CliffordK

One of the things about "trades" is that one can be certified with book smarts. Or one can have street smarts.

In the computer industry, one can read about computers all one wishes, but one needs to have the hands-on experience to do support, as well as the problem solving skills for when something new comes up.

As far as welding... one can lay down a pretty bead, but it also has to be STRONG, and in some cases impermeable to fluids or gases. Thus, we still have welding certifications for many industries.

unterhausen

There are definitely people welding all day at their jobs. Sure, a lot of machinists do it as part of their jobs too. But there are more "welding" shops in this area than "welding and fabricating" shops. It's sad what some welders get paid though.

There is a local trade school that has a welding program where the grads get jobs if they can weld. Some people decide to go into it as a trade just to have a job and have not talent at it. But I don't think that's particularly common

guy153

There will always be some welding jobs that it doesn't make sense to outsource because you can't ship a whole bridge, railway station or complete system of pipes from China. There are also people who want a gate or railings or something made to measure to fit with other things in an existing location.

CliffordK

We may no longer be fighting WWII, but there is still shipbuilding in the USA.

Geepig

I am a car mechanic by trade - apprenticed, qualified and all the rest, but I have barely practiced my trade in 35 years. It is not important whether something is or isn't practiced by many. A trade is a trade, until the last tradesman dies, because it is a skill set that one trains and qualifies for. I think it is important not to confuse the tradesman with the opinion of one's favorite media about industry today.

dsaul

As someone who welds as a hobby and follows welding on social media outlets, I can assure you that there are many people who weld every day as a job.

Helderberg

People, I think my post has been possibly misconstrued. I was simply saying how much respect I have for people that make their living using a stick welder. That or how much respect I have for people that CAN stick weld. I too went through all the steps to reach master plumber and worked that trade for 48 years. I am simply stating how difficult I find stick welding and wanted to express my respect for all that can to it so well. As stated above, when I weld there is a reason it is called "Stick" welding.
Be safe all, Frank.

dsaul

I think most of us got the point of your original post. Nessism took it in a different direction with his assertion that welding is no longer an actual trade.

unterhausen

I don't know why it never occurred to me that calling it "stick" welding was so appropriate. The rod sticking is definitely a problem for a beginner. I assume that it's not so much of a problem for more accomplished stick welders. Although I wonder how many of those there are in the age of MIG and TIG.

guy153

Stick is still used a lot on thicker materials where its main rival is "dual shield flux core" which uses both a flux cored wire and a shielding gas at the same time.