Some people have a knack for doing challenging and demanding jobs. Becoming an underwater welder or opting for similar commercial diving jobs is not for the faint of heart and requires quite a lot of courage.
The job demands unmatched commitment, tedious hours, a strict work ethic, considerable traveling, and a positive and brave attitude.
We will tell you how to prepare yourself to be an underwater welder. This job requires both physical and mental energy and preparation. To prepare yourself better, you can also look at some of the risks of underwater weldings, such as the lifespan of the underwater welder.
Career Path to Becoming An Underwater Welder
Before you start any career, there are certain certifications and qualifications required. If you have set your mind on becoming a commercial diver, who welds underwater, the minimum requirements are listed below:
- Firstly, you need to complete your basic education by getting GED or High school Diploma
- A very necessary skill required for underwater welding is knowing how to swim. It is obvious why you need to be a swimmer for working underwater, but you need to be a good enough swimmer for safety and survival reasons as well.
- You need to pass a mechanical aptitude test, which shows employers that you are a skilled and knowledgeable mechanical worker.
- Most importantly, you need AWS-certified welding training, which is the main qualification required for regular or underwater commercial welding jobs.
- A commercial diving certificate is yet another requirement
How To Get The Required Qualifications?
Now that you know the qualifications required for becoming an underwater welder, the next step is finding a school that will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and certifications to be eligible for the job.
There are certain levels of diving certifications, and a commercial diver certification is way more challenging, requiring rigorous training and tougher examinations than a standard SCUBA diving certification for recreational use.
This is because you do not just need to know how to be a good swimmer, but you also require working in industrial environments underwater. This means high-risk working conditions and heavy machinery and construction. Commercial divers are at constant risk of electrocution, machinery-related injuries, and injuries resulting from high pressure.
In order to attain a commercial diving certification, you are required to undergo extensive, specialized training that prepares students to work in challenging underwater environments. Jobs requiring such training involve working in dams, bridges connecting to offshore pipelines, oil rigs, and other underwater construction contracts.
If you want to become an underwater welder, you require similar training. In order to become an underwater welder, you don’t just need to receive commercial diving training and acquire certification from an accredited dive school, but also get formal underwater welding training. So, you first need to pass the commercial diving test and underwater welding program through the formal procedure recognized by the American Welding Society D3.6 standard.
You will still not be able to apply for commercial diving jobs like underwater welding because these programs don’t qualify you for commercial jobs in underwater welding. You will have to get further training in order to specialize in underwater welding, after which you will be eligible for the job. To begin training, you can look into technical training schools that offer underwater welding specialization.
Things to Consider Before Enrolling In an Underwater Welding Program
The first step is to shortlist the schools that you would be interested in applying to. You can start this search by looking at colleges or universities that offer the required training for becoming an underwater welder. Once you have shortlisted the places that have your desired program, you can move on to the next step.
The admission requirements may also differ from institute to institute, which will be another thing that you will have to consider before applying. Are you eligible for and do you meet the requirements for enrolling in a welding training program are questions to ask?
Moreover, the reputation of the institute you apply to is another important consideration. Employers will opt for candidates who are certified by well-reputed schools that follow the American Welding Society D3.6 standard and criteria.
Lastly, you need to consider the expenses associated with obtaining the qualification required for underwater welding. You can look into a program that you can afford or look into financial aid scholarships. There are some grants and student loans that you can apply for in order to help you cover the costs of underwater welding training. The main costs associated with a technical training certification will be admission or registration fee, tuition fees, accommodation expenses, books, and equipment.
Final Words…
Once you have successfully completed all the formal requirements, such as certifications and degrees, you can apply for underwater welding jobs. However, it is always best to ask experts in the industry for useful tips and other information before starting your career as an underwater welder.
