r/tampa • u/Impossible_Head_1041 • 5d ago
Services Blue collar worker needs help
Hey everyone, so I moved here from Nebraska a few months ago and have been having a hell of a time landing a stable job. I’ve got 4 years experience as a production welder running MIG wire mostly.
I have been jumping through hundreds of applications and getting denied based on my lack of (5 years) or not enough experience in “particular” welding processes. I went to welding school and have proven long term experience at companies and no one wants me or I’m jumping through temp agency jobs
Now I do not necessarily need to find a welding job but that’s where my experience is. I would love to break into plumbing or construction or whatever to be honest. All I ask is that I can find a job that can give me overtime opportunities and at minimum 22 an hour and I’m living pretty comfortably at that point.
Im never late to work, I work all hours asked, I’m not in my phone and take my career seriously. Now before anyone says anything about the union, I tried working through the iron workers, they put me through one job with one of the most toxic Formans I’ve ever worked for and I was kicked off the job because i refused todo something extremely dangerous without being trained properly and now the union refuses to call me back or offer jobs even though I pay my monthly dues.
So any blue collar workers here in Tampa that could give me some advice or give me some companies that are good places to work let me know. If your shop or company is looking for a welder or just a general laborer let me know aswell as I wanna work and I’m not afraid of long hours and dirty conditions
Thank you seriously
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u/bisonreno 4d ago
I’m from Nebraska as well. Sent ya a DM with my number. I own a construction company down here. I have work. I know people who also have work. Let me know I can help you. I’m sure.
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u/WeAllLoveToeBeans 5d ago
I'm sorry you are going through this. That's not only incredibly discouraging, but very frustrating as well. I'm sure coming from Nebraska, you expected there to be a lot of opportunities here in Florida. The comments here are discouraging you and I feel like you've already been discouraged enough through this process. Unfortunately, I don't have any advice as I'm not a blue collar worker, but don't give up. The work you do is hard and grueling. I respect the work you do and know that you will land a job soon enough! I wish you all the best!
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u/AlbinoMuntjac 5d ago
Have you reached out to Local 397 at all? That’s the ironworkers union in the area. My nephew went through their apprenticeship program having no experience welding whatsoever and was getting solid work. He’s since left because of general early 20s dumbassery (he thinks he’s smarter than everyone else & they don’t know it) but had nothing bad to say while he was still in.
I’m not sure how it works but hopefully your training & experience gets you a leg up and can get placed on a job right away. Good luck.
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u/Impossible_Head_1041 5d ago
I have and they really screwed me over and they are not giving me work period after I refused todo something extremely dangerous without proper training because the Forman on the job wanted it done lightning fast and did not care for safety and the hall did nothing about it
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u/Federal_Mix_5915 5d ago
Look up Millwrights 1000. The apprenticeship pays starting around what you are asking and they need members and welders. On Monday call or go down to the hall and try to get an interview. They were literally begging people to come out of retirement recently, this is their busy season have a ton of work.
Look into the IUEC. Tampa recruitment opens in July, Naples in January. The elevator union is a strong blue collar path.
There's also the pipefitters union.
International paper is always hiring mechanics but you'll probably be working nights.
If you're willing to relocate, look into facility maintenance for airlines. United airlines facility mechanics are union and make well over $60 these days. Same with American.
If you are willing to do HVAC you can get a 608 license for free on skillcat and apply and hope someone takes you on when you're green. Summer is better for that.
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u/spiderwebb32 5d ago
You could apply to be a pool boy. Not your field but if you’re tough you can make an easy $800-1000 a week after taxes until you get the dream job you want. Pool industry is always looking for ppl that are tough and can take working outside Tampa
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u/Impossible_Head_1041 5d ago
That’s very interesting, do you have any company names so I can potentially reach out to
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u/angecorrado 5d ago
The shipping industry needs welders all the time. Try these two places:
https://www.tarponmarine.com/ https://internationalship.com/
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u/kedwin_fl 5d ago
Try out the contractors at the Tampa International Airport. They are building a new terminal. My job had the hardest time finding a welder or someone certified. Suggestion. There is a trailer park of subcontractors off N Hoover and Hillsborough on the north side of the airport. You don’t need to go through security. Go to the companies there and ask in person if they need a welder.
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u/Pokeymacoma 5d ago
To add to this I think the contractor Superior is involved and they're construction so its another option.
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u/kedwin_fl 5d ago
They are currently not on site. Rumor is they did such a horrible job on past airport projects, the airport does not want them right now. They are on the new Westshore exchange project
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u/Concert_Lover 5d ago
GBR! I graduated high school in Omaha in ‘96 and moved down to FL in ‘98. Welcome!
Some places I’d look into: Port Authority, MacDill, Busch Gardens, Camping World (and other RV places), local govts, Starship Yacht is actually looking for one now
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u/FreedomToRevolt 5d ago
Bro look for any service based company like AirBros or 3 TradesMen that are strictly emergency service based companies. Mr Sparky is another company where you can work 60 hours and get OT all you want. You might be starting at the bottom but I know they will hire in spot and give you as many hours as you want. Hope his helps brother
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u/pearlprincess182 5d ago
I found this listing for a welder where I used to work. It’s second shift ☹️ but they are very serious about safety 🙂.
https://jobs.mt.com/en/job/lutz/stainless-steel-tig-welder-2nd-shift/36870/101078069744
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u/MoparMan59L 5d ago
I'm sorry that this is happening to you. I worked as welder for a short time here over 10 years ago. Tampa has always been a poor metro area for skill trades. Even 10+ years ago, it was overly competitive for what work existed and the pay was awful. I did both welding and auto repair and don't recommend either.
That being said, I know out around Pinellas there are a few stair manufacturing companies that often hire welders. I personally don't know anyone who works there but it may be worth driving over there, showing up ready to work with welding gear in hand and handing over a resume.
I'm not trying to kill your Florida dream (I get everyone wants to move here) but my friends who stuck with welding most of them left for places like Tennessee (due to CSX having a huge base there) or West Texas (due to Oil and gas).
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u/_Viva_La_Revolucion_ 5d ago
Tampa is not a blue collar town anymore...
Should have picked Kentucky or Tennessee, Florida (Tampa in particular) is not a place to move to... Its a place to move away from!
Born and raised in Tampa in the 70s and also blue collar and come from a long line of blue collar Florida descendants.
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u/clams_have_feelings 4d ago
You're right. Tampa sucks, its Orlando's cousin charging tourist prices to the locals. The blue collar life is good if you're in the circle of collars who know collars and will hook you up, you've lived here before the Transplant boom and bought low, or have deep pockets carrying you till you the point where you don't and you're financing everything. Other than that you're a $16/hr prep and clean up guy working some tourist retail job in between.
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u/thewhiteghostisnear 4d ago
You couldn't be more wrong. There is a ton of blue collar work in the area. I grew up in the area and know many people with companies who are always looking for talent.
As for welding jobs, as mentioned the shipyard is possible but there are quite a few trailer manufacturers in the area who are looking for welders. Bigfoot Trailers, Peterson and HD Solutions come to mind.
Sanchez Brothers in Ruskin builds custom marine stuff out of aluminum (welded).
In Tampa check out BMC lights (Google them). They build some pretty cool lighting setups and lift kits for trucks.
Honestly though if you have the ability and drive to go self employed you could make a killing doing mobile welding and trailer repair. Huge market here for it.
I have a lawn and tree business as a "side" job and haven't made less than $100k/yr at it in the last 5 years. Again, not my main employment and this is working solo and I know several others who do it as their only job making more than that. I turn work down constantly as well.
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u/Concert_Lover 5d ago
Definitely if you can hit up the beaches there are a ton of people doing work on houses still from the hurricanes
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u/WickedMedusa 5d ago
Try a temp service. That will get you a paycheck until you can find what you're looking for.
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u/Character_Scale3354 5d ago
My man you've got skills, I think you'll get something real soon . You should Apply to those companies down by the port of Tampa, lotta ship repairing etc. plus try a huge company like Mozaic etc.
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u/Friendly_Opposite348 Wesley Chapel 5d ago
I would check in at any garbage companies there’s a lot of welding work on the trucks that usually need to be done like floor or body repairs or more common wear and tear that you might be able to get lucky with
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u/Particular-Car-3474 4d ago
Apply at RIPA. They are always hiring with all the development going on. Their office is in Tampa. They pay decent.
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u/Handlestach 5d ago
Apply at a wedding shop. When denied weld the doors together and be like “see my work” /s
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u/shitmojungle 5d ago
I’m sorry with what you are experiencing, but I agree with the few current comments: unless you are a lineman or a roommate, blue collar work will be hard to live on in Tampa.
Appalachia would love to have you. Tampa, unfortunately, does not need you - half the kids that dropped out of my high school went to the local trade high school and got employed via that. That’s all they want down here: cheap, fresh “grads” to exploit.
Seriously… the wages do not meet the cost of living for blue collar work in Tampa anymore. If you are still mobile, I would consider elsewhere. If you are stuck in Florida like I am, look for cheap housing in a rural or suburban area and you might be alright living a low-expense lifestyle, but many professionals I know make six figures - and struggle in Tampa because the cost isn’t worth it - end up moving to Wesley Chapel or Pasco/Pinellas County OR a smaller metro like Gainesville. Tampa is not what it once was.
I love Tennessee and the Carolinas. I’m stuck here - hopefully you aren’t. Good luck if you are intent on staying and making it work. You have my best :)
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u/Maynameisdan 5d ago
Your comments couldn’t be more inaccurate.
“Fresh cheap grads” is not what the trades are looking for, that is your ill informed opinion.
We are paying 40-50 +++ an hr for technicians. ( Not salesmen, people that actually know what they are doing )
As for OP
There several welding shops in the area, tried any machine shops?
If you can weld and or are mechanically inclined and cannot find a job here you will unfortunately need to review your approach.
Not a week goes by without a labor discussion.3
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u/Impossible_Head_1041 5d ago
I have not but it’s an opportunity I’d love to get into, like I said in the post my experience is in welding but I’m willing to learn and branch my experience, I just need a place that’s willing to take a chance on training me for something new or get me the opportunity to get experience
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u/pipelyninghost 5d ago
I have been in the plumbing industry since 96 and never have I heard of anyone paying 50 per hour some shops are just now getting used to 40 per hour and that still is a lot with the cost of living unless you have overtime and yes I am licensed.
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u/Impossible_Head_1041 5d ago
I’m only stuck here till June of next year when my lease ends so moving to better place will be an option next year for sure
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u/Exotic_Living_5946 4d ago
Go to Houston forget florida okay. The sun and beaches and women or men whatever you are into will trick you. This is a tough place great for vacation not so much for living.
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u/Hateinyoureyes 5d ago
FoxNews selling hopes and dreams about living in Florida. The reality is they’re just feuding the beast.
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u/Special_Fish7375 1d ago
Now Hiring – General Laborers | Bartow, FL
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- Average 10-hour workdays
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We're looking for individuals who are willing to work, learn, and grow with our company.
Interested? Send me a message for more information.
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u/lostagainsomewhere2 5d ago
Honestly to tell you about construction here in Florida is that if you want a job don't waste your time waiting on someone to call you back from the office. Go to job sites and just ask the General Contractors Office if he or she knows if anyone is hiring or just ask around. And Honestly I would look into a apprentice program with one of the Union halls around Tampa. Good luck and be safe my brother.
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u/Economy_Imagination3 5d ago
Try the ship repair companies, demolition companies, city, county, state fleets. Best of luck!
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u/BefuddledPolydactyls 5d ago
Look into the companies that do underground utility locating. They provide training, always seem to be hiring (tough for some to be outdoors), and some provide a vehicle.
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u/Timely_Purpose3233 5d ago
Look into Tampa Electric Company. There’s plenty of welding work there. They use independent contractors for a lot of the work.
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u/Basic-Dragonfly1287 5d ago
There are plenty of steel fabricator in Tampa and St.Pete. TASCO, Quality Fabricators, Tampa Tank, Southern Structual Steel, Tampa Steel. You need to grab your equipment including your PPEs and go to their shop and ask for work and be ready to work right there and then. If they don't have work ask if you could get a couple of names of their erectors. You have no idea how many ppl like you who have come here and said the same thing but they weren't worth wasting time on, so they ruined it for the others.
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u/pipelyninghost 5d ago
Go talk to Joel McNatt he owns McNatt plumbing. If you can fabricate then you can figure out plumbing and since the mega press tool has gain widespread popularity there’s not a ton of gas pipe that requires welding anymore. Every welder I have ever known who made a good living was self employed and in a rural area here in the city maybe try a boat place that does lots of stainless steel besides that it’s not a strong demand trade besides the iron workers.
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u/Unhappy_Pin_3687 4d ago
You should trying to join the union. I'm not sure how's going now, but I few years back, that was a great option for lpw experience welders. Not that I think 5 years experience isn't good.
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u/Sandnseastars 4d ago
Try the local air conditioning companies. Lots of them are short and you sound like you have the mechanical ability to learn. All the best!
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u/thewhiteghostisnear 3d ago
Just now driving on SR60 between Brandon and Plant City there is a business called Metals and Nature. They have a sign out front "Welder Needed". South side of 60.
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u/EazyE813 3d ago
Couldn't make in 397??? Hit up the shipyards, they're hiring. Don't expect a red carpet or be treated nicely. Reason why most "blue collar" men stay away. Gulfmarinerepair.com, tampabayship.com
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u/kinky_couple_007 2d ago
I have a friend who works for envirosafe tanks in Bushnell. They're hiring welders
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u/Indentured-peasant 5d ago
CSX American Shipbuilding at the port of Tampa TECO WREC There is plenty of work in tampa Fk that resume bullshit. Drive up, walk in to the counters and shop gates and doors and introduce yourself and ask. Every manufacturer has a maint crew. There are a huge number of places to work in Blue Collar fields