Career advice

[oh_crumpets]

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.

 

[stuvy]

You will earn more money long term as a hgv mechanic but ultimately depends what you want to do

 

[Mma man]

I definitely wouldn't go with welding budy. The money has been crap for as long as I can remember and will never change.

 

[hotponyshoes]

A job is only one part of your life so think about all your life goals and see how it fits in.
Don't be afraid of change either.
Nothing stopping you (aside from not reading the contract properly) from trying the welding for a year.
If you don't like it or need more income jump ship in 12mths and try something else.

Obviously once you have a mortgage to pay or kids to look after or whatever then leaving a job is a much bigger decision so now is the time to try things out!

 

[gaz1]

everything is going to change your young enough to a degree

even the hgv side of it is going to change with the forced to use electric side of it

on that part no one knows which way its going to go forced onto the railways then onto local transport systems this was the past can be the same for the future

theres only one trade that keeps going the most and thats buildings works

the other one is solicitors

 

[oh_crumpets]

I definitely wouldn't go with welding budy. The money has been crap for as long as I can remember and will never change.

what about plant fitting and repair work with excavators or buckets and so on? if I get some time in fab and welding then see if I can find work in that area, or is that a gamble?

 

[h-dom]

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

 

[Munkul]

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...

 

[Rkweld]

I started work welding, at 15 at the weekends pretty much for free but learning, then straight in to an apprenticeship when I left school. I was on crap money but learned properly. Ended up not having enough money to stay there. Got my next job as a plant mechanic based on the fact of how good my welding was, the guy said he had no jobs going but had 2 weeks welding going that I could do if I was any good. On the basis of my 2 weeks he hired me and put me through plant apprenticeship course at college. I got to do loads of welding and got good with hydraulics and hydraulic transmissions etc. got to do some pretty interesting stuff.

So learning to weld could just be the first rung on the ladder, as it was for me!

What I would do now looking back would be to have gone to art college and then welding because when you have a mortgage you dont have the options you do with no overheads. In plant you work hard long hours though, not family life friendly, most of the older guys used to say to me its a young single mans game. Hence why I am not in plant anymore! Like hotponyshoes said, don't be afraid to change.

Don't let your job run your life! I took a pay cut to get into my job now and I am happier for it. I now weld for the enjoyment in my own time again!

 

[Rkweld]

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

Being a plant fitter with a welding nvq an hgv licence will probably get you some job offers!

 

[Blobber]

Isnt JCB taking on a load of welders? I should think thats a good place to work with decent conditions and benefits?

Probably get a staff discount as well!!

 

[Mma man]

what about plant fitting and repair work with excavators or buckets and so on? if I get some time in fab and welding then see if I can find work in that area, or is that a gamble?

Everything in life is a bit of a gamble to be honest but you need a trade for sure. The biggest problem with the welding is anyone can learn it pretty fast and mass migration kept the rate really low. Its started to creep up a tad but in real terms I was earning a better hourly rate back in the 90s. And don't forget paye take a 3rd so 0n 20 an hour you only get about 13 an hour

 

[Barking Mat]

What do you enjoy doing more ? Welding or HGV mechanics ?

Money isn't the be all and end all of a job.

Job satisfaction counts for a whole lot more.

I appreciate, we all need to live, but a job you hate, just for the money......

My tuppence....

 

[oilcooled :)]

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.

 

[Mikes]

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.

 

[winchman]

The problem I now see with certain welding work is its being de skilled to keep costs down, I have seen coded welders who can only do a couple of welds and have no ideal about anything else.
I would look at the HGV or Factory Maintenance the machinery not the building.

 

[oh_crumpets]

Isnt JCB taking on a load of welders? I should think thats a good place to work with decent conditions and benefits?

Probably get a staff discount as well!!

they are in the midlands just not close enough. however 20% off a bulldozer is tempting

 

[oh_crumpets]

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.

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.

 

[premmington]

Most HGV mechanics work nights. Best avoided!

 

[MattF]

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.