Welding vs. Paint & Fab vs. Heavy Equip. Operator

Tacomaworld is always full of surprises and answers haha I've had crazy talks with pilots, engineers, and all kinds here.

My Veteran buddy has just shy of 12 months of his GI Bill to use up (already has a degree, took several years working, back to school for a break from work).

Local tech school has these three programs with an early out option:

- Welding (9 months)

- Custom Paint and Fabrication (9 months)

- Heavy Equipment Operator (11 months)

He's asking me which skill I think would be most useful to him to gain while he takes a hiatus.

I told him welding. More broad application, can build stuff/work for yourself, etc.

Anyone care to chime in? I think it'd be the most useful skill but he's pretty equally down to try any of the 3. I ranked them in the order they're stated. Agree? Disagree? It would just be a secondary skill, side job, possibly more but not likely, etc. thanks for any insights for a fellow banged-up combat vet looking for some input.

 

IMHO. Heavy Equipment Op.

Those guys are always in high demand and typically earn a very good wage.

 

That's good to know, that's the only field I don't have experience in. I just figured it'd be harder to sort of do "on the side" vs as a switch of careers entirely but who knows, maybe that'll be the case. Homie is just burnt out and needs a change of pace for a bit. Thanks again for the feedback!

 

Heavy Equip can be anything from Forestry machines to Road Construction to Mega Strip Mine equipment.

Bulldozers, Excavators, Log Skidders, Drag Lines, Cranes, Feller/Buncher, Road Graders.........many machines.

 

True enough. I wonder how much translates, as in if you have experience on machines a, b, and c, they'll hire and train you to work machines x, y, z.

I think that'd be the downside to taking the early out for each program instead of sticking around for two years. They learn the basics of each trade and leave, whereas the second year you get more time on more advanced machinery, skillsets. But that's all uncle sam pays for!

He had a lot of medical training and other training that translated over so it didn't take him a full 4 years to get his bachelor's. Needs a break from being a cop and I don't blame him these days.

 

My vote heavy equipment (if only for the heat/air conditioned cabs)

 

Anyone in this field confirm the ability to get a job with minimal training? I think it's something like CDL, Backhoe/Front Loader, Crane, certificate of some kind.

 

Probably a little easier on the body as you get older as well I'd assume? Not that any of these seem like a day at the office. I miss construction until my back hurts from existing . . .

 

I'll vote for heavy equipment operator. You can always buy your own welder.

 

This is why I ask these things haha it was last on my list and here it seems to be everyone's number one.

Thanks for the pro and cons, all. Appreciated.

 

Heavy Equip has advanced greatly. Most machines have computer assist, GPS, standardized controls many things that are geared for operator comfort. The goal is to reduce fatigue over an 8+ hour shift in the seat.

Some excavators are able to control depth within centimeters.

 

Y'all a bunch of recruiters haha now I'M looking into it!

 

Oof, looks like "good luck seeing your family" seasonal work for a lot of it . . .

That's why I recommended welding (or even painting, but not so much) to him, as something you can do part-time / on the side.

Homie is burnt out and tired already ha.

 

How about hairstylist school. If he has the right amount of sass a can learn how to cut women's hair like Jose he'll go places.

 

Heavy Equipment Operator

 

Thats a two year program here. If it was one it’d be his first choice by far. Obviously.

 

Persuasive

 

It’s a great job, I know a bunch of guys that went that route. I went carpenter route, less money, harder on the body.

 

How are their hours? Anyone self-employed/set their own hours?

Sounds like a great job, but more so if you’re committed to a career of seasonal overtime from what I’m reading.

 

I'm..... kinda shocked about the heavy equipment. It is the least of the 3 that I know about, but the 1 I know personally the most of? And that didn't seem to make the gains that body or welding would have. I'm purposefully not going into detail, but I would imagine for someone who was swinging shit that costs a grand plus a day to run.... would be making more. By comparison, in the latter 2, the people I know do make more. Maybe it's a regional thing?