Jobs in welding or at Port Everglades Ship Yard (Riviera Beach: home, job market)

[brie57]

Hi All,
I appreciate any feedback. I have hit a new low in Wisconsin and have a friend in Ft. Lauderdale that said I could stay with her for a week until I get on my feet.
I am a certified welder and as odd as it may seem, a licensed massage therapist. (just a few of my many skills)
I was hoping to get employment in the lauderdale area, is the Port a place to go? I pass backgrond checks no problem.
Thanks everyone.
Just the ray of hope is all I need.

[fauve]

I wish I could say something positive.

I think a one week period to find a job here when times were good would have been very unrealistic, but is now terribly so. Unless your friend is willing to put you up indefinitely until you find work, you may find yourself with a very unhappy friend or worse, on the street. The building industry here is dead, and there are a lot of unemployed welders who employers will rehire first before they consider someone unknown. Massage therapists here are a dime a dozen, and I suspect are suffering a great deal as people give up on luxuries. If you had some kind of heath care training that was verifiable and with references, you might have a prayer, but it could never happen within a week.

You are actually currently in a much stronger job market in Wisconsin and the upper midwest in general, than you would find here. Perhaps New Orleans? There's a port there, and I know for while were having problems replacing workers there. There's also the oil industry which it sounds like you could be a fit for.

[fauve]

I had another thought. You didn't say how old you are, but this might be a very good time to join the military. Or depending on your education, the CIA, the FBI, etc. The federal government is one of the few areas hiring. Check out usajobs.gov

[GypsyFL]

Sorry to hear about your troubles.

Before you come down to Florida (job situation really sucks right now) I would recommend that you call the companies that are at Port Everglades to find out if they are hiring welders. This way you don't waste your time coming down here with false hopes.

I'm including a link to a directory of all the businesses that are at the port.

Port Everglades Facilities Guide & Directory 2008-2009

Contact each one and find out who is hiring so you can fax or email them a copy of your resume. This way when you do come down, you can have a few interviews or even a job already lined up.

I used to work for Tropical Shipping years ago and they are a good company and they have facilities in Broward. Contact them to see if they have something available. I know that the container department in Riviera Beach was always in need of welders.

Tropical Shipping - The Leader in Shipping to the Bahamas and the Caribbean (http://www.tropical.com/external/en/ - broken link)

Hope that helps.. And good luck.

[doncorleyone]

the ONLY thing that comes to mind is trying to find a company that fixes Containers & Chassis (i work for a freightship line.. thats why it came to my mind lol) other than that im not sure what to tell ya! But if this Stimulus / infrastructure thing goes thru... you might have a lot of welding jobs in various places.

[heydade]

my wifes uncle is a welder that works in port everglades in ft.lauderdale. I spoke to him yesterday and he says things are bad. He has been with this company for 1 year but in the union for 12 years. He tells me that sometimes they send him home early and that there is no such thing as overtime on the weekends anymore. I hope this economy picks up soon ! I have friends all over that are being seriousely affected. It's very depressing.

[brie57]

Thanks everyone, for the help.
I have stayed in Wisconsin and am waiting to hear about a welding job at Manitowoc Crane Group.
Again, I truely appreciate your efforts to help. It is a rough one everywhere! I have never seen anything like this! The unions in Wisconsin arn't even bringing in any apprentices at this time and Wisconsin is a strong union state. scary.

[fauve]

I'm really glad to hear you have a lead on a job up there! Good luck!

[ThumbingMyWayToHeaven]

I, too, have a friend who works at Port Everglades and says that things there are bad. Job cuts. Hours cut back. Good Luck to you in your search.