Help, Inspector Cert. -- Worth it?

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I'm a "displaced" Software Engineer (20 years, B.S. Computer Science) -- who worked my way thru college by tack-welding in a shipyard (30 years ago!). So I'm comfortable with welding concepts -- and very respectful of the "real pros" in the field.I got unsolicited advice to become a  "Welding Inspector" from 2 different unrelated sources -- just as I was looking for "something else to do".What do you think? I am a very youthful 55 yrs old now. Would my professional degree help at all in finding work -- after CWI certification? (is it high-tech enough to favor my skillset) I have contracted alot in the software field -- is that the best approach to start-out? (sign-up with a contracting agency?, Union-Hall?).I am free to travel -- but is the pay really enough to support "life on the road"? -- with enough savings to make it all worthwhile in the long-run. Or is it really just a survival wage? I see hourly rates from $15-$20 hr posted on job sites -- hardly enough to support anyone but local workers. Do you know of higher rates?EDIT: Do you think CWI job prospects are good/bad -- in general -- at this time?Any help is greatly appreciated!Last edited by Jiggy; 12-10-2009 at 12:22 PM.
Reply:i googled , i found 138 cwi jobs, throughout  the US. on www.indeed.com.;)
Reply:I'd work on becomming a certified welder and go work in the field first, then think about becomming an inspector.  Nothing worse than an inspector who can't weld up to his own standards...MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33I'd work on becoming a certified welder and go work in the field first, then think about becomming an inspector.  Nothing worse than an inspector who can't weld up to his own standards...
Reply:I work in the telecommunications field on some occassions we must deal with inspectors. You can quickly pick out the inspectors that know the interworkings of telecommunications and those that do not. I would much rather deal with an inspector that understands and knows the interworkings than one that says "well the book says...".
Reply:Originally Posted by RonGI work in the telecommunications field on some occassions we must deal with inspectors. You can quickly pick out the inspectors that know the interworkings of telecommunications and those that do not. I would much rather deal with an inspector that understands and knows the interworkings than one that says "well the book says...".
Reply:It is always better to truely know the trade you're involved in, than to simply follow numbers and text printed in a guide book.As an example, we had a robotic welding machine at the manufacturing plant I worked in as a manual welder.  Just about anybody in the shop without welding experience could set the metal in the jigs, tighten the clamps and push the start button.   However, it took real welders with real welding experience to identify when the robot was having a probem, identify possible causes for the problem (usually settings off, parts of the machine not functioning properly, pieces to be welded not cut or prepped properly, or electrical issues), identify what changes needed to happen to fix those causes, and how to actually make the changes.   The guys without welding experience were dead in the water whenever a problem came up and had to call over a welder to come look at it and tell them what to do or do it for them, which took that welder away from his getting his own job done.   The answer was to only have welders run the robot.   That way, when a problem came up, the welder fixed the problem on his own, most of the time.Yes, I would and do pay more as an employer for someone who truely knows what they're doing and why and how to do it.  When I have helpers, I sometimes don't need helpers who can weld, just ones that follow directions, but when I have a helper who knows welding and fabricating, I can afford to pay them more cause I don't have to babysit them when I ask them to do something, which frees me up to get more of my own tasks done.Last edited by DesertRider33; 12-11-2009 at 12:16 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:The job of a CWI hired for inspection duties is to do just that.  Inspect in accordance with the code.  Inspectors hired to do strictly inspection duties need not be required to instruct the craft or act as a foremen.  In fact, by many companies, that behavior is frowned upon, if not prohibited.  Where a lack of hands-on experience may come into play is in determining the applicability of the codes under a given situation.  If this is not the case, then there should be nothing prohibiting you from obtaining a CWI and working as such.  Be warned, however.  Most of the higher wage CWI positions come in two baskets: outage and short-term work, or long-term assignments on a project while employed by a given company, the latter of which is usually looking for craft-turned-inspectors with decades of experience to be able to identify what's wrong (i.e., the power industry typically will have a client-employed CWI doing final sign-offs in addition to the contractor's inspection duties).
Reply:I may be wrong or misunderstood,  I thought one had to have a 5 yr experience before taking the exam.  Im really not sure. weld it like you own it
Reply:Jiggy,   lewray is correct AWS does require a minimum of 5 years in the welding industry (design, actual welding, NDE inspection) anything dealing with the welding industry.   I personally did exactly what you are talking about. My job went to Mexico and I said I would get out of welding after 25 years to become an inspector. I have not regretted it yet. In the beginning the pay is small because alot of employers feel you are not actually doing the welding. They just want you to inspect and not comment at all about trying to correct any welding issues. Weldors will also give you crap about you not knowing anything because you are just an inspector which knows how to test in their eyes. After the company finds you are knowledgable about welding, they would use that skill also. The money comes just like any other trade with experience.    Today does require most jobs if they are money backed by the government need to be inspected. The money does happen on the road and if you can out of the country. I know of one inspector whom I asisted in becoming an inspector and he does not regret the move.   My advice would be if you can take a class and understand more about welding before you take the CWI exam do it. Because new weldors look to you for answers because they might not see their foreman till end of day. Also like DesertRider33 stated if there is a welding issue you should know what is happening with the weld and/or machine. If I can help write me and I'll try.Weldor/ Certified Inspector
Reply:My personal opinion is I never thought they get paid enough for what they need to know or do to pass that test and hold the credentials.     However Ive seen them when they get on a ongoing prevailing wage job for quite a while, it suddenly changes the way I see it.    However your 55 and I'd  think you'd ask yourself what you see happening in the world of construction in next 10 years.    Also think about your personality, you probally need to be a little intimidating and authoritive at times, be able to lay down the law and tell some people the way this is going to be.
Reply:Originally Posted by 123weldAlso think about your personality, you probally need to be a little intimidating and authoritive at times, be able to lay down the law and tell some people the way this is going to be.