How to Become a Certified Welder in Laurel, Mississippi
A certified welder is a skilled tradesman who bonds metal pieces together using heat. Welders work in a wide range of industries, including welding/fabrication shops, shipbuilding, manufacturing plants and construction. Laurel, Mississippi, is home to three major manufacturing companies: Masonite, Howard Industries, Inc. and Laurel Machine and Foundry Co.
Many skilled certified welders learn their trade by completing an accredited welding training program. There are no accredited welding programs in Laurel. However, there are programs offered in surrounding cities. In addition, obtaining certification from the American Welding Society requires traveling outside Mississippi.
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Instructions
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Welding Training Programs
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Obtain a high school diploma or a GED. Courses in math, English and machine shop are particularly useful for becoming a certified welder.
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Locate an accredited welding school. The American Welding Society maintains a database of accredited programs on its website. Conduct a school search. The welding schools closest to Laurel include Jones County Junior College, Wayne County Vo-tech Center and Pearl River Community College-Forrest.
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Contact your chosen school's admissions office. Submit the required documents such as an admissions application, high school transcript and/or GED scores. Complete the registration process.
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Complete the welding program. Program lengths may vary. For instance, the Jones County Junior College welding program lasts for 9 months. Welding courses range from blue-print reading and welding symbol interpretation to usage of Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding.
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Prepare a resume detailing your education, qualifications, experience and/or certification. Seek employment utilizing the school's job placement services and contacting manufacturing and constructions companies in Laurel.
Welder Certification
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Read the QC7 standard and other supplemental documents available on the American Welding Society website. The documents detail the standards and requirements of a certified welder. You will be tested on the information in those documents.
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Contact the accredited testing facility nearest you. Call 800-443-9353, ext. 273. Schedule an exam with the center. The exam is performance-based and requires that you demonstrate your welding skills. A certified welding inspector inspects and evaluates you based on how well you follow welding procedure specifications. As of early 2010, there were no testing facilities in the State of Mississippi.
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Submit an application and fee to the test center staff on the day of your exam. As of early 2010, the fee is $30. Take and pass the QC7 standard exam. Your application, fee and exam results are forwarded to the American Welding Society. In a few weeks you will receive your certification card and renewal information in the mail.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit the welder image by Louise McGilviray from Fotolia.com
