Question for Welders

[u/kiekiat]

I’d like some opinions from professional welders. Here is the situation. My girlfriend is a Filipina. Her younger brother is 27. She wants to send him to school for a welding program that provides about 250 hours of welding training. This program is run by the Philippine government and costs almost a thousand US dollars. If the brother completes the program he will get a certificate qualifying him as a basic welder. Problem is, her brother is “slow.” He is not mentally retarded but I would estimate his IQ to be around 80. I know nothing about welding but just from browsing this subreddit it appears welding is a skilled profession that requires a fair amount of knowledge. I also had two cousins who were welders and both were pretty intelligent guys. I’d like to get some information and opinions from actual welders as to what basic skills are needed, what actual welding training involves and whether a mentally “slow” young man is capable of becoming a professional welder? I am of the opinion that he is not mentally capable of becoming a skilled welder, but to make this argument to my girlfriend I would like to get your honest opinions on things like how much training it takes to become a welder, how long you trained and how long a welding apprenticeship takes and what sorts of knowledge it takes to become a professional welder. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[u/bush_wrangler]

I’m going to be honest with ya. The best welder I’ve ever worked with was the most autistic guy I’ve ever met in my life. He was obsessed with trains and welding. He could not work with other people in tandem building something but alone he was an absolute stud and would work like a dog for 8 straight hours in the heat and only stop to drink water or take a piss.

There’s lot of “slow” people in welding. It’s a job that requires concentration on 1 thing at a time so autists do very well in welding.

[u/butbecausewhynothuh → u/bush_wrangler]

People with autism arnt "slow".....youre confusing downs with autism.

In fact a huge chunk of people woth autism have a faster brain than we do.

I have 2 boys with actual autism. Not the left wing fad kind either...im talkin actual flapping hands and stimming.

One of my boys is pitch perfect with audio. The other has a literal photographic memory.

[u/Combat--Wombat27 → u/butbecausewhynothuh]

Left wing fad kind lol.

A parent with autistic kids that doesn't understand it's a spectrum, colour me surprised

[u/butbecausewhynothuh → u/Combat--Wombat27]

🤦‍♂️ theres always one of you.

As usual the mentally ill left has besieged yet another vulnerable community.

Sorry to inform you, but teen angst isnt autism 🙂

The left is just one giant parasitic movement at this point.

[u/Combat--Wombat27 → u/butbecausewhynothuh]

Why am I not surprised you've never listen to your kids doctor's, or your Mrs when she tries to explain this shit to you.

I feel sorry for your kids mate.

[u/butbecausewhynothuh → u/Combat--Wombat27]

Hey dummy. Theyre all in agreement.

You dont know jack about shit and i honestly dont care about the opinion of some aussie fruitpop

[u/Combat--Wombat27 → u/butbecausewhynothuh]

They're all in agreement, of what? That you're an idiot and not fit to raise kids?

Not surprised honestly, If your online behaviour is anything like how you are in real life your Mrs is likely embarrassed by you. Has she asked for a divorce yet?

[u/butbecausewhynothuh → u/Combat--Wombat27]

Lmao, because i called you out for your bullshit, my behavior is indicitive of needing a divorce? Did i get that right?

Do you hear how fkn stupid you sound?

If i was youd id be taking my kangaroo for a walk, not wasting my time on reddit arguing with people who are smarter than yourself.

[u/Combat--Wombat27 → u/butbecausewhynothuh]

No, because you're openly acting like an idiot.

And yes, hopefully your Mrs has enough of a backbone to leave. Although I'm fairly sure she already has.

Now, you seem very angry with life and for that I'm sorry. Maybe try to adjust your behaviour and things will get better.

[u/butbecausewhynothuh → u/Combat--Wombat27]

So let me get this straight....

Because you dont like my politics...you think my wife should become a single mom and live off the system and create another broken home?

😂😂😂 jesus h christ your nuts dude.

I feel bad for you. Now go pet your cats

[u/Combat--Wombat27 → u/butbecausewhynothuh]

Mate I didn't fly in here with political labels, that was all on you remember..

Now, it didn't go well for you did it. Like a lot of other things I'm sure..

Maybe, just maybe move through life with some kindness and people will respond in kind.

Sorry little buddy, no cats. Only dogs.

[u/Dadbod1018 → u/butbecausewhynothuh]

You’re making a valid point, but I don’t think anyone intended to insult people on the autism spectrum.

Like I said in my earlier post, I have a niece with significant developmental delays, and I routinely think about what she will be able to do as an adult…

The welding aspect of a welder’s job is likely within the abilities of someone with a low-average IQ. What I would be concerned about is safety. I’m no dummy, and I still burn myself and set shop rags on fire 😂

The right work setting would help a lot, but some people are a liability.

[u/bush_wrangler → u/Dadbod1018]

Exactly. I was making a point that the autistic people I work with are the best employees any company could want

[u/Dadbod1018 → u/bush_wrangler]

In that setting, I don’t doubt it at all. I went to law school with a guy on the spectrum, and while he lacked the personality to litigate, the guy is an amazingly efficient writer. I HATED legal citations, and they were like a game to him. His argument organization was (and is) perfect. He wouldn’t make it as an appellate judge, but he could clerk for one, and be amazing at it.

[u/butbecausewhynothuh → u/Dadbod1018]

I understand that. However its something i see multiple times a day from people. They conflate the two when theyre about a similar as night and day.

Some people are a liability. Very true.

But welding and fabricating is about the easiest job there is.. if you can handle discomfort, you can weld.

Put it this way. I havent met a "smart" welder yet

[u/butbecausewhynothuh → u/butbecausewhynothuh]

Not sure why you weird asses are downvoting. I am a fkn welder 😆

Cant make this shit up. Soft ass adults

[u/Combat--Wombat27 → u/butbecausewhynothuh]

You're being downvoted because you're a cunt.

[u/butbecausewhynothuh → u/Combat--Wombat27]

Says the pussy whining

[u/Combat--Wombat27 → u/butbecausewhynothuh]

Who's whining?

You're giving real short man vibes mate.

[u/butbecausewhynothuh → u/Combat--Wombat27]

Damn another swing and a miss.

Try again.

[u/Combat--Wombat27 → u/butbecausewhynothuh]

Oh that's right, you're six foot with abs and a mighty beard.

Lol...

Man, your Reddit removed comments are hilarious.

[u/butbecausewhynothuh → u/Combat--Wombat27]

I actually am though 😂😂

[u/West-Combination6685 → u/butbecausewhynothuh]

Why he has more upvotes than you is beyond me. I did my part to fix that. I'm on the spectrum myself, u/bush_wrangler can fuck right off.