Need career advice -- should I go for my CWI ?

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Hi, I have had the goal to get my CWI , ever since I was in welding school , before my very first cert. Since then I've had a few construction jobs as a welder; but most recently I have gotten into a good Union job as a welder. It is a good job , good people, and I got a pretty good deal, they started me as a 2nd year apprentice, so after I do 3 years I will be journeyman.To take the seminar and the test , i think it is in the range of ~$2500. Currently i make $19/hr , but i do have the $$. I have about 10k saved, so this would be like 25% of my net worth to attempt the CWI test. I recently saw a job pop up on Craigslist for a CWI position , in my area, and i cursed that I dont have my CWI already. But my question is, is it really worth it ? In a few years, i will be making $1200 a week before tax, bi-annual raises, full benefits / 401k match , etc. That is like ~$55k a year, not including benefits.  Will a CWI job make much more than this? Also, I'm imagining that a CWI job will be a lot cushier. Ride around in a company truck, go certify guys on different jobsites, quality control some welds, etc. That is just a complete guess though as I dont really know the day to day life of a CWI. Im hoping to get some feedback on that as well.Last edited by AJM; 02-15-2012 at 06:13 PM.
Reply:Welding inspectors that we hire for pipeline work, their daily rates are usually somewhere between $400 to $500 a day, paid 7 days for a 60 hour work week (6-10's).Overpaid, in my opinion, because I had to hire some, and saw what they had to do, which wasn't much at all.The trick is, I think, is to get your name and application in with some of these companies who farm out inspectors--essentially they provide the OQ testing and insurance (not your health), etc, and take a percentage out of your check.  Companies like Mustang Engineering, Wilcrest inspection, there's a ton of them.  That's the way I would do it...I wouldn't do it for a shop.
Reply:that does seem overpaid, also seems like a temp thing . I guess it would be nie to make 3500 dollars for 7 days work , then have time off .thanks for the reply
Reply:Some CWI's are gonna chime in here soon. I am looking into it too, not so much for a job but to advance my knowledge of welding and make my self more marketable. I know one thing, you better like doing paper work cause that is waht it is all about. Have you looked into what is involved in the test. Its tough and there is a 50% fail rate. Find the code book and study it. That is the book that you can have open during the test but you will have to know where everything is to find it in a timely manor. I have been reading the code book and damn, it makes my eyes go crossed.Welding everything, from the crack of dawn to a broken heart.
Reply:from what i understand, there is an open book section to the test, and a closed book section to the test.apparently most of the test is about being able to find information quickly in the book, you dont necessarily have to memorize all of the information. but this is just heresay from guys that have taken the test, i do not know firsthand what it actually is like
Reply:Here is a link that recently discussed the CWI test and what it can do for you.  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=70231In addition to the knowledge I gained, the seminar gave me a greater understanding of the industry as a whole, as well as how vast it really is.  I will say this, the seminar and test will qualify you to be a CWI, but will NOT teach how to be a CWI.  Only time, experience, networking, asking questions, reading code, will make you proficient.  It can also add more pressure, due to the fact that now you are expected to know everything there is to know about welding, which frankly, is impossible.Last edited by jbyrd; 02-19-2012 at 04:18 AM.Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:Be sure to first look at the requirements to take the CWI exam to make sure you qualify to take the exam. One of the requirements is 5 years of documented experience.
Reply:It is many years back but I got a level 1 welding inspectors ticket which at the time was the basic structural qualification in Canada.  I never used other than to understand what was required of my crew.  With one more little upgrade I got a supervisors qualifiaction.   A shop supervisor is required on Canadian Welding Burea shops.  Having your CWI will make you more attractive for lead hand and foreman positions even if you are not inspecting welds in a formal setting.  Having it infers that your crew will be putting down welds that will not attract the attention of any inspector walking into the shop.