Hi fellow LL,

I have a female prospect who just graduated from welding school and got a job. I called her boss to confirm employment. He said this is a temp-to-hire position. After 3 month trial, she could be converted to a permanent position. He said he's been happy with her so far for the first month as a sales representative.

around here everyone looking for welders..granted some pay better than others

A lot companies do not keep people for more then six months as avoid benifits. The temp company is not likely to take on. So depends on UI rules where should be able to get another job. The worst is social assistance where they feel everything should be free. Here the war with Ukraine has made companies who are making armored cars increase business exponentially as welding is the main part of building military vehicles which can withstand being shot at. Before the Ukrainians were using cars and trucks where now they are using armoured cars where many find they live. It is hit and run tactic where slowly depleding the Russians of everything. The madman has lost where he continues to use all resources which are gradually running out. If there are any armored car manufactures in the area then they are going to need help who have a secure for quite a while. Once they a years experience then secure employment. Have welding eqiupment where each welding process requires a different skill level where tig is most difficult. Mig is press the gun then welding continues.

An interesting situation.

To me: The fact that she actually got into welding/the trades as opposed to just having a throw-away type job like fast food or retail clerk says that she may be serious about doing something that has real value and good employment possibilities.

Thank you everyone for your reply

Frank[NJ], I didn't ask that question. I assume either day care or her family members.

Eddie[KY], that's my thought as well (that a welder is in demand). However being a female welder, I wonder if that would make it more difficult for her to get a welder job in such predominantly male career filed.

I'll give her credit for getting trained to do real job. She has enough gumption to stick with something that far.

I'd find out what she is using for child care and I'd also ask around a bit to see how much demand there is for welders in your area.

There's a difference between welding, and welding "sales." Is she selling welding supplies? Services? Or actually welding? It's an art form, and easy to get rusty.

Does she own a welder? Multiple welders? I own 5 currently and need a new TIG. And I'm just a hobby welder.

If I don't weld for awhile my welds look like garbage, in fact they are garbage. LOL I try to run a few beads or joints on scrap once a month or so. If she isn't welding regularly I doubt her welds will pass tests. Our college was the testing center for certifications. We'd get all these auto body guys sending welds for testing. Maybe one in 15 passed. And those guys are the ones fixing your cars after a crash. Yikes!

I took night school classes for about 4 years (mainly to use the jr college facilities for free and not need to buy a $4,000 welder.)

Pipefitters and high rise welders make good money, if they are union. Otherwise the pay wasn't that great. My first instructor in the 80's made $9.00 a hour on his day job.

My instructor in CA wanted me to get into orbital welding. This is a process used by hospitals, daries, etc., to tig weld tubing for things like oxygen lines to rooms, and milk delivery lines to tanker trucks. The machines are very expensive, 50k but the income "can be" substantial.

Most production welding is robotic now, so it becomes more of a job knowing computers and how to fix the robots.

So she could be making very poor money fixing farm equipment, or six figures. It's all about skill, equipment, computer tuning, and mostly who you know.

New jobs often dont work out. As we discussed in previous postings, eviction is slow and expensive in Chicago. With that operating environment, why take a chance? Get someone with solid job time, a stable life, sufficient income, and easily garnished.

PS - As Vee and Sisco said, a month on the job is shakey.

Also, did she go through a full jr college certificate program? Or did she just get certified in one aspect? Like MIG flat sheet metal?

Certified for overhead? I doubt it. I've welded for 40 years and my out of position welds still suck unless it's TIG, then I only half suck. Most colleges offer a two semester full-time certificate program. But that doesn't mean they have tested and are actually certified.

Each process, and each position (flat, verticle, horizontal, overhead) has a separate certification test. A marine ship welder will need different certs than a trailer hitch welder (most of whom have no training or certs).

But, there are lots of female welders, many a very good. She's 22, maybe getting it together for a career, maybe not.

One month on the job is a yellow flag...but not a red one IMO.

I agree with Richard, but would want extra security. Maybe you can make an arrangement such as either...

1) Double deposit in case of non-payment

or if she doesn't have enough saved to do that...

2) Increase rent by $100/month until she has double deposit built up, then revert to base rent amount

3) Co-signer would be a nice addition to the above, but I would not do ONLY the co-signer.

Welding is a good job IF you are experienced, not just out of welding school. As a contractor I love it to find temp help with those who have taken the initiative and gotten themselves schooling.

But a person with 1 years work in the field is worth more than 10 graduating from a school with a certificate only.

There are different levels of welding and certificates. Stick welding, Arc welding with variations of gasses.

LTD[AZ], she's got hired by Red-D-Arc, a welding equipment rental company as a sales rep. Logic tells me that she doesn't own the equipment because she just graduated a few months ago.

Sisco[MO], my property is in the blue collar worker area. Most people there have credit score around 600. Not many qualified applicants there.

Vee[OH], agree. Usually I don't like young people because their life always change frequently. I'm considering this applicant because winter is here (much less applicants)

RB[TN], true as long as I have plenty applicants to screen :-)

LTD[AZ], yeah one month on job is shaky. She works in an office of a welding company. I don't think she has "her gear".

Hoosier[IN], great idea on the arrangement. Thank you.

Chicago, I run a trailer park in the Ozarks, I get qualified applicants and you can too. But, even if you can’t get a qualified applicant, how is it that you have bettered yourself by accepting a likely to fail applicant in, when an eviction will cut off your income for 6+ months and require you write checks for $thousands?

Thank you everyone for your reply.

don[PA], she's a saleswoman who just graduated from a welding school.

Ken[NY], Even though her job title is salesperson, I notice that she's salary making $1000/week which is enough for the $1100/month rent. No, she hasn't been in the field long enough. She just graduated.

First of all, to all the people saying, " Oh, 22 year old with a three year old-not responsible.... um... what if she were instead the 24 or 25 year old father of the child who isn't caring for the child, doesn't mention he sired a child, and who knows how many he has sired by now? She IS responsible. She has one child, not three or four, and she got her butt in gear to get a welding certificate in a male dominated field. She wasn't going to settle for 'traditional' female jobs, which 'traditionally ' pay didly-squat.

She did get a job in sales, which, as noted, can be a whole different situation. Could be much better, or much worse. That she knows the equipment works greatly in her favor. Sales will depend upon her personality. One thing I DID learn, when completing my business degree just a few years ago, one of the very most productive workers is a single mom. When I worked as a manager, I saw how an employee could change from being a slacker to driven to succeed once they caught their breath after finding out they were pregnant. Doesn't always happen though, but in the people who do step up, they did very well.

The only tough part, for me, in this equation, is Chicago's eviction laws. Here in Milwaukee, my understanding is laws are fairly reasonable for evictions, though I've never needed to go that route ( so far.) i DO only use MONTH-to-month periodic tenancies, telling the tenant I think it keeps us both ' on our toes' (on our best behavior, best effort, not being complacent.)

Thanks everyone for your reply.

RB[TN], do you want to start one? I'll join :-) Always want to be part of a flash dance :-D

A welders apprentice is what I would consider someone who isn't a journeyman yet.

probationary employment is the new norm with so many of the work force not being worth a dam.

to me more worrisome than her short time on the job is the boyfriend or baby daddy matter. i've never had one turn out like i would have preferred. if you let her in be sure she knows that neither Romeo, or his replacement, ever moves in without a screening.

young people rarely have deep credit and at 670 hers is so-so but if the rest of the applicants stink then she may be the prettiest belle at your ball. as always i look at credit reports to see who they stiffed, if anyone. a couple of late's is not a deal killer but that might be what is hurting hers. is she a welder or sales rep? either is a good job and if she is pretty and well spoken (and knows what she's talking about) then they might think she is a better fit in front of the public.

if she is welding then ask her to run off a "stack of dimes" for your on some aluminum...a good welder can find work like a nurse can...easily. if she can sell then she'll make the same dough with less wear and tear.