Does ANYONE hire inexperienced welders?

Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

Come-to-Canada-great-life-good-opportunities-for-welders

Gain experience through volunteering, interning, and working at an apprenticeship. Do you have your own tools to start your own small business and to keep your skills fresh?

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Megan Pittsley
Career Advisor
[Contact information has been removed by a forum moderator]

I've searched for volunteering, internship, and apprenticeship opportunities for me, and haven't found anything at all, experience required or not. I do not own the tools and facilities I would need to start a small business, nor do I have enough credit or collateral to take out a small business loan.

Sometimes it's not about "finding" an opportunity but creating one. You have to be very proactive and determined. Can you volunteer at your school as a teaching assistant in the welding classes? Have you contacted the school's career services department to find out if they have any leads? What comes up for "welding" in your local area at superpages.com? Have you cold-called all of them to ask if you can intern or volunteer with their organization?

The school only hires full time instructors, no volunteers, with very extensive and wide ranging experience required. As for their career services department, the only opportunity they currently have isn't even a sure thing, but representatives from Northrop Grumman MIGHT be coming to tour the facilities and MIGHT be willing to test graduates for POSSIBLE employment at certain gulf coast shipyards. I'm keeping tabs on this possibility, but given the uncertainties I'd like to find more opportunities.

Does your school have a job post to help you with your search?

It seems as though quite a few companies I've been to in the past 6 months are still looking for welders... if you're willing to move, there's a lot of opportunities out there.

The school itself isn't going to "hire" you as a volunteer. What you need to do is go to an instructor who liked you and ask if you can assist him in any way to build continued experience in the field.

You didn’t respond regarding cold-calling companies – have you tried this? Have you tried touching base with other classmates to see what they are doing? Have you asked other welders how they obtained their first professional welding experience?

Getting your first entry-level job isn’t easy work but it’s the first step to building your career in any industry. The more time that you allow to go by, the more difficult it is going to get to find something. You’ll need to think outside the box and get creative on how you can begin building experience right now and put 110% effort into it.

Good luck!

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Megan Pittsley
Career Advisor
[Contact information has been removed by a forum moderator]

Most of the results on superpages are companies that sell welding equipment, a few weld shops that either aren't hiring at all or won't hire someone without experience; And as for volunteering, for liability reasons the school only allows instructors and students to use the equipment. And as for the other posts in the thread talking about how much opportunity there is, those opportunities are only being offered to those with experience. You have to understand that bad welding is at best expensive to fix, and at worst will reduce expensive materials to scrap metal, so companies are naturally hesitant to hire anyone without experience.

On the hopeful side, Northrop has confirmed that they will send inspectors and HR reps to the school and will test graduates, and passing a test automatically qualifies for a job offer, so I just need to get some practice to ensure that I can pass. I don't particulalry want to move to the gulf coast, but I'll do what I have to.

On the upside we're getting into hurricane season, so there will likely be things needing repair in the next few months down there. Just be sure to have a reliable means of escape ;-D

Have you looked into the local union?

Does this "Career Lady" have any clue as to what she's talking about? You can't start your own business without being a licensed welder. You can't become a licensed welder without work experience. A trade school is not going to hire on an instructor, even a volunteer, without work experience.

The problem lies in these trade schools. They continue to accept thousands of students, even though they know that there aren't enough positions available for them once they graduate. Cold calling companies and asking for work will simply piss off potential future employers. Also, you're likely to end up speaking with the $8/hr moron who answers the phones and not a hiring manager or the owner of the business.

If the school promised you any kind of career placement and didn't deliver, report them to the BBB. I suggest you go to a community college and get a 2-year degree next time. It would likely be a much cheaper option as well.

Most unions aren't taking new applicants, BTW. We're in a recession so they're going to take the cream of the crop (experienced non-union workers who want to become union).

You should try checking in sand springs and in west tulsa. There are plenty of places and usually if you can just pass the weld test you can get hired. Or start off at a smaller weld shop. There is one or two on Charles Page blvd. in Tulsa that might hire you. But, definitely look in sand springs.

JOHN DOE :) in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: YES THAT IS ABSOLUTLY RIGHT THE SCHOOL KNOWS THAT THEY CANT HELP YOU WITH A JOB THEY ARE EVEN WAISTING MONEY FOR THE GUY SETTING IN THE OFFICE AT TULSA WELDING SCHOOL THE ONLY THING GOOD ABOUT IT IS YOU GET FREE HOTSHEETS EVERY MONTH THEY WILL LIE TO YOU DRAW YOU IN BECAUSE WHEN YOU FIRST GET IN OFCOURSE YOU HAVE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE WE ALL DO THESE THING ITS LIKE WE ARE SET UP TO FAIL BECAUSE OF THE WELDING INDUSTRY IS SLOW IT IS PART OF THEIR JOB FOR EVERY STUDENT THEY BRING IN THEY GET A PORTION MORE THEY WILL SELL A DOG BONE IF THATS WHAT YOU LIKE TO GET YOU IN THE SCHOOL IN ALL REALITY THE BEST THING WE NEED IS JESUS BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS HOW THE WELDING INDUSTRY IS PEOPLE THEIR LOOKING KILL STILL AND DESTROY FACE THE FACTS I DONT HAE ALL THE ANSWERS BUT YOU JUST GOT TO HAVE FAITH EVEN WHEN HELL BREAKS LOOSE SEEK GOD FIRST BEFORE ANY JOB HE IS YOUR SUPPLIER GOD BLESS

amen!

The very first step you have to do is think positively.
Opportunities come to those people who has positive outlook in life.

tinag10@shaw.ca in Edmonton, Alberta said: Come-to-Canada-great-life-good-opportunities-for-welders

Third Year welding Student. I'm only making 11 an hour.
Canada isn't the answer.
Unless the west is better

Zxcvasdf in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

Have you had any luck yet? i'm curious because i seem to be in the same boat as you were. TWS's idea of employment assistance is to give graduates a list of temp agencys. This sucks, i learned a lot but with no experience it almost seems i could have saved my money and started out as a grinder or helper since thats the way its looking so far in my job search

go2turnerpipe n paris tx hire n as helper or tacker tig tacker 2 be exact i went 2 paris weld school but i learned how 2 weld really good all alloys i been doing it every since then i quit but i travel on tha road now makn big MONEY

Zxcvasdf in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

yeah i know exactly what you mean what are we to do??? go jobless and consider welding school a waste of money and a loss?

pjs in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Have you had any luck yet? i'm curious because i seem to be in the same boat as you were. TWS's idea of employment assistance is to give graduates a list of temp agencys. This sucks, i learned a lot but with no experience it almost seems i could have saved my money and started out as a grinder or helper since thats the way its looking so far in my job search

I have known many people who have found welding jobs once they graduated from TWS. And most were with the leads that the Career Services had given them, they give assistance not placement, there is a big difference. As with any new graduate, whether from TWS, a community college or a four-year college- you are in charge of your own destiny.You may get leads, do job searches on your own, cold calling into companies, any way you must make the effort, be determined and have faith that there is a job for you out there. Maybe not today, tomorrow but in the future. I was laid off 2 years ago and it took me over a year to find a good job. It is a tough job market in every industry. One option you need to consider is relocating, there are TONS of companies needing entry level welders across the United States, and many of those companies offer relocation packages. Take a job in another state for 2-3 years to get that experience you need then move back home. Hope this helped!!

Zxcvasdf in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

Son your best bet would to try to find a job as a pipeline welders helper, There is a need for pipeline welders in Pa marcules shale, However If you have no hands on experince you will need to start as a helper Good luck

I stumbled upon this forum while looking for a Welder to hire for the General Contractor I work for. Our office is based in Fort Lauderdale. We mainly do jobs in Broward County and Dade County currently. We need a welder, preferably a welder with a Welder's Certificate but a welder without a certificate also has an opportunity. If any local welders are interested in a job or know other welders looking for work, please have them email me at stephanie@charlandonstruction.com

Zxcvasdf in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

“This post has recently been brought to my attention and I feel it is necessary to address your questions and concerns. First and foremost, I understand the frustrations you may be facing with your job search, it can be very time consuming and stressful. Let me introduce myself, I am the Business Development Coordinator in the Career Services Department at Tulsa Welding School, Tulsa, Ok. campus. I was recently hired on with Tulsa Welding School to focus on talking to and meeting companies, whether small or large, from across the United States who hire welders, they may have immediate needs or future needs to hire. Our overall goal is to build a long term relationship with these companies to have Tulsa Welding School as a resource for them to hire welders when that need may arise.

Some of these companies I talk to are struggling to find welders in their immediate area and have numerous welding positions available. I suggest to them that they have an opportunity to come here on-site to meet students who are interested in their company and what they have to offer and then to weld test and interview qualified applicants. This has been a great success so far, this month alone (April 2011) we have already had 3 companies come here to our campus from Denver, Colorado; Marlow, Oklahoma and Baxter Springs, Kansas. We do have some positive things and great opportunities going on here at Tulsa Welding School.

** We are here to offer “assistance” not “placement”, we can inform you of job

This post has recently been brought to my attention and I feel it is necessary to address your questions and concerns. First and foremost, I understand the frustrations you may be facing with your job search, it can be very time consuming and stressful. Let me introduce myself, I am the Business Development Coordinator in the Career Services Department at Tulsa Welding School, Tulsa, Ok. campus. I was recently hired on with Tulsa Welding School to focus on talking to and meeting companies, whether small or large, from across the United States who hire welders, they may have immediate needs or future needs to hire. Our overall goal is to build a long term relationship with these companies to have Tulsa Welding School as a resource for them to hire welders when that need may arise.

Some of these companies I talk to are struggling to find welders in their immediate area and have numerous welding positions available. I suggest to them that they have an opportunity to come here on-site to meet students who are interested in their company and what they have to offer and then to weld test and interview qualified applicants. This has been a great success so far, this month alone (April 2011) we have already had 3 companies come here to our campus from Denver, Colorado; Marlow, Oklahoma and Baxter Springs, Kansas. We do have some positive things and great opportunities going on here at Tulsa Welding School.

** We are here to offer “assistance” not “placement”, we can inform you of job opportunities, whether part time while you are attending TWS or opportunities after graduating, but cannot guarantee you a position with a company – it is ultimately up to the individual to apply, weld test and interview.

If you are still looking for employment or have any questions, I would highly recommend that you call us or stop by our office in Tulsa, Ok.

Thank you and we look forward to assisting you.

Career Services

Zxcvasdf in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

Start out buy being a structral jurneyman welder in the plant thats wat i did

Zxcvasdf in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

I graduated Tulsa welding school and found myself in the same situation. I broke out as a bullganger (laborer) building above ground storage company I now run crews of welders you have to be willing to work for it though, normally if your willing to travel and are smart with your money you can make 6 figures I started out at 18 an hr and 100 dollars a day per diem. I now make 35 an hr and a 100 a day per diem, it boils down to forcing yourself onto a company and maybe a little groveling for the opportunity. From there it's your work ethic on wether the foreman thinks your worth training

Aakall123 in Humble, Texas said: I graduated Tulsa welding school and found myself in the same situation. I broke out as a bullganger (laborer) for an above ground storage tanks company I now run crews of welders you have to be willing to work for it though, normally if your willing to travel and are smart with your money you can make 6 figures I started out at 18 an hr and 100 dollars a day per diem. I now make 35 an hr and a 100 a day per diem, it boils down to forcing yourself onto a company and maybe a little groveling for the opportunity. From there it's your work ethic on wether the foreman thinks your worth the time to train. I've thought the same thing was welding school really worth it, the answer Is yes it moves you along quite quicker than if you just start as a helper. You have to move where the work is or travel, and you have to be humble until you get that experience, learn to fit steel and work steel that's something that school can't teach you. As for Tulsa Welding School those folks should be ashamed of themselves funneling kids through there like that and not telling them or their folks what they really should expect upon graduation. So I'll do it for them, no your not going to be hired on as welder anywhere strait out of welding school making any kind of real money. The only companies that hire people straight out of welding school don't pay worth a dang anyhow and most likely they'll fire you before they teach u anything. You have to be willing to do helper type tasks and work your way to the experience that u need to make the money u want , trust me I've done it in the cold, heat, and sweat it's up to you don't rely on that school their a business preying on kids that feel like they have no options,

I am from South Africa, im curently in the USA. i am about to be a certyfied welder, i am willing to work all over the world. where can i start to look for jobs?

Definately shouldnt have wasted your money on TWS. I go to central tech in sapulpa and its a 6 month welding progam as well. But the only difference is its free if you get a welding job in oklahoma after finishing school. And if worst comes to worst, you should get a shop helper job and eventually make your way up in that company to be a welder.

Zxcvasdf in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

We have a job for you.

Zxcvasdf in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

We are hiring in Earlville, IA. Please contact me at anniem52631@gmail.com

Zxcvasdf in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

norfolk southern hires welders, Iam a lead welding instructor with 34 yrs. welding exp.belvue,oh is hiring

Zxcvasdf in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

Do you have two hands.And can stay alive for a shift?you will have a job in alberta.17 bucks an hour grinding all day....it builds character.

Zxcvasdf in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Over 1 month ago I graduated from Tulsa Welding School. Since then, I've done everything I can think of to find work, but because I have no prior workplace welding experience, NO ONE will even interview me or allow me to take a weld test, they simply tell me I'm not what they're looking for. My situation is that I need experience to get work, I need work to get experience. What do I need to do to even get a chance at a job?

Do you have two hands.And can stay alive for a shift?you will have a job in alberta.17 bucks an hour grinding all day....it builds character.

Check out John Deere! Please submit your application to www.johndeere.jobs, then go to Wage Opportunities. Thank you.

What a lot of places/people don't tell you is school is experience. If you put 0 years of experience on an application, they ignore the rest. If you were in school for 18months, put a year and a half, and make them read your application to find out it was schooling.

Schiz said: What a lot of places/people don't tell you is school is experience. If you put 0 years of experience on an application, they ignore the rest. If you were in school for 18months, put a year and a half, and make them read your application to find out it was schooling.

one of interviewed at Company not want to heard about school or Certificates but requires work experiences 3 yrs or more will hired welder. HR is Lady Can Be Make Easy Accept Me to take set up weld test( no exp or little work experiences) with have welder certificates,... If were that MAN of HR are big pain ass will not allowed to taking weld test; must have longer work experiences then will taking weld test!.I had experiences many cold-application asked "welder" since 3 years Graduated from training welder college for 2 half years! Think about it. I knew you are same as I have hard time to find job as same as in staffing temp service getting hard. Good luck!

While I appreciate your response to this post, I would like to add a few things about Tulsa Welding School. I am a mother of a recent graduate of your so called famous school. My son is still searching, looking, cold calling, and following the hot sheet emailed from the school. We had to borrow money for tuition pay as well as from the school, pay for living and food expenses for 7 months. This was hard my son did not work. We felt this was a great opportunity because the recruiter who got his fee first told us and I quote, "Every welder would leave Tulsa with a JOB! Not a lead. This is disheartening to these students especially thosae who in such a short time will have to began making payments for this overly priced education! We have been advised to report the school to the BBB because the recruiters are in fact telling these students that they will have a job once they graduate. I am sure not everyone all over the world is getting a misunderstanding, so it seems like your team should rethink and revise what you are telling people in order to get students to attend your school. You have a very bad name over thousands of blogs, so you should be extremely careful before your recruiter tells his/her next LIE!

Check out John Deere! Go to www.johndeere.jobs, then Wage Opportunities & look through each location for welding positions. I see some of them say must meet ONE of these criteria; AA in welding, certificate in welding or 1 year experience. Good luck!