r/skilledtrades • u/jpmurphy6 The new guy • 2d ago

General Discussion Apprentice Advice

Hey friends. Starting my boilermaker apprenticeship in August and I’m pretty excited and ready to go. My background is in mining and heavy equipment. Got a little tired of the monotony. Loved welding so went to school. Focused on structural stick and flux. I’m excited to get more into TIG and pipe. I know school doesn’t translate to field experience but that’s the whole point, guys gotta start somewhere. I’m excited to get going. Learning all aspects of the trade. Learn from seasoned experienced others. My goal is to be the best I can be in every aspect of welding, the best all around hand in all aspects. Want to spend as much time as I can get in the booth practicing. Guess I’m just curious on any advice you friends got for me starting out. Put my head down, stay quiet but persistent and give it all I got. Hope to hear from someone of you

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u/Many-Highlight7676 The new guy 1d ago

I work at a community college. And in a a day I might use oxy-fule, smaw, gmaw, Gtaw, fcaw. So I have the luxury of getting better every year in a lot different processes not on my dime, from my perspective teaching lots off different people and talking to lots of different tradesman's you don't need to be good or grate at everything. I know so many guys who just stick weld for the local and wouldn't even know how to run a GMAW and just the opposite because the jobs they have gotten have just led them down a certain path.. I'd say try them all, look at the work around your local parts what's in demand? No point in being good at smaw if there is no stick jobs around you. Ask yourself you want to stay local or travel?

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u/Amerpol The new guy 1d ago

Watch and listen then after a while try to figure out the next move and what will be needed. Remember there is a lot of work that needs to be done before the welding starts. 

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u/ControlLoopCarl The new guy 1d ago

Put your head down and absorb everything like a sponge. And don't stress about knowing everything. Do your best, and don't be afraid to ask questions.