A journeyman Iron Worker with two degrees, and who has been in the welding field for over 25 years (13 of them teaching) said, "Welding is absolutely one of the hardest trades there is when it comes to proving yourself. There are codes, specifications, and procedures that have to be mastered, then proven time after time. Certification papers make you a 'certified' welder. They show you've passed a welding test.
Being a certified welder means you can pass a test, but it does not necessarily mean you are a good hand. Someone who goes to welding school may spend hours doing nothing but welding test plates. If they have any talent at all, and with all that practice, they will probably pass the code to become certified. But it's a whole different story out on the job site. Welding in a booth at school ain't the same as standing on a 2" wide beam, 20 floors up in the air, with the wind blowing like crazy."1
Welders cut, shape and join materials to make components, sometimes using blueprints or other technical drawings. They also repair equipment and machinery as well as join pipes in pipelines, power plants and refineries. They usually work with metals, but could also work with other composites (such as those found in wind turbines and solar panels). Common welding methods include oxyacetylene, MIG (metal inert gas), TIG (tungsten inert gas), laser welding and ultrasonic welding. And they do all this while maintaining a variety of bodily positions (standing, stooping, kneeling, bending, stretching...). A more detailed description of this occupation, including wage information, can be found on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Here's a short YouTube video about this profession:
A roughneck who calls himself SlimPickens recently told me, "It would help [welders in the oil & gas industry] to have some practical oilfield experience just so a person would know what they are doing. Rig sense goes a long way". He suggests welders start as a righand, then go to school to learn welding. Slim adds, "It's not at all like a factory environment; welders are called on to fab all sorts of items for or on a rig, and rig sense would be a major advantage. In my opinion you could not or would not want to hire someone off the street to weld on an offshore drilling rig."
(photo courtesy of moosemonger)
Even on land, expert welding techniques are paramount. Pipeline reliability is directly related to pipeline safety; pipelines that fail do not deliver fuel, or worse, pose a threat to the environment and those within it. "To maintain pipeline integrity and promote pipeline longevity, it is necessary to insure that the pipeline meets operating and safety requirements during design, construction and installation, and operations. The overwhelming bulk of oil and gas pipeline construction is done by welding individual joints of pipe together particularly in large, long distance pipeline. 2
Welding is a skill (and art) that is transferable across many industries, including engineering, aerospace, manufacturing and construction. Some firms, such as American Metallurgical Consultants, even offer expert witness services.
For those of you interested in welding, you will be happy to know that in an article published in the Wall Street Journal, the American Welding Society (AWS) estimates a shortage of 200,000 welders by the year 2010.3.
Here's a video of a piece that a Carolina news station did which talks about the high demand for welders:
So where do you start? Training for welding, soldering, and brazing workers can range from a few weeks of school or on-the-job training for low-skilled positions to several years of combined school and on-the-job training for highly skilled jobs (expect the latter for welding jobs in energy). For a list of welding schools in Colorado, see the schools post (and use your browser to search "welding").
Upon completion of training, you need to get certified. Several different certifications (and multiple levels of them) exist, including AWS, ASME, API, and National Board codes. Some of the certification tests will even x-ray your welds.
In addition to (or in lieu of) schools, some employers have apprenticeships available in their company so you can "earn while you learn". Click here to find out which of these programs are registered with the US apprenticeships office.
(photo courtesy of jakesmome)
ConnectingColorado.com has 41 positions open as I write this post (using the QuickSearch box and type 'welder' in Keyword Search field--you'll have to register to see which companies they are.) You can also search the list of energy company websites at: extraction-jobs or green-jobs.
Below are examples of a few job postings in ConnectingColorado to give you an idea of what skills energy employers are seeking of welders, and what certifications they require.
ConnectingColorado job #CO5275318
Position: Welder
$37,662-$57,562 / year
Duties: Performs steel welding construction and fabrication of new gas facility installations and existing system repairs and maintenance for a major electric and natural gas distribution company. The position will also do general maintenance activities and install/maintain gas metering equipment.
Skills:
Required: 12 months experience in MIG Welding, Combination Welding, Blueprint reading and Layouts. Other requirements are experience with steel gas pipeline weldings, an understanding of field gas distribution construction and maintenance and an API 1104 steel welding certification.
Shifts: Discuss with employer
Job Site: Fountain, CO
Benefits: Full Company Benefit Package
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CO5284201
Position: Welder
$14/hr
Successful candidate will be certified in D1.1 or better
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CO5287053
Position: Welder, Natural Gas Pipeline
Pay: $Negotiable - Discuss with employer
DUTIES: Read and fabricate from blueprints, sketches, drawings, or take verbal directions with minimal supervision, in order to fabricate piping assemblies, repair equipment and perform maintenance related to the natural gas industry. Operate hand and power tools, shop fabrication equipment, overhead cranes, welding machines, cutting and beveling equipment. Operate vehicles such as a forklift or welding truck.
SKILLS REQUIRED: Position requires welding qualifications as per API 1104 Group I, II and III electrodes. Incumbent must be able to read and fabricate from blueprints, sketches, drawings, or take verbal directions with minimal supervision, in order to fabricate piping assemblies, repair equipment and perform maintenance related to the natural gas industry. Must be able to operate hand and power tools, shop fabrication equipment, overhead cranes,
welding machines, cutting and beveling equipment. Must be able to operate vehicles such as a forklift or welding truck.Incumbent must pass company welding qualification test as per API 1104 utilizing Group I, II and III electrodes. Basic computer skills are required.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Must be self-motivated and able to prioritize. Good verbal and written communication skills are necessary along with the ability to keep detailed records. Frequent physical effort involved in lifting, exertion with hand tools, working in awkward positions such as kneeling, bending and squatting for extended periods of time. Must be able to twist head and back for extended periods of time and be able to work in areas classified as confined space. Must also be able to climb and work from ladders, catwalks, staging and other platforms. Must possess a valid drivers license with an acceptable driving record. Must display skills in human relations and display the ability to work effectively with fellow employees and customers. Must be able to work in extreme conditions such as dust, dirt, heat, cold with exposure to noise. The position also requires frequent travel to remote locations for extended periods of time. Candidate must have a valid drivers license with an acceptable driving record.
PREFERRED SKILLS: Previous experience working in the natural gas industry is desirable.
SHIFTS: Normally Monday-Friday but could vary based on project.
JOB SITE: Pueblo, CO
BENEFITS: Medical, dental, life, retirement, vacation and more.
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