Is welding a good profession and how lucrative

[Parm]

Mark Doyle?

No, Rob but I can’t remember his second name

 

[TEO]

If you're looking for a trade & starting from scratch then there may be trades which after the same learning period will give you a better return.
Most trades will require a minimum of 3 yrs for basic quals, City & guilds or the like, just to get started.
Very few trades will start you on the bottom rung without any previous training or experience but some may take you on if you make a commitment to train and demonstrate a commitment to the work.
Your age may be in your favour, you sound as though you've been around long enough to know how to push a broom & make the tea without being asked, or getting bolshy when it becomes obvious that the bottom rung is about doing the jobs you're qualified for - pushing a broom & making tea while showing an interest & asking what you can do to help without getting under anyone's feet.
Imagine starting your previous occupation from scratch now, even if business were booming you'd be expected to do the graft to learn the trade.
It sounds a bit brutal, I don't mean to put you off but if the thought of the above does put you off then it's not for you.
You're doing the right thing by asking questions, keep your eyes open, capitalise on any opportunity & connections that come your way & I wish you luck. I'm not sure if I've made good decisions at every turn, I am sure that I was right to leave the city also sure that UK never earn as much again - best decision I ever made.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Become a self employed builder. No skill needed. No qualifications. Charge the Earth and do a rotten job
If you actually do a tidy job and have the decency not to keep letting people down you can do really well.
Chimney sweeps are also in great demand in semi rural areas.

A little bit of a generalisation. I know many decent builders. Perhaps your vetting skills need some work.

 

[roofman]

Everyone needs a good plumber/heating engineer...plus its better policed than my crappy game so 9 times out of 10 stops Peter the window cleaner from taking work off you

 

[addjunkie]

Go retrain as a plumber heating engineer or sparky. Always work if your half decent.

 

[tom2207]

Go retrain as a plumber heating engineer or sparky. Always work if your half decent.

Plastering is the one ,,, its the one job that most folk wont tackle ,,, everyones a painter etc but plastering is where its at ,,, all you need is a bucket and a trowel . oh and the radio you borrow from the painter ,, win win.

 

[Vicioushippy]

Its pants, the chap that started up HeadKandi lives in the next village. He pulled out of this for the same reasons

Chin up fella, something good will come along

Hopefully mate. Thanks.

 

[TEO]

Plastering is the one ,,, its the one job that most folk wont tackle ,,, everyones a painter etc but plastering is where its at ,,, all you need is a bucket and a trowel . oh and the radio you borrow from the painter ,, win win.

& a great physio, you're going to become very good friends

 

[James1979]

Depends what you want and what working conditions you want.

Home every night? Working away? Contracting? Something stable?

Could always train in something else to do with electrical and take that to the wind turbine industry as a tech? You need to be fairly fit but the money is not bad and they’re going to be around for a while.

Fibreglass / blade tech is another one in the wind farm that’s always in demand. It’s usually a rope access role, mind.

Depends where your interests lay, really.

 

[Barking Mat]

Isn't it more a question of taking on a skilled profession, and after many years of practice, being a skilled craftsman?

He says having fixed boats for nearly twenty years and still gets paid a pittance as a marine engineer.

Mustn't grumble.

 

[premmington]

Everyone needs a good plumber/heating engineer...plus its better policed than my crappy game so 9 times out of 10 stops Peter the window cleaner from taking work off you

Wish someone would start "policing the motortrade"...

You can put a sign over the door and open a workshop and "declare yourself a professional" with zero qualifications.

Any motortrade organsiation - is just selling membership and training based "not worth the paper they are written on certificates" - for money/profit.

Even the motortrade insurers don't care as long as you pay them...

Few deaths with electric cars might thin a few out into the future.

 

[Maker]

Wish someone would start "policing the motortrade"...

You can put a sign of the door and open a workshop and "declare yourself a professional" with zero qualifications.

My cousin was complaining about this the other day, apparently half the mechanics around here were builders who decided overnight they were mechanics.

I suppose it's self-regulating to an extent, if you're no good you'll go out of business (And start bricklaying again ).

 

[tom2207]

My cousin was complaining about this the other day, apparently half the mechanics around here were builders who decided overnight they were mechanics.

I suppose it's self-regulating to an extent, if you're no good you'll go out of business (And start bricklaying again ).

when you look at the investment in equipment to be a mechanic , against a bit of string ,a level ,a hammer and a trowel ,,, it all fits in a plastic bucket along with a radio and your lunch ,,, why would anyone want to be a mechanic..

 

[roofman]

My cousin was complaining about this the other day, apparently half the mechanics around here were builders who decided overnight they were mechanics.

I suppose it's self-regulating to an extent, if you're no good you'll go out of business (And start bricklaying again ).

or roofing

 

[stuvy]

Personally

If I was going to come away from welding I’d be looking at machining

Average wage round me and my two mates are machinist is £18 per hour

They took a keen part skilled older chap on and started him at £13p/h he’s now on the same as them as he really wants to be there

See if someone locally will give you a lesson

Don’t waste money on college as it’s not worth the paper it’s written on

How old are you(might have missed this)

 

[premmington]

My cousin was complaining about this the other day, apparently half the mechanics around here were builders who decided overnight they were mechanics.

I suppose it's self-regulating to an extent, if you're no good you'll go out of business (And start bricklaying again ).

Two BMW performance specialists that have opened up in the town I live in - one was a tyre fitter and the other was in the RAF regiment. I kid you not. Nice enough couple of lads thou.

Begs the question how or where do you get trained up to be a mechanic nowadays.

Level 3 training is nothing like the job we do in workshops nowadays.
Level 4 by the time you have finished the syllabas - what you have learned is out of date and redundant.

Dealer training - in one make - is OK - plus you get allot of product knowledge (in one make). But then if you go work in an independant dealing with all makes - this don't work either.

 

[Parm]

Wish someone would start "policing the motortrade"...

You can put a sign over the door and open a workshop and "declare yourself a professional" with zero qualifications.

Any motortrade organsiation - is just selling membership and training based "not worth the paper they are written on certificates" - for money/profit.

Even the motortrade insurers don't care as long as you pay them...

Few deaths with electric cars might thin a few out into the future.

I hear ya.

I’m doing this in my very niche profession. Excercising all my regulatory power, too great effect

 

[Parm]

A little bit of a generalisation. I know many decent builders. Perhaps your vetting skills need some work.

WTF do you know?

I’m joking really. I’ve seen Robin do his stuff.......

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

WTF do you know?

I’m joking really. I’ve seen Robin do his stuff.......

Ahh. The worktop cut out I still chuckle. Easiest afternoon I've had.
Worked with a very good crew on Jersey. They weren't afraid to spend the money to do the job right.

 

[Parm]

Ahh. The worktop cut out I still chuckle. Easiest afternoon I've had.
Worked with a very good crew on Jersey. They weren't afraid to spend the money to do the job right.

You need to visit to experience your efforts that afternoon ....