which college courses in welding ?

[Steve182]

Hi guys
sorry if this is in the wrong section, wasn't sure where to put it.

Basically i'm looking to start doing some college courses in the evenings so i can become a full time welder in the future, i have been a fabricator welder for 18 years in the locomotive and traction engine industry mainly making pressure vessel boilers for the locos for heritage steam railways around the country and occasionally for some railways in countries much further afield.

I currently am skilled in the use of stick using electrodes 3.2, 4 and 5mm and welding plates of thicknesses between 6mm and 25mm in procceses butt, fillet and v groove but nothing in mig or tig,
though i do have my experience to help i would prefer to have a proper qualificaton to help me along and teach me mig and tig also.

i have been looking at nvq courses and city and guilds courses but i was wondering if any full time welders out there could give me some advice on which courses would be best to help me along and which courses any prospective future employer might regard as a better qualification than another, at least to get a foot in the door over the other guy

the ones on offer are to me in september are both city and guilds:

Welding & Fabrication – C&G Certificate (2251)
and
Welding Skills – C&G Award (3268)

Cheers guys any usefull info much appreciated

 

[backpurge]

Ey up Steve
I dont know if the C&G courses would be of much interest to a prospective employer, they are going to be more interested in experience and codings which are applicable to their particular product.

There is a real skill shortage in certain areas, I know of one company who are looking for around 40 MIG welders and cannot get anyone, OK the wages aren't brilliant, around £10 ph but it's a wage.

I would find out which local colleges have a decent reputation, the best I know of is Keighley, and see about doing a course that will get you an EN287 in all positions in medium to heavy thickness material, I honestly think it will be worth more in the long run

 

[Steve182]

Cheers for that info, yeah you are right, it is keighley college i'm looking at, they have the new building this year so the equipment should be good if nothing else but as of right now the info on the particular courses is still a little sketchy.
Believe it or not £10 per hour would be a rise for me, a small rise but every little helps, i guess when you get paid peanuts the only way is up
I'll definately look into that info you gave me for the EN287 though,cheers for that.

Thank very much

 

[thegamescabin]

Mig Welding

Hi I know a company in Corwen Mid Wales urgently looking for Mig Welders get in touch Regards Paul

 

[mike os]

Hi I know a company in Corwen Mid Wales urgently looking for Mig Welders get in touch Regards Paul

do they make trailers?