My son is finishing MNTC welding program, who's hiring?

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Poke78

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Rough words but probably true.

No intent to be "rough", just realistic. Also, I raised a couple of kids through that age so I know the value of focused questions.

As an FYI, I'm retired from CareerTech and worked on the Business & Industry Services side where industry regularly asked about how to recruit from the trade classes. Also, you might find value in getting some input from the instructor on how best to position your student for getting hired. Ask the instructor for an evaluation of your student's weld coupons for the AWS position certification tests.

Hope this is helpful and your student finds a good job.
 

Fredkrueger100

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Rough words but probably true.
I graduated from Gordon Cooper Tech Center in machining although no places came and talked to us we definitely had help getting jobs. Certain places would work with the school to accept graduates. I actually started a job before I graduated. I think it was about a month or two before I graduated. I know Tinker does it with the aviation program. So I’m sure the other tech schools do it too. That’s another great thing about the tech schools.
 

retrieverman

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No desire to relocate or travel could be career limiting.
Baker Hughes in Claremore is hiring.

As big as the OKC metro area is, this may not be a problem, but if he wants to make REAL MONEY, the oil field or pipe line industry is where I would look which will more than likely require travel.

Both my sons did stints in North Dakota in the oil industry, and the money was great. They really didn’t want to go but were glad they did.
 

PanhandleGlocker

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Hopefully you read this one. I’m still young and I could probably relate very easily to your son.

I just got out of welding to take a job with a gas company that I can retire in. Loved welding but didn’t like the work the shop I was at was starting to get. Oilfield welding turned into trailer repair. Hated it. I graduated high school and went straight to being a welders helper. No college.

Does he have his Oklahoma Department of Labor card? It’s a 6G pipe test to get it. Without that he isn’t legal to weld in the state on process piping or structural. Doesn’t matter how many “certifications” the school hands these students. That’s why Tulsa Welding School is a joke in my opinion. But that’s another topic.

if he wants to stick around that area my suggestions are trailer shops or vessel shops. Sad truth.

If he wants to get real world experience without being totally thrown to the dogs, I suggest he become a welders helper and really learn how it’s done in the field. If he’s single, I really recommend just getting out there and being a helper. He will have a lot more fun And when he does finally actually become a welder, he will know way more than that school ever taught him.

I was a welders helper for two years and then broke out as a rig welder. Did that for 4 years. 1 year I was a welder in a diesel plant. (Hated every single day of that job) I would highly talk him out of plant welding. It absolutely sucks. And unless he knows how to fit pipe he wouldn’t be hired anyways.

These are just my points. I’ll follow this thread and will add more if I can.
 

EKing

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No intent to be "rough", just realistic. Also, I raised a couple of kids through that age so I know the value of focused questions.

As an FYI, I'm retired from CareerTech and worked on the Business & Industry Services side where industry regularly asked about how to recruit from the trade classes. Also, you might find value in getting some input from the instructor on how best to position your student for getting hired. Ask the instructor for an evaluation of your student's weld coupons for the AWS position certification tests.

Hope this is helpful and your student finds a good job.
No offense taken, your words are spot on. He has told me that no companies in the last year have visited the school. There were job fairs at the school pre-national stupidity (Covid19) but none since. Doesn't make sense to me but that's what he told me. He believes he is in the minority of students who actually want welding careers. Half of the kids in the program simply want to get a half day away from high school. Some of them are just killing time. He's a second year student so he's already in a smaller group of folks who are really there to learn.
I have confidence that he will get a job and keep it if he wants to. Today's environment has many opportunities for a guy who will show up and do the work.
 

EKing

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Hopefully you read this one. I’m still young and I could probably relate very easily to your son.

I just got out of welding to take a job with a gas company that I can retire in. Loved welding but didn’t like the work the shop I was at was starting to get. Oilfield welding turned into trailer repair. Hated it. I graduated high school and went straight to being a welders helper. No college.

Does he have his Oklahoma Department of Labor card? It’s a 6G pipe test to get it. Without that he isn’t legal to weld in the state on process piping or structural. Doesn’t matter how many “certifications” the school hands these students. That’s why Tulsa Welding School is a joke in my opinion. But that’s another topic.

if he wants to stick around that area my suggestions are trailer shops or vessel shops. Sad truth.

If he wants to get real world experience without being totally thrown to the dogs, I suggest he become a welders helper and really learn how it’s done in the field. If he’s single, I really recommend just getting out there and being a helper. He will have a lot more fun And when he does finally actually become a welder, he will know way more than that school ever taught him.

I was a welders helper for two years and then broke out as a rig welder. Did that for 4 years. 1 year I was a welder in a diesel plant. (Hated every single day of that job) I would highly talk him out of plant welding. It absolutely sucks. And unless he knows how to fit pipe he wouldn’t be hired anyways.

These are just my points. I’ll follow this thread and will add more if I can.
No, he doesn't have a DOL card. I'd kinda like to see him start with a company that trains and guides employees to certifications and licenses. Something stable and secure.

He's almost out the door and I just want to help guide him that last bit if I can.
No matter what, in two weeks he's out of my house and I'm changing the locks so he's going to sink or swim.
 

Poke78

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No offense taken, your words are spot on. He has told me that no companies in the last year have visited the school. There were job fairs at the school pre-national stupidity (Covid19) but none since. Doesn't make sense to me but that's what he told me. He believes he is in the minority of students who actually want welding careers. Half of the kids in the program simply want to get a half day away from high school. Some of them are just killing time. He's a second year student so he's already in a smaller group of folks who are really there to learn.
I have confidence that he will get a job and keep it if he wants to. Today's environment has many opportunities for a guy who will show up and do the work.

Yes, it's definitely been different in the last year. I retired the month prior to the "stupidity outbreak." My comments did not take that into account. The instructor is still a great resource to have on his side for industry connections and being pointed toward the best opportunities that fit his skills.

Sounds like a fine young man - we both know a big part of success is the "show-up factor" so that will put him in position for the future. One other poster mentioned Tinker AFB and I'd suggest he not overlook that possibility. I know a man there who gained lots of skills and certs in welding on the government dime.

No, he doesn't have a DOL card. I'd kinda like to see him start with a company that trains and guides employees to certifications and licenses. Something stable and secure.

He's almost out the door and I just want to help guide him that last bit if I can.
No matter what, in two weeks he's out of my house and I'm changing the locks so he's going to sink or swim.

Tough love there - wish you and he the best in his future endeavors.
 

PanhandleGlocker

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No, he doesn't have a DOL card. I'd kinda like to see him start with a company that trains and guides employees to certifications and licenses. Something stable and secure.

He's almost out the door and I just want to help guide him that last bit if I can.
No matter what, in two weeks he's out of my house and I'm changing the locks so he's going to sink or swim.

yeah, he may need a little more time than two weeks to find a good one close to home that will hire him.

things aren’t looking good for any job right now I don’t think.
 

cmk59

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My son is about to finish the welding program at Moore Norman Technology Center, he takes his exams and earns his certifications this week or next. I've been on him to apply for jobs but he doesn't want to apply until he has his certs. I'm not sure.
I know just about every company is having a hard time finding and keeping people, help wanted signs all over the state. How is the welding community?

Will a company hire a 19 y/o as a welder without welding certs? What company would be good for him to look into? What company should he avoid?
He just wants stable employment and to stay local. He has no desire to travel or relocate from Moore/Norman/OKC area.
Johnson Controls in Norman seems to always be looking for CNC/machinists/press brake operators and so on, why not try there? Every time I drive by (several times a day, as I live in Norman), it seems they're always advertising for help!

Thank you in advance.
 

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