Welding is an extremely valuable skill within industries dealing in construction, manufacturing, and the repair of automobiles. Education is a very crucial factor when it comes to welding, and in the case of any person who wants to shift to the next level in the profession, getting welding certification may turn out to be very effective. In this article, we will be discussing some major Welding certifications and the rationale for such certifications, plus prerequisites needed for welding inspectors. This will benefit you whether you are a fresh welder or if you have been welding for a long time and now want to be a welding inspector.
Why do welding certifications matter?
Welding certification proves that the welder fulfills the standards necessary for the performance of a specific sort of welding certification; certifications are extremely crucial since many employers go for certified welders. For this reason, they are confident that a welder who has gone for certification will produce good work whereby all standard safety measures and regulations have been met. It is a recognition of your ability to weld and hence be in a position to weld it correctly and safely in ways that are acceptable to the companies.
Types of Welding Certifications
There are different classes of welding certification that one may choose to undergo depending on the welder’s specialization. Some of the welder’s certifications that are now familiar in the market include the following:
Certified Welder (CW)
The CW is one of the most received certifications within the industrial sphere of welding. AWS provides this through its membership lists for the American Welding Society. This certification will only determine the effectiveness of a welder in carrying out a few welding procedures.
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
CWI studies weld in some ways to help find that the welds made are in concordance will all the regulatory welding standards. However, for the candidate to become the CWI there is much more than just the experience in the welding field. That is a good step in welding careers and it also offers the chance to get better welding jobs since CWI certification once earned is valuable.
 Certified Robotic Arc Welding (CRAW)
Over time and especially with the increased adoption of technology, the use of robotics increases in welding. The Certified Robotic Arc Welding, commonly known as CRAW, targets aspects concerned with one using robotic welding machines. Its achievement is of importance to anyone wanting to work with automatic systems of welding.
Welding Certification: A Beginner’s Guide
Comprehensive Information on Welding
To acquire any certification, you need to undertake basic training in welding. This can be made through vocational institutions, junior colleges, or even apprenticeships. The basics encompass knowledge of each kind of welding, protection measures as well as welding procedures.
Choose a Certification
After getting a glimpse at what welding is all about, it is important to decide which kind of certification one wishes to obtain. For instance, suppose you are interested in a CW certification, which is popularly known as Certified Welder. If welds are something that you’d like to inspect, you may shoot for the Certified Welding Inspector or CWI.
Prepare for the Test
Some of the certifications require that you take and pass a test. It often consists of a written section as well as a practical section. The practical part will check your knowledge of how given types of welding are to be completed. This means that to pass the simulation test, it is vital to continue practicing and rehearsing. Some of the welders enroll in class or practice with experienced ironworkers to be ready to take the test before going for the test.
Take the TestÂ
Once you get ready, you will sit for a certification exam, which you must pass. To obtain the CW certification, you will have to weld certain parts as laid down by a certified inspector. So for the CWI certification, there are certain written exams to be cleared, and additionally, a practical test needs to be passed.
Welding Inspector Qualifications
Welding inspector is among the best jobs you can take when you are a welder and wish to be promoted to a new level. The welding inspector’s work requires assurance that welds have been produced in conformity with the standard welding specifications and codes. Here is the list of the academic and experience requirements when one is planning to do a welding inspection.
Experience
A good number of welding inspector jobs require that the candidate should have worked as a welder for some time, though not necessarily a few years. Once more, the employer would like to be confident that the inspector has adequate experience in dealing with welds, and steel of a given kind and characteristic. This is a very critical process in welding for the welding inspectors to have the knowledge that would enable them to look for any fault or defect in welding.
Education
It is, however, not compulsory, but it has also been noted that a considerable number of welding inspectors have one way or the other undergone a formal school to get an understanding of the various welding processes. Those are vocational courses, courses offered in community college and technical college. Other welding inspectors have engineering degrees or other related degrees.
Certification
In principle, certification must be mentioned as being probably one of the most extensive prerequisites for the profession of a welding inspector. The recognized certifications include; Certified Welding Inspector, CWI, from AWS which is discussed in this article. To acquire this certification, one is supposed to take certain examinations which are aimed at checking his or her knowledge in welding as well as his or her knowledge in inspecting the welds.
Conclusion
Other types of certifications that are more specialized are a mandatory requirement when preparing the path for welders. Other certificates make them prepare for higher-paying jobs and promotions to their desired position. Concerning the further education about continuing with their career path the best course would seem to be in a welding inspector. A welding inspector, besides, needs work experience, education, certification, and most of all, aptitude to solve problems with the help of observation. If one acquires the right Welding inspector qualifications and those aspects of welding that are marketable, an individual will be able to pave lucrative and rewarding careers in welding.
