AWS Certs.

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Ok here is my dilemma, I work full time and have been going to school at night to get my certs.  My job has no concern / or care that we are certified.  I am at a point at school that it is more of a drain to go.  I am trying to figure if I should just stick it out and force myself to finish and get my Certs.  And what benefits will I get from them.Just looking for sounding board. ThanksI am tired of Ketchup, I want the Gravy...
Reply:I'd never tell anyone not to continue learning. While it may not directly affect your work now, the knowledge you gain may help you in the long run. You may decide the current job isn't for you, or you may, God forbid, get laid off and end up looking for another job. While the certs themselves may not help, the knowledge and confidence that you can do the cert may well be a big help in getting a new or better job. Knowing the right way to do things and why is always a good thing.Now the other side. From what I understand, certs only have a certain "life". If you don't continue to weld in what you received the cert in it will lapse, and you will need to recert. I believe you can self cert, if you are doing that sort of welding regularly. The other thing is that I believe most places will want you to test or cert under their parameters, so having your own certs may not have a great value in themselves. If you are taking the class, just to get a piece of paper at the end and are not learning anything new, it may not be of great value.Good luck..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:You need to think about what your goals are.  Are you going to acquire skills to pass AWS or ASME certification?  Are you going to class to better your skills in hopes of a better job?  There is nothing better than being prepared for advancement in your career.  Knowledge is something that no one can take from you and with the job situation the way it is, you can never have enough training.  You have to stay one step ahead of your fellow workers to have the upper hand and this seems to be a good way to achieve that. Certs mean practically nothing except to the company issuing them.  They will expire if not kept updated.  They are, however, a good indication of your abilities to potential employers.   Only you know the hardship this is placing on you, your family and your job performance.  Weigh all the factors and think hard before giving up on something that has a possibility of being a real plus for you on down the road.  Personally, I recommend staying in class but it is your decision.  Good luck and choose wisely!Bob."The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:Don't give up.  Finish what ya started.  You'll be happier in the end.  Stay tough.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:The parts that are killing me is I'm 42, I already have Certs, this is to re-cert.  And I am missing 250.00 to 350.00 a week in OT. And I have no time for side jobs.  I know that having current Certs are important in the long run.  How many guys have Certs that help with side jobs?  Just an off the wall question.I am tired of Ketchup, I want the Gravy...
Reply:going through the same thing as we speak, my work says that they are not a welding shop so me being certified does not warrant a raise, yet I pretty much weld every day. I have already gotten my LA City AWS D1.1 manual process, still need to do flux core plates. I took the written for the D1.3 and passed I just need to wrap up my practical and go pick up my licence for that, I have been job hunting but with no luck, I did however test and interview with SMWIA and got a pretty decent total score but they're slow as well. I am going to stick it out though because I know when the economy picks up people are going to hire us guys who have been working towards bettering ourselves over people who are just waiting around. STICK IT OUT MAN! if I would have gotten my certs a few years ago like I originally planned I probably would be in a different boat now
Reply:being certified has made a big difference for me in side jobs because people know you actually know how to weld vs someone that just says they can weld, don't get me wrong though, there are a few guys that are certified that can't weld for $hit
Reply:By partagas:I already have Certs, this is to re-cert. And I am missing 250.00 to 350.00 a week in OT. And I have no time for side jobs. I know that having current Certs are important in the long run.
Reply:I just started going back to school to get some certs. I've been trying to get some of my own work since I've been laid off. Every place I go wants to know if I'm certified. So I'm getting certified. Plus I've been looking into some subcontractor work that requires you to carry your own certs. Getting my D1.1 to start because thats all the school offers, but they're going to point me to where I can get ASME sec. 9 and API certs.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bob the WelderBy partagas:Kinda confused.  You already have certs and now you are going to school to recert?  For how long? Same process?   In my case, plate or tube, maximum 4 hrs in test booth, wait for results from x-ray or side bends then get I'm good to go. Or not.  Through the Common Arc program, if I weld for a contractor, that will update my certs for that process for another six months for any participating contractor that I have certs for.I would just test and be done with it, if it's that simple.  A grand a month is a lot of money to pass up.  Do you have to go to school to do this?  Again, is it worth it?  Only you know.
Reply:Seeing about a hiatus might be a good thing, if doable.  A lot of potentially valuable paper at stake.   Never a good thing to let certs lapse.  I let ASME IX certs for heavy wall tube expire for 14 contractors once.  Won't let that happen again!Good luck."The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.