New Career

[Farmer]

I know this is alittle off topic for the board but I need bit of info/ input.

After putting in 11 years for Interntional Truck and Engine corp, they are closing the plant. I have done body work and spray painting there. It is time for a career change.

At 44 I am considering going back to school to become a welder/ fitter. I have welded here on the farm and in Industry, my Uncle ( a perfectionist/ a weldor/fabricator for 52 years /my mentor) has guided me along the way.

To get partial funding for my schooling I need to put together a return to work action plan and I am require to ask a few questions from people currently working in the field I want to join, Welder Fitter.

here they are:

1 - What do you like about being a welder/fitter? What don't you
like about the job?

2 - What the working conditions/ work enviroment ?

3 - What are the physical requirements to do the job ?

4 - What is the starting wage to expect from this type of career?

5 - What is the future outlook for this career ?

Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Farmer/Paul Ontario, Canada

[Guest]

I'll try to help....

1 - What do you like about being a welder/fitter? What don't you
like about the job?

A: I like being able to have a skill that is used to do a job, i.e. joining metals, that will help other people, who have a need, and build and repair objects with welding skills.

What I don't like about the job?...getting burned.

2 - What the working conditions/ work enviroment ?

A: I work in an industrial environment where my skills are used for the above purpose....repairing, designing and fabricating.

3 - What are the physical requirements to do the job ?

A: Good vision, be able to lift 50#.

4 - What is the starting wage to expect from this type of career?

A: $12 to $18/ hour (industrial) $45/ hour (self employed)

5 - What is the future outlook for this career ?

A: There is always a need for good weldors. Not everyone has the ability, and patience to be a weldor. A good weldor will never be without a job.

Hope this helps...some other guys may give you some more ideas.
Welding, in my mind, is a noble profession. It takes a certain kind of person to be a weldor, not every one can do it. It involves a certain responsibility to know that the weld you make may have someone's very life riding on it. Those who have a 'want' to be a weldor already have the first step in becoming one. It takes drive, perseverance, and the desire to do a good job. Learning to weld will involve many failures, at first, and that is good....a weldor must know what is bad in order to do that which is good. Be of good courage, my friend, and you will make it....after all, you already have the first step!

[octopod]

off topic sorry but i was wondering where in SW ontario
i'm from chatham myself

[Farmer]

Thanks

Thanks for the reply Rocky that is basically the kind of reply that I was looking for . I must agree that a person can take pride in being able to say that I built a particular tool or item myself.

Welding as a repair and/or in fabrication has been a must have skill around the farm, as it is impossible to just go out and buy or pay for an item or repair. My Uncle has been a great help to me in advising me in how I should tackle certain jobs/repairs. So far I have been able to handle repairs from aluminum right up to cast iron.

Octopod I am from the Tilbury area.