TheMackemSlayer Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Hi y'all! I'm just wanting some much needed advice in regards to what qualifications I shall need in order to find a good job as a Welder upon arriving in Perth, WA. A little about myself: I am a 25-year-old male, who is currently employed as a Welder here in the UK and has been for the last six years. Although I don't currently hold any codings, I do have my Level 2 City & Guilds certificates in both MIG and MMA. What I would like to find out is whether or not I would struggle to find work with only UK recognised qualifications and hands on experience? Also, any advice you could give me in regards to what I could do prior to emigrating would be greatly appreciated. In an ideal world, I would like to find work as a Welder within the mining industry, but I understand that may not be possible without furthering myself in terms of qualifications. I am now considering doing a course in order to attain a 6G coding in MMA but have doubts as to whether this would be worthwhile, what with Australian codings being different to over here in the UK. Could a coding be transferred to Australian equivalent? Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveo1571 Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Hi Gary, I migrated here 2.5 years ago....I have my NVQ 2, City and Guilds level 2 weld & fab...and City and Guilds level 2 TIG.... I came over on a 457 sponsored visa, then after 2 years we got our 187 permanent residency... Best thing I think you can do is talk to a an agent, I know that things have changed and the process has been tightened....perhaps look at a working holiday visa??.... Having uk codes would be helpful and all qualifications can be recognised and transferred to Australian, but it is expensive and something I am yet to do...the mining industry has slowed down at the minute, but it is a boom/bust industry and will probably pick up soon... if you have any more questions, please ask... Thanks Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMackemSlayer Posted March 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Hi Steve, Fortunately, my partner has her citizenship and therefore I am able to emigrate on a partner visa (47sp) - this is already being sorted. In regards to having UK codings, this is an avenue I am seriously thinking about going down. My only worry is that I could end up spending a lot of money to get 6G coded in MMA, only for the qualification not to be recognised in Oz due to their codings being different. I assume having them will still be advantageous, though? Out of interest, how long did it take you to find work and did you register with any agencies or apply for jobs via websites prior to making the move? I'm keen to do things properly to ensure that my family can make the transition from England to Australia with as few hiccups as possible. Cheers for getting back to me, bud. Any furthwer advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveo1571 Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Hi Gary, I was sponsored by my then employer, found the job when I was in the uk,I was lucky...... they did my visa etc...took about 6 weeks to get the visa.... The problem you have is that you are not here, finding a job from there will be a pain....if you can get over, then it will be far easier....I reckon if you already had your codes from the uk that would put you in good stead....Mining is quiet at the minute, oil and gas on the other hand is crazy, that's where I plan to go next, or shut down work.....what type of work have you been doing? PM me if you want.... thanks Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMackemSlayer Posted March 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 I'll be honest, 90% of the welding I have done over the last 6 years or so has been very basic MIG welding - almost all in flat position. Thing is, I know I can weld to a decent standard. On a brighter note, I know for sure that my current employer would give me a glowing reference if need be. Have you looked into finding work on the Gorgon Project, Steve? We have family over there who insist that they're desperate for Welders. You would need to be capable of passing 3G, 4G and 5G tests inn MMA, though - hence why I'm considering doing a course to get 6G coded in that process despite having far more experience with MIG. Again, thanks for the reply. Much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveo1571 Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Hi , Get practising in all positions, flux core mig is a big thing here too..... Funnily enough I am going for a job at Gorgon/barrow island, applied for a mechanical t.a job as the money is similar to a boilermaker, I need to get the opportunity to work in the field to get the practice so I can improve my own skills.... I have a mate who is a Welder there and the standard is very high, everything is X-rayed....even my mate has a bit of trouble and he is excellent... Get to your local college and see what codes you can do ASAP... If there's anything else give me a shout.. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMackemSlayer Posted March 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 I know that my local college does 6G codings (TIG root with MIG or MMA fill and cap), however, doing this would cost a lot of money and I'm sceptical about it as I know Oz codings are different to ours and they may ultimately hold no value whatsoever. Do you know much about this? Good luck with the job application, by the way. I've heard from a few people that starting off in a lower position is the best way to get your foot in the door in the mining industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveo1571 Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 If you can get here and get a job, then expand your skills, that would probably be a better option... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMackemSlayer Posted March 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 You could be rigt. I just worry that I won't find a job without upskilling prior to migrating and will then run out of money and have kids to feed and clothe. It's a massive move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveo1571 Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 You are right to be cautious, get emailing various companies and see how that goes.... It is a massive move, we have 4 kids and it shook them about a bit, but after a few months they were settled...now after 2.5 years you'd think the eldest 2 were born here, we need a translator ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayliandnathan Posted March 7, 2014 Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 Hi, Im not sure about your trade as my husband has had to have his skills assessed by vetassess he is a first class welder. Nathan had to complete a paper trail and then we had to go up to london so that he could sit a practical test. Luckily he has passed all the requirements and now has vetasess trade papers now to prove that he is a first class welder Austrailian recognised. he has also since been to college to do his 6G coding which he has had stamped. Also bear in mind that sites out there need you to posess a white card these can be completed on line and my husband will be doing one of these prior to leaving the UK. I would go onto seek.com.au and look at some of the job ads and see what most employers are asking for as i know working at heights is another requirement. Be good to keep in touch regarding the work situation. A friend of ours has been working on the gorgon project and his rotation was 3:1 although he has left there now and is on another project up that way so work does seem to be ticking although these are FIFO and some rotations are 4:1 whcih is extremely difficult when you have children. Take care kayli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMackemSlayer Posted March 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Hi Kayli, I'll definitely keep in touch. I may look into sitting a skils test even though I don't need to do so for my visa as this seems to be one of the easiest ways to gain qualifications that will be recognised in Oz. How did Nathan find the test? What did it entail? I look on seek.com.au everyday and I'm happy to say that there seems to be plenty of jobs. As for working on the mines, I realise that working on such rotations would be tough but the money is excellent. The most popular rotation on the gorgon project is something like 26:9. We have family in Perth and they all think getting in on the mines would be my best bet. I think the starting wage for a welder is around $120,000 a year. I could live with that! Cheers Gary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayliandnathan Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Yes can surely enjoy a great lifestyle with that and another wage coming in too... Maybe even a little boat in time lol ) EKkkk!!! I've pm you too vetasses firstly required a large paper trail which was for certs,work references etc to evidence your trade. also college and apprenticeship evidence. Practical was in London wembley and he had to do 6 practical tests tig mig mma down hand and vertical up and a small boiler making test all were straight forward and simple over one full day in college. The tutor was helpful and made him feel extremely comfortable. small basic theory test at the end. He now has his skill trade papers which are Australian recognised for a first class welder. Thanks kayli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMackemSlayer Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Hey Kayli, I've replied to your PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeachyPom Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 I look on seek.com.au everyday and I'm happy to say that there seems to be plenty of jobs. Gary. Hi, my husband is a Welder with 20 years experience. We are over here now on a PR Visa, and have applied for all the jobs showing on seek. Some agencies are showing some interest, but are saying there are alot of Welders around at the moment after some lay-offs at the mines. I'm not trying to put you off, from what we can see there is work, you just have to be prepared to be persistent, and for it to take a little time. There are companies over here that offer training for confined spaces etc. I don't know what sort of prices they charge, but I would think it would make more sense to do any extra training here if possible. You know it's to the recognised standards. Not all sites ask for white cards, but many do, so definitely worth getting that to increase your chances. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMackemSlayer Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Hi PeachyPom! Thanks for the info. Out of interest, does your husband have any qualifications? If so, are they recognised here in the UK or in Oz? Also, is your husband now employed or is he still looking? Don't worry about putting me off, I will definitely be emigrating - even if it means ditching welding and working in McDonalds. I have looked into getting a White Card and think that would certainly be a worthwile investment. It's only a quick online test though so I'll sort that at a later date. Cheers, Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeachyPom Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Hi again. Love the spirit, we are determined whatever it takes too. Not working yet, he's been here 2 weeks now, so not long in the scheme of things, but it certainly hasn't been a case of rocking up and walking straight into work. He has been applying with the Australian qualification you get through the skills assessment. I forget what it's called, heavy fabrication or something. (sorry!) I think the way forward is likely to be agency work to begin with. Keep in touch though, as we get further along, we might have some pointers for you. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsM Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 Seems to be quite a few welders going out to Oz! My husband's a welder as well! (He's the citizen and I'm the partner visa!) when are you going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vesparich Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 hi all been here 2 years as a welder and my company closed 2 weeks back, I've applied for a few jobs but have heard nothing back yet. I keep in touch with the lads I worked with socially and as of sat night just gone only 1 of 8 of us has found work. I think things are a lot harder right now as there's plenty of welders out of work all going for the same jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LeeMilligan123 Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 I was sponsored by my then employer, found the job when I was in the UK,I was lucky then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangerboy Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Hi, I've been here for 7 months on a PR, I've hot 17 years experience as a welder/fabricator and passed the vetasses skilled assessment as a welder 1st class! I can honestly say the work is not living up to expectations, all the mining jobs want someone with previous experience as now they have gone a bit quiet they can be a bit more choosy, I must have sent atleast 20 resumes with excellent references but only 2 called back wanting more tickets like - working at heights and confined spaces! So I'm booked to do them next week, but it's certainly quieter than when I first started looking couple of years ago, hope it doesn't put you off though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walvia Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 It is true, the Gorgon Project are still looking for welders. Bear in mind that you'll be required to pass 2G, 3G, 4G SMAW Tests to x-ray standards. As long as you have at least 3 years previous working experience. Register on http://www.bepartofsomethingbig.com.au Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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