowing which shops are paying the best and which shops have picked up a long juicy contract and will be looking for bodies.
Reply:I started working on trucks and heavy equipment at 17, and did all the stuff you mentioned your son could do. I started at 10, and worked my way up to 14 (in the few years as I went through college.)The difference is, I worked for a very good friend of my father's, and I also knew that I would be moving on to a better paying job soon, not to mention I was there more to learn than to make money. In fact, I may have even been at more than 14, but it really didn't matter to me since I lived at home and just enjoyed the job. That being said, I would say have your son take the job and work at it for a few months. Let him prove to the shop owner that he's worth the extra money, and just isn't some kid that can pull a trigger. If they still wont budge on the wages, move on.... at least he'll have learned some.IW Local 580 NY, NY
Reply:my point is if you go to work for 10 bucks, and gas is 4 dollars a gallon, and you spend a 100 + a week on gas, take out taxes, and you have to do the uniform thing at this place, another deduction, you end up working 40 hrs and bring home 200 bucks, it's not 1975 or 1980. i get the whole thing of being young and hungry to learn, been there, My point is Subway is paying that kind of money to make sandwiches and the companies even in a slow economy are really getting slave labor at that rate. It's a production black iron shop, not gonna learn TIG on inconel there are you. Guess I'm just out of touch. And of course it's personal, it's my son, don't want him raked over. He can do better just by beating the pavement , I'm sure of it."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Kolot, when I was in high school I was making the 13 he asked for in a fab shop. That was 96-97,  right now it is a black hole of ********s that want to pay good help nothing.  If he can stick it out and find the right employer, he will get what he is worth. If he can do pipe, carbon and stainless he should contact mechanical contractors and possibly the pipefitters union.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I know from my experience it was hard to break out into this field and make good money. I too was top of my class in metal fab trade school and found that starting out unfortunately is all smoke and mirrors with the "big money" not saying it isn't possible to do. But in my case I had 3 d1.1 structural certs all 3G for each process smaw,fcaw,and gmaw 1" plate as well as 2 6g pipe certs on 6"sch 80 pipe one with 6010 root and 7018 fill and cap uphill progression and one 7018 root filler and cap uphill progression as well. And the first job I got out of school started at 10.50/hr but was prevailing wages upto 35/hr because 90% of our work was for government contracts. But when we weren't working on that I made 10.50 i worked there for a year and then had a company pay me to move to Florida and make 19/hr building highway sign structures. Your sons best bet if he wants to make big money welding is to hire out on a pipeline crew as a helper til he saves enough money to rig out and has enough time under the hood to practice for the tests. Once he does that he could very well make over 60/hr welding. It's what I do and I know your from Connecticut but there is a lot of pipeline work in new York pennsylvania and Ohio right now and it's not going anywhere soon. Just my .02 but it is what it is. It's very hard to break out in this field without exp. and make big money. If I was him I would tell them 12-15 to start and live at home to minimize his expenses til he gets the exp. he needs to be considered a valuable asset to a company.1973 Lincoln SA 200, Already replaced shunt coils, Idle board (SOLD)1984 Miller Dialarc 250HF, Miller water cooler, 250 AMP water cooled torch, you know the worx.
Reply:If the shop has a high turnover rate, I dont think I would want him working there if he was my kid.. might do him more harm than good..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Hi, I saw this on AE trailer thread. "My son just placed 2nd in the State for Skills USA in his trade school comp. he's 17, around your age.' KOLOT ,Tell your son CONGRAUDLATIONS ! I You should be proud. Most kids these days don't even want to go to school. That's a hell of accomplishment and please tell him for me.     It real sad that he out performs other and they treat him like s#$t . Yea, the shop I was at was similar to his setup. Major suck ups got the gravy work and the rest all of the tuff sh$$ .    As far as the $4  or $5 jump there was a shop by me  { ILLINOIS}  that put it in writing . They wanted 3 months of temporary full time employment .  After that they call you in for evaluation . During this time you saw what type of workers were there and the quality of their work and where you stand.    Your sons employer sounds to me that he's doing nothing more than using him as a grunt instead of utilizing his talents.  Granted when starting out you usually get sh$$ work but some real work too. Just wondering if the instructor was on his side , sure doesn't seem like it.  A REAL EMPLOYER would give the kid a chance welding . The owner can make a lot off a kid at  $10.00 . Sounds like the shop won't even give him a chance. Maybe his boss is afraid YOUR KID WILL TAKE HIS JOB !!!!!!!!!!!!!! How long has he worked there ?   I Don't know how you feel about unions or apprenticeship or if that is a option in your area. By me, Chicago ,Illinois that had a welding hybred program . Upon completion of course you came in as I think as a second year apprentice. Maybe have him get a resume  with listing work with you and his accomplishment in skills competition . Best of luck, keep us posted.g
Reply:I finnished fitting school 2 years ago, since that time i worked in 3 different company and now i work for the same company that i went when i finnished my school, wich is the first company, when i started after my school 2 years ago my boss gave me 12$h, i tought it was low but i never say something about my wages, never ask for something better, i had no experience and this place was not really willing to give me job to improve my skills and learn something, i was cutting pieces for older fitter and during 2 months i was cleanning the storage tool room and the nuts and bolt room, after 2 months i wake up on morning at the same time if it was a daywork but i take my car and go at arround 10 company during this day, ive been hired and take a lot of experience in only 5 months (because were only 2 worker in the shop so i had to work on real job) this place stop working for 1 month and laid off the other guy who work with me so i started to find something else, at this 3rd place it was like a dream for someone who love learning in a shop, the boss tell me when he hired me ''we'll teach you and we'll coach you here you will work with our best old fitter bla bla bla'' i started working at this place alone (like if i was real experienced worker) and i was not rush and people help me a lot when i needed it, that place went into bankrupcty after 6 month, it was really sad because i had the feeling to work there the rest of my life, but they goes into bankrupcty and i return at the first place, they hired me and now i have 21$h !but i know some guys who went in welding school with me and they find their job ****ty and they are still low wages, i think its different for everyone and a little of luck of being at the right place at the good moment all mixed together!in my case in work shop here there is no young kid who want to work, when a young man look a little bit interested in the work shop and have a bit of skills its easy to be hired and ask for a good wages, but if your son goes in a shop where they place a lot of kid during a years and they hired them for small job and think that ''if they are not happy they can go somewhere else'' and there lots of kid can take his place, its sound normal to me that he can't argue!my only advice will be to NOT go at place like that where the school place student, i think he should tried a place where he will be the only young student in the place!Calculator > Bevel Square
Reply:$15.72 is starting wages for a first year punkin in the IW's local here in TN. Their experience is next to zero. If they can pass a D1.1 SMAW test they can see a raise instantly.
Reply:Originally Posted by brucerIf the shop has a high turnover rate, I dont think I would want him working there if he was my kid.. might do him more harm than good..
Reply:he is your son so its a insult to u also. BUT  it will not hurt him to work for a few months at a shop thats a body factory. there will be no loss to his reputation or his work ethic that you trained into him because the shop already has a reputation. he can learn the art of manipulating the boss in a way that the boss doesnt know whats happening and dealing with premadonna workers that he can work circles around and at the same time keeping the peace. Then when he gets on at a decent shop he will have already started to learn that valuable skill of managing the people in authority over him  and making himself invaluable to the bosses because he knows what he is doing, does it well, and cheerfully.Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:I'm wondering if only being 17 is playing a part in getting a job.  I thought you had to be 18 to work in that kind of environment.Oh, tell him good job from another Skills USA competitor.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by kolotBrucer, you get it, you understand! ****hole. End of the year and his teacher had to make a move quick to place him, so he calls the first place he knows will hire anybody any time for **** wages, now he can say I found you a job but you didn't want it, while the other sucks get a tig shop on stainless or aircraft work. I do know about unions, belonged to them for half my life,now doing something else. The best way to work ,however here in the North east work is dead and many long time welders not working so not taking new members now. As for rig work, we are not in pipeline country and he is to inexperienced for that, but we do own trucks and SA200's. Equipment not the problem. This was the reason I told him 4 years ago that welding is a great skill , a good hobby , but do something else to earn your living.LOL.   I'll close here with this, There is such a thing as overpricing yourself, or having and overinflated opinion of your abilities. But when it gets right down to it, if you can go in to a shop and if your only skill is to qualify even in flat position, if you can make sparks and join metal together and have at least a hand in producing a product for a company, a product they profit heavily on, you are worth more than 10 bucks because as you all know, welding will take a toll on your body and your health, if you feel that is worth so little i feel sorry for you, and in another respect if you have learned a craft or trade, to  give it away is a shame as well and a dis service to your fellow tradesmen.
Reply:Originally Posted by kolotBrucer, you get it, you understand! ****hole. End of the year and his teacher had to make a move quick to place him, so he calls the first place he knows will hire anybody any time for **** wages, now he can say I found you a job but you didn't want it, while the other sucks get a tig shop on stainless or aircraft work. I do know about unions, belonged to them for half my life,now doing something else. The best way to work ,however here in the North east work is dead and many long time welders not working so not taking new members now. As for rig work, we are not in pipeline country and he is to inexperienced for that, but we do own trucks and SA200's. Equipment not the problem. This was the reason I told him 4 years ago that welding is a great skill , a good hobby , but do something else to earn your living.LOL.   I'll close here with this, There is such a thing as overpricing yourself, or having and overinflated opinion of your abilities. But when it gets right down to it, if you can go in to a shop and if your only skill is to qualify even in flat position, if you can make sparks and join metal together and have at least a hand in producing a product for a company, a product they profit heavily on, you are worth more than 10 bucks because as you all know, welding will take a toll on your body and your health, if you feel that is worth so little i feel sorry for you, and in another respect if you have learned a craft or trade, to  give it away is a shame as well and a dis service to your fellow tradesmen.
Reply:Electric Boat in Groton CT does a lot of work on new Navy Virginia Class Subs and pays good. I think it's General Dynamics now. The shipyards all down the east coast need welders badly. Newport News Shipyard is hiring all the time as well as staffing firms that pay more than the shipyard but for only 3 year contracts. I work as a civilian for the Dept. of the Navy in Portsmouth VA and love it.CERTIFICATIONS:7018M- H.V.O10718M- H.V.O11018M- H.V.O9N10- H.V.O71T-1-HYM- H.O.V100S1 PULSE ARC 0,035- H.O.V100S1 PULSE ARC 0.045- H.O.VER70S-3 PULSE ARC 0.035 H.O.VER70S-3 PULSE ARC 0.045 H.O.VER5554- H.O.V
Reply:Originally Posted by NHMattElectric Boat in Groton CT does a lot of work on new Navy Virginia Class Subs and pays good. I think it's General Dynamics now. The shipyards all down the east coast need welders badly. Newport News Shipyard is hiring all the time as well as staffing firms that pay more than the shipyard but for only 3 year contracts. I work as a civilian for the Dept. of the Navy in Portsmouth VA and love it.
Reply:I can see both sides of this coin.Everybody has to start somewhere, pay your dues all that. It's not going to hurt him to work hard and not get paid what he's worth - welcome to the club. Favoritism, nepotism welcome to the real world. Better get used to it - learn how to deal with it.On the other hand it's sad to see those kind of entry wages for skill jobs. I expect burger flippers make about as much after 10 minutes of training.What's to stop your son from applying on his own for those same Aircraft welding jobs? He can still say he's in such and such welding program and at the top of his class. He probably knows the company names already, it shouldn't be too hard to find the right contact person.On the third hand, sometimes you have to let your kids make their own decisions, even when you know it may be a mistake. It's part of growing up; having a crappy first job is not the end of the world. It might teach him how to stretch a dollar, live within his means and that he's worth more than he's getting paid - time to look around.
Reply:hey mate iv be working as a apprentice in a shop here in australia been doing it for a year and a half and im only on $8.70. but it goes up every time i get moore signed off on my apprenticeship. im 16 and do it full time . but i get sick pay and 4 weeks holiday pay per year so i carnt complain. but at the end of my boilermaking apprenticeship it will all be worth it . just let your kid do it they will soon relise his skill and give him what he diserves
Reply:Like a lot of people said jobs are not crawling out of the woodwork in CT. In 1986 when I got out of college I couldn't find a job. Finally someone offered me one for $6/hr. The job was way beneath my qualifications and I felt I was way underpaid but I took the job gladly because there were no others. In the first month I was given a $1/hr raise which my supervisor said was "unprecedented". Within a year I was offered another job (at a different company) for $13.50/hr which I immediately took. The rest is history.If your son is truly talented he will get far and starting below the bottom is not an issue. The cream always rises to the top..........Millermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).
Reply:Originally Posted by idacalhe is your son so its a insult to u also. BUT  it will not hurt him to work for a few months at a shop thats a body factory. there will be no loss to his reputation or his work ethic that you trained into him because the shop already has a reputation. he can learn the art of manipulating the boss in a way that the boss doesnt know whats happening and dealing with premadonna workers that he can work circles around and at the same time keeping the peace. Then when he gets on at a decent shop he will have already started to learn that valuable skill of managing the people in authority over him  and making himself invaluable to the bosses because he knows what he is doing, does it well, and cheerfully.
Reply:Originally Posted by Sparky#1Unfortunately places like this is where people get hurt and is best to stay away from. Twenty years ago I started and Apprenticeship at $9.00/hr and thought it was low so $10/hr for a skilled kid is absurd !!!
Reply:Originally Posted by Fab54So what you are saying is he should take one of the OTHER jobs that were offered to him?Where in CT are you?IW Local 580 NY, NY
Reply:You need to tell your son to look at industrial welding jobs, shipyards chemical plants, pipe welding and fitting jobs, I've never been paid less than 20 dollars an hour welding, unless of course I was working an ornamental iron shop which in my opinion is worthless for the employees. You need to travel sometimes to make money as well.
Reply:While working at my father in laws shop between offshore I did like 6000-8000 ft of railing, went and installed it all, took me 3 weeks to build it and core drill it all. Va hospital is biloxi. He charged 300,000 his profit after cost, tools, labor ect was around 180,000 out of all that money he and his wife made. They payed me a measily 1200.00 or so. It just shows non industrial welding doesn't pay. Most guys that I work around offshore make 30-40 an hour
Reply:My first gig was on a solar farm for 10 an hour.  Then I got jumped to 12 after 3 weeks.  Then got hired on with a new company for 15 and bumped to 18 in 3 weeks a year ago just got my 310 as ticket and being bumped into the mid twentys.  Us gotta start from somewhere and learn and learn and do on to move up.  Just work be happy ya got something and roll till us gotta move.
Reply:Originally Posted by joseph_zlnskYou need to tell your son to look at industrial welding jobs, shipyards chemical plants, pipe welding and fitting jobs, I've never been paid less than 20 dollars an hour welding, unless of course I was working an ornamental iron shop which in my opinion is worthless for the employees. You need to travel sometimes to make money as well.
Reply:Im kinda in the same position looking for a place that pays decent. I have a AA in automotive and welding with no "work" experience in both fields. Now trying to find a apprenticeship somewhere but dont know where to start.I can do mutli process but mostly want to TIG.
Reply:He should probably continue his welding education and/or get a degree of some type.  That will set him apart from other kids in his situation.  If he wants to make money he needs to learn to weld pipe.  Not saying you can't make money otherwise, but how many guys off the street, if you gave them 2 days training, could MIG sheet metal together vs. welding pipe to code?I got a pretty good job about 5 months after getting out of welding school, but I also passed all of the pipe tests they give you to keep that job.  All 4 tests are in the 6g position, two of them are stick tests and two of them are TIG tests.  All pipe tests are inspected via VT, MT, and RT.
Reply:Update!   Son had called the company in question and politely said thanks but no thanks, Today a return call was recieved and they have upped the offer considerably. Makes you wonder about how they go fishing for the guys that will work cheap don't it?   My advice at this point was to take the advice of some members here and to go forward and take the job to get the feet wet, but at least he can go in and they will know he is not a total pushover. Now the learning experience can begin fair and earnest, up to him to give a good effort and get hungry to learn. Not there yet will go to a follow up interview and probably a Flux core vertical test. Something he hasn't had much experience with. Work on that this week out back."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Originally Posted by JoshDIf he wants to make money he needs to learn to weld pipe.  Not saying you can't make money otherwise, but how many guys off the street, if you gave them 2 days training, could MIG sheet metal together vs. welding pipe to code?
Reply:Some of you guys really need to spend some time grasping the concept of paragraphs, reading 20+ sentences all strung together makes my head hurt.I know this is a slightly higher level, but guys leaving the 2yr program from my college are looking at ~$20/hr minimum, or at least they are if they have a decent arm and common sense.And I don't seem to understand the surprise that the instructor is giving top priority to the *** kissers, in my opinion it only makes sense.  Plus, consider that's the reasoning that the rest of the business world is built on.I first started with zero experience at $10/hr I believe, and once I started showing my abilities I was at $15/hr within a year.  But if its a bad establishment to begin with, then the odds of him seeing any raise are slimmer.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:My son who is 20 started as a helper for a construction co here. Didnt know nothing about the refineries. He started at 17.25 an hr. He did that till about 3 months ago. Took his pipefitters test and passed. Now he makes 28 hr. At 20 years old.It may be the region we live in to where our youngsters get good paying construction jobs. Combo welders here make in the 30's an hour.My hood and I... Till death do us part
Reply:Originally Posted by alloycowboyMy son who is 20 started as a helper for a construction co here. Didnt know nothing about the refineries. He started at 17.25 an hr. He did that till about 3 months ago. Took his pipefitters test and passed. Now he makes 28 hr. At 20 years old.It may be the region we live in to where our youngsters get good paying construction jobs. Combo welders here make in the 30's an hour.
Reply:No sir. All non-union.My hood and I... Till death do us part
Reply:I think everybody is missing a major point. He's 17, he needs to build a reputation before contractors will pay him big money. There is more important things to a job than just being a good welder. The best welder in the world is no good to me if he doesn't show up for work. Can he follow written and verbal direction? Does he have a problem with authority? Can he work well in a team? Is he only good with one part of the process? Those are questions running through the employers mind. Hard to tell with someone you never worked with before.  If he takes the $10/hr job and does his part, and the company doesn't give him increases in pay, then he can move on. At least when the next contractor calls for a reference he wont have anything derogatory to report.   You have to build a career. You can't walk in and demand the highest compensation right off the bat.
Reply:Well... Here in Southeast Texas you can be 18 and take a combo welder test. If ya pass the test you make the SAME pay (depending on company) that welders who have been welding for 20 years makes. I know a 19 yr old who just left welding school...took his combo test...passed...and is making 31 an hr. A reputation is a big plus....but passing that test is the real deal.My hood and I... Till death do us part
Reply:Originally Posted by X hunterI think everybody is missing a major point. He's 17, he needs to build a reputation before contractors will pay him big money. There is more important things to a job than just being a good welder. The best welder in the world is no good to me if he doesn't show up for work. Can he follow written and verbal direction? Does he have a problem with authority? Can he work well in a team? Is he only good with one part of the process? Those are questions running through the employers mind. Hard to tell with someone you never worked with before.  If he takes the $10/hr job and does his part, and the company doesn't give him increases in pay, then he can move on. At least when the next contractor calls for a reference he wont have anything derogatory to report.   You have to build a career. You can't walk in and demand the highest compensation right off the bat.
Reply:since your 1st post what is happening to your son ? a new job ?Calculator > Bevel Square
Reply:As I said they called him with a counter offer, $13 hr. So he took the job, and qualified to their standard , vertical 1" with Dual Shield which he had no experience with at all. Over the weekend we set up the LN-25 and ran flux core to get ready and a little familiar with the process. Went in and set up and passed the vertical test. This job is simply welding on the connecting angles and such for pre fab metal buildings.   Now that being said, consider this, he has been at the trade school for 4 years, has never used flux core. I didn't know it until he told me. I would think in today's age that would or should be something that was addressed at the school as it is used commonly in industry, don't you think?    Anyway the company is on summer hours and are working 6 AM till 2PM , kind of good hours once you get used to getting up early. He came home the first couple of days looking tired, so I said, just think only another 45-50 years to go. LOL  Anyway it is worked out so he will work partial days and attend school till graduation next month and then go full time. Will see how it pans out.  He has already realized that he will spend a good chunk of his pay on gas to get to work, another reason I said the original offer wasn't enough. Like everyone said, have to start somewhere."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:I've been in the piprfitters union for about a year and a half right after I graduated high school and tech school 2 months later. the first year i was a helper making 15$ an hour, but being on the weekend shift i was able to take advantage of the Atlanta hall welding shop this shop is amazing right up there with hobart. For 9 months I worked 3 days a week 12 hours a day and spent the other 4 in the shop for 6-8 hours a day trying to get my certs. Fast forward a year i just got laid off for plant jack were i was a hanger welder making 23.10$ an hour got my tig/7018 combo cert now my practicing to go to a job making 3$3 an hour and im only 20 years old. Its been hard. Its took alot of determination but its all worth it. Don't settle for a low paying job in a shop like all my friends for tech school did. I had to leave home and be 250 miles away from home and eat roman noodles every night for the first couple months but its all paid off now. If i can do this then anybody can.
Reply:Originally Posted by angus31632. If i can do this then anybody can.
Reply:He might think about joining the military at that age. The Air Force is the best for having a career AND a life. He should be able to smoke the ASVAB (you can take it multiple times), and since there's a waiting list you can go delayed enlistment with time in service credit for your wait.Of course the Navy is the place to go for a welder and they aren't shy about spending money on training.He came home the first couple of days looking tired, so I said, just think only another 45-50 years to go.
Reply:Originally Posted by lotechmanAnyone who says the young generation is a bunch of losers is wrong.  There are bad apples in every group but there are lots like you who geterdone.
Reply:Its funny, in 2 years i moved in 3 different shops, old worker say ALL the samething '' young worker don't like the work shop nowadays, we have no new generations'' and blame us!i heard this many time, but when you look interested in something, want to improve you and have a desire to learn, they make your life like a nightmare, they are often rude with you because THEY had to work hard when they start back in the days, like my father had fruit for christmas gift and my mother had to walk to go school!I think its just normal that the new generations improve really fast and need to learn fast and start to work on serious job faster then 40 years ago because there are less young workers!When people on forums or even in shop tell me ''don't go to another shop, it will be the same and you will not have more money''im sorry but everytime i moved i've been paid better, and they said ''we'll teach you, you will work with our best fitters and you will learn''for now, im more interested in the experience taken, then the pay, for me being good and have knowledge its a kind of good pay!its hard for me now to think ''i'll stay here, they pay me bad wage and do some cleanning and work on not serious job'' because i KNOW (not pretend) i know that arround my city some forman a searching for worker like me and dosen't matter the reason why you moved from you last job!Last edited by LayoutMan; 05-05-2012 at 12:35 PM.Calculator > Bevel Square
Reply:All I can say about this whole topic is this:::::::The money is in mining right now!!!It's VERY common for kids right out of high school to rake in 90,000 plus a year.......I started mining 2 days after I graduated and the mining industry has been VERY good to me.--Matt6 Miller Big Blue 600 Air Paks2 Miller 400D6 Lincoln LN-25's4 Miller Xtreme 12VS2 Miller Dimension 812 4 Climax BW-3000Z bore welders Hypertherm 65 and 85Bug-O Track BugPair of Welpers
Reply:When i was twenty years old I got hired as a production welder at $8.50/hr.  After two weeks i quit and have since then worked construction, distribution and retail. Now I'm trying to get back into welding and wish i never quit... I would have had 13 years welding experience by now!TotlandDesign