Welding certifications/qualifications

[WEEGAZ22]

Hi guys, looking into doing an hnc course in welding and fabricating at the local college http://www.anniesland.ac.uk/courses/view.aspx?C=1454

now the thing is, i dont want to do some course if its not going to help me get a job at the end of it, so what i would like to know is what are the standards/certifications that your average welders are certified to?

i realise that there are probably loads of different classes of the certs depending on the type of welding being done(mig/mma/tig, underwater etc)

but if someone could lay out a "laymans" guide on what standards are for what i would be really appreciative.

Thanks in advance

 

[backpurge]

It totally depends upon what type of work you are hoping to go for, the certificate is only going to act like a reference and you will have to re test for the customer.

It is no good taking a test on a process/material/position combination that you are not 100% comfortable and confident with, you will get sussed out straight away if you are trying to blag it

Remember there are probably hundreds of highly experienced, competent, qualified welders out of work at the moment that you will be trying to compete with so I wouldn't be in a hurry to start handing over cash for welder quals that probably won't do you any good in the long run

 

[WEEGAZ22]

found out more on the course, turns out that the HNC isnt really welding at all, most of it is 90% theory and 10% practical as its to learn you more of a supervisory role, so the lecturer said the NC would be better as its actually teaching you to be a welder and fabricator, and a fairly decent one at that, but they arent sure yet wether they are putting you through any codings as the course content hasnt been finalised yet

so yet more confusion to throw into the mix

 

[busa]

As Backpurge has already pointed out, codings won't get you a job, they'll only move you up the queue for an interview. In order to get a start you will be required to pass a test in accordance with the customers requirements. Current codings when presented with a CV detailing experience in the type of work the employer is recruiting for will move you further up the queue but you will still have to test out. The employer will be paying a lot of money for these tests and so will be more likely to invest in people with a proven track record. As already mentioned, there are literally hundreds of highly skilled and very experienced welders currently available for work, and struggling to find it. The competition for someone trying to break into the game will be stiff. Having said that, good luck!