Can you get a good welding job without being apprentice trained?

[D.wilson94]

Can you get a good welding job without being apprentice trained?

 

[cumbriasteve]

Yes if you have the skills and can prove it, however most firms will require you supplying certification and evidence of on the job experience prior to giving you the chance to 'hands on' prove you are good.

You could argue how can you get experience if they don't give you a chance, that argument won't bother them at all, they want to make money and that's probably all that matters to them.

There are lots of places offering little more than minimum rate these days but still demanding you have a decent skill level, a small local firm knowing I was retired asked if I would help out for a couple of weeks on a big order and thought they would impress me with the offer of £8.00 an hour in my hand, they did get someone but it certainly was not me.

 

[D.wilson94]

I currently work as a welder,iv got level 3 diploma and have worked here almost two years i was just curious

 

[cumbriasteve]

Yeah I saw your welds on the other thread, plenty of firms would be happy with those, the big money firms will have certain criteria over who they employ because of the work they do, the contracts for example may state welding to be completed by a competent welder with xyz certifications.

Time served was nearly always an opening requirement but seems not to be as much as it used to, I think they realised 4 or 5 years of doing something did not relate to skill level achieved.

 

[D.wilson94]

So if i was to try go onto a big project ..getting codes would be sufficient?

 

[cumbriasteve]

The easiest thing to do is look at the vacancy ads for the type of work you hope to venture into, the majority will state minimum requirements in certification and plant experience.

 

[D.wilson94]

Im just hoping to better myself and learn more wherever i end up,i enjoy learning new things

 

[whm_fab]

i dont know what its like in the UK, but in Ireland, welders are demanded to have NASA specifcation welding skills and are paid less than a floor asisstant in B&Q, fact. Id love to do a stint in sanitary piping for a few years, but it just doesn't pay. Unless you want to be a pipeliner in Canada or Aus, its generally a bad paying profession when you weigh it up againt the skill level needed.

heres an example being advertised here at the moment for 14euros an hour. Mcdonalds are offering similar

Experienced Welder and Fabricator- Dublin & Kildare


€14.00 per hour


Location: Dublin & Kildare


Entered: 30 June 2018 Salary: €14 per hour


Duration: Permanent


About Us:


Top Recruitment is a premier destination for talented candidates and clients committed to recruiting and developing skilled operatives.


Your new company:


Top Recruitment are currently representing an exciting and ever-growing Engineering company in Dublin. With over 50 years of trading in the industry, our client is looking to expand, and they want Experienced Welders and Fabricators to join their team to help this process.


Your new role:


On behalf of our client, Top Recruitment are currently looking for experienced Welders & Fabricators with a strong welding and fabricating background. Most of the jobs and work will be carried out in Dublin & Kildare. However, there are opportunities arising for project work in France that are up and coming also.


Job Types: Contract/ Full-Time Salary: €14 Per hour


The Ideal Candidate & Requirements:


Previous 3 years' experience working in an engineering company/welding environment

High level Experience of welding using TIG/MIG/MMA methods essential


All Welding Certs current in all processes


Relevant experience in stick welding structural, and TIG welding stainless steels essential


NVQ Level 2 and above or equivalent.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:


Ability to construct and work with jigs and to work from engineering drawings.
Must be proficient with interpreting welding drawings

Must be self-motivated and high energy
Ability to work within a team
Ability to work in an environment that is constantly changing priorities
Must have the highest level of honesty, trust and integrity


If you think you would suit these vacancies, then we would love to hear from you. Please forward on an up to date CV, adhering to all the requirements set out above.

 

[davidjohnperry]

I'll chime in here get ready for back lash lol. I got in to the industry by having a little skill and luck at 29 I've learnt lots in the last 3 years now 32 I've completed a bcsa craftskills in structural steel and am in house coded which in my opinion don't mean jack as in the eyes of real welder fabricators I'm just labour. So yes you can get in to the industry it's hard but if you show interest are keen and pass basic weld test and have some ideal of the industry I can't see why not I managed to

 

[brightspark]

plenty of people get in to industry without quals in a lot of trades and do jobs better than someone waving a bit of paper