So I got a flyer from AWS today....

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and it was advertising seminars and exams for certified welding supervisors. My question is what does a certified welding supervisor do, what is the need for one in todays market ,and how much do they normally make?The price for the seminar is steep and it means I would have to take a week off of work to complete the seminar and exam. Is it worth it? Let me know what info you guys got on this. ThanksAWS CWI/CWEASNT NDT Level 2 PT/MTAWS Certified Welder(aerospace)
Reply:Go for it , and tell us what you think.I've always wanted to go to one.  I think it could be worth it.   thats my two cents weld it like you own it
Reply:Seminar and exam cost $1,630 not counting travel hotel and food. I dont really know if there is a big market for them around here. I would like to know that before I spend that much.AWS CWI/CWEASNT NDT Level 2 PT/MTAWS Certified Welder(aerospace)
Reply:I have NEVER heard of any employer asking a person to go to this seminar or asking for it as a requirement for a position.  Granted, I'm sure it happens or the class wouldn't continue to keep going, but if I haven't heard of it in my years in this work, it's not going to do me any good (at least in my area).
Reply:My boss actually wants to send me to that, I asked about taking time off next year to try for my CWI and he said "What about a certified welding supervisor?" I thought he was screwin with me. I had never heard of it. It is apparently a recent addition.You learn how to maximize the efficiency of the weldors you have working for you.Reducing costs, estimating jobs etc.....its all about quality and cost.I dunno, its sounds interesting but I still want my CWI first.Yup
Reply:Never seen one in the power industry.  CWI gets you whatever you need (outside of boiler code stuff).  Maybe fab shops are different, but I don't know of anyone who has taken a CWS exam.
Reply:is it a one time deal or do you have to get recert. every year
Reply:LOL, it is an AWS thing so of COURSE you have to recert.  How else would they gouge you for money?  Not to mention,  in order to keep it you have to have documented "supervisory experience" for the duration.  It's a joke.
Reply:I have seen a few jobs posted at the AWS.ORG/careers website that listed certified welding supervisor in the job description, but that is it.  They paid around $50-$60k.  A good pipe rig welder could double that pay, but for a manangement job, it is close to welding engineeering pay.I have never seen certified welding supervisor listed on any other job advertisement.  I think AWS pushes it on people who advertise so they can get money from people who take the courses.  CWI certs would open up more work I would think.  I have seen more jobs for sups and welding engineers that list CWI in the requirement.
Reply:Originally Posted by obewanI have seen a few jobs posted at the AWS.ORG/careers website that listed certified welding supervisor in the job description, but that is it.  They paid around $50-$60k.  A good pipe rig welder could double that pay, but for a manangement job, it is close to welding engineeering pay.I have never seen certified welding supervisor listed on any other job advertisement.  I think AWS pushes it on people who advertise so they can get money from people who take the courses.  CWI certs would open up more work I would think.  I have seen more jobs for sups and welding engineers that list CWI in the requirement.
Reply:If you are CWI and have been welding long enough, it seems like you would know most of the material in the CWS program anyway.Yup
Reply:From what I have read on the CWS, it is aimed at supervisors or foremen that have performed work to various codes but now are looking at becoming an "approved fabricator". It can range from an AISC building, simple bridge, fracture critical, or DOT work. For someone who knows how to run a small fab shop but is getting into more complex code and/or job specifications. At this level there is a lot more to it than just runnin a crew.
Reply:Originally Posted by ed macis it a one time deal or do you have to get recert. every year
Reply:Originally Posted by qaqcFrom what I have read on the CWS, it is aimed at supervisors or foremen that have performed work to various codes but now are looking at becoming an "approved fabricator". It can range from an AISC building, simple bridge, fracture critical, or DOT work. For someone who knows how to run a small fab shop but is getting into more complex code and/or job specifications. At this level there is a lot more to it than just runnin a crew.
Reply:Originally Posted by BurnitIf you are CWI and have been welding long enough, it seems like you would know most of the material in the CWS program anyway.
Reply:redcoupe,It sounds to me like the CWS and the CWI are required to have some of the same basic code working skills. The CWS will need to know how to build something to a code, just like the CWI needs to inspect to a code. With accreditations like AISC, IBC, DOT, and project engineers will require a clear separation of production and QC. As others have stated, you don't see the CWS on job posting. But I think any shop with any of these accreditations will see that a CWS will have the ability to work within there program.