Welding Jobs

Matwilliams91 · 30-09-2012, 04:22 PM

Just wondering if anyone knows what type of welding jobs are around in Melbourne. I'm 21, have been welding for myself for 2 years, and looking for a job either an apprenticeship or by completing a DLI and getting into the industry that way.
But I can't actually find any information on what type of companies are around, and what they do!

I can Mig, Oxy, Arc and Tig (aluminum and steels) but i really need a secure full time (would prefer more hours than 'full time') job.
I don't mind what type of welding i do, whether it's construction or pipe welding or food industry etc.

Any info would be appreciated.

gozzaxr6t · 30-09-2012, 06:43 PM

With no formal training, apprenticeship and your age, your chances are 0. Your gonna have to start from the bottom like everybody else and do an apprenticeship. Sorry but that's the truth.

Matwilliams91 · 30-09-2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gozzaxr6t

With no formal training, apprenticeship and your age, your chances are 0. Your gonna have to start from the bottom like everybody else and do an apprenticeship. Sorry but that's the truth.

Mate, happy to do an apprenticeship as stated above. I'm after some information about what type of welding jobs are available, and people's thoughts on that so I can try and secure an apprenticeship. I'm not asking for a top job, or easy way, no where in my post have I stated that. Thanks

Franco Cozzo · 30-09-2012, 06:59 PM

I can see you having an issue with getting an apprenticeship because you're 21 so mature aged apprentice, means they have to pay you more than the junior rates.

A lot of employers don't like hiring mature aged apprentices for that reason.

Matwilliams91 · 30-09-2012, 07:03 PM

Mature aged is 25 isn't it? At least that's what I have been told.

Franco Cozzo · 30-09-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matwilliams91

Mature aged is 25 isn't it? At least that's what I have been told.

I'm fairly sure its 21 because one of my mates went from his apprenticeship at my workplace on junior award, to his new apprenticeship to adult award because he is 21.

But it seems all I can find is the first link on google saying its 25 for Victoria.

Odd, must be 25 I guess.

http://www.fwa.gov.au/consolidated_a...6/asframe.html

I found that which says 21 but its for "printing award".

http://www.fairwork.gov.au/industrie...prentices.aspx

"Over 21".

Matwilliams91 · 30-09-2012, 07:17 PM

Thanks Big Damo for your help anyway, highly appreciated, I'll double check with my source and find out.

Pub247 · 30-09-2012, 07:28 PM

You have no chance getting any construction pipe welding or food industry job without qualifications or tickets.

Even me as a qualified welder wouldn't have much chance of getting those without prIor experience or tickets.

There's still opportunities for u in production work. Problem is they're usually **** job with low pay and you'll likely be stuck doing mig work. I was a mature apprentice and if u can hack on **** money it's ur best way to go its going to be hard to find a good job that's going to teach the best aspects of welding.

Matwilliams91 · 30-09-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pub247

You have no chance getting any construction pipe welding or food industry job without qualifications or tickets.

Even me as a qualified welder wouldn't have much chance of getting those without prIor experience or tickets.

There's still opportunities for u in production work. Problem is they're usually **** job with low pay and you'll likely be stuck doing mig work. I was a mature apprentice and if u can hack on **** money it's ur best way to go its going to be hard to find a good job that's going to teach the best aspects of welding.

Thanks mate, good to hear from someone with experience.
The only reason I'm looking at welding is I love doing it, for my current job I have made bike stands and racks, steel racks to hold wood, tables, outdoor furniture etc, its always been fun. So I thought why not do it full time, make some money whilst having fun.

What are your thoughts on the future for welders?

Pub247 · 30-09-2012, 08:22 PM

not good i'm afraid we outsourced a lot of our stuff to china already having said that there's always going to be jobs but good jobs are going to be harder to come by. A lot of things are still going to have to be done here.

Problem is is its not a very good paying trade for 80% of the jobs which are mostly production work where no one wants to pay money. 20% is well paid and paid what i think we deserve.

If you want to make money your probably in the wrong job building industry is where all the well paid trades are but **** knows why as their jobs don't require much skill.

Pub247 · 30-09-2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I can see you having an issue with getting an apprenticeship because you're 21 so mature aged apprentice, means they have to pay you more than the junior rates.

A lot of employers don't like hiring mature aged apprentices for that reason.

The upside to mature apprentices is we usually work harder, are more reliable and responsible and last longer than 2 months

Matwilliams91 · 30-09-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pub247

The upside to mature apprentices is we usually work harder, are more reliable and responsible and last longer than 2 months

Exactly! I went for a job a few years back (BMW Technician Apprentice), and during the interview he said "now, seen as your 19, we think you will be able to work 40% of the day with your mind on the job" I thought no, I'll work 100% of the day at 100%.

As for the future of the industry, it is a shame. Everything is about profit these days, even if the standards aren't there. I know the building industry is big, I can work well with all power tools, am very good with numbers etc, and pretty creative, but I think to myself is rather do something that takes a big of talent, such as welding, rather than carpentry or plumbing which really anyone can do.

Franco Cozzo · 30-09-2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pub247

The upside to mature apprentices is we usually work harder, are more reliable and responsible and last longer than 2 months

Thats right but the downsides are they have to pay you more, and you're more unlikely to put up with the "apprentice" jobs and tricks.

A lot of employers look at $$$.

I guess the same reason why no one likes hiring people into their 50s even though they have a good 15 years of work left in them minimum.

Also a tip, don't do something you like for a hobby, as a job.

Because you won't be doing it as a hobby anymore, thats for sure.

matrx7 · 30-09-2012, 08:50 PM

have you done much purge welding of stainless tube? because for food industry this is a must. welds in most places will be inspected and tested. Definately a hard crank to get onto without a qualification though..try do a apprenticeship as a boily or some sort of fabricator specialising in stainless work. After that if you can get into it you'll be laughing. its a pretty small industry...
stuff mig and arc junk. staino is where its at!

The Yeti · 30-09-2012, 08:50 PM

I can't help different state etc, but if I was taking on an apprentice I would choose a 21year old with 1/2 a clue and an understanding of the job and pay them more over a 17yo who doesn't know which end of the touch to hold and which to light

dave351cid · 30-09-2012, 09:14 PM

get out the yellow pages and look up all the steel fabricators in your area. then start knocking on doors.
best be doing it now before this years school leavers croud the market.

Matwilliams91 · 30-09-2012, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Yeti

I can't help different state etc, but if I was taking on an apprentice I would choose a 21year old with 1/2 a clue and an understanding of the job and pay them more over a 17yo who doesn't know which end of the touch to hold and which to light

For a trade that takes years of learning to become half decent, such as the welding industry then yes, so would I. However, a plumber or carpenter I can see why its easier to train a young bloke for less $$$.

Matwilliams91 · 30-09-2012, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Also a tip, don't do something you like for a hobby, as a job.

I've always been told this, hence why i changed my mind from being a mechanic 3 years ago, to an electrician 2 years ago, and as of the past year a welder. I have too many hobbies haha.

pottery beige · 01-10-2012, 06:56 AM

you need to make up your mind what you want to do.. and stick with it..

CFOUR · 01-10-2012, 07:40 AM

welding all day you can look forward to a lifetime of eye fatigue. you could always try and get a job in a exhaust shop, mig mild steel and tig stainless.

Matwilliams91 · 01-10-2012, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

you need to make up your mind what you want to do.. and stick with it..

Yes, thanks captain. I've been fine since I finished vce 2.5 years ago, with TAFE and my current job keeping me busy. It's just time to move on from what I have now and find something permanent.

Powdered Toast Man · 01-10-2012, 02:35 PM

Well to answer your original question there are quite a few fabricated products type jobs around, especially for the earthmoving/construction/maintenence-repair industries. These deal with with generally pretty basic materials (mild steels and some high carbon alloys) and welding techniques.

I work at an earthmoving attachment manufacturer. 95% of our stuff is mig welded and made by hand.

Unfortunatey like Pub247 said its not the best paid work and the current state of the manufacturing industry isnt exactly healthy and thriving.

gozzaxr6t · 01-10-2012, 04:28 PM

From my experience working around Victoria and now for myself ( fabrication) your best bet is to get on to a good recruitment agency. Where you from. If Melbourne I can put you on to a few people. Call em see how you go. Inknow what you mean when you say you like welding. There's great satisfaction when you complete a job and your happy with it.

I'm still currently working in the food industry and I believe it's the best industry to workin. Mainly tig/ stainless and it's clean. You want to stay away from process type welding/ repetition and definitely stay away from these small swet shops that hammer you day in day out.

If you need any assistance or help with companies etc, pm me I'm happy to help.

Cheers goran

Pub247 · 01-10-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gozzaxr6t

From my experience working around Victoria and now for myself ( fabrication) your best bet is to get on to a good recruitment agency. Where you from. If Melbourne I can put you on to a few people. Call em see how you go. Inknow what you mean when you say you like welding. There's great satisfaction when you complete a job and your happy with it.

I'm still currently working in the food industry and I believe it's the best industry to workin. Mainly tig/ stainless and it's clean. You want to stay away from process type welding/ repetition and definitely stay away from these small swet shops that hammer you day in day out.

If you need any assistance or help with companies etc, pm me I'm happy to help.

Cheers goran

Couldnt agree more Production work will kill you love for welding very quickly. My work is production but has a nice mix of aluminium, stainless tig and mild mig welding (though not so much anymore) but i'm also out on the road doing quotes and installs. So its really helps making it a decent job. Food industry is what id like to get a job in.

gtfpv · 01-10-2012, 06:00 PM

thought of being a fitter machinist . this trade has variety work , which includes welding , and is in more demand than welders . not saying welders arent worth thier weight in gold , but there are plenty , and only the top ones get paid well . a lot of boiler makers are working as fitters . a company will always grab a fitter as there are less of them than welders .

Franco Cozzo · 01-10-2012, 10:52 PM

Also you don't know if you like doing something until you try it

So don't discount anything yet.

And honestly who picked a line of work and is still in the same work 30 years later besides the baby boomers, I'm going to move around.

SB076 · 03-10-2012, 04:40 PM

There are a reasonable number of jobs for welders - some people have the qualifications but cant weld. I was speaking to someone awhile ago and they are always looking for welders. Not sure about pay conditions etc, They usually test new employees, set the machine up poorly to see who can actually weld and who cant. Just looked up seek for you, there are 128 jobs currently in Melbourne requesting a welder. Some of those will need qualifications etc - some no. I would be looking at general steel fabrication and manufacturers as they wouldn't always require the paperwork (depending on industry etc)