Learning Welding as a newbie

[Wizard of Arc]

Ok.
The plan is to get qualified to work as a welder in the big bad world of the UK.
I'll be looking to get qualified up in the NE of England Co Durham looks the place.
I'm 30 years old.

Has anyone learned/trained as a welder up in this area?
What's it like?
How long does it take to get work? Or is that a piece of string question?

Thoughts appreciated.

 

[Blackjack]

Learning to weld what?

It's entirely possible to buy a MIG, do a little practise, read up on it, and turn up and get a job production welding. Usually all that would involve would be a weld test, and if it didn't fall apart after you'd finished, you'd be OK.

Wages might not be that exciting though...

More specialised stuff pays better (or at least should...) but requires certification. Certs are pretty job specific, so you need to know what you want to do with the certification before you take it.

Some stuff requires little skill, but pays well because it's a crap job. Skip repair seems to be one of those, at least round here.

Welding cars for the MOT used to be another...

 

[Wizard of Arc]

I want to learn TIG, MIG and Arc welding to start with.

A city and guilds qualification is the key here. I'll be aiming for that.

Ideally I want to be pipe wielding, cause that's the no1 in-demand job for offshore diving and offshore rig work.

What's the best courses to take on that one.

Ok, I've done some research in my area of expertise. Companies that offer the city and guilds want full-time study AFAIK.

The ones that offer flexbile training (customised to suit you) DON'T offer a qualification! At least the ones I've been looking at so far say that.
Then there's nightschool which DOES give quals out (city and guilds / NVQs). But they are slow courses. 13 weeks minimum.

Anyone got experience of doing these courses etc?

 

[Robotstar5]

Have a look at post 14 to give you an idea what's involved.

 

[Wizard of Arc]

Have a look at post 14 to give you an idea what's involved.

Already read that post 1 weeks ago. I already have the dive certs, now its the welding ones I need!
City and Guilds seem the way forward...

 

[JamesJamz]

Cleveland Bridge in Darlington did apprenticeship, as this is what my mate did... one day at college and 4 days at work

 

[KTMMICK]

I think you will be extremely lucky to get an apprentiship in the north east in these tough economic times. Especially in offshore underwater, I think your best bet would be to get some sort of training before you arrive on these shores (England)! How do you plan to get a work permit with no job or experience.
The pay will be nothing short of poor.......... yes you may have seen the wages are good, but only if you have experience.

Good luck! I think you might need a truck load though, if you have money you could try The Welding Institute for training, expensive though.

And a footnote most pipe welding above water involves a root run with a Tig and capping runs in Arc.

 

[stevenheley]

Gateshead Automotive college in the Team Valley do some excellent courses and their setup it pretty top notch.

http://www.gateshead.ac.uk/document.asp?id=303

 

[Wizard of Arc]

I think you will be extremely lucky to get an apprentiship in the north east in these tough economic times. Especially in offshore underwater, I think your best bet would be to get some sort of training before you arrive on these shores (England)! How do you plan to get a work permit with no job or experience.
The pay will be nothing short of poor.......... yes you may have seen the wages are good, but only if you have experience.

Good luck! I think you might need a truck load though, if you have money you could try The Welding Institute for training, expensive though.

And a footnote most pipe welding above water involves a root run with a Tig and capping runs in Arc.

Easy on those horses micky boy.

I'm an english-born and bred lad who has the full bifta passport etc

Thanks for the tip about the automotive course, I'm too old to go on that though

I'm enrolling on a welding course soon.

It's one academic year long but will carry me to where I want to go (hopefully)

Watch this space...