Job hunting

[eddie2015]

hello, not sure if this is the correct are to post this thread.

I completed my city & guilds NVQ level 3 fab and weld in June of this year (i was awarded a grade B). This is my chosen career. I am having difficulty finding employment due to lack of experience. Most companies want 2+ years experience. It has been really of putting and my confidence in finding a job is low. I am willing to volunteer a day a week in a shop to get my experience up but due to having bills to pay, that is all i could do, but still cant get in anywhere.

I was wondering if anybody had any advice for me, what i could do next or what i should be doing, it would be much appreciated.

 

[BrokenBiker]

welding appears to be one of those careers where you either fall on your feet and walk straight into a gig doing full fab work, or you have to start making the tea and sweeping the floor until someone calls in sick and they need a welder urgently and you can show what you can do.

main thing is to stick at it and just keep applying to places

 

[Bladevane]

Have you tried Cammell Laird at Birkenhead?

 

[Jrstainless]

There's lots of agencies out there, get a bit of experience through agency work then go for a job you want.
I've been a fabricator for for 20 years if I could go back I wouldn't do it again it's poorly paid and an unhealthy job.
If you do want to do it look after yourself and think about number one.

 

[Kent]

There's lots of agencies out there, get a bit of experience through agency work then go for a job you want.
I've been a fabricator for for 20 years if I could go back I wouldn't do it again it's poorly paid and an unhealthy job.
If you do want to do it look after yourself and think about number one.

At times dangerous too
To be honest if it's in you it is. I should go knock on doors
There is a massive shortage of guys that can stick weld and burn on site it's all mig and Tig with college courses these days! The guys who are saying yeah or neigh likely did there first year fetching carrying and grinding often grinding all day! These guys will think more of a guy who can lift. Graft and get on with whatever you hand him. Unless you look at production work with mig that's currently dominated by cheap labour

 

[pedrobedro]

A friend runs a fabrication firm, they do one off work in stainless and aluminium. One of the welders was on holiday so they asked for an agency relief and the lad they sent didn't even know what a tig welder was. They phoned the agency and their reply was "well can't you show him how to go on ?"

 

[Richard.]

It's a tough world where we need to prove our selves to gain a chance in life.
The next place you decide to try. Take your shirt, tie, cv etc but take along with you a beautifully square well made small fabrication. And show it to them. "Look I made this"
Something they can see and touch instantantly puts you in line for a weld test as your providing evidence and proving your up for the job. If your fresh out of college you'll (hopefully) be clued up with good sheet metal fabs. We did this at college years ago.
Take with you a well constructed square to round or lobster back. That stuff will impress people.

 

[Richard.]

It's a tough world where we need to prove our selves to gain a chance in life.
The next place you decide to try. Take your shirt, tie, cv etc but take along with you a beautifully square well made small fabrication. And show it to them. "Look I made this"
Something they can see and touch instantantly puts you in line for a weld test as your providing evidence and proving your up for the job. If your fresh out of college you'll (hopefully) be clued up with good sheet metal fabs. We did this at college years ago.
Take with you a well constructed square to round or lobster back. That stuff will impress people.

Obviously only take what you make. Don't go taking in other people's work that will end badly.

 

[winchman]

PSS in Speke, Laker Vent in Ellesmere port, Studley in Knowsley try these as they may be able to help

 

[eddie2015]

Thanks for the reply's, I will just have to stick at it, I'm sure i will get a break soon. I wouldn't mind being the coffee guy at the beginning haha, we all have to start somewhere.

 

[Hitch]

I would agree with Richard and Kent's comments above.

We took on a semi skilled lad a while ago, couldn't think for himself, didnt really know much about anything, despite being half way through a 3yr course.

The last people we have taken on, the ball has pretty much been in my court (person/skills wise at least- pay wise its down to the office) as to who get the job.

In January, we took on a slightly older guy,(late 20s) who didnt have any real metalwork experience to speak of, but did show a good practical apptitude. Hes turned out to be a well valued member of staff now.

I think firms are a little reluctant to take on youngsters, because of the way SOME are. Not saying all are bad, but some do have a totally different attitude to others. As the employer, most are just looking for a good honest reliable skilled worker for their money.

The first few weeks for a new recruit can cost a company a lot of money, time lost where the new starter is learning specific ways/machines/jobs, plus downtime from other staff to show them the above.

By door knocking, and showing off a high quality piece of workmanship, you are showing your initiative, skills, and your desire to find a job.
With letters, you don't know who has been made to send one by the dole office for the hell of it when you open them.


Did you have to do a work placement at the end of your C&G course?

Keep trying, be confident, but not cocky. And don't be frightened to start at the bottom.

 

[Kent]

Thanks for the reply's, I will just have to stick at it, I'm sure i will get a break soon. I wouldn't mind being the coffee guy at the beginning haha, we all have to start somewhere.

I had to go for the bacon buttys every morning break and the chips at lunchtime plus make the brews! It lasted a year till the next lad came in

 

[taycat]

got to agree with some of comments.
I am lucky i got apprenticeship and get decent wage, but have been welding for guy for couple of years before finishing school.
Dad went to school with him so and did bits for him as well so again fell lucky.
also been welding since i was about 7.
Where i am have had people come in talking the talk about being brilliant welders and when tested my 7yr old brother could have done better.
also had one guy come in with no papers asking about job, was asked if he could weld so took the boss out to car park where he had little sports car he had built himself inc all chassis.
he got job.
boss is happy with people who bring bits with them to show.
if you get chance somewhere even if it means short lunch or missing a brew, if someone is doing something you haven't or are still new to go watch goes down well with bosses.
i volunteered to do nights with old guys while ago and amount i learnt was phenomenal.
main thing is never be afraid to ask questions.
and look at what tools people have and if necs ask to photo them if homers as pos worth making your own copies, i have quite a few bits made after working with old guy's.

oh and i do get sent to get sarnies and coffee.

 

[pedrobedro]

oh and i do get sent to get sarnies and coffee.

While you're marching, you're not fighting. You make the most of it when you get chance to wander out to the shops instead of being tied to a bench.

 

[Richard.]

Last place I worked at I was workshop/site operations foreman so I had the pleasure of sorting out new staff when we needed them. It was always on the job spec minimum experience and quals etc but that shouldn't put people off applying so long as they are honest. Last guy I took on permanent. He was a car mechanic. His welding was limited. He put a cover note in his CV stating what he would bring to the company which was different so I interviewed him. He was nothing on paper for what I was looking for but the work ethic and attitude was everything I wanted which is stuff you just don't learn at college. I put him on 3 months to help and learn and after that i agreed to spend money training him. His work area was spotless every night and he'd even take S#it from the old boys for doing it. He is still there and afaik he's the best they have got. I left that company over 2 years ago but unfortunately I left a bitter taste there as well which meant I had nothing to do with my replacement. Had it been different he would of been the next foreman in line.
The trick is to use the tools you have and not worry about what you don't have. Do something different to make you stand out from other applicants. Make realistic promises and aim to over achieve. Stress on points such as safety, punctuality , attitude to housekeeping, ask questions about the company and product, show interest and LISTEN to the reply then follow on with a relevant question to the reply.
As far as they are concerned your not an experienced welder/fabricator so you need to show them why they should pick you above the rest. Welding can be taught but attitude is in your roots . I've done a lot of interviewing hiring and unfortunately firing. Please feel free to pm me if you want any info going forward.

 

[HughF]

Richard hit the nail on the head with the above post ^^^ It matters not what you have on paper, if you haven't got the right attitude, you don't stand a chance. Be prepared to be adaptable, dependable and make the effort to teach yourself stuff that will benefit you. Don't rely on them to teach you everything you need to know about the job.

 

[tomsutton529]

Spot on Richard. I ended up getting my Engineering job though being a good lad and getting on with things, even though on paper I was miles away from what they wanted. On the other side of the coin we just fired a lad who on paper was the best thing ever and could walk into the job, have a weeks getting to know the kit and then be sorted, I knew something wasn't right when I had to explain what I mean when I ask for a 1/2 inch 32mm socket.

Its often the ones with no / little experience that turn out to be the best as you can mold them into what the company needs and wants, Instead of getting someone that claims to know what they are doing and ends up keeping a site out of production for a day because of silly mistake or bad habit found else where.