Engineering project management can be a fulfilling and interesting career. This line of works involves planning, coordinating and directing engineering and architectural projects. A project manager that specializes in the field of engineering may also do research and development. A project manager may work in an office, industrial plant, laboratory or construction site. The average pay for a person in this line of work is nearly $120,000 per year.

However, this is not to say that every project manager that specializes in the field of engineering earns this much. There must be several factors in place in order for this line of work to be lucrative. First of all, one will need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in the field of project management or a related field.

Secondly, a person will need to have plenty of on the job experience; those who have just graduated from university cannot expect to earn as much as those who have been engineering project managers for many years. Something else that is very important to have is project manager certification.

Having certification in the field is not the same as having a diploma. An associate, bachelor, master or doctorate diploma is earned at a university. Certification, on the other hand, is granted by the AAPM (American Academy of Project Management).

Those who have obtained either the MPM Master Project Manager International Charter Certification or the CIPM Certified International Project Manager Charter Certification will also be able to note this on their business cards.

Advantages of Certification

Certification does not take long to obtain and can help a person gain an edge over others who are seeking the same job. It should be noted that the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States has predicted that the job market for engineering project managers will be slower than average. This means that the competition will be intense for jobs in this field and an aspiring engineering project manager will need more than just the minimal credentials required.

Another advantage to obtaining certification is that MPM Master Project Manager International Charter Certification and CIPM Certified International Project Manager Charter Certification is recognized internationally. A person that has this certification will be able to find work either in the United States or in a foreign country. The AAPM is originally an American institution but at present has members in over 150 countries.

There is more to getting certification than simply improving one’s chances of getting a lucrative job. The field of engineering project management is a challenging one. The more training a person has, the more qualified he or she will be to take on different types of jobs. AARP certification courses not only give a review of the basics of project management but also teach effective project management skills for contractors and advanced team leadership principles, standards and practices for project managers.

How to Get Certified

A person can apply for certification if he or she has a diploma in the field of project management plus three years of experience in the field. This basic requirement applies to any form of certification that one may seek to obtain from the AAPM. A person who who wants certification should send his or her resume and educational credentials to the AAPM for review. The application process is free, but one will need to pay for the training course.

A person who is accepted by the AAPM for the certification course will need to agree to the professional ethics standard set by this agency. The certification is valid for an initial period of two years. After this time, one will need to pay a nominal fee per year in order to retain membership and certification.

It should also be noted that one will need take a training course in the field every year in order for the AAPM certification to remain valid. The yearly training course is created and taught by the AAPM.

Many project managers opt to obtain certification on their own, because they understand how important it is to the furtherance of their career. On the other hand, it is also possible to obtain this certification via an in house company training program.

The AAPM provides various training programs of this nature, ranging from two to five day seminars. A number of companies are happy to provide their employees with this training, as they understand that it will boost company performance and make the company as a whole more competitive and efficient.

An aspiring project manager will want to do all that he or she can to get good training and proper educational credentials in the field or project management. Even those who have been engineering project managers for some time will find that ongoing training will help to enhance their skills and open the doors to new job opportunities. Project manager certification is not required by many employers, but there are many advantages to having it. It can enable a person to work abroad, give him or her an edge over others seeking the same job and provide additional training that will help a person be more proficient in the field of project management.

For many young people leaving school today, a career as a welder looks like an increasingly attractive option. The growth in building and engineering projects during the past decade has uncovered a country-wide shortage of certified welders, and this means anyone undertaking this training is virtually guaranteed permanent employment. If your interests and abilities lie in this direction, it is a good idea while you are still in school to start looking at the different types of welding schools available.

Before you start considering the training courses on offer, you first need to think about what you hope to achieve in your training. Make sure you are clear what types of welding you want to learn, as not all courses teach all types of welding. Decide whether you have ambitions to become a welding instructor in your own right, or perhaps whether you would like to train to be a welding inspector.

There are several options for obtaining training as a welder, and one is by attending your local community college. Virtually all community colleges and trade schools offer this training, but many of them specify that the courses will qualify you simply as an entry-level welder. You have to decide whether this is what you want, or whether you require something more specialized.

Course Length

The basic courses at trade schools and local colleges last between 12 and 20 weeks. Some programs such as Lynnes Welding Training offer a combination program, which includes TIG and MIG welding – by no means all basic courses offer these – as well as arc welding and stick pipe welding.

TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding is used in high detail and lightweight applications, while MIG (metal inert gas) welding is also used in many situations. These courses should qualify you for a wide range of jobs.

There are three welding schools in particular which are the most sought-after in the country. One is the Tulsa, Oklahoma, program, also with a campus in Jacksonville, Florida. Their structural welding course lasts for 14 weeks, and their highly popular Master Welder course lasts for 7 months. This teaches all the main processes including MIG, TIG, flux core and stick, and utilizes pipe and structural plates, plus thin sheet metal in addition.

The other two sought-after schools are both in Ohio. The Hobart Institute of Welding Technology or HIWT, the largest in the USA, offers similar programs to Tulsa, and also several shorter, more specialized modules.

The Lincoln Welding Training, one of the oldest programs in the country, also offers similar courses, and also offers its well-known Motorsports welding program at Cleveland. These two schools also offer one-week and two-week welding programs for $400 per week, which are a great way to try out the training and see if it really suits you.

Getting Certified as a Welder

Students are required to complete certification programs from the AWS (American Welding Society). Certification is available in several processes including certification as an ARC welder, Gas Metal Arc welder, Pipeline welder or Gas welder. The most useful certification level is 6G certification, which can open the door to most jobs.

Students requiring a higher level of certification can enroll in longer programs. For these they must be 18 and have completed high school or equivalent. Possibilities are a two-year Associate degree, or a three-year Bachelor’s degree, in Welding Technology. One of the most common degree programs is the AAS – Associate of Applied Sciences – in Welding Technology. Coursework for this covers TIG welding, technical math applications, structural steel metal fabrication, pipe metal welding, and blueprint reading.

Degree Programs

Those who want further career advancement can look at a four year Bachelor’s degree course such as Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering. These courses teach theoretical coursework in engineering principles, plus theoretical and practical welding applications. The primary goal is to provide training in evaluation and contribution to manufacturing projects, between the stages of designing and production. Subjects would include welding metallurgy, and design concepts in welding engineering, and students work on a wide range of projects, including aircraft and nuclear systems.

For graduates of welding schools at all levels, career prospects are excellent. You have opportunities for well-paid jobs in a variety of settings including oil rigs, airline equipment or bridge construction projects, while with a Bachelor’s degree you are qualified for top jobs in the manufacturing industry. Some of these courses are quite costly, but every penny you spend is worth while.

 

Many industries depend on the skills of an experienced welder to complete products and services. The auto industry, construction businesses, metal fabrication shops, oil refineries, and the assembly of a variety of vehicles like planes, ships, and space shuttles each depend on the skills of a welder. Individuals who obtain a welding school education can learn the skills necessary to succeed in a variety of exciting careers. There are several welding schools in California that can provide you with this kind of training.

The process of welding involves joining metal parts by melting the surfaces together. This is accomplished by using extremely high temperatures to form a bond between the two surfaces that is impermeable to water, air, and other liquids. This bond is also stronger than bolts or adhesives. It is necessary to apply temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit to the metal in order to accomplish this task. Once the metals have been liquefied, the welder will introduce molten filler to fill in the gaps between the two surfaces.

Welders will then apply a barrier to the joint they have created in order to ensure that oxygen cannot oxidize and weaken the joint they have created. A few different methods are used to create a barrier. Some welders accomplish this by applying an antioxidant coating to the joint. Others use a chemically non-reactive gas that is applied to the joint after the materials have resolidified. Welding is an extremely important function required in many industries and can provide interested individuals with a lucrative career.

American River College

One school that offers courses in welding is the American River College. This institution is part of the Los Rios Community College district and has been accredited by the American Welding Society. Students have the opportunity to earn a 2 year associate’s degree or 5 separate certificates in different welding technologies. Certificates are available that cover gas tungsten arc plate and pipe welding, shielded metal arc plate and pipe welding, welding metallurgy and inspection, and welding equipment maintenance and blueprint interpretation. The associate’s of science in welding technology degree will provide students with a comprehensive education in all the areas of welding technologies. Obtaining a certificate in a certain area of welding technology or receiving your associates of science degree will make you a competitive candidate for employment with a variety of companies in the industry.

Welding Service Company

Another way to receive welding training is to enroll in the Welding Skills Workshops which is a division of the Welding Service Company located in Ontario, California. These workshops offer knowledgeable and fast training for both businesses and individuals. The workshops are designed to be 75% hands on training and 25% lecture of a variety of topics. These topics include equipment use and maintenance and safety training. This program provides high quality instruction at both an affordable price and a fast pace. There are different workshops that cover MIG, stick, pipe, and TIG trainings. Certificates are available that cover structural welding codes with steel, aluminum, sheet metal, stainless steel, and rebar. Certificates are also available that provide education in fusion welding for aerospace applications, specifications for welding earth moving, construction, and agricultural equipment, and many other fields of study. Financing is available for students who qualify.

Welding Jobs

Once you have obtained your education from a welding school, you can pursue employment in a variety of positions. An education in welding will enable you to be qualified to work as a welder for a variety of industries, a welding machine operator, a machinist, pipe fitters, machine assemblers, tool and die makers, boilermakers, metallurgists, and metal smiths. General welders usually earn an hourly wage and can make up to $37,000 a year on average. Welders with specialty training can earn between $40,000 to $60,000 a year depending on the focus of their training and skill level. Welders can also find employment with the federal government, hospitals, and universities. These employers tend to offer a high hourly wage.

Welding is an important skill to many different industries. It is estimated that over 50% of the world’s gross national product in developed countries is associated with welded or bonded products. This ensures that this trade will continue to remain a vital and important technology. It can take up to two years to complete your welding education while certificate courses will not take as long to complete. The length of the certificate courses depends on the area of study. California has over 50 educational institutions that offer course work in welding. Earning a certificate, associate’s of science degree, or taking a workshop to hone your skills in this area will give you the skills necessary to succeed in this diverse industry.

Underwater welding is a richly rewarding career that offers many lucrative opportunities for those that are prepared to take the necessary steps. Global industry is currently experiencing a demand for qualified underwater welders for a large assortment of applications in fields ranging from shipping and pleasure marine craft production, construction, repair and maintenance, and custom fabrication. The demand, coupled with other factors, increases the expected salary for an under water welder with the proper certification. Underwater welding jobs are plentiful online and in industrial settings, but the right training is essential to a successful career.

Factors for the Demand in Qualified Underwater Welders

There are several major considerations that make underwater welders much sought after in the marine construction industry, including:

•    Cyclical Nature of Industry
•    Danger
•    Lack of Access to Training
•    Travel Requirements

Many aspects of the profession of welding, and more particularly underwater, are not appealing to the average person. The job is dirty, dangerous, and not always worth the salary. The industry of underwater welding is obscure, and most often the workforce has been referred by other welders or industry insiders. The fact that this industry is not glamorous in any way does not help to draw new interested graduates each year. Each of these factors works to put skilled welders with diving experience into high demand all over the world.

The fact that welding in general works with gases that are utilized for their capacity to burn at very hot temperatures makes the job dangerous. There is always the possibility of technician error or equipment malfunction that could lead to injury, or even death. This aspect of pushing the envelope is perfect for those people who cannot work a 9 to 5 desk job.

In addition to the risks associated with welding, underwater applications add another layer of danger to the process. Breathing apparatus must perform the way they are designed 100% of the time to ensure the diver/welder has oxygen below the surface. Due to the fact that underwater welding has such a high element of occupational danger, the number of workers is few and demand is higher than ever.

Oftentimes the job of an underwater welder is not a stationary one. Many companies do business all over the world, and when their operations are halted due to mechanical failures, it is crucial that underwater welders get to the location on the fly and quickly work to identify the problem. For some companies, every day in the dock is costing millions of dollars in loss as well as considerable interruption to the logistical chain. Underwater welders are often employed on an on-call status, ready to jet to any spot on the globe to make emergency or routine repair to some of the most magnificent machines of the modern age. The ability to get up and go ability is not commonly available and this further increases demand for trained professionals. The industry needs good welders with the underwater certification, they are willing to pay and offer handsome sign-on bonuses to savvy applicants.

The Process of Under Water Welder Certification

It is an opportune time to get a certification in under water welding, and the process is thorough but fast. Schools are available in most large cities throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. A good school will offer a straightforward approach to the fundamentals of each aspect of the trade: welding and diving. Focus will be applied on the gases used during the different welds such as TIG and MIG applications, techniques to maintain quality, and the basic math and blueprint skills necessary to understand the task.

What To Expect in Underwater Welding Classes

Classes are typically short for such a complicated and elaborate profession as under water welding. The majority of schools will offer inland and offshore training when possible and private courses or tanks. The purpose of these is to challenge students to be creative and apply critical thinking skills to diagnose and repair common occupation problems they are likely to encounter in the professional field. For students with money restrictions, financial aid is available from most states and governments to subsidize educational costs for qualified students. In five months, training as an underwater welder can be accomplished and graduates can enter the workforce as confident, and more importantly, competent, underwater welders.

With all the aspects of danger and mystery that surrounds the underwater welding industry, the trade is solely undermanned. Demand is high for welders that can work under extreme conditions in remote locations at a moment’s notice, and it is expected to remain that way for many years to come.  There have been many great institutions to begin offering the trade of underwater welding and have built elaborate training facilities where there is no access to a water supply. The entire business of underwater welding relies on the technician’s ability to understand the way a blueprint translates to an overall structure, then to locate and repair the cause of the malfunction.

photo of Underwater Welder courtesy of Official U.S. Navy Imagery. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jayme Pastoric/

Welding certification classes are performance based courses which provide participants with sought after welding skills. The welding skills are beneficial and vital to professional welders who wish to excel in the industry. The certification classes are available through a wealth of organizations including the American Welding Society.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the welding certification classes include comprehension of the standards, preliminary testing, and the ability to demonstrate welding abilities. The prospective participants contact an accredited test facility to complete the registration process. The accredited test facility provides participants with the required forms and a list of required documents.

The registration process begins with identification of the standards for certified welders. The standard for certified welders provides an overview of the scope and purpose of the standard to the class. The scope and purpose of the standard is the establishment of the welding skill level of each welder. The participants sign an application and statement that establishes their comprehension of the concepts.

The Welder Performance Qualification Sheet Metal Test

The prospective participant completes a preliminary performance qualification test to establish their existing welding skills. The preliminary performance qualification test to weld sheet metal based on the required specifications of the individual certification course. The facilitator instructs the participant to apply his or her welding skills to predetermined galvanized steel sheet tests. The tests establish the abilities of the welder to apply welding concepts steel sheets of varying size and thickness.

The facilitator examines and inspects the welds created by the prospective participant. The facilitator provides a score based on the quality and compliance of the welds based on the welding standards. The participants who pass receive admission into the certified welding certification course.

The Chemical Plant and Petroleum Refinery Piping Test

The piping test requires the participant to demonstrate his or her abilities in pipe welding. The test requires the participant to perform a series of piping tasks. The participant utilizes his or her abilities to construct pipe coupons, a fit-up assembly, and a weld positioning. The participant performs repositioning tasks utilizing the pipes used in previous tasks. The facilitator tests also the ability of the participant to utilize power tools.

The Welder Performance Qualification Test

The welder performance qualification tests gauge the participant’s knowledge of welding standards and codes. The participant performs a series of welds to establish his or her ability to perform according to the standards and codes. The participant demonstrates his or her abilities in fit-up welding, assembly control, and positioning. The facilitator performs an evaluation by utilizing a visual inspection, mechanical testing, and a radiographic examination.

Welding Certification Courses

The participants who pass the qualification tests attend the welding certification courses as directed. The participants receive notification from the accredited facility establishing the date and time of the welding certification courses. The address for the assigned facility appears within the notification. The participant attends the welding certification courses according to the provided schedule.

The assigned facilitator instructs the participants in standards and codes pertaining to certification requirements. The courses cover advanced welding skills and concepts needed to pass the welding certification examination. The facilitator conducts tests, during the courses to ensure the mastery of each welding concept by participants.

The participants receive a certificate indicating their completion of the training courses upon completion. The certificate provides the required documentation needed for the welding certification examination. The registrar schedules the certification examination based on availability. The participants receive a certificate indicating the welding certification upon passing the exam. The testing facility provides participants with renewal information for the welding certification.

 

If you are interested in a blue-collar career, you might want to learn a few things on how to become a welder. This is an apprentice program which accepts candidates with high school diplomas or even completion of tenth grade. Most programs prefer candidates with GED qualification. However, the most important requirement is a demonstration of manual dexterity, good physical health, and analytical and technical skills to work with a computer and welding machines.

Job Description

A welder is a professional skilled in joining, fabricating, and repairing metal, plastic, and other materials that can be welded together. The job might also involve interpretation of blueprints, diagrams, and specifications of particular projects to determine the most appropriate welding process. Skilled welders have the ability to use robots and computers to perform intricate welding procedures. Welders work in a variety of industries from ship building, motor vehicle repairs, sheet-metal manufacturing plants, steel mills, highway departments, and in personally owned workshops among others.

Educational Requirements

The American Welding Society (AWS) is responsible for certifying training and testing facilities for welders. As mentioned before, the basic entry requirement is either a high school certificate or at the very least completion of tenth grade. The training lasts for a period of between six months to one year before a student can take a test. Normally a welding supervisor will determine when one is ready to take the first test. There are different types of tests that certify one to practice the trade under the industry standards. You can contact AWS offices to find a certified training center in or near your residence. It is however important to note that not all facilities providing this form of training are certified by AWS. You’ll need to find a recognized training and testing facility in order to achieve AWS welder certification.

Certification alone does not make you a better welder. The most skilled welders have learned the trade through apprenticeship. In fact most businesses prefer candidates with apprenticeship training even after they have earned the required certification. Having apprenticeship training provides valuable experience just as keeping updated in the current trends in the industry is necessary. A good welder will also have a working relationship with more experienced welders in order to have a better understanding of the trade.

Additional Training And Certification

Basically, the opportunities to get a full time job and earn more will largely depend on the level of your skills and experience on the job. You will need to remain certified and continue to use your knowledge in this field on an ongoing basis. Should you take a break from the profession for a long time, you may be required to retake a particular specialist test. Normally a welder has to maintain his or her certification by paying a certain fee every six months. Having multiple welder certifications provide a number of high paying opportunities but is also more expensive than having one or two certifications.

Fortunately, most companies provide opportunities for employed welders to attend seminars and workshops in and out of town. The seminars may take from a few days to a week but the company pays all the expenses. The seminars are quite beneficial to your career as they earn you more certification after completion giving you a higher status in the industry with a higher salary and benefits.

Salary For Welders And Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the pay rates for welders vary depending on location of work and the level of skills, certification, and experience. The median hourly wage for welders and other metal and plastic machine workers by May 2010 was $15.34 per hour. There is an expected increase in job opportunities for welders due to increased construction activities and technological innovations.

The amount of electricity any given dynamo can generate depends, generally speaking, on two factors, i. e.,

(1) the power of the water wheel, or other mechanical engine that turns the armature
(2) the size (carrying capacity) of the wires on this drum.

Strength, of electricity, is measured in amperes. An ampere of electricity is the unit of the rate of flow and may be likened to a gallon of water per minute. The number of gallons or cubic feet of water alone does not determine the amount of power. We find that the number of gallons or cubic feet multiplied by the distance in feet it falls in a given time, is the determining factor pounds (quantity) multiplied by feet per second (velocity). The same is true in figuring the power of electricity. We multiply the amperes by the number of electric impulses that are created in the wire in the course of one second. The unit of velocity, or pressure of the electric current is called a volt.

Voltage

Voltage is the pressure which causes electricity to flow. A volt may be likened to the velocity in feet per second of water in falling past a certain point. If you think a moment you will see that this has nothing to do with quantity. A pin-hole stream of water under 40 pounds pressure has the same velocity as water coming from a nozzle as big as a barrel, under the same pressure. So with electricity under the pressure of one volt or one hundred volts.

One volt is said to consist of a succession of impulses caused by one wire cutting 100,000,000 lines of magnetic force in one second. Thus, if the strength of a magnet consisted of one line of force, to create the pressure of one volt we would have to “cut” that line of force 100,000,000 times a second, with one wire; or 100,000 times a second with one thousand wires. Or, if a magnet could be made with 100,000,000 lines of force, a single wire cutting those lines once in a second would create one volt pressure.

In actual practice, field magnets of dynamos are worked at densities up to and over 100,000 lines of force to the square inch, and armatures contain several hundred conductors to “cut” these magnetic lines. The voltage then depends on the speed at which the armature is driven. In machines for isolated plants, it will be found that the speed varies from 400 revolutions per minute, to 1,800, according to the design of dynamo used.

Watts

Multiplying amperes (strength) by volts (pressure), gives us watts (power). Seven hundred and forty-six watts of electrical energy is equal to one horsepower of mechanical energy will do the same work. Thus an electric current under a pressure of 100 volts, and a density of 7.46 amperes, is one horsepower, as is 74.6 amperes, at 10 volts pressure; or 746 amperes at one volt pressure.

For convenience (as a watt is a small quantity) electricity is measured in kilowatts, or 1,000 watts. Since 746 watts is one horsepower, 1,000 watts or one kilowatt is 1.34 horsepower. The work of such a current for one hour is called a kilowatt-hour.

Now as to how electricity may be controlled, so that a dynamo will not burn itself up when it begins to generate.

Again we come back to the analogy of water. The amount of water that passes through a pipe in any given time, depends on the size
of the pipe, if the pressure is maintained uniform. In other words the resistance of the pipe to the flow of water determines the amount. If the pipe be the size of a pinhole, a very small amount of water will escape. If the pipe is as big around as a barrel, a large amount will force its way through.

So with electricity. Resistance, introduced in the electric circuit, controls the amount of current that flows. A wire as fine as a hair will permit only a small quantity to pass, under a given pressure. A wire as big as one’s thumb will permit a correspondingly greater quantity to pass, the pressure remaining the same. The unit of electrical resistance is called the ohm named after a man, as are all electrical units.