Should I or should I not?

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Kind of a strange situation here: I applied for, and tested for, a welding position with a company here in Austin, TX recently. They made me an offer right there, one that seemed decent enough. However, because of some other options I was exploring, I would not give the company an answer at that precise moment. They understood, and I told them I would have an answer for them within 4 days. Left the interview basically with the job in my back pocket. All I had to do was call and tell them when I would start. Two...no more than three...hours later, they called and said, "We've decided to promote from within. One of our welders has expressed a desire to move into this position, so we're just calling to let you know that the job has been filled and is no longer available." I was fine with that...a little disappointed, but I was okay with it, and I still had my other options.The following morning, the same company called me here at home and said, "I'm not calling about the welding position, because, as I told you yesterday, that position is no longer available. However, we faxed your resume and information to the company owners out in CA, and, quite frankly, we feel that you have a lot to offer the company as more than just a welder. Have you ever considered becoming a certified inspector?" Long story short, they want to bring me on board, pay for my school, exams, welding certification and CWI (Certified Welding Inspector). I would be working directly with their current CWI, as a welder and fitter, working a 40+ hour week, and going to school at night (on their nickel). Here's my dilemma: (1) Although I love the art of welding, and have a fascination with metallurgy, I have serious concerns about the physical demands on my 45-year old body (I would never be considered for the Ironman Competition, okay? I admit it.  ). (According to them, I would work as a welder---MIG, TIG, and Stick---and go to school in the evenings.) I am extremely susceptible to heat exhaustion, having passed out and wound up in a hospital three consecutive summers. Two summers ago, I welded for one day here in Austin, and was so dazed and sick by 4:30 that afternoon that I was literally welding from a kneeling position, just trying to avoid passing out. I could hardly see to drive home that afternoon, the headache was so intense. I say all that just to say, I know---and I worry---that I may find myself in that situation all over again. (2) I am 45, not 25, not 35. There's a big difference. I have a wife and two beautiful girls, and I know that if I accept this company's offer, it will mean giving up my life for probably the next 2-3 years. Work during the day, school at night, overtime, exams, etc etc. I've read some of the threads/posts on here concerning CWI's, and I'm curious as to whether the money is as good as their current CWI has led me to believe. Also, before I make any agreement with this company, should I inquire as to how far they're willing to go into the certification process? I mean, if all they're going to pay for is the 1-week AWS certification process, and I could do better by going and getting a Certified Welding Engineer degree, should I "demand" that? (For the record, they are offering to pay not only my salary, but to fully cover the costs of acquiring my welder's certification AND my CWI.)At 45, I'm hoping I don't have to sling plate steel and 36" diameter piper around much longer. It's too taxing on my old bones, and I'm hoping to find something that's not quite as demanding. The paperwork and reports...pbsst...piece of cake. I have NEVER had a problem doing paperwork.Anyhoo...there's the scenario. Anyone care to offer suggestions or advice? I greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
Reply:Hello Shubes.  It's nice to be in demand!    Bottom line, you're a welder and you have been for a while.  There's a company offering you education and advancement (Probably a fair salary too.) if you're willing to do the schooling after an eight hour day.   I'm fifty myself and really don't want to do the same kind of work I used to because I've gotten used to the softer easier side of my line of work.  The bottom line though, is that I can go back anytime I want to, or have to.   You could try going with the new company for a year or so.  If it didn't work out, you can always go back to right where you are now.   In the line of work I'm in I've found that the more people I get to know in the field, the more contacts and opportunities I have.  Even if the new job doesn't work out for you, you'll at the very least will have met many more people in the industry and probably have a lot more handshakes and phone numbers and names to remember.   More people who can connect you with a paycheck.   I say try the job and get the new experience and more importantly the good training.  You can always revert back to doing what you're doing now if need be.  It'll at least get you outta the S. Texas heat for a while.
Reply:Let me see if I got this right. You applied for a welding job and got it but then didn't get it. Then a few hours later were offered a welding job again with a chance to move into a CWI job at no cost to you for the schooling. Looks like great oppertunity to me.Are you tough enough to work during the day and go to school at night? Only you can answer this question. What are the alternatives? Do you have an easier job lined up?You are at the age where job oppertunities are becoming scarce and will become less with each passing year. No one wants the old guy but won't tell you that because it is age descrimmination. You will be over qualified or weasel words to that effect.This is only my two cents for what it is worth but if I were in your shoes I would give this very careful consideration before turning it down. You stated you are having physical problems and inspecting is not physically demanding.Good luck in whatever you decide
Reply:My personal opinion is NO WAY..I would not like to be an "Inspector"..Once YOU sign off on the job it's YOU that will have his a$$ in a sling if YOU say "Good" and it turns out bad..JHMO.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Zap...If he's working for the company ,as a employee...I think he,s good to go...not like being a welding Inspector working for him self...His a$$ would be on the line then for sure.Gears
Reply:To my way of thinking Yes!You have a welding job with the opportunity to get off the tools .Some would say being an inspector is not an upwards step but at a minimum it will be physically easier. And lets face it they are a very important part of the industry , no matter what people say.Your 45 , opportunities will be rare soon .I have done many years of after work study and if you want to do it you can.If you are not really interested or if you find it is too demanding academically it will be tough. If you enjoy the study you will finish it.The hardest part of study is getting in the car to go to the school after a hard day.Once your in the car or at school , thats it your into it and its not so bad.It can only help your welding even if you don't become an inspector.You can inspect at 65 not all of us could work as a weldor at 65 (of course there will be some smart guy who will say "Oh my father did the work of 15 men at 156 years old" there are exceptions but they are not the rule).Go for it , if the immediate renumeration meets your current fiscal obligations.Dont die wondering.Good Luck which ever way you go.BrettA good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterMy personal opinion is NO WAY..I would not like to be an "Inspector"..Once YOU sign off on the job it's YOU that will have his a$$ in a sling if YOU say "Good" and it turns out bad..JHMO.....zap!
Reply:Although I have zero experience in the welding field, the offer they gave you sounds like it's something that you certainly should discuss with your family.  It has been my experience that if you are offered a position that exceeds what you were looking for in the first place, then the opportunity should be looked at hard, if not taken.  The company is offering you responsibility, paid educational opportunities, and probably a higher wage/salary than what you were expecting in the welder position you originally applied for.  You didn't say if you were currently employed, but if the salary is reasonable, then ask for another interview where you can get some specifics from the company as to what you would expect if you accept their offer.  Sometime it's reasonable to get things in writing (like a contract) that spells out the company's obligation to you based on their offer.   You would have the obligation of meeting their expectations in terms of school, work and any other performance criteris.I would say go for it even if it's only for a year or two.  But if you have reasons to expect that your health may be in a issue in the welding environment, then get a physical exam and find out why you had that earlier problem.  Good health is as important (if not more so) than a good paying job with extra benefits like what you have been offered.  Sometimes, just a change in personal habits can be a big help.  Eating right, not smoking, stop drinking (uh, wait....let's not go too far here!   and excercise may go a long way in helping to staying healthy in a welding environment.Times are getting tough too, prices on everything are rising and we may be in this for some time.  Supporting yourself and your family are the first things to consider.  If they will suport you in this new direction, then that may make things a little esaier.Good Luck!!
Reply:Originally Posted by GearjamZap...If he's working for the company ,as a employee...I think he,s good to go...not like being a welding Inspector working for him self...His a$$ would be on the line then for sure.Gears
Reply:I am 49 and I work with pipeline contractors and welders on tie ins and things for our gas utility company.3-4 months out of the year I have to go with them and inspect vault and station installations and welds also according to our specs.Any x-ray is by a company I contact so you should be alright with training.I know one thing, inspecting keeps me out out of the trenches and shoring boxes for awhile.Give it some thought and good luck.pro-level dumpster diver                                     Hobart 125EZ
Reply:Depends on what they pay.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Free training to excel?   It looks good to me.  I'm a 47 year old self employed mechanic/weldor.  Its hard on the body.  It seems the answer for me is to start hiring people. I don't know if you want to move or what your family thinks.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Many thanks for all the input! It helped me to make an informed decision this morning.My sincere appreciation to each of you who took time to read this, and give me your feedback and opinions.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterMy personal opinion is NO WAY..I would not like to be an "Inspector"..Once YOU sign off on the job it's YOU that will have his a$$ in a sling if YOU say "Good" and it turns out bad..JHMO.....zap!
Reply:Hopefully you dont have to move to California, the cost of living is outragous there. Otherwise I'd jump on it, a job that can use your experiance and gain education will only make you and the company better.
Reply:Like MrRodeoCC said. If not for Cal. it sounds like a great job! My home office is in LA, corp. office in San Jose. I live in Dallas, and there's no way in hell I would even consider relocating to California, that's unless I got a 1000% raise (I already make in the low low low 100's). The cost of living is unbelievable, $600,000 now for a 1200sf wood frame house on a slab. Man, I'm not bashing California, the weather is super, and the landscape is unbelievable. Great all the way around!!! But if you have to live day by day beacause of the expense??