Struggling to Find Skilled Welders in Devon
Discussion
Hello, I work in a family-owned manufacturing business in beautiful Devon. The area itself is a huge plus - just 10 minutes from the beach and close to the moors. We've even helped staff relocate from other parts of the UK, and they've found it to be a great place to live and work.
Our challenge right now is recruiting for a Welding and Fabrication role. We've got a couple of skilled team members already, and we're looking to add a third. The job involves working in a clean, organised environment, dealing with small components in batches of approximately 50. Self-inspection and the ability to make basic jigs are critical.
Starting pay (low skilled) is around £+/hour, but we're very much open to increasing that based on skills. £20/hour is not going to happen on day one. We're a proud UK manufacturing company, committed to long-term growth and job security. We're not just offering a job; we're offering a stable, lifelong career.
Here's my question: Why is it so hard to find people with these skills? Are we looking in the wrong places, or are these skill sets becoming rarer? Also, we've encountered candidates with quite high wage expectations from the get-go but terrible attitudes. Is this a wider industry issue these days?
I'd appreciate your thoughts on this topic.
Thanks
Our challenge right now is recruiting for a Welding and Fabrication role. We've got a couple of skilled team members already, and we're looking to add a third. The job involves working in a clean, organised environment, dealing with small components in batches of approximately 50. Self-inspection and the ability to make basic jigs are critical.
Starting pay (low skilled) is around £+/hour, but we're very much open to increasing that based on skills. £20/hour is not going to happen on day one. We're a proud UK manufacturing company, committed to long-term growth and job security. We're not just offering a job; we're offering a stable, lifelong career.
Here's my question: Why is it so hard to find people with these skills? Are we looking in the wrong places, or are these skill sets becoming rarer? Also, we've encountered candidates with quite high wage expectations from the get-go but terrible attitudes. Is this a wider industry issue these days?
I'd appreciate your thoughts on this topic.
Thanks
Edited by BGARK on Monday 23 October 18:17
I dont know much about your industry but what I do know is that there is a lot of skill here on the Isle of Wight doing what you do. Its a very similar area in terms of employment prospects, house prices & the fact its a beautiful place. I know quite a few youngsters say 25/35 and quite simply you need to be paying at least £20ph because that is what they are getting over hear building boats with as much overtime as they want.
I have to admit I was surprised at how little skilled welders are paid.
https://uk.indeed.com/career/welder/salaries
https://uk.indeed.com/career/welder/salaries
I know this isn’t what you want to hear but £13/h for an experienced welder is disgraceful.
You may feel you’re selling the lifestyle and a shot at a real career and to be part of something great etc… and I’m sure you really believe it and want to find someone to be part of your dream… however at the end of the day, a welder is not going to buy into that for almost minimum wage. Think how easily he will have his head turned by another welding job across town offering an extra couple of hundred quid a month?
You may feel you’re selling the lifestyle and a shot at a real career and to be part of something great etc… and I’m sure you really believe it and want to find someone to be part of your dream… however at the end of the day, a welder is not going to buy into that for almost minimum wage. Think how easily he will have his head turned by another welding job across town offering an extra couple of hundred quid a month?
BGARK said:
To clarify....... I'd pay more, that's not an issue.... the issue is those that believe they are skilled when they are clearly not.
Welding in a dodgy old garage is not a qualification.
Well there's your problem. You're looking for qualified, skilled people but offering bottom-dollar wages. If you're willing to pay more, then offer that as a starting point.Welding in a dodgy old garage is not a qualification.
Also, belittling others real-world experience isn't going to endear you to anyone.
?I am no HR expert, we have moved people around the country who love working with us, we are genuinely nice people with a great work environment.
Making stuff is getting harder, no youngsters want to learn the skills, no drama but I do take on board the comments.
Its helped make one decision, that we will probably end up with less people and a robot to compliment.
Of course everyone wants the best wage but its also tough competing against cheap foreign made products.
Making stuff is getting harder, no youngsters want to learn the skills, no drama but I do take on board the comments.
Its helped make one decision, that we will probably end up with less people and a robot to compliment.
Of course everyone wants the best wage but its also tough competing against cheap foreign made products.
Hi BGARK,
I am a Chartered Engineer with the IOM3 specialising in materials, welding and corrosion predominately in the oil and gas sector; as a consultant for the last 6 years in that industry.
The available day rates dropped significantly and made unviable to be locating abroad away from home.
The delta in income between no-skill ‘chump work’ and professional Engineering has reduced over the years to a point now where I am more than content to do the zero stress, zero responsibility chump work instead.
People with the skills you require could make the same amount as a no-skill shelf stacker; van driver; etc which you are now competing with those jobs for labour.
For my own property development projects it is extremely challenging to find anyone halfway competent, and trustworthy who will turn up and work unsupervised without too many f.ups or blatant laziness even for a high subcontract rate.
Hope you find what you need, but paying above the zero-skill jobs would certainly make a difference
I am a Chartered Engineer with the IOM3 specialising in materials, welding and corrosion predominately in the oil and gas sector; as a consultant for the last 6 years in that industry.
The available day rates dropped significantly and made unviable to be locating abroad away from home.
The delta in income between no-skill ‘chump work’ and professional Engineering has reduced over the years to a point now where I am more than content to do the zero stress, zero responsibility chump work instead.
People with the skills you require could make the same amount as a no-skill shelf stacker; van driver; etc which you are now competing with those jobs for labour.
For my own property development projects it is extremely challenging to find anyone halfway competent, and trustworthy who will turn up and work unsupervised without too many f.ups or blatant laziness even for a high subcontract rate.
Hope you find what you need, but paying above the zero-skill jobs would certainly make a difference
GordonGekko said:
Hi BGARK,
I am a Chartered Engineer with the IOM3 specialising in materials, welding and corrosion predominately in the oil and gas sector; as a consultant for the last 6 years in that industry.
The available day rates dropped significantly and made unviable to be locating abroad away from home.
The delta in income between no-skill ‘chump work’ and professional Engineering has reduced over the years to a point now where I am more than content to do the zero stress, zero responsibility chump work instead.
People with the skills you require could make the same amount as a no-skill shelf stacker; van driver; etc which you are now competing with those jobs for labour.
For my own property development projects it is extremely challenging to find anyone halfway competent, and trustworthy who will turn up and work unsupervised without too many f.ups or blatant laziness even for a high subcontract rate.
Hope you find what you need, but paying above the zero-skill jobs would certainly make a difference
Thank you, I agree with all of that.I am a Chartered Engineer with the IOM3 specialising in materials, welding and corrosion predominately in the oil and gas sector; as a consultant for the last 6 years in that industry.
The available day rates dropped significantly and made unviable to be locating abroad away from home.
The delta in income between no-skill ‘chump work’ and professional Engineering has reduced over the years to a point now where I am more than content to do the zero stress, zero responsibility chump work instead.
People with the skills you require could make the same amount as a no-skill shelf stacker; van driver; etc which you are now competing with those jobs for labour.
For my own property development projects it is extremely challenging to find anyone halfway competent, and trustworthy who will turn up and work unsupervised without too many f.ups or blatant laziness even for a high subcontract rate.
Hope you find what you need, but paying above the zero-skill jobs would certainly make a difference
Trying to explain that standing / sitting to work, in a comfortable workshop might be different to abseiling off an oil rig, welding upside down for hours, is tricky in the job adverts. The latter clearly deserves more pay.
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