Many workers are under the impression that a welding certification isn’t required to lead a successful career as a welder. After all, certification isn’t a requirement for many of the welding roles seen in factories and fabrication shops of today. While it’s not a solid requirement, a welding certification can benefit your career in numerous ways.
Will It Help Your Career?
For starters, you’ll have access to new and exciting opportunities in manufacturing, including robotics, engineering and inspection. You’ll also have no shortage of work, as there are always openings in shipbuilding and repair, pipeline installation, motorsports and the U.S. military. NASA even uses welders in outer space!
Maintaining a valid welding certificate lets any prospective employers know you’re qualified for the job at hand. As such, it’s used as irrefutable proof of your experience and knowledge of welding in general.
How Long Does It Take?
The process of taking your final exam and becoming certified really depends on the person, but most community colleges and vocational schools provide courses that last anywhere from eight to 12 weeks. Most facilities, including independent agencies, will give you the opportunity to retake the welding exam if you fail any of the required tests.
Which Ones Do You Want to Pursue?
There are many different welding certifications for you to pursue. Your options might vary more depending on your place of employment or your exact role in the industry, so it’s important to do your research in order to ensure you pick the best certification for your career. Of course, you’re not limited to one certification, and many workers are certified in several different welding techniques.
Basic welding certifications exist for stick welding, TIG welding, MIG welding and flux core arc welding. There are also various certifications for the different welding techniques, including fillet and grove welds, restricted welding positions and welding angles. Welders who achieve a 6G certification, meaning they can successfully apply a 360-degree weld around an unmoving pipe, are among the highest qualified.
Making a Strong First Impression With a Welding Certification
Showing up to a job interview with a welding certification makes an undeniable and long-lasting first impression. Most employers will appreciate the fact that you invested your free time in a professional trade such as welding, as it’s a surefire sign of strong motivation and morale on your behalf. Professional certification is also a requirement of many top-level jobs in welding, so it’s crucial if you hope to achieve your maximum career potential.
Work With a Top Staffing Agency in North Carolina
If you are looking to find your next welding job, contact our team at Mega Force and work with a top staffing agency in North Carolina.