Jobs/careers?

[justpin]

Hi


Simply how is the jobs market for metal working/welding and fabrication? To be blunt I'm looking for a new career, and I would rather ask that jump right into something.

I never did this when I was an accountant and training to be an accountant, accountancy these days unless you are somewhere near the top is deader than dead. Outsourcing has crushed wages so it is little more than a min wage job which is probably worse as you have additional hassles.

The middle and bottom of the accountant job market is pretty dead with duties being shovelled onto those who are still working. My last interview with an accountant offered 13K and they were telling me they didn't want to pay that much and I should offer to work for less.

Anyway I digress on the money side I'm being careful especially when there are many many training providers willing to lighten my wallet significantly. I am looking at HGC C+E licences etc and LANTRA qualifcations as well.

I know there is an issue between experience and qualifications but simply I've figured that if I can't get a job in my current area then its time to retrain for something else. I currently work as a chef getting contract short and insecure jobs now and again. My current contract runs till the end of Feb. Therefore I have nothing to go to in Feb 2012.

Besides I've always like the idea of making and building things.

As said I've not handed over any of my limited money yet, but there are a great deal of companies willing to take it off me in Manchester. Same with HGC C+E, LANTRA and all sorts of courses tbh.


Thanks for your attention.

Just(p)in

 

[cumbriasteve]

I know in my company individuals were only considered if a time served apprenticeship had been completed, even an NVQ obtained from college work was not accepted.

Then they decided it was not worth having their own skilled men and any work would be contracted out, to firms who have so many people asking for employment they can pay lower wages and still get the workers, some of whom I would not trust to weld a handrail, never mind an essential component... a sign of the times I think.

I am sure there are some good firms offering good conditions and wages, I am also sure there is a queue of people waiting for the chance of a position.

If I had to go through a working life again I would have made every effort to get into the role I had for my last 15 years and that was safety training, since retiring I have had numerous offers of work, from full time to stand in.

Individuals I have chatted with who have went into the specialist fields, team building events, risk assessment awareness etc etc, were charging £600 a day (very common) up to £1000 a day + expenses and our company was paying it, I know because I had to check their security status and the amount of money some were earning was scary figures

 

[razie1985]

Im also trying to change my career
I did apply for a weld/fab apprenticeship and got to the top 7 in the interview but got turned down due to my age. So i decided to do the same college course that the apprentices are doing.
hopefully i can get a job at the end of it.

There are quite a few welding/fabrication jobs about, but like Steve said most want time served
all-though there is some that just ask you to do a weld test, but im sure there is a long list of applicants for them.

 

[Engineer1964]

There are quite a few welding/fabrication jobs about, but like Steve said most want time served
all-though there is some that just ask you to do a weld test, but im sure there is a long list of applicants for them.

Looks like you need to bit the bullet and get a part time position so you can learn the basics, the only way a company will probably take you on is if its not a considerable expense to them.

You say your not working at present, can you not get the jobcrentre to try and arrange something with a company, You may able to gain some quality pratice a couple of times a week and still keep your benefits.

I found some info on the directgov site which could be of use, http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTa...CreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_171909

But i suspect the Jobcentre will be in a better position to hep you with Training and benefits

Good Luck

 

[razie1985]

job center are a wast of space Ive asked them if i can do some work experience but they say i can't because I'm over 24. but i don't see why my age should make a difference

but i probably go behind the back if someone offers me a chance of work experience
what harm will it do, as i won't be breaking the law.

 

[Engineer1964]

job center are a wast of space Ive asked them if i can do some work experience but they say i can't because I'm over 24. but i don't see why my age should make a difference

I thought there was a law now on ageism, perhaps they need reminding that they cannot discriminate against your age, and if that prevents you from getting a job then you could report them

 

[brightspark]

they send people on training courses and come out with all the certificates under the sun then the problem starts .no job and no practical training no grants to help. ive had 3 lads working for me and ive given them training .1st worked with me on and off for a year paid him 50 quid a day cash . hese got a job now with electricity board as a hv fitter the second lasted 2 days and went the journey totaly useless .the third is working for me now being trained and he looks promising i pay him 120 a week as if i paid any more hede have to be on the books and its not worth the hassle. the trouble with this goverment theres no money put in to practical work experience with firms who cant aford to employ trainees

 

[razie1985]

most courses now are only for 18-24 and they only send you on the courses that you don't want to do
eg they want me to do a retail course and if it clashes with my welding course then i would have to quit it. and if i decide not to do the retail course they will stop my benefits.
and i thought that they are there to help people

 

[encore]

In response to your questions there is plenty of work, sometimes too much but it is finding the right workers, specifically people with more then qualifications but with experience in the last 3 years of their cv.

Id go through with it though, an when you need work give me a shout

 

[ronan]

I don't think people should complain about companies only looking for time served tradesmen , after all if someone takes the decision to put 4 years of their life into learning a trade with all that brings eg. Being treated like rubbish for the first few years and the bad apprentice pay , its not really fair if someone wants the same terms after doing a 3 or 4 week evening course is it ?
It always galled me after doing 4 hard years as a fitter/ turner and doing evening courses in all aspects of the trade, eg welding , cad , cnc , fluid power etc, that someone would turn up after doing a 6 month course and stir up trouble because they weren't on the same rate as the tradesmen.

 

[razie1985]

I'm not complaining about the companies and i agree with you that it wouldn't be fair.
but i don't expect to get a job equal to what a time served tradesmen would do and i know that i have to start from the bottom.
I would happily do a apprenticeship at £2.50 a hour but the government only funds training for 16 - 24 even tho there is supposed to be a push toward adult apprenticeships.

so for now I'm doing 2 courses 1 which is for 1 year and the other for 3months
when finished i will hopefully enroll on the level 3 which is for 2 years

 

[ronan]

I'm not complaining about the companies and i agree with you that it wouldn't be fair.
but i don't expect to get a job equal to what a time served tradesmen would do and i know that i have to start from the bottom.
I would happily do a apprenticeship at £2.50 a hour but the government only funds training for 16 - 24 even tho there is supposed to be a push toward adult apprenticeships.

so for now I'm doing 2 courses 1 which is for 1 year and the other for 3months
when finished i will hopefully enroll on the level 3 which is for 2 years

Good on you for getting out there and trying to get ahead, is there no way you can ask your local citizens advice or social welfare or who ever is there anyway you could be funded to do an apprenticeship ? I was in my early 20's when i did mine (long story) but found a lot of people bent rules and ignored certain things to help me along. Have you contacted any companies and asked them is there anything they can do for you ? Even on the bbc news today there was people on from merseyside complaining about a skills shortage.