Welding Certification Training
Welders join metals together through rod and heat systems or other methods in a variety of industry settings. Although it is not a legal requirement, welders who obtain professional certification will likely garner the best employment opportunities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Welders who obtain certification are added to the National Registry of Certified Welders, a database accessible by employers. Many training programs follow requirements set forth by the American Welding Society (AWS) or Ironworkers National Welding Certification Program.
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Objective
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Welders often complete welds in industrial settings, where heavy machinery, tools and other employees can create hazards that may cause injury. Welding certification training prepares candidates to complete tasks safely and efficiently--critical abilities sought by employers.
Instruction
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Some employers furnish certification training programs for potential employees and existing employees who need recertification.
Many community colleges offer welding certification preparation. An associate's degree program in welding technology includes coursework that trains students for welding, along with certification examinations as a degree requirement.
Opportunities exist at niche schools, such as the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, which boasts training courses throughout the year at its Ohio facility.
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Core Curriculum
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Topics in welding certification training include welding technology and blueprint reading; oxyacetylene welding and cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding and weldability of materials. Additional useful coursework would be in mathematics, physics, chemistry and metallurgy, either studied during high school or as part of a college general studies curriculum.
Codes
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Codes identify each type of certification the welder holds. The American Welding Society (AWS), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and American Petroleum Institute (API) set forth these codes for the type of construction, processes and materials involved in the welding process. They essentially outline how a welder completes a weld in a given situation.
Safety
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Welding certification trainings includes preparatory instruction on safety processes and equipment required by welders. Welders must wear face shields, gloves and fire-resistant clothing when completing arc welds, as an example. Test administrators will observe if a candidate for certification is completing his sample weld safely.
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References
- Photo Credit welding image by glgec from Fotolia.com
