Hi
I was wondering whether any of the people on here far more experienced and qualified than me could
offer me a little advice. I'm 33 years of age. I've been working for a casting foundry in my local area for a little over a year.
When I first started, I was working with an experienced Tig Welder. My job was to prepare and dig out various aluminium castings and prepare them for him to weld that had various defects ranging from small cosmetic work (saw cuts, over dressing, etc) to deep shrinkage that needed to be dug out.
A while back, he started to train me on how to weld as he was going abroad for six weeks.
I passed a coded welding test and he trained me and instructed me and gave me a lot of knowledge which I'm very grateful for. I do feel that I was a little misled by the company over the coded welding test as I was led to believe that it was a proper welding course. In reality, it's more for the company to say that they've got someone who is qualified to carry out the appropriate work.
At this young but still quite advanced stage in my life, I feel a metaphorical boot up my behind to start working towards some Tig welding qualifications for myself and I could use some advice.
1. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the options available. I've been thinking of a college course but there are so many options to consider (City and Guilds, Apprenticeships, NVQ, HND, etc). Maybe an actual welding school would be the better option.
2. I don't really know what specific qualifications are the ones employers tend to look for.
3. If I was to take a course that ran from say, September to December, does that mean I'd have to wait a year to tackle the next stage/level. I appreciate that it can take time but I don't want to spend a whole year twiddling my thumbs and just hanging around to jump to the next stage if I can help it.
If anyone here could help to point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks again.
I was wondering whether any of the people on here far more experienced and qualified than me could
offer me a little advice. I'm 33 years of age. I've been working for a casting foundry in my local area for a little over a year.
When I first started, I was working with an experienced Tig Welder. My job was to prepare and dig out various aluminium castings and prepare them for him to weld that had various defects ranging from small cosmetic work (saw cuts, over dressing, etc) to deep shrinkage that needed to be dug out.
A while back, he started to train me on how to weld as he was going abroad for six weeks.
I passed a coded welding test and he trained me and instructed me and gave me a lot of knowledge which I'm very grateful for. I do feel that I was a little misled by the company over the coded welding test as I was led to believe that it was a proper welding course. In reality, it's more for the company to say that they've got someone who is qualified to carry out the appropriate work.
At this young but still quite advanced stage in my life, I feel a metaphorical boot up my behind to start working towards some Tig welding qualifications for myself and I could use some advice.
1. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the options available. I've been thinking of a college course but there are so many options to consider (City and Guilds, Apprenticeships, NVQ, HND, etc). Maybe an actual welding school would be the better option.
2. I don't really know what specific qualifications are the ones employers tend to look for.
3. If I was to take a course that ran from say, September to December, does that mean I'd have to wait a year to tackle the next stage/level. I appreciate that it can take time but I don't want to spend a whole year twiddling my thumbs and just hanging around to jump to the next stage if I can help it.
If anyone here could help to point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks again.
