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Welding as a career?

Discussion in 'Jobs & Careers' started by 95 taco, Oct 9, 2014.

  1. Jan 13, 2016 at 5:38 AM
    #21
    Large

    Large Red

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    I live in Houston and I know a lot of welders in my line of work (industrial construction). Out of high school a buddy got his welder cert so he was 20 at the time and in his first year of welding he made over 100k. It pays off if you put some work in.
     
  2. Jan 13, 2016 at 5:41 AM
    #22
    Mobtown Offroad

    Mobtown Offroad Boss

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    I manage a fabrication shop of about 40 guys. We have 6-7 guys running various equipment such as press brakes, plate rollers, plasma tables, saws, shear and mills. Then another 25-30 guys fabricating whether it is MIG or TIG, we don't do stick welding here. I can tell you a welder is not a fabricator. Almost anyone can lay a good bead with some time under the helmet, the skill is in fitting. Steel fabrication requires much more than just being able to weld. Their daily functions are welding, plasma cutting, layout, reading blue prints. Do yourself a favor and take a good blue print reading class and also learn what GD&T is. It is a huge help and will put you ahead of others. I hire guys all the time that can weld, but can't read a print so in the end, they're useless to me. Learn how to MIG, TIG and Stick weld which you most likely will when in school. Hope this helps.
     
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  3. Jan 13, 2016 at 5:51 AM
    #23
    Juforrest

    Juforrest Dumb!

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    Couldn't be more right. As a ironworker apprentice I became a foreman after just 2 years because I had those skills. I am also really good at motivating people.
     
  4. Jan 13, 2016 at 6:30 AM
    #24
    Mobtown Offroad

    Mobtown Offroad Boss

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    Nice. If you are ever looking for a job in South Baltimore hit me up haha. We are constantly looking for what I described with little results.
     
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  5. Jan 20, 2016 at 1:02 PM
    #25
    Juforrest

    Juforrest Dumb!

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    image.jpg image.jpg Stuck in the shop again.
     
  6. Jan 20, 2016 at 1:06 PM
    #26
    Juforrest

    Juforrest Dumb!

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    image.jpg Sometimes I get build and install cool shit though. image.jpg Doesn't beat doing a high rise, but it's definitely easier on my aging body!
     
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  7. Mar 11, 2016 at 3:41 AM
    #27
    TacoAppetite

    TacoAppetite Member

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    Where are you going to school at that it takes two years??? I graduated high school, took an 18 week pipe welding and fitting course at the Missouri Welding Institute, and had a job pipe welding a week after I graduated. I'm going on my third week of work now making $46 an hour and putting in about 30 hours of over time every week pipe welding. You learn how to fit as well but I haven't had to yet. They teach you how to read blueprints there as well and I could fabricate nearly anything you ask me too just from spending two years of high school in metal shop making custom trailers and deer stands and other similar projects. So far from all the old guys I'm working with I don't support Union mainly because they all are getting massive pension cuts and are having to come back to work after retirement
     
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  8. Sep 19, 2016 at 5:16 PM
    #28
    Joe23

    Joe23 Canuckistikian

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    I'm in the process of getting my welding certificate.
    IBEW here offers welding courses. If you finish all 4 (each one is one night a week for 10 weeks) and pass you are a certified welder.
    I'm mainly getting it though so I can get into an ontario power generation job. All the nuke plants here require you to have welding since every bus has to be welded together.
     
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