Fabrication Industry

[martinl]

Right guys.

I'm looking for a way in to the fabrication industry.
Heres an insight to my work history if that helps.

I started out as a HGV mechanic which i got my city & guilds level 2 hgv maintenance and repair. ever since i was 18 i have had various jobs within the motor industry, i.e. mechanic, pre delivery inspector, involvement with MOT's and so on. I'm now 26 and to be honest i hate the transport industry, i always have done.
It took ten years to actually realise this. i think my passion is actually in the steel fabrication industry because i grew up with lego, k-nex, mechano, all that sort of thing and have always fabricated things as and when out of various materials.
So the downside of skills is i don't have much experience or any qualifications, just very basic knowledge of cutting and welding over the years, which isn't much. I'm also unemployed so paying for courses is out of the window too.

So if anyone knows of a way in, or any advice they could give, i would be very grateful

Cheers Martin

[Dualist]

Originally Posted by martinl

So the downside of skills is i don't have much experience or any qualifications, just very basic knowledge of cutting and welding over the years, which isn't much. I'm also unemployed so paying for courses is out of the window too.

I know paying for courses is out but the dole can pay for that, ok you'll have to pay for materials but you can fob the college off for a few months just to hone your welding skills to pass a weld test to get a job to pay for the material costs (they aren't too fussed about time on this normally). Where I work we are struggling to get welders/fabbies. Once you are on the course ask if you can get shown a bit about tig welding and grab the basics, once you know that and what to look for then go for it, worked for me

[martinl]

Cheers dualist. i will email my advisor at interserve in the morning to see if she can get info or whatever she can find ready for my appointment next week.

I always remember going to my dads to mess with the car and he always used to say "put everything back where and how you found them, and don't touch the welder". I got into a habit of making little storage boxes for my tool box so i used to go when he wasn't in .

It was march 2011 i last worked, and i'm getting impatient. Applied for loads of jobs, changed my CV about and not getting anywhere. Pissing me off

Anyways Thanks

[Dualist]

If you have been on the dole for so long they maybe able to get you a placement attached to the course and thus a into a job that way. Normally it's with apprentices but with your previous engineering background you should get preference. First job will be shitty pay and all but its a start.
But like I said, learn tig as soon as you can. You can get £15+ per hr on piece rate at some companies.

[martinl]

I'll question it tomorow. What's the difference between MIG and TIG? I know TIG is used for stainless and aluminium but thats about it

Is this the course i need to do?
http://www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/course/TC122

[Dualist]

Originally Posted by martinl

Is this the course i need to do?
http://www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/course/TC122

Yes, that's the course you want.

Mig..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_inert_gas_welding
Tig..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_tungsten_arc_welding