Join union and be a pipe fitter. Damn great job. Dont let anybody tell you that the welding and fab unions are bad. I mean, I not a socialist or anything but unions are good when it comes to welding or powerlines.
I am a pipefitter welder on the construction side of this industry the fitting part is not that hard to learn if you have a good teacher but the welding takes time it's easy to pass X-rays but qc can look you out on there specs that's where it gets tough I'm out of local 469
@TiberiusStorm: Yes it is by way of the fact that it takes several years of welding practice and on the job experience to learn the needed skills and know how. Some guys are natural at pipe welding but most struggle until they get enough experience to be a confident pipe welder where every pipe weld you perform passes various forms of "Non Destructive Testing ...usually X Ray inspection.
Just keep on going back and then go back again. I was hired on to Union ship yard work before others because I went to the Union Hall every week day for 1 year and signed my name as available for work. When the union official called me to start work he pointed out I was the only guy who came every week day and signed the roster sheet. He said: "It is clear you want to work so I am hiring you first while the others come in and sign the roster sheet maybe 2 times a year"
I don't get this "I knew college wasn't for me so I went into a welding a maintenance carer". I am currently one year done with my associates for welding and fab tech and just got my certs for stick and fc mig both unlimited. But man, even now no one is going to hire my ass, I am simply HOPING that after my last year is done I will at least be able to get an INTERVIEW. Most shops in my area are small and not really ever hiring. I turned in a resume and they looked at me with damn near disdain.
I see you posted a year ago and I hope you found a job. All I would suggest is check out unions near you - like pipe or steam fitter, ironworkers, boiler makers or millwrights. I am a union worker, and I can't find work. It is sad, but the unions got what they wanted, when they voted in the political leaders who have destroyed the economy
