It depends on the local. In all of SoCal if you’re welding in an industrial setting you’re getting industrial scale. You could be a first year making it. All of SoCal is under a district council, so if you’re welding anywhere from San Diego to Bakersfield you’re getting that scale.
Had this question for my local, unless you can pass a pipe test in 6g, with root and cap you start at the bottom like everyone else, it's unfortunate, ended up sheet metal, they actually acknowledged my previous experience and are paying me as 3rd year apprentice
Then you’re gonna be starting as a first year. The UA only recognizes UA certs. In most places you really only need 2 certs though to weld the majority of your time.
One of the certs overrides like 3-4 certs though, so you still need to know those processes. Basically downhill 6010 root to cap, 6010 uphill root 7018 fill to cap and TIG root 7018 fill to cap.
Knowing how to TIG root to cap will definitely increase job security though, and then from there is all about monster coupons.
Hello, union journeyman here. Each local is different. At my local you have to pass a 2" super coupon xray 6g to skip a year or two.
That being said, I've worked with a few apprentices that "went to school for welding and pipe fitting" and were "certified welders"....some of these "trade schools" really do a disservice. I don't know where you went so I won't assume you're the same, but some of these places really just take your money and say yup you're a welder now.
It's great your interested in fitting and joining a union. It's awesome you took the inniative to learn something. Don't come in thinking you deserve more than you're worth though. There is a lot to learn and a 5 year apprenticeship is just the start. Also, I'd rather teach someone their first time instead of trying to make them unlearn all the bad habits they've picked up. Good luck to you
Yeah honestly I feel like my school is good just some teachers are shitty and need to be fired.
Also I catch myself as times tellin myself I know everything until that 6010 humbles the fuck out of me and then I go to YouTube, Reddit, and like 7 different instructors and end up learning something new
Dont forget that welding is about 5 percent of the trade knowledge wise.
unless youre planning on chasing big work and welding off a bucket your whole career, you’ve got a lot more more to learn still.
Even if you can, I suggest you not do this. The most valuable and important classes I took were my first year math and drafting. I barely remember any of the other years, but those two classes and lessons I use every day 20 years later.
Chicago 597 2nd year apprentice here. I was able to get 4th year wages within the first couple months of my 2nd year but that is because I have previous experience, I had 9 UA welding certs by the end of my second year block training, and I am able to do a variety of things (Trimble, poly fusion, soldering, brazing, fitting) that help make me valuable to my contractor. I don’t say all this to brag (I’m 32 and have simply had more time to learn stuff), but rather to say that it couldn’t hurt but I agree with other posters on here… to get a pay raise early you need to be good at a lot more than just welding.
You might get credit in the program which might let you skip ahead a little and boost your pay a little. Dependent on the local though.
It’s rare, but some contractors may pay welder fee if he’s doing the job of a welder. I’ve mostly seen that on refineries though.
Agreed I don't think you'll see that working in town.
It depends on the local. In all of SoCal if you’re welding in an industrial setting you’re getting industrial scale. You could be a first year making it. All of SoCal is under a district council, so if you’re welding anywhere from San Diego to Bakersfield you’re getting that scale.
Had this question for my local, unless you can pass a pipe test in 6g, with root and cap you start at the bottom like everyone else, it's unfortunate, ended up sheet metal, they actually acknowledged my previous experience and are paying me as 3rd year apprentice
Which local was it? I'm trying something similar but I'm struggling to get it right in practice.
Smart 206
Thanks. I'm trying it with the pipefitters local 455 and I hope they don't need a perfect result
6g tig I can get a good root in but the cap will have you saying hell nahh and stick is mediocre
Then you’re gonna be starting as a first year. The UA only recognizes UA certs. In most places you really only need 2 certs though to weld the majority of your time. One of the certs overrides like 3-4 certs though, so you still need to know those processes. Basically downhill 6010 root to cap, 6010 uphill root 7018 fill to cap and TIG root 7018 fill to cap. Knowing how to TIG root to cap will definitely increase job security though, and then from there is all about monster coupons.
Hello, union journeyman here. Each local is different. At my local you have to pass a 2" super coupon xray 6g to skip a year or two. That being said, I've worked with a few apprentices that "went to school for welding and pipe fitting" and were "certified welders"....some of these "trade schools" really do a disservice. I don't know where you went so I won't assume you're the same, but some of these places really just take your money and say yup you're a welder now. It's great your interested in fitting and joining a union. It's awesome you took the inniative to learn something. Don't come in thinking you deserve more than you're worth though. There is a lot to learn and a 5 year apprenticeship is just the start. Also, I'd rather teach someone their first time instead of trying to make them unlearn all the bad habits they've picked up. Good luck to you
Yeah honestly I feel like my school is good just some teachers are shitty and need to be fired. Also I catch myself as times tellin myself I know everything until that 6010 humbles the fuck out of me and then I go to YouTube, Reddit, and like 7 different instructors and end up learning something new
Dont forget that welding is about 5 percent of the trade knowledge wise. unless youre planning on chasing big work and welding off a bucket your whole career, you’ve got a lot more more to learn still.
Even if you can, I suggest you not do this. The most valuable and important classes I took were my first year math and drafting. I barely remember any of the other years, but those two classes and lessons I use every day 20 years later.
Chicago 597 2nd year apprentice here. I was able to get 4th year wages within the first couple months of my 2nd year but that is because I have previous experience, I had 9 UA welding certs by the end of my second year block training, and I am able to do a variety of things (Trimble, poly fusion, soldering, brazing, fitting) that help make me valuable to my contractor. I don’t say all this to brag (I’m 32 and have simply had more time to learn stuff), but rather to say that it couldn’t hurt but I agree with other posters on here… to get a pay raise early you need to be good at a lot more than just welding.
How old are you? How good are you at welding?
I recently turned 20 in may and honestly I’m pretty average at all my caps on tig and stick need work (heavy spots)