No Evening Classes (Again!!!)

[HasBean]

Well I give in!
This is now the seventh year on the trot that the local (only) college will not be doing evening classes in welding or machining.
I've read loads and Malcolms tutorials have really helped but a bit more is required.
As it happens my brother-in-law works for the college so I have a few e-mail address' so I can annoy some people but 'with no demand' what can you do?
Moan over
(Where's my can of cider gone )

Paul

 

[TonyWilk]

Well I give in!
This is now the seventh year on the trot that the local (only) college will not be doing evening classes in welding or machining.
*snip*
but 'with no demand' what can you do?
*snip*
Paul

The guy I got some training from used to work for the local college, but they don't do welding courses any more...

I was fortunate enough to have a bob or two to pay for some "private tuition" and he was glad of the income.

In my case, I'd never touched a welder before in my life, so I needed quite a bit of help. If you have already done some welding and know where your weak areas are, you might find that just a few hours with 'One Who Knows' to be really useful.

Try contacting some of the now-out-of-work welding instructors and see if they'd take a few quid to help you out.

Even several hours at, say, £20/hr focussed on exactly what you need could be a bargain in the long run.

... can't hurt to ask !

Yours,
Tony Wilk

 

[HasBean]

Funny you should mention that Tony, I've emailed the guy at the college about the same thing

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

I asked the local college in Scunny about TIG courses and they said it would depend on the demand...

but unlike years ago they don't advertise these courses so not many people will ask for one.

Maybe we need to place a few adverts ourselves and get a few people together.

I wonder if there'd be any response to adverts placed on supermarket notice-boards during August getting people interested in starting in September?

Regards
Peter

 

[zardoz]

I must be in a good area, as my city & guilds level 1 & 2 evening classes, on Monday and Tuesday, are invariably full. But once your 'in' you are first in the queue before anyone else. Maybe if you could get 5 or 6 people together who want a welding class, then you could try and shame them into it by getting the local rag to write a piece on how you have tried to get in the 7 years ?

PS: does anyone know anything about, or has passed a level 3 C&G welding class ?

 

[Mad Mick]

Hi Zardoz,please let me know what it is you wish to know about C&G level 3.I have level 3 in mig tig stick pipe etc,have worked in industry for over 40 years,the last 18 years full time welding & fabrication.Regards,Mick.

 

[zardoz]

Hi Mick, first of all i'd like to ask when & where you got your C&G 3 (3267 I assume?) as I can only find level 1 and 2. I did see something on this forum, where somebody mentioned that they were going to run a pilot scheme for level 3 and if it went well to roll it out nationally. Or at least thats what i think it said, its been a while now since i read it and i cant find it again. Now i cant recall if it was just MIG, but i am assuming it would be for TIG and Arc as well

Anyway, I assume level 3 C&G 3267 was simply more of the same only even more complicated welds (pipe welds etc) and that the tolerances would be finer. Is this correct ?

 

[Mad Mick]

Hi Zardoz,the qualifications I have were all from Peterborough Regional College gained from 1989 to 2003.It was all to the old City & Guilds 165 spec.,as used by EMFEC etc.In practical terms,leaving aside sheet metalwork,tech. drawing,workshop practises and related studies,level 1 was downhand mig tig and stick,level 2 vertical, level 3 overhead,followed by tig &stick pipe.I found it quite challenging but interesting. My colleague of 10 years recently decided to go for some qualifications and found thing had changed somewhat in the local area, and found that all he could get in the way of evening classes was short (1 term) introductory courses,so had to settle for that.I can only guess that funding might have been an issue,as so many folk go for non-practical courses such computing these days.We now have a massive practical skills gap, and with what I would term 'the candy floss' banking sector going down the tubes big time,there might be some hope for those of us who still make something(outside China).Rant over!I hope this is of use to you,regards,Mick

 

[HasBean]

I have had an email from the welding instructor and there will be an evening class this autumn
Been told to get the application in the same day to stand a chance of getting in (If so popular why no classes?)
Also as I have done previous classes I get a chance to have a go at what I want to do, mostly MMA (as I reckon it could be the most usefull, for me), MIG (want to improve vertical/horizontal & have a go at spray) & anything to do with TIG.

I know what'll happen.............The application forms come out at the end of June,...............when I just happen to be out of the Island for the week!!!!

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

when I did my course 20-odd years ago there must have been 70 guys turn up teh first week. They had to split us into two courses...

and by Christmas they had to combine the two as so many had dropped out it wasn't worth opening the workshops!

Regards
Peter

 

[runnach]

Problem is with most colleges not running an evening class purely and simply comes down to money. Colleges have been for years a private entity, no longer tied to the region you reside in. Which in turn, means no funding from a regional council. They are classed as a business now, thus said, of course there is funding from government. Problem is, a huge wad goes into the pot, with very little trickling down to the men/women at the chalk face!

Using welding night class for this example, welding is a high cost area, a 12 week 3 hour NC course say costs £100, 16 persons per course = £1600. A very little can be claimed via "sums" count (money value) Tutor cost @ say £25 per hour over a 36 hour course = £900 total. I don't need to go into the other cost factors such as materials, gas ect, no £££ left, let alone a profit!

If we take CAD drawing for another example, one room with 30 pc's. The cost of CAD course is higher for the individual wishing to participate, main point is, very little extra cost to the college delivering CAD. Bums on seats is what the majority of colleges scream out, sums count is higher, very little outlay also.

I know there are some areas throughout UK who do have to provide welding courses, especially areas with high engineering requirements. I have heard of people making complaints to their MP's over the lack of certain courses, perhaps this is a route some of you guys/ladies can pursue?

I haven't run an evening course for close to a year now, too many issues had to be dealt with for various reasons, these issues have only recently been dealt with. Should be back to the norm around end of August, early September, management willing? I should also state, it is common practice for participants of an evening course to supply their tutor with copious amounts of alcohol on the last evening..............my tipple is voddie btw hic%%%

 

[HasBean]

Yes, I'm partial to a drop of vodka (Christmas/Birthdays/Nuclear Meltdowns etc )
I think there were 12 of us originally, only 4 of us finished all the sections and got a certificate, pretty p*ss poor really.
Quite miffed if I'm right in thinking that despite the demand that only a few will finish the course, stopping those that really want to from attending because they got their application in too late!!

 

[runnach]

Yes, I'm partial to a drop of vodka (Christmas/Birthdays/Nuclear Meltdowns etc )
I think there were 12 of us originally, only 4 of us finished all the sections and got a certificate, pretty p*ss poor really.
Quite miffed if I'm right in thinking that despite the demand that only a few will finish the course, stopping those that really want to from attending because they got their application in too late!!

Doesn't take that many to get me close to melt down Joking apart, certainly at my end there is no requirement to receive an NC certificate, I get a mixed bag, guys from industry who wish to achieve the cert, to a guy who only wants the proper training so he can commence a boat or car restoration project are a couple of examples. All get the same training/advice ect...........

 

[HasBean]

Doesn't take that many to get me close to melt down Joking apart, certainly at my end there is no requirement to receive an NC certificate, I get a mixed bag, guys from industry who wish to achieve the cert, to a guy who only wants the proper training so he can commence a boat or car restoration project are a couple of examples. All get the same training/advice ect...........

Couldn't fault the training (bit lopsided though with 8 weeks gas & 2 weeks arc & vice versa for the others)
Must admit the 2 young ladies with the large chests did get a little bit more attention from the tutor for some reason

 

[zardoz]

Couldn't fault the training (bit lopsided though with 8 weeks gas & 2 weeks arc & vice versa for the others)
Must admit the 2 young ladies with the large chests did get a little bit more attention from the tutor for some reason

So you finally got on a course then ?

 

[HasBean]

The courses will be advertised in the local paper at the end of June. I've been told to stand a chance of getting on it I'll have to get my application in the same day!

 

[Johnny™]

Well I give in!
This is now the seventh year on the trot that the local (only) college will not be doing evening classes in welding or machining.
I've read loads and Malcolms tutorials have really helped but a bit more is required.
As it happens my brother-in-law works for the college so I have a few e-mail address' so I can annoy some people but 'with no demand' what can you do?
Moan over
(Where's my can of cider gone )

Paul

i had the same problem, called the college sign up to be told on three occasions that there were not enough pupils. I persisted still to be told no classes. I phone up on the fifth occasion to be told oh! the classes started 3 weeks ago and i was too late! i asked didnt they see my registration and interest in the class! i mean how stupid are these people!!!???

still looking for a decent class somewhere...

 

[arkangel06]

Hi,

I asked the local college in Scunny about TIG courses and they said it would depend on the demand...

but unlike years ago they don't advertise these courses so not many people will ask for one.

Maybe we need to place a few adverts ourselves and get a few people together.

I wonder if there'd be any response to adverts placed on supermarket notice-boards during August getting people interested in starting in September?

Regards
Peter

you fly me over and pay for everything ill take a TIG cource hell ill take any cource with in reason

 

[HasBean]

Well last nights post had the autumn propectus in it and after much hunting around (was a bit p*ssed) found a 'Welding and Fabrication' course in the examination section.
Anyone can apply but is tailored for individuals and can acheive level 1 or level 2 if previously qualified.
I filled in the application and hand delivered it this morning!
Fingers crossed.