Is there no such thing as evening classes any more?

[ian_in_the_midlands]

I have been bumbling along at stick welding for the past few weeks. Following the advice from this site and others, I have has some minor success. It is difficult to really identify problems from pictures. Sometimes things go wrong and I have no idea why. I thought I would look into attending an evening class. I am not looking for a course costing hundreds of pounds that earns a professional qualification at the end as I am only doing it for a hobby.
Years ago, local colleges offered evening classes in anything you could imagine, but living in Stafford now, I can't find anything.
Have they all been cut over years to save money, or am I looking in the wrong places.

 

[Endeleus]

Unfortunately all the good colleges seem to have turned in to mediocre (at best) "universities" these days. Good if you want a £20,000 "degree" in hairdressing, but not much use in the real world.

I used to do the odd computer course with the Open University around 10 years or so ago. Cost about £300 and had a weekly face to face tutorial session with a tutor who knew his stuff. This year I'm doing a French module which costs over £2,500 and I get to see a tutor once a month for 6 months. (not including the mandatory week in France which I have to pay for separately, and take a week off work to attend).

Something very wrong with our education system these days

 

[Shedendman]

I'd say the best evening/any course would be find someone local whos a a dab hand at stick must be a few on here,meet up, few beer tokens for their time etc
best lessons you'll even get

 

[seriesonewelder]

Have you tried the agricultural college at Penkridge? I know they held them in the past.

 

[Olderisbetter]

I wanted to do course of an evening in brick laying but after a look around all my local places had gone or said i had to work for a company, I just started going to help a mate of a mate for free a whenever i had a spare day, I learned pretty much all i need to do a few bits and pieces, I have no actual qualification appart from the 'A' level joke in building, As in people see my brickwork and say "That Ay level"....Its a black country thing...

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I wanted to do course of an evening in brick laying but after a look around all my local places had gone or said i had to work for a company, I just started going to help a mate of a mate for free a whenever i had a spare day, I learned pretty much all i need to do a few bits and pieces, I have no actual qualification appart from the 'A' level joke in building, As in people see my brickwork and say "That Ay level"....Its a black country thing...

There's one in cov these days. Coventry building workshop. Keep meaning to sign up for there plastering course.

 

[winchman]

St.Helens College run MIG and Tig as an evening class

 

[Wedg1e]

I wanted to do course of an evening in brick laying but after a look around all my local places had gone or said i had to work for a company, I just started going to help a mate of a mate for free a whenever i had a spare day, I learned pretty much all i need to do a few bits and pieces, I have no actual qualification appart from the 'A' level joke in building, As in people see my brickwork and say "That Ay level"....Its a black country thing...

Trouble is, most people would see an older guy turn up to lay bricks and assume he was a tradesman of the old school: if all us old bu993rs retrained as brickies, who'd employ the youngsters...?

 

[marlinspike]

OH and I did a gas welding evening course at a local college years ago. I was the only woman on it but the tutor and the other students were lovely. I have kept the bits I welded because I was so proud when the tutor said they were better than most mot welding lol. We did a couple of car maintenance courses too. Sadly, all gone now and the only things available are very expensive C and G vocational training courses. It's a real shame.

I think your best bet, as suggested, is to find an experienced welder who will be willing to get you started.

 

[Olderisbetter]

Yongsters that want to work ? Where are these strange people...

 

[ian_in_the_midlands]

I have tried Penkrige and Stafford colleges. No luck. Coventry is too far away.

I think I need follow stalwart_hmlc's advice; Find someone local who can stick weld and pick their brains.

So far the only advice I have had from two people who can weld is: "That is where you are going wrong - should have bought a mig".
Made them chuckle, but doesn't help me much .