Working over seas

[Ross Jowers]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some information regarding working away from the UK.

I’m currently working in the UK as a welder/fabricator and I am looking into working away. Ive done my 3 years studying at my local college in MIG, TIG and MMA welding and have been working as a welder for a few years now. I’m really looking for any advice in how to do so and if it’s really worth it. Hope I get what I’m looking for.

Thankyou

 

[northwest]

Hope I get what I’m looking for.

Not trying to sound like a C*c* but what is it exactly you are looking for?

Higher pay?
Adventure?
Change of scenery?
Mixture of all of the above?
Something else.......

 

[Ross Jowers]

Mixture of all of the above really.

 

[winchman]

All too often it can be dangerous, lower H&S and a **** hole, but give it a go as its the only way to find out, have you any special skills that would appeal to a foreign employer?

 

[northwest]

If you believe in yourself there is no end of adventure out there. I lived and worked overseas for most of my life. Not always doing what I set out to do but I got by.
There is a whole world out there to explore and I don't regret any of my time away. Most certainly there are things I would have done differently but no regrets. I have learned an awful lot about life and people. Sadly, most of this just confirms everyone's suspicions. This country is cabbaged.

 

[TechnicAl]

You need to find a UK firm that does some work abroad. As mentioned on another thread you need to have some skill that they cant get locally (and locally probably also means cheaper)
Having just finished college its unlikely your skills cant be replicated by a local

I suppose there will be opportunities such as volunteering to help in Africa or somewhere....but it doesnt pay well

 

[Nick DV]

I'd say this is a difficult one. It's certainly not as easy or as lucrative as it used to be, so you need to do a lot of research, talk to lot's of people that are or have worked abroad, and then do lots and lots of thinking about it. When you've done that, ask more questions, think some more, and on it goes
Not trying to put you off in any way, shape or form, but the grass is not always greener on the other side!

Good luck with this, I'm sure you'll do well

 

[Ross Jowers]

All too often it can be dangerous, lower H&S and a **** hole, but give it a go as its the only way to find out, have you any special skills that would appeal to a foreign employer?

What sort of special skills would appeal to foreign employers? I don’t care about starting from the bottom and working my way up.

 

[Ross Jowers]

I'd say this is a difficult one. It's certainly not as easy or as lucrative as it used to be, so you need to do a lot of research, talk to lot's of people that are or have worked abroad, and then do lots and lots of thinking about it. When you've done that, ask more questions, think some more, and on it goes
Not trying to put you off in any way, shape or form, but the grass is not always greener on the other side!

Good luck with this, I'm sure you'll do well

I’m trying to look into it as much as possible but unfortunately you can’t believe everything you read, and they mostly contradict each other. I’ve been saving up for my welding codes but again I don’t have a clue about any of it. I’ve tried contacting my old welding instructors but no reply, I’ve tried asking welders on LinkedIn but unfortunately no reply.

 

[Ross Jowers]

You need to find a UK firm that does some work abroad. As mentioned on another thread you need to have some skill that they cant get locally (and locally probably also means cheaper)
Having just finished college its unlikely your skills cant be replicated by a local

I suppose there will be opportunities such as volunteering to help in Africa or somewhere....but it doesnt pay well

Thankyou for the advice, I appreciate it.

 

[Burdekin]

If you believe in yourself there is no end of adventure out there. I lived and worked overseas for most of my life. Not always doing what I set out to do but I got by.
There is a whole world out there to explore and I don't regret any of my time away. Most certainly there are things I would have done differently but no regrets. I have learned an awful lot about life and people. Sadly, most of this just confirms everyone's suspicions. This country is cabbaged.

Dido.

There’s some countries that are easy to start off exploring and working; Oz, NZ, Canada, Ireland etc. Of course you can work still in the EU without restriction. If you are under 28 (I think) then you could try the holiday working visa route first. You’re not supposed to work in your trade but there’s always work out there for a welder. I always thought it’s a great trade to have if you want to travel. Oz has a points system to emigrate to but you might also be able to be sponsored by an employer and be tied to them on a working visa, I don’t know if this still exists but worth looking in to. A good place to get info is actually recruitment agents in the countries you are thinking about. Send off your CV to jobs and ask them how you could get to work in the country etc. Don’t be afraid to contact plenty of folk, these folk will know all the in and outs.

https://www.seek.com.au/

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Much will depend on your personal circumstances. Are you married, engaged? Partners don't always take well to long absences....

 

[Ross Jowers]

I'd say this is a difficult one. It's certainly not as easy or as lucrative as it used to be, so you need to do a lot of research, talk to lot's of people that are or have worked abroad, and then do lots and lots of thinking about it. When you've done that, ask more questions, think some more, and on it goes
Not trying to put you off in any way, shape or form, but the grass is not always greener on the other side!

Good luck with this, I'm sure you'll do well

I know what I’m wanting to achieve will be no easy task but what in life is! I know times have changed to what is used to be but unfortunately I don’t know anyone who welds outside of my home town or works as a welder abroad. One of my uncles has worked offshore as a scaffolder and has told me how difficult it isn’t trying to gain a foot in the door of that line of work. I’m really just wanting to know from people who we’re once in my position. Thankyou for you advice I appreciate it!

 

[Ross Jowers]

Dido.

There’s some countries that are easy to start off exploring and working; Oz, NZ, Canada, Ireland etc. Of course you can work still in the EU without restriction. If you are under 28 (I think) then you could try the holiday working visa route first. You’re not supposed to work in your trade but there’s always work out there for a welder. I always thought it’s a great trade to have if you want to travel. Oz has a points system to emigrate to but you might also be able to be sponsored by an employer and be tied to them on a working visa, I don’t know if this still exists but worth looking in to. A good place to get info is actually recruitment agents in the countries you are thinking about. Send off your CV to jobs and ask them how you could get to work in the country etc. Don’t be afraid to contact plenty of folk, these folk will know all the in and outs.

https://www.seek.com.au/

Thank you for your input mean a lot! Do you know by any chance of any websites for jobs for oz, nz, Canada etc or is it just any website that are advertising for jobs in the country’s?

 

[Burdekin]

My wife suggests find a girl in another country who can support you. :-)

 

[Ross Jowers]

Much will depend on your personal circumstances. Are you married, engaged? Partners don't always take well to long absences....

Fortunately or unfortunately I’m single!

 

[Ross Jowers]

My wife suggests find a girl in another country who can support you. :-)

Haha if only it was that easy

 

[Burdekin]

Thank you for your input mean a lot! Do you know by any chance of any websites for jobs for oz, nz, Canada etc or is it just any website that are advertising for jobs in the country’s?

Seek.com is a well known one which has been round for years. Google is your friend when looking for jobs and info. I’m Australian so I came the other way so don’t actually know much about getting into Oz. Things have also moved on since I use to travel about but if you can find that person to help you out then you are sorted. I got a excellent recruitment agent before I moved here and as I had quals which were short of in the U.K. I originally was sponsored by an employer for my first 5 years.

 

[Burdekin]

Haha if only it was that easy

Ha ha you have much to learn about being that exotic foreigner.

 

[Ross Jowers]

Seek.com is a well known one which has been round for years. Google is your friend when looking for jobs and info. I’m Australian so I came the other way so don’t actually know much about getting into Oz. Things have also moved on since I use to travel about but if you can find that person to help you out then you are sorted. I got a excellent recruitment agent before I moved here and as I had quals which were short of in the U.K. I originally was sponsored by an employer for my first 5 years.

Thank you so much for your advice again honestly means a lot!