Any Professional Welders On Here?

[Quickthorn]

Hi,

 

I'm thinking I need a 2nd string to my bow. I've done a bit of hobby welding, but I'm thinking of doing something at night school with some sort of qualification at the end, with a view to getting employed.

 

Anyone know what C&G level 1 or 2 is worth in the industry? That seems to be the easiest starting point in this area.

 

What are job prospects like for welders at the moment? I know skilled welders earn well on certain types of contract, like pipelines, offshore etc, yet I hear others are on not more than min. wage, especially if agencies are involved.

 

Cheers.

[Peter]

I have C&G level one in mig/mag and mma, and I wouldnt employ anyone as a welder on the basis of that.

 

I am intending to do the level 2 as well, but mostly for my own satisfaction rather than to acquire an employable skill.

 

Starting out in any new trade right now is going to be tough, imagine yourself in the position of having CS tickets but no industry experience, and trying to get employment in arb right now, and I think that pretty much translates to what you want to do with welding. Just my opinion.

[Ian C]

I have the C+G in Mig that your on about, yes its good if you want to learn how to do a reasonable weld but its basic and the guys on the pipelines who are on good money are also "coded" where they have to perform welding tests and have there welding tested. go and do it it will get you going.

[waz77]

I was a plater/welder/pipefitter for 10yrs before i got into Arb(due to bad careers advice at school reg forestry/arb work:thumbdown:)

I did a 5yr apprenticeship and 3yrs at college but as with most things in life most of what you really need is learnt on the job.Your C+G or NVQ type quals are a good entry level qual but as said the good money comes from being coded at certain levels.Best to start off with MIG/MAG and MMA then progress to TIG when you have a good level of skill with the others in all positions.You will be able to do your codings at training colleges starting with bs4872 and work your way up to asme1X 6G.To be honest money not great varying from min wage for basic mig to around £10-£12 for more skilled work unless you get on oil rig work.Its hot(except in winter when its colder than climbing wet trees),smelly,usually in dark dingy factories,using grinders,breathing in fumes and dust all day...other than that its great:lol:

[Quickthorn]

Cheers for that,

 

I hear what you're saying about experience, but you have to start somewhere. The C&G's probably going to be a 2 year part time project anyway, so p'raps things will have picked up by then, either in trees or engineering.

Edited August 23, 2010 by Quickthorn

[waz77]

What type of work were you interested in doing Quickthorn?

[Quickthorn]

HI Wazz,

 

Thanks for your reply before.

 

A bloke I've been working with mentioned one job. They make packaging machinery, and they'd need people to take it all to site, assemble and commission it, then sit with it for a few days. TIG welding skills would be part of it, but I've not had much experience of that process, and no certs.

 

Even so, I'd have thought the market for welding skills would be reasonable, even if I missed the chance with this job. All my treework's on the ground now, but I seem to have to put lower and lower quotes in to get work in, and I can't see it getting much better with all the budget cuts etc in the public sector. An extra line of work, and not connected to local authorities etc, seems a good idea at the moment.