apply for welder or electrician

the hulk

hello can someone out there tell me whats the story with becoming a welder or electrician, ive only went as far as my junior cert but that was 16 years ago, i've always felt that it would be no use for becoming a professional welder or something, but fas told me it doesn't matter how long ago i did it the main point is that it's still on the system that i've done it. anyone know the steps to take to become a welder, i feel a bit lost since i left school so long ago and always felt that if i lost the job i have now i fear that i would never work again, but i was told my junior cert can still used to get an apprentice and i was very encouraged by that ,anyone know what to do here, i mean it cant be impossible to achieve!!