Mature Applicants

Speaking openly and honestly about the trades and career availability is very important. We do not want anyone to think that they are unsuited to a new career as a welder, but there are some serious matters to consider when making the decision to become a tradesperson in mid life. The truth of the matter is that entry requirements DO CHANGE a little for mature students and we want to help you understand why the requirements change, and what you can do about it.

Once students complete our pre-employment welding course and pass the Alberta Apprenticeship exams they must find a job as an Apprentice Welder. It sounds easy and it really is easy for those just starting out, but for those of us who wish to become a welder in mid life it can become a arduous and humbling task. The fact is, most companies have younger foremen and also utilize apprentices a great deal under the "and other related duties" clause. Most companies would never openly admit that they would not hire a 40 year old apprentice but if you put them to the test you will find out rather quickly that employers in the market for trades people are looking for younger apprentices; people who can be molded and trained-to-fit by their employer. That is the crux of the problem, it's a dilemma; do we take your money and simply hope you can find a job, or should we be upfront and honest and try to help a mature career changer make the right choice? We prefer the upfront and honest approach and have some suggestions to help you become a tradesperson, against the odds.

Until the industry changes its attitude towards mature apprentices it is incumbent upon you, the career changer to find an employer willing to apprentice you. Only 5% of new welder apprentices in Alberta have taken our pre-employment course, which means that 95% of new apprentices get the apprenticeship either by knowing a journeyman welder or by starting work as a welders' helper. The best way to make a mid-life career change into the trades and specifically into the welding trade is to start by making a list of people you know that are already welders. Talk to these people and find out about the trade. Welding is typically a hard, dirty job. If you were previously employed as a sedentary office worker who, like a lot of us are out of shape and don't like to work in inclement conditions, welding would be a bad choice regardless of employability after training. If, on the other hand, you know all about the trade and are convinced that welding is for you, then your next step would be to secure a job with a company willing to apprentice you once you complete our course. Go back to that list of friends and acquaintances and talk to them about a job. Mature employees can bring a company a sense of commitment, are on time and tend to take a great deal of pride in their employers business and their own quality of work.

To summarize, know your limitations, talk to others in the welding industry, then find an employer willing to take you on as a welders helper or apprentice you. Listen to your inner voice - do what you WANT to do this time around. Changing careers in mid-life is a very difficult thing to do so spend some time researching the welding industry and try to be sure that the change you are attempting to make, is the right career change for you!