Is It Easy To Become A Welder?

Written By: Emma Tay

Many jobs, including welding, require a specific skill set to qualify for a lucrative career. Unlike many other occupations, though, you do not necessarily need a degree to undertake this career. However, it is best to get at least a professional certificate before diving headfirst into the industry.

This does not, however, imply that anyone can become a welder in a short period of time. To perfect the craft of welding, you must devote a significant amount of time, energy, and occasionally money. You have to keep in mind that it is a more physically demanding job. 

What exactly does a welder do?

A welder is a qualified specialist who uses heat to fuse different types of metals together in order to manufacture or repair various items or goods. There are various sorts of welding you can pursue because welders can create a wide range of items. Welding activities can involve constructing and repairing residential or commercial structures, autos, bridges, ships, or aircraft.

Is it difficult or easy to become a welder?

The answer is dependent on how eager you are to learn and how enthusiastic you are. Most individuals find welding to be a moderately to extremely tough skill to acquire because it is a hands-on skill that involves more than just reading. Furthermore, most people find welding tough to do because it requires years of practice on top of knowing how to do it.

That is why you must be enthusiastic enough to study new things every day. In this essay, we will walk you through a few actions you must take if you wish to work in the area.

Understand What Welding Is All About by making findings 

Welding is a tough trade that requires you to carry a few safety equipment with you at all times. You'll want to know what it's like to be a welder for the entire day, and this will help you perform even better on the job. Make certain that you are physically fit for this profession. Welding is a difficult career that necessitates a significant amount of physical effort in order for things to go well.

Before becoming a welder, you should educate yourself on the many welding possibilities available. This might assist you in determining which activities and responsibilities of various welding professions best match your capabilities and abilities. Because the responsibilities of various welding jobs can differ, different training or certifications are required.

Investigating the tasks that each welding vocation includes will help you determine what type of education and training you should pursue. You can also look at other welding careers to see what tasks you might love doing.

Choose the type of welding you want to specialize on

Not to mention, there are various welding specialties to choose from while starting a career in this field. Stick to one idea and focus on it if you want to start a career as a welder. Another thing to keep in mind is that welding is a broad subject, and it is rare to come across a welder who is completely knowledgeable in the field. Most welders learn and practice some aspect of their trade throughout their lives.

Once you've decided on the type of welding career you want to pursue, look into the schooling requirements for that expertise. Most welding jobs necessitate a high school diploma or GED.  It's also a good idea to take math classes that complement welding, such as geometry, because welding frequently includes measuring measurements.

Get experienced 

Although welding is a skill-based profession, once you have gotten experience by learning your chances of being recruited are only good if you have prior expertise in this field. There is a distinct distinction between a good welder and a professional welder. Furthermore, if you intend to market your services through social media, customers will choose someone with extensive experience in this industry over a newcomer. But don't give up hope.

Once you've obtained your welder certification, you can begin hands-on training for the exact type of welding you want to pursue through an apprenticeship. Being an apprenticeship allows you to perform supervised work in order to gain a better understanding of a welder's daily schedule and responsibilities.

After completing your apprenticeship, you can either stay with the company where you did your apprenticeship if they let it, or you can apply your experience to a new, full-time welding employment.

Get Certified 

After completing high school, you can continue your education by enrolling in welding certificate programs or community college. Welding certificate programs normally run six months to two years and can help you develop a general understanding of welding activities and responsibilities. Some welders may opt to further their education and obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Welding dependent on their speciality.

In some countries, training to become a welder normally entails an apprenticeship, while there are other options, such as finishing a full-time training course.

Start looking for a job

After you've completed the requisite education, training, and experience, you may begin looking for welding jobs. By searching for job postings online, you can easily find opportunities that match your current skills or expertise. 

What abilities are required to become a welder?

The following are the abilities that most effective welders possess:

• Extensive knowledge of sophisticated welding torches and gear

• Hand-eye synchronization that is effective

• Exceptional attention to detail

• Understanding of welding safety procedures and regulations

• Endurance and dexterity are impressive.

• Welding and metal terminology basics

• Time-management abilities

• Organizational abilities are required while storing and locating welding gear.

Is it possible to learn to weld on your own?

You can learn the foundations of welding on your own in order to construct basic fabrications and review content from reputable sources and invest in a lot of practice to accomplish routine repair tasks. If you have professional objectives, however, it will be hard to acquire a high level of skill without the help of experts. As a result, learning to weld on your own is not recommended.

Why & How To Get Your Michigan Residential Builders License By: Jordan Harris

Making money from building homes has multiple steps before you’re able to actually secure a project. After laying down your hard-earned cash to see your dream home come to fruition, a potential client can take solice in knowing you’re the real deal. In order for more of a guarantee that the project will be completed properly, there is a very high chance that they’ll ask for you residential builders license. Being able to answer them in the affirmative is the key component in this scenario that is highly common in the metro Detroit area.

Michigan’s Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA) makes it easy for people to verify your certified status. There is a “Verify a License” webpage that allows any individual to check into rather or not the contractor has their proper credentials.

If your Michigan builders license is expired or you don’t currently possess one, you could possibly risk losing jobs. Another company can easily beat yours out when it comes to securing the job all due to not having the state back up your claims as a carpenter.

How to get a Michigan builders license

However, when it comes down to it, obtaining your builder’s license is a piece of cake. You do need a few things to start.

• Complete the required 60 hours of prelicensure education at a LARA-approved institution (that’s us!")

• Send the state your course completion certificate, your Michigan builders license application, and the relevant fees

• Be of good moral character (i.e., don’t be fraudulent, deceitful, or dishonest)

• Pass the Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor examination

Now let’s break these down step-by-step. 

Step 1: Complete your prelicensure education

Before you’re actually off to the residential races, you’ll need to visit the Michigan Residential Builder’s page on the Detroit Training Center website. That’s where you can get more information before signing up for the course. We accept partial payments of $325 to get started. We provide the 60-hour course that you need in order to be able to apply to take the state exam. The course is online via Zoom and we host them at least once a month.

LARA requires that your 60-hour residential building license course includes:

• 6 hours in the Michigan Residential Code

• 6 hours in MIOSHA construction safety standards

• 6 hours in business management, estimating, and job costing

• 6 hours in design and building science

• 6 hours in contracts, liability, and risk management

• 6 hours in marketing and sales

• 6 hours in project management and scheduling

From there, you have 18 hours you can use to study topics we cover in the 60-hour course.

These 60 hours aren’t just a formality, either. They prepare you to take the Residential Builder exam that you have to pass in order to get your license.  

Once the class is all wrapped up, we provide the ability to print your certificate of completion as soon as you finish your course. That way, you don’t have to wait for anything to be filed or mailed to you. Theoretically, you could even send in your Michigan builders license application the day you complete your contractor training. However, we also provide access to our future Builder’s prelicense courses free of charge for some extra time with our instructors.

Step 2: Submit your application and confirm your moral character

Once you’ve completed the relevant residential builder’s license course work, you’re ready to send in an application to the state. 

The app is called the “Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor License or Relicense Application” and it’s just two pages long. 

The application asks just a few questions about your criminal history, ensuring you’re meeting the good moral character requirement. Then, it gathers personal details (name, address, etc.), and asks you to select the type of license you’re applying. Last but certainly not least, you have to input a little bit of information about your prelicensure education. 

Once you have your application filled out, it’s time to gather up your application materials. You need to submit:

• Your completed application

• The certificate showing you completed your residential builder’s license course

• Your license fee* (it’s $195 for first-time licensees and $185 for relicensure)

• A copy of your personal ID (e.g., driver’s license, state personal identification card)

*If you’re a veteran and you can show that you separated from the armed forces with “honorable or “general under honorable conditions” standing, you’re exempt from the licensing fees. Just make sure you include a copy of your DD Form 214 or DD Form 215 in lieu of your application fee. 

Once you have your application, fees, and the relevant documentation altogether, mail it in to:

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Bureau of Construction Codes/ Licensing Division

P.O. Box 30255

Lansing, MI 48909

You should know that everything you submit to LARA becomes their property at the time of submittal. Nothing will be returned to you, so it’s a good idea to keep your own copies for your records. 

Once LARA has received your application with all of the necessary information and materials, they’ll approve you to take your residential builder or maintenance & alteration contractor exam. 

Step 3: Pass your state exam

Ladies and gentlemen, it is now test time. The exam you need to pass to become a residential builder is administered by a company called PSI Exams and consists of two parts: a 75-minute business and law section and a 180-minute practice and trade section. 

Scheduling the exam

Once LARA has approved you to take your exam, you can schedule it with PSI using this webpage. 

They have several different exam centers across the state that offer testing six days a week. Some of those exam centers are located in:

• Dearborn

• Holt

• Southfield (PSI has two Southfield exam centers)

• Grand Rapids

• Gaylord

• Marquette

You’ll need two types of ID: one current, valid, government-issued photo ID with a signature on it and one form of ID with a signature that matches the one on your photo ID (e.g., credit or debit card, military ID, or school ID). 

Paying for the exam

There are a few additional fee’s outside of the pre-license course. For instance, the exam fee is $117 for the testing center. You can also retake the business and law section for $70 or retake the practice and trade section for $80.

3 Key Signs Your Home Could Have Structural Issues

Written by: Zach Wichter

Whether you live in an apartment, condo or single-family house, you want to know that your dwelling is safe — not just in a safe neighborhood, but physically sound, too. Being 100 percent certain about your home’s structure usually requires professional consultation, but just about anyone can spot obvious problems. In general, it’s a good idea to get a home inspected before you move in, and then keep up a regular maintenance regimen to ensure everything stays in good shape.

How do I know if my house is structurally sound?

To really get down to the brass tacks of maintenance issues, you’ll want to hire a professional inspector or engineer.

“It’s cute to try to predict everything that’s wrong but a pro has to do it for you,” says Nick Gromicko, founder of InterNACHI, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. “It would be like you looking at your own X-rays before the doctor comes in the room.”

Even so, there are three basic kinds of warning signs that can alert you to more serious issues and should prompt you to hire a professional right away:

1. Cracks

No matter where they show up — in your wall, ceiling, foundation or chimney — cracks or crumbling can be bad news. They can indicate structural instability or uneven settling, and could signal major, costly damage down the road.

You might see cracks in your paint as seasons change or a new house settles, and those kinds of superficial imperfections aren’t usually reason to worry — but if the crack is more than a quarter of an inch wide or grows over time, have it checked out.

2. Water

Another major headache for homeowners is water infiltration. If you have a leaky roof or pipes, or regularly see puddles in your basement when it rains, have the issue inspected. Ongoing water damage can be costly to fix and lead to other problems like mold. A leaky roof can also become unstable as water slowly wears away the material that supports it.

3. Uneven finishes

A bulging floor or doors or windows that no longer sit level in their frames can also point to structural issues with your home. Door and window openings are vulnerable parts of your wall and are often the areas where cracks and other problems first become apparent.

What to do if you spot an issue

Once you’ve identified a problem with your home, it’s important to get a professional to evaluate the issue as soon as possible. He or she will be able to assess how serious it is, and should be able to advise on what, if any, repairs will be required and what they might cost.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get a past report on your property because the results of home inspections are confidential to the person who contracted for it. That said, if you know your home’s previous owner, or if you have a copy of the inspection report you likely received when you moved in, it can be helpful for comparison.

Depending on the issues you’ve identified, an inspector might be able to get a closer look through non-destructive testing methods. Certain inspections may require walls to come down, for example, but non-destructive methods leave your home intact, meaning you won’t need to do any repairs as a result of the inspection itself.

Advice for homebuyers

Assuming you haven’t agreed to waive the inspection contingency that’s in most real estate contracts, get an inspection on your new home before you close. The inspection report should alert you to any major structural issues and can help you plan ahead for expensive repairs that may be coming your way.

“You’re thinking about your health and safety, whether you can insure it and whether you can afford it,” Gromicko says. “That’s a great way to read an inspection report.”

An inspection report that reveals extremely expensive issues, like a cracked foundation or abandoned utility that needs to be abated, could scuttle a real estate deal. Once you have the results, talk to the seller and see if you can get concessions on the price to cover necessary repairs. If the work that’s required means you can no longer afford the property and the seller won’t budge on the price, you may have to walk away.

If you do decide to go through with the purchase, make sure you have enough money set aside after closing to cover any work that needs to be done immediately. Talk to your inspector about the results and take their advice on how much the repairs could cost.

If you’re moving into a homeowners association community (HOA), you might also be able to reach out to the board for information about the property. Many HOAs require inspections prior to sale, and those reports should be available — though you may have to ask.

It’s also a good idea to be in touch with the HOA about any additional charges you may incur or applications that are necessary for the kinds of repairs you expect to do. That way you can budget enough time and money to meet those requirements.

Advice for home sellers

As a seller, you’re required to disclose any structural issues you’re aware of in your home prior to closing the sale. It gets a little trickier with estate sales, because if you haven’t lived in the house, you can sell it as-is with no disclosures, since you weren’t there to know about any issues.

If you’re selling the former home of a deceased relative, Gromicko recommends you always sell as-is to reduce your own liability. Once you take on repairs, you could be responsible for those upgrades long after you hand over the title.

If you’re selling your own home and have disclosed a major issue, be prepared to negotiate with buyers. Some people prefer to get a fixer-upper so they can finish things to their own taste, but others might want the home to be in turnkey condition and expect major repairs to be done before closing. You may have to renegotiate the purchase price, depending on how the buyer wants to proceed.

Bottom line

For most people, their home is their biggest investment, and keeping it in tip-top shape is part of making sure it maintains its value. Especially as you prepare to move in or move out, get the home inspected and address any structural issues that could become dangerous. Ignoring problems could mean they become more destructive over time and ultimately costlier to fix.

Learn more:

• Are home warranties worth it?

• 5 money-saving home maintenance tips

• What’s the lifespan of a house?

How Your Small Business Can Make the Most of a Trade School Relationship

Written By: Marcus Lansky

Trade schools are designed to help people learn how to tackle skill-based jobs that are necessary to keep society running well. Since most of us learn best through experience, it is absolutely necessary for trade schools to develop relationships with businesses in order to facilitate this type of on-the-job training. However, many businesses aren’t entirely sure whether or not working with a trade school will be right for them.

Detroit Training Center has created this guide to help you understand the pros of a trade school relationship. Moreover, we’ve broken down some of the best tips for getting all you can out of your arrangement. With the right approach, you can help train the next generation of workers, make an impact on your community, and find talented candidates who could work with your business for years. Here’s how to get started:

Establish Stability First

Before you can develop a relationship with a trade school, you need to establish stability in your business. If you’re just starting off, you may not be a good fit for taking on the mentorship-trainer role necessary for helping train workers. Dedicate time to giving yourself a foundation first.

There are several steps you can take to make this happen, such as establishing your business structure. For example, you can look into forming a limited liability company, or LLC, for your small business. This designation can provide valuable legal protections, not to mention it offers tax advantages in some situations. Many business owners put this off because it’s a little bit tedious, but don’t let that hold you back. If you don’t feel like wading through the red tape yourself, you can always hire a formation service to knock it out on your behalf.

Build Learning-Based Roles

When hiring trade students to train in your company, it’s important that you have learning-based roles built into your employment structure. Trainees won’t be able to tackle large or complicated tasks, and they’ll need supervision while they’re learning. You’ll need to be prepared to staff your team with both trainees and experienced workers who are ready to take on a mentorship role.

Focus on working with your team to identify the workers who are most equipped to pass on knowledge. It’s not an easy thing to do, but some people are naturals. Focus on who on your team is most effective at conveying information, taking the lead, and keeping tasks in order until completed. These are the people most likely to shine in the mentorship position.

Connect with Students

Finally, you should make an effort to get to know the trade school students who come to train in  your workplace. This gives you the opportunity to meet the next generation of workers and can even help you to identify students who could be a good fit to join your company after they’ve graduated from the program. This is a fantastic way to find great employees who already have foundational knowledge of how things work at your business.

Connecting with trade school students can also make a big difference when it comes to their ability to succeed. When students know they have someone they can talk to, they’re far more likely to speak up if they’re struggling to achieve or understand something. You could be the person who makes or breaks someone’s ability to earn the certification they’re working toward.

Working with trade schools can benefit your business. It gives you the chance to identify your strongest workers as well as build a pool of potential employees you can count on. Moreover, it’s a great way to give back to the community and make sure your industry stays strong.

Want to learn more? Take a look at some of the fantastic partnerships Detroit Training Center has built over the years.

Photo Credit: Pexels

We're Back! (And Even Better)

After a few months of going digital, we have started to move several of our classes back to our Training Center, Workshops, and Truck Yard.

DTC CDL-A students practicing in the yard.

As we reopen, we want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to provide a safe, clean training experience. You can view our detailed plan for reopening here.

Although the pandemic has changed the way that we do things, it has also served as a growing experience. We have gained capabilities to run much of our classroom training online and have built partnerships with local companies to better offer the services needed by businesses in a post-Coronavirus world. Our partnership with Occupational Care Services allows us to offer services that companies will need such as respirator fit tests and COVID testing (both viral and antibody). It also fortifies our occupational training programs in regards to First Aid, CPR, Bloodborne Pathogens, and OSHA Compliance.

You can see what we’ll be offering in conjunction with Occupational Care Services here.

Masonry Students Back at Work

All-in-all, DTC remains dedicated to being a resource for our community in responding to whatever might happen. You can count on us.

If you’re interested in joining one of our workforce programs, earning a license or certification, or have a business that requires occupational health services, don’t hesitate to contact us or call our office at 313-221-5876.

Michigan Residential Builders Live Stream Courses!

Ladies and gentlemen, we have an announcement! In response to the ongoing conflict which is the covid-19 lock down, we have switched this class to an online live stream via Google Meets with DTC instructor Ed Houchen! .  Students will be able to attend class from home via Google Meets online. We are doing everything in our power to accommodate students and ensure a great class experience in these trying times. You'll be able to make up any missed time with free access to an additional class rather it's live stream or when we open up again later down the line.

Manuals and Course Tools will also be provided electronically via Google Drive which is why you MUST HAVE A GOOGLE EMAIL TO REGISTER. We will also provide the opportunity to pick up physical copies if you’re close by, while we still follow social distancing protocols.

Call us today and get registered for the next upcoming class! Call 313-221-5876 or 313-800-4199 between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays!

Robert Bradley | Graduate Profile

Here at DTC, we love and appreciate our grads as well as spotlighting their success stories! Meet Robert Bradley from the Flint DTC Partnership with MADE Institute, a CDL grad who has a job offer with Gardner:

"First, I have to thank God for leading me back into this path of trucking. He gave me the strength to never ever give up on my dream of being a truck driver. No matter what I have been through or am currently going through, I asked God for the strength and perseverance to continue on. He will provide it for me as long as I continue to be patient and continue to move forward. I would also like to thank the M.A.D.E. Institute Program for this opportunity and to be able to take this CDL A Course again. Also, to Detroit Training Center and the instructors, thank you so much for everything. God Bless You all and remember to never ever give up."

Antonio Colley | Graduate Profile

Here at DTC, we love and appreciate our grads as well as spotlighting their success stories! Meet Antonio Colley, a masonry restoration grad who is now employed at RAM Construction Services of Michigan, Inc.:

"Detroit Training Center has given me the opportunity to make a big impact in Detroit. Before starting with DTC, I worked at a steel factory. I had spotted RAM Construction Services billboards and signs around Detroit, wondering what all the company did. Those billboards and signs helped inspire me to want to assist the city of Detroit in new and inventive ways related to construction. With training from DTC, I was given a step ahead of the rest of the competition for the construction job market. I was set apart as a DTC mason grad, and with the knowledge I gained from the center, I became more of an asset to RAM. When speaking with other masons who received training elsewhere, my training was treated and thought of as gold mine by them. Everything worked out for the best for me. It can be easy to get influenced by the wrong thing growing up, but I did not want to go down that path, especially since my family, including my younger cousins look up to me. Those cousins also want to attend DTC just like I did. I have my first child on the way and recently graduated with my Associates of Science. I now have good health care and a union based job with RAM. DTC was really there for me."

Cleveland Everheart | Graduate Profile

Here at DTC, we love and appreciate our grads as well as spotlighting their success stories! Meet Cleveland Everheart, a heavy equipment and CDL grad who is now employed at CSX Corporation:

"Detroit Training Center is a wonderful program. It has been a great experience overall and has provided me with the assistance I needed in order to launch a great career. The support from the staff and career counselors were wonderful and absolutely supportive of my career goals and ideas. The DTC has been and is very instrumental in helping myself and others get on track towards a pathway to great career opportunities. If you are determined, focused and positive DTC can help you obtain a rewarding career in many avenues. From heavy equipment training, class A CDL training, CPR training, Masonry, OSHA 30 certification, etc., just to name a few. Thanks Detroit Training Center, I was able to gain access to a great career with CSX."

Dominique Brown | Graduate Profile

Here at DTC, we love and appreciate our grads as well as spotlighting their success stories! Meet Dominique Brown, a heavy equipment grad who is now employed at the Detroit Water & Sewerage department:

"My experience with DTC was not an easy one; but was one of the most important steps I've taken to a permanent career in my life. Being a single parent and working nights full time, 6 weeks of training, 40 hours a weeks seemed daunting and impossible. Despite my doubts the staff always supported me every step of the way, encouraging me and inspiring me. I will say that this program is not for the unmotivated, but if you want it bad enough, if you're dedicated to finishing and serious about changing your current situation the payoff at the end is amazing and well worth the sweat. My program director Jonathan Clark stayed on me about completing even when I was at my wits end, promising that it would all work out if I was just diligent; and sure enough, I'm now working a great position with the city of Detroit and my resume is stronger than ever! I've gained knowledge that makes me stand out amongst my peers, making more money than I ever have, and setting a great foundation in place for my daughter so she can have the world one day. I'm proud of myself for completing this program and thankful for all the wonderful staff, teachers, and fellow students that this school has."

Vinyl Siding + Exterior Trim Work Workshop

Vinyl siding + exterior trim work workshop

With our Vinyl Siding and Exterior Trim Work workshops, participants will become aquatinted with materials to be used for the making of siding and window/facia trim. The workshops include lessons about trim braking/hanging along with other kinds of exterior trim installation techniques. Hands ands-on training will be implemented and readily available to all willing participants.

Rough Carpentry + Drywall - Mudding and Taping Workshop

Attention all homeowners! The wait is over: our rough carpentry and drywall, mudding and taping workshops are coming up soon. In our rough carpentry workshop, you’ll learn how to do your own renovations by installing things such as walls, doors and cabinets. In our drywall workshop, you’ll also learn how to install drywall. You’ll want to take advantage of these workshops to the fullest, as a new homeowner just as much as an older one.

Get signed up today! 

PEX Plumbing + Installing Toilet / Sink Workshops

PEX Plumbing Workshop

Ever had an issue with your home plumbing, wishing you didn’t have to always wait on a plumber to get the job done? With this PEX plumbing workshop, the wait can be over. During this workshop, you’ll be introduced to learning about plumbing materials such as fittings, rings, copper pipes and galvanized pipes. You’ll get educated on how the piping system of a home functions, so you can make your own in home fixes. Take full control of your own plumbing projects and join in by calling and registering with us! 

Installing Toilet + Sink Workshop

At this workshop, learn how to install sinks and toilets like a pro! The workshop is structured around getting you familiarized with how-tos such as replacing old toilet materials with new materials, problem solving broken materials, and lastly installing a brand new toilet. The workshop will also go over how to replace old sink systems with new ones. Get registered for our workshop today before time is up!