So I just graduated from welding school here in FL, I am certified in 1.1 7018 unlimited thickness done vertically. I had a structural steel job before school, the company is now out of work. All of the jobs I find are wanting 3-5 years experience which i dont have. I am gaining fabrication skills everyday with automotive stuff, and my tig is looking pretty nice. Im stuck unemployed doing landscaping again, occasionally doing some small fab work for friends cars Besides the obvious classifieds and craigslist, does anyone have any suggestions for me?

 

good luck my gf is certed in stick dual sheaild and tig, has ***** and still cant find a job.....

 

if you did the same cert test that I did in school (3G 3/8" MS with backing bar, which is what the FL state cirriculum requires), I dont think it is unlimited thickness.

All I can say is keep looking, poke your head in all the fab shops you can find. sucks because the market in FL is super saturated and they want to pay pennies, which is why I moved out of the state.

 

x2 it sucks in Florida.I dont weld but work at a machine shop and get paid pennies. Keep trying even though places require 3-5 years still apply. Worth a shot.

 

E-Rok- What you just said is not true. The curriculum requires a certification to be taken, not 3/8 plate. I took unlimited thickness which is 1" thick, has a backing strip 3"x3/8".

I took that test to satisfy my old boss at the iron working co, and a bridge/dam building co. In 8 months when i can go the the bridge co I will. But i will need to take another cert, unlimited thickness bridge code which is also 3g with 7018. Its just a higher tensile strength steel and you cant use a grinder once you start.

 

ahh gotcha

 

im certified in 2g, 3g, 4g, and 6gr. flux cord

pretty easy to find a job here.

 

go to boatyards?

 

move up here to alabama, there is Austal, and Northrop Gruman(sp?) they hire welders and pay top dollar for sure, I have friends welding there making about $30+ an hour

 

Yeah you want to go to Pascagoula,MS for Northrop Grumman. They pay damn good. They have apprentice programs and start you off at a good pay but theres not much to do up there.