CAN YOU BREAK OUT AS A PIPELINE WELDER WITHOUT BEING A WELDER HELPER FIRST? (UNION/NON-UNION)

CAN YOU BREAKOUT AS A PIPELINE WELDER WITHOUT BEING A WELDER HELPER FIRST? (UNION OR NON-UNION)
I’ve got a new question about if being a pipeline welder helper is a requirement to becoming a pipeline welder. If you have ever wondered what do you need to be a pipeline welder and if one of those needs is being a welder helper then this video is for you. I’m Austin Ross, and on this channel I like to answer questions like how to be a pipeline welder, how to get your first welding job, and how to become a traveling welder. Here on the channel I tell you the tips and tricks I’ve learned as a union 798 pipeline welder and non union pipeline welder as well as how to become rig welder.
Are you looking to get your first pipeline welding job? Or maybe you want to be a weld helper first. In this video, we cover rather or not you can breakout as a pipeline welder before being a welder helper if you will be a union welder or working non union.

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Filmed August 2019 in OK

[maxstozhkov]

Being a helper is not for everyone, id do it but it get super boring for me in a couple of days. I personally found it pretty easy to get caught up to speed with what goes into being a welders helper, I've done it from time to time in last 7.5 years but I'd rather be welding structural if there's no pipe than hand rods and grind beads. Props to the guys who love doing it tho, i love fitting, fabbing and welding but being a helper is not necessary for everyone

[sfahr]

I’m almost 30 just got out of the Air Force doing sheet metal Fab now I’m in a pipeline welding school in okc I can’t wait to get on the pipeline as a welder or helper I’ll take either

[hillcountryhunting]

I helped for 2 months back in 2014 before the great oil and gas depression lol. Once I get back into the industry I plan on helping for another 7-10 months at least before rigging up and breaking out, depending on what type of knowledge I can get from the welders I help along the way.

[User]

What if I want to be a shop welder or structural do you still need to be a helper ?

[thomasmollet]

Hi austin I busted out in 2000 started helping in 95. Out of 798 great local

[wsm]

I worked with a structural company doing in shop fab and on site iron working straight outta high school. We also did some pipe manifolds and skids and what not for o&g. I helped for probably about 3 or 4 years before breaking out as on the main welder/fabricators after passing my weld test, but those years helping were invaluable. Stayed with that company for 9 years before going to the company I'm with now and I have a massive leg up on other guys my age because of everything I learned at my old company.

[ronfussell]

That's the difference between rig union work and plant work, I've done both, inside the fence the fitters are our helpers, their also suppose to be able to fit, measure up, even cut, fitting is a lot of fun, if you like your brain challenged.I worked with a lot of 798'ers in the 80's, standard oil, shell, exxon all in the San Francisco area.Everyone had to be in the the union.Once laid off, tough to get another dispatch.There is a lot of downhill in the plants.

[justuhking]

Breakout go and try out for welding test

[eliassantiago]

In my opinion, breaking out is when you're a helper then get enough experience or knowledge to take the test and actually become a welder on your own. That is what breaking out means to me.

[robmurphy]

When I broke out 2 years ago, I was fresh out of high school, only had been a helper for 3 months before my break out test in a company truck. But before that I had two years votech education and worked part time in the equipment shop as a shop welder for the company I broke out for, that helped establish myself among management. Spent my entire senior year focused on pipe welding and it paid off. If you have the determination it'll pay off.

[waxfactory]

Im so glad there is no advertisements on your videos thanks for that austin

[Ltxheraldo]

can anyone tell me what does it mean to “break out” as a welder? please thank youu

[wolfanator]

I like these videos that you post it's super informative. Breaking out means starting a trade in the industry my opinion, thank you.

[billyblock]

What foes the average pipeline welder make a year? I know it can vary a lot but I am curious as I want to become a traveling pipeline welder

[houstonbigfooter]

I'm old school, which means being a helper and learning the ropes.plus being guided by old welders.the old school way is putting your time in.you'll be respected more and people will know that and give you more leads on jobs.edit:just finished watching the vid and you was right about alot of things.

[nnz]

I work in a fab shop as a structural welder im putting together my welder rig & i go a couple times a week back to school to practice downhill what are the next steps to get into pipeline ? Thanks

[giuseppeaiazzi]

Love your videos am 11 and I want to be a pipe liner and your videos help me learn keep up your good work

[timprichard]

Howdy again Austin!

Good piece of advice, "Take a step back to take a step forward". Once I graduate, that's my goal. Whatever it takes to get a foot in the door.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but breaking out means to "break out on your own" if I'm right. Not being dependant upon someone else to help you up, but letting your own weld work stand as a testament to your ability.

Essentially, it means you are officially a welder that manages his own.

[zacariasrojo]

If u have worked at a shop and know how to weld pipe, sure u can i know several people who have done it that way because they already know the procedures of welding and fitting. You do not neccesarily have to be a helper im the field for 3 years before you become a pipeline welder.

[Apply_Pressure_P]

Ironic story, my father was a welder but I didn’t meet him until I was about 17... when I was 16 I was sent to gary job corps by the courts and chose welding as trade, but only got one session in before I got kicked out (was young and didn’t know what life was really about). Now I’m 34, and I’m adamantly looking for my entry into pipeline welding... something about the freedom of travel and in a sense working your own entrepreneurial ship... i went into the ironworkers union, through bad information looking to become a welder FINALLY after all these years, but in some crazy loop of faith ended up rod busting rebar... that wasn’t were my heart is at and welding isn’t a main attraction in this union. So I’m searching for my entry, almost went to Tulsa welding school on a pelle grant and student loans before I started watching these videos, I mean everything set up and ready to pull the trigger. I’m thankful I learned not to get into debt that way and that it wouldn’t help real world experience. The last option I’m striking for now is Pipefitters union, since I know no one and have zero experience. Not too sure how a 5 yr apprenticeship is really going to help or hinder my goals of pipleline welding to be honest... I live in Houston Texas, but it seems like a close knit society. Not sure what to do or which way to go all I know is what I want and that’s to live this pipeline welding dream of mine