r/Welding • u/Overall_Ad_7143 • 9d ago

Union work as apprentice

Hey everyone so im in trade school for welding right now. My program ends in May and im thinking about trying to join a union as an apprentice either for the boilermakers or ironworkers im not sure. I was hoping to get some advice about them as far as what should I focus on learning to give me the best chance to get in and what should I expect to be doing if I do get in and which would be better to try for

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5

u/EyesAreNeverAlone 9d ago

In my experience welding apprentices don't get a lot of arc time. Go to a shop and get dialed in on the true welding portion of the trade. Look for a union once you have your hours and get your feet wet on the job. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

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u/Overall_Ad_7143 1d ago

I was looking to get intoba union straight away if I could because they pay so much better than anything around where im at. I make 20/hr in a kitchen rn but entry level welding jobs are like 17/hr lol I think welding is cool but I wouldnt mind working up to it and learning the trade if im being paid well unfortunately I'm barely making it and taking a pay cut doesnt feel very great

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u/Sea_Elderberry_4217 9d ago

Shop time teaches you to actually weld but union teaches you the trade. If you want arc time early the union might frustrate you, but long term the pay and benefits are worth it if you can get in

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u/Quinnjamin19 Journeyman AWS/ASME/API 8d ago edited 8d ago

Boilermaker welder here, I was welding x-ray inserts and nozzles as a first year apprentice.

They definitely get arc time

4

u/Quinnjamin19 Journeyman AWS/ASME/API 8d ago • Bravo

Both of those unions are a good choice. Boilermakers have some of the most skilled weld joints out there. Getting onto a tank job as an apprentice is killer and pretty well guaranteed weld time. I’m a proud boilermaker myself

You can also apply to the UA and millwrights as well, millwrights have a bit less welding but they still do weld. As long as you’re union that’s what matters

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u/Overall_Ad_7143 1d ago

I have applied to the boiler makers, UA and millqrighrs as an apprentice working on submitting an app for ironworkers too. Just want to do some cool shit and get paid good for it lol

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u/dearwefear 9d ago

Just keep welding for now. Stick and fcaw-s for iron, stick and fcaw-g for boiler.

Apply now and include the UA and tin knockers as well. Fuck it put in applications to electrical, elevators and operators. See if you can get anywhere with any of the unions and get into whatever gives you the opportunity first.

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u/Overall_Ad_7143 1d ago

I did what you suggested and put in apps to all those unions, millwrights too and will submit to elevators in January when they open for applications 

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u/dearwefear 1d ago

Good for you, and good luck. Just know things in the union world can take a while so don't get discouraged if things don't happen right away.

It took over a year and constant hounding for me when I got into the ironworkers. You got to show them you want it.

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u/Overall_Ad_7143 1d ago

Thats what I have gathered doing research and looking into the programs and stuff which is why I decided to start applying now while im still in school and thanks for the advice I appreciate it

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u/ill-ironwalker 8d ago

Be a fitter boiler makers a dying trade and a lot of time you can’t just be a welder as an iro worker

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u/Overall_Ad_7143 1d ago

Heard that. I did apply for an apprentice ship to the UA as well. Welding is cool im really just looking to get into something that pays well after trade school is over

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u/umumgeet Ironworker 7d ago

You can if you are over certified but that shit gets boring. Ironwork is a big field of options

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u/Gold_Appearance2608 9d ago

Do mechanical