Greetings from Bournemouth!

[Signs]

Currently I am looking to learn to TIG weld and get my BSEN287 etc so I can start a career as a welder.

I've dreamed of doing it since I was a child, helping build ships, repair cars etc.

Don't know why, I just have a great fascination with welding and working with metals, machining etc.

So, hello =)

 

[toddy]

hi
there is a few of us welders on here.
what postion are you getting coded in? as well as what material? pipe/plate, stainless/mild etc

and my advice is do mma and mig as well, you will need all the welding processes you can get your hands on.

and just so you know, there isnt that much welding jobs going. i know ive been out of work since feb last year.

 

[Signs]

Well at the moment I'm looking for training / apprenticeships etc.

I've applied for the colleges night classes in TIG welding, heres hoping.

Quite hard to find an apprenticeship in

Sorry to hear about the lack of work, it's always the men of craft that have to worry about job security

 

[toddy]

well apprentiships may be good in idea, but alot of people want them, and i was one. and there was 9 on my corse with my but over 4500 applyed for the 9 places

i would only surgest ECITB for apprentiships, but be prepared to be doing the very basics for months when you get on site

 

[pw8757]

I train apprentices - not in welding - so I know the challenge you are facing to get a place.

I take it you have been here and have registered with the new National Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching Service?

Also, you are more likely to get a college place if you have an employer who is prepared to take you. In most trade occupations, your chances of finding one is through friend/family connections. This network is one of the best resources you have to hand at the moment.

Get yourself clued up on the grants available to the employer before you make the approach. The Government is putting shedloads of money into training people at the moment, so there are opportunities to make yourself a cheap addition to a small business workforce.

Good luck - it's nice to see people who want to make things for a living rather than settle for a McJob!

 

[Signs]

Yeah I've registered, I won't hold my breath though.

College called to say they made a mistake and the course is full =( so I will try them tomorrow on if the MIG course has spaces, strange how it's so hard for a person to want training in an honest hard working trade, and yet I could ( as pw8757 so rightly said ) just join any corporate chain in one of its many forms...many many forms..

Not giving up though.