Career advice

[Rkweld]

Hgv mechanics, taking out a pump or motor or track out of a digger where ever it decides to break down covered in clay and oil, it’s one way of looking 60 when your 50, that’s a tough tough game. Welding is definitely ahead of that even on its worst day.

It is probably why my coarse at college for construction plant maintenance started with 31 people in the class but by the 3rd year I was one of only 5 left in the class and they nearly shut the course down because of it!

I didn't mind the muck too much, if you are with some good guys you make the best of it and you repair stuff that others would not dream of touching. What I didn't like was the long hours and the people who own plant often treat you like dirt and don't want to pay to repair their machines, oh, and "I need the machine running before 7am alright mate". Or what? Fix it yourself then.

 

[Rkweld]

If you end up with qualifications, it's a feather under your cap for future use, even if you decide not to stick with it. Young is the best time to stock up on qualifications, so that later on you have choices.

Top advice

 

[Mikes]

I'd rather stay in the workshop rather than go out for a week or more on a job anyway. Ive tried looking for companies that do pipe fabrication and so far ive found 2 or so within 30 min drive.

The majority of these prefab shops for pipework do TIG for the root runs then just MIG . Often have someone else cutting pipe to length, prepping ends and tacking. Very production line in operation as driven by cost to be competitive. Generally good, clean working conditions but would imagine could become tame very quickly as unlike a site pipe welder, you don't get to see the assembled system. Job satisfaction can be very important.

 

[redlig]

There aren't many site pipe welders left now as most is done prefab in workshops. Think this could be a bit sole destroying long term. Saw a job advertised for a welder/ fabricator with a need to be able to do most everything and the salary was £24k which I thought was terrible given the list of the company's expectations. I would look for an apprenticeship that gave you a good grounding in all mechanical disciplines and then make your mind up a bit later on when you've had time to see a bit more.

Jack of all trades and master of none. Don't specialise and be flexible . Enjoy what you do as its 25 % of you life . Keep you aspirations simple and attainable . Don't forget that the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side.

 

[Bobupndown]

If I was 19 again and had no responsibilities I would get my HGV license and cash in on the shortage.

Gotta be 21 for hgv license?

 

[hotponyshoes]

If it's only the money you are after then now is the time to get some sort of specialist qualification.
Especially if you are young enough to get most of the training costs paid for.

Any job where you need to be registered with some sort of body to practice it is always going to pay better.
The ones that need 4-5yrs+ of miniminum wage training are the best paid of the lot.

The main downside though is after going through all that training you are kind of stuck with that job for life as you have invested so much into it.
But, on the upside, if you are making decent money in a secure job then you will be able to just play at welding (or whatever else you enjoy) as a hobby or as part time work. If you don't need to make a living from something it's a lot more enjoyable as you can buy a nice welder without worrying how many jobs you need to do to pay it off.
Or if you also do some welding work on the side you can pick and choose what you do and who you do it for.

I know plenty of people who love horses and some of them slog away on mininimum wage working stupid hours looking after horses basically in exchange for rent and stabling for there own horse. They run tatty old cars and have to save up for new brake pads.
Then there are the ones who have a decent paid 9-5 and can afford to keep the horse somewhere and just pop in after work to stroke it then get wvery weekend off to take it nice places to ride towed behind the range rover...

Basically, what I'm saying is, although you should aim for a job you enjoy, just because you enjoy doing something does not necessarily make it the best choice for a job.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Gotta be 21 for hgv license?

I'm pretty sure you can do it at 18 now.
Not sure how long that's been the case but it's not that new

 

[Barking Mat]

If you want to earn 52k per year go see Waitrosese, Tescos or Royal Mail, they'll even pay your training.

No mention of Brexit.

My brother has moved back to the UK for this reason , earning twice what I earn.

 

[oh_crumpets]

If you want an easy life and a good career path, try a mechanical fitting apprenticeship with a manufacturing company. Then see what you want to do after that...

isnt this often working shift patterns and working under pressure? not too sure whats involved with it

 

[Lewis_RX8]

I recently had a similar situation to you looking for apprenticeships and enjoying welding and other work as hobby / for fun but unsure what career path to go down.

I decided I enjoy welding , machining , working on cars and diy trades at home but I would not want to do that all day every day.

I would also recommend trying to speak to people who have been in that industry for example reaching out on LinkedIn most people are helpful if you explain your situation and ask for their advice.

Heres some messages from an experienced welder who had I assume one of the higher paying welding/pipewelding jobs working on refinery, plant and offshore shutdowns however he says

"There is far better and more healthy ways to make money than welding nowadays ...being a rigger same money and less hassle kid ...if you need any other advise ping me a message...but if welding is where your heart is go for it ...but do some research the wages are gettn terrible good paying jobs are scarce...check for yourself on indeed cv library you will be shocked ...rates on par with labour's kid ...

Yea lewis I myself am trying to get in railway to hang my bucket up ..clesrly because of the stability in the rail industry..also babcock rail am sure do apprenticeships so mabee worth searchn that aswell ..ano this prob wot you were wantn to hear ..but kid game is terrible ...wouldn't want you to waist 4yrs apprenticeship to be walkn away to earn 10-13phr no worth it especially when you need certs cards etc, I advised my son not to get intae it hes now 22 just about finished electrical apprenticeships"

This and some further research put me off the welding path unfortunately and decided it would stay as a hobby and occasional use in work rather than main trade.

I've decided to go down the mechanical technician route in an oil and gas maintenance role which I enjoy and incorporate some of my interests with better conditions and benefits and a higher salary range.

Best of luck with whatever you go with hope it works out and any questions feel free to ask or PM as it was me in that position not long ago.

 

[winchman]

You must have some apprentice training schools in the Midlands?
We have these

Engineering Apprenticeships, CCNSG and Compex Training

TTE Training Ltd, offer a very wide range of adult learning courses including CCNSG, Compex, and engineering apprenticeships.

www.tteltd.co.uk

Waterside Training | Specialist training provider

Waterside Training Limited based in St Helens, Merseyside is a specialist training provider, delivering high quality engineering and manufacturing

www.waterside-training.co.uk

Whilst neither are perfect as they try to teach you many varied skills they would give you some ideas, get you training and see what you are good at they they try to find you a placement with a company.
For instance when I did mine at a similar long gone establishment when it came to sheet metal work I thought I wouldn't like it but once I had a go I loved it and still do but better money in repairing factory machines.
I would also look at the big automated factorys in the midlands and contact HR to ask about apprenticeships, the good thing you have is some experience so you can prove an interest in engineering
Sell your self, get a Linked in page as sometimes companies look at them to recruit people

 

[Munkul]

isnt this often working shift patterns and working under pressure? not too sure whats involved with it

A lot of places work shifts as well as a day crew.

It can be as interesting a job as anything in the world, or it can be deathly boring.

e.g. Crown bevcan near to us - they are time served fitters on shifts, watching the can lines, sitting down and occasionally removing a bad can from the line. They struggle to keep people for long on that job, as you can well imagine, even though it's a £40k a year job. i think they have a small day crew for bigger repairs and overhauls.

Our spot which is similar to a paper mill - mostly day work with a shift fitter/electrician pair out of hours. Our guys aren't specialists in any one area - they move around the plant which varies from 70 yearold stinkholes, to state-of-the-art processing lines. We design and build most of our own lines and upgrades, so there is always something interesting to work on, if they're willing to work some overtime.
The reference to easy life, some on here will understand that well - big companies generally are quite relaxed and some lazy people take advantage of this, putting an 8 hour shift in doing as little as possible. Of course, some people are natural workhorses too. But no decent company these days will put anyone under too much pressure, it's just no good for elf n safety.

I served my time as a fitter and I can tell you it was one of the best decisions of my entire life. I moved up the chain to supervisory roles but TBH I was never happier than when i was on the tools.

 

[8ob]

Sorry if this is a ball ache question.

I'm 19, ive just finished 5 months welding and labouring for a company because of some agency complications that arent worth explaining, and Ive now been offered an apprenticeship doing welding and fab work mostly 5mm upwards and some structural work.

I cant decide whether to do it or not because from what ive seen welding often pays like 12 an hour. I'm considering doing a HGV mechanic apprenticeship near me instead where I could get 17 or more but I'm interested in welding.
I'd really want to get into pipe fabrication and welding but I havent a clue how to get into it or many companies near me that do it.

I'm competent with stick mig and from the 10 minutes on the tig I feel pretty confident with that aswell, so if anyone has any advice then its greatly appreciated.

At 19 you have the world at your feet, a well rounded engineer is in demand and will always have work. Have a few years as a fitter and as a welder, you wont regret it.

Bob

 

[oilcooled :)]

Another thing to consider is travelling, I went travelling the country fitting and welding pipe, chasing big money I gave all of my 20s in a B and B at night looking at four walls, I’m not prepared to give my 30s at it.
some one on average money in a place local that suits them will be just as far on at 65.

 

[addjunkie]

Another thing to consider is travelling, I went travelling the country fitting and welding pipe, chasing big money I gave all of my 20s in a B and B at night looking at four walls, I’m not prepared to give my 30s at it.
some one on average money in a place local that suits them will be just as far on at 65.

Industrial prostitution and chasing money has its moments.

at 19 what ever you choose to do will become quite boring quite quickly, but it will put beer money in your pocket.

its doubtfull in this day and age youll spend the next 50 years doing the same thing. But what you learn in the next couple of years will underpin your long term future. Dosomething you might enjoy, get satisfaction from, but also something that you can grow with. Because 50 years of working boredom will be a long* 50 years.
id say go HGV fitting if there is no other options apart from welding.

 

[premmington]

Want some solid career advice - avoid the "motortrade" in any form like the plague.

 

[winchman]

Want some solid career advice - avoid the "motortrade" in any form like the plague.

I agree
I know some excellent motor trade people who are paid buttons, but I know some average factory maintenance people who are on mega money.
Bobs point is very good.
Winchboy is the only Electrician who can weld where he works, saved them a few times.
Personally i would look at Mechatronics courses as this is how 95% of stuff works now, it was the best course i ever did and the most useful as many courses are full of rubbish that very few engineers need to know, Mechatronics covers all the stuff you need to know

 

[premmington]

I agree
I know some excellent motor trade people who are paid buttons, but I know some average factory maintenance people who are on mega money.
Bobs point is very good.
Winchboy is the only Electrician who can weld where he works, saved them a few times.
Personally i would look at Mechatronics courses as this is how 95% of stuff works now, it was the best course i ever did and the most useful as many courses are full of rubbish that very few engineers need to know, Mechatronics covers all the stuff you need to know

Factory fitters who can have an electrical qualfication can/do earn well. Down side to this - you can end up doing rotary shifts (nights/days four on four off).

Not sure what I would do aged 16 - if I had my time again?

It is a big question - a big ask for a young lad to get the answer right - with all the distractions of finding girls/drink and a bit of freedom.


I think Bob has got it right - if they do something/anything they will find there way in life. Doing nothing is problem. I am with Bob on this one!

 

[Brad93]

Mechanical Engineer / Fitter / mechanical Electrical much better long run than a welder. You'd walk into most waste to energy plants at £35k. Stay a few years then you've got the option of going into management, foreman, charge hand etc.

Get a proper apprenticeship underway.

 

[redlig]

Want some solid career advice - avoid the "motortrade" in any form like the plague.

ABSO BL**DY LOOTELY!!!!