I have been a welder for 13 years. I have 6 years experience in the pressure vessel manufacturing industry and 7 years chasing turnarounds and shutdowns. In the last 7 years, working shutdowns, I have typically made upwards of 60k and only had to work about half of the year to do so. I have become accustomed to making this wage as a welder. Although, I don’t need it to make ends meet. Recently, to escape the riggers of living out of a suitcase, I have applied for a position with a local pressure vessel manufacturer as a welder/fabricator. (I want something more conducive to a family life.) In my interview I was told that I am much too qualified for the position and that I would probably not stay content working in that environment for very long. Just before the interview went south, the employer asked me if I would consider a position as a QC Manager (in training). He said he was looking for someone with my background that he could train for inspection. Although, the employer seemed greatly concerned about my needs for making the wage I have been accustomed to and saw this as a problem. I find this a great opportunity. I assured him that there was a substantial chance that we could agree on a wage and that this would not be a factor. My question is what I could expect to make as a QC apprentice with 13 years of welding and fabricating experience. I am very interested in the opportunity but, I don’t want to sell myself short. The Employer would incur all expenses necessary to qualify and educate me as an inspector. What is that worth in the monetary sense? The prospect of having an employer pay for my education seems very appealing to me. I had gone back to school recently to become a welding instructor/supervisor, so I am aware of the expense of an education. Additionally I am aware of the difficulty of finding an employer that will allow time for school. (It seems that, for a welder, a 40 hour work week is nonexistent in Houston). As of right now I have no idea what my responsibilities would be or to what capacity I would be used.This presents great difficulty for me in determining what would be a fare compensation for my contribution to this company. I know that I need to have a fare figure in mind before my next meeting with employer so any insight from another prospective will be greatly appreciated.