Certified Welding Engineers

[nuche1973]

I have posted a question about this earlier, but with regards to being a Certified welder. Considering the tough economy, my question is: how marketable is a CWE? This is a goal for me because welding is present in almost every project I have worked on.

 

[Mr168]

It doesn't hurt to have, but as far as marketing yourself as just a CWEng (CWE refers to the certified welding educator program), there's not much of a market for it.

Very few people have heard of the certification, never mind acknowledge it as being credible. It'd be nice to dazzle some clients, but the guys hiring would rather see a PE or extensive metallurgy background.

 

[MotorVib]

Just a question because I am in the group that has not heard about CWEng. Who would need an CWEng if you have a PE?

Chris

"In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics." Homer Simpson

 

[Mr168]

Nobody, really. It's just another certification that makes you look good in that it tailors towards a particular field. Some people in the welding engineering and NDE fields will get the CWEng if they do not meet the qualifications for the PE exam (though it has no legal precedence whatsoever), whether it be from educational requirements, years of experience, or the fact that a lot of work with weld procedures and NDE are often not approved as valid "engineering experience" by the state boards.

 

[nuche1973]

Thanks for the info. The CWE is one of the secondary certifications I am pursuing while preping for the SE.

 

[Ron]

Don't confuse this certification with being a welding engineer, a licensed discipline of engineering. Welding Engineers are specialized and while there's great demand in some sectors, it's a relatively small specialty.

A Certified Welder, obviously, is one who would do welding. A Certified Welding Inspector has to meet some specific requirements and testing in order to inspect welds under AWS, API, and ASME Codes.

Meaningful and credible certifications are good to have. For example, to find a structural engineer who is also a CWI is very unusual, but you can bet he won't be buffaloed by the fab shop or the erector when it comes to welding. Unlike many structural engineers, he will know the differences and limitations of welding processes, be able to tell a good weld from a bad weld, and gain a little credibility in the field.

 

[MotorVib]

Thanks I just did not know.

"In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics." Homer Simpson

 

[Rich2001]

I am a CWEng, though many have never heard of a CWEng, does not mean it has no value. I am also a PE in both Mechanical (1988) and Welding Engineering (2001). I was recently involved in a project that required an IWE or equal on staff. The CWEng was accepted by the European company as being equal.

BTW, I was recently laid-off and because being CWEng, I had many interviews. I accepted a job earning more money and better benefits within three weeks.

Vita sine litteris mors est.

 

[MotorVib]

Rich2001

What are some the things that you work on?

Good luck on the job hunt.

Chris

"In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics." Homer Simpson

 

[Dinosaur]

I am a PE and a CWI. I have read up on the CWEng program but it has not become a need for me. I did all my PE design work as a bridge engineer. Now I supervise CWIs in fab shops and inspectors in Precast plants. My design background is very helpful in translating the designers question into terms the fabricators can understand and the reverse. I think there is much value in having both the CWI and the PE with design experience. I don't know if the CWEng and PE combo has the same value. There are many folks looking for CWIs and that respect PEs. Good luck.