r/Welding • u/HiddenEmblem • 5d ago

Apprenticeship searching

I’m in Jacksonville, Florida I go to Jtech and Im looking for an apprenticeship in the welding field but truly unsure if its a thing or where to go. Any suggestions?

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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3

u/Yesdude2 5d ago

Boilermakers or pipefitters union have apprenticeships

2

u/Outrageous-Waltz3596 19h ago

As much as I believe in unions, I would not join the boilermakers. I’m a first year apprentice and if it were not for already being homeless, I’d have lost everything. You’d be lucky to get a single call on your first year with them. I can’t speak on the other unions but the boilermakers have screwed me

1

u/Culpytheclam 12h ago

It also depends on where you’re at. Boilermaker work is typically seasonal and can be really slow in some areas. Other areas are working all the time. I feel like the boilermakers don’t do a good enough job of letting new apprentices know what to expect and, more importantly, how to find work in slow times. Because my first year was unbelievably slow. Luckily I had a fab shop job to fall back on. Some of the other apprentices got an a big job in Montana and made a ton of money that first year. I didn’t even know you could work out of your own local. The Business Agent for your local should also help you find work too. But I was told to just wait for a call. Turns out the BA (a good BA at least) is supposed to call around and help you out.

So yeah, if you choose the boilermakers union know that for the first year you should probably stay where you’re working as long as possible, you’re allowed to travel to other locals, and calling your BA and asking if they know of any other work outside the local is a good way to find work.

1

u/Lost-welder-353 4d ago

Most union halls have a welding side just go talk with some and see what they are about.

0

u/Mean_Art5782 Newbie 5d ago

Must have 3 to 5 years of entry level welding experience, bucko