4 answers
Ethan
Student
Tampa, Florida
2
Questions
Asked
992 views
How would I proceed to get into the underwater nuclear welding field?
I am currently enrolled into a job corp program and is currently working toward a high school diploma and a certificate for welding and after I finish that I would be going to advanced training for commercial diving and I would like to have any further advice on anything else I would have to do to get into the field. #career
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4 answers
M. Cristina Fernández
Career Advisor
15
Answers
North Andover, Massachusetts
Updated
M. Cristina’s Answer
Hi, Ethan!
Florida is definitely the place to live if you are looking for a career in underwater welding! That takes care of one major potential hurdle.
It is my understanding that Job Corps offers career advising services for graduates; before you finish up, it would be a good idea to speak to someone to figure out what your next steps are in your long-term career plan. Based on their experience with others in your field of choice, what are the necessary certification, licensure, and fieldwork expectations? They may be able to connect you to a person who is already working in underwater welding, and you can conduct an informational interview to get some invaluable tips and advice from someone who was once in your shoes.
Becoming a commercial diver seems like an excellent next step after obtaining your welding certificate. It would also be a good idea to take some time to gain experience as a welder on the surface. Since underwater welding, in general, is a very specific career choice, you will want to stand out as much as possible from other candidates, specifically the fellow new-graduates who don't have much by way of "real world" experience. Take welding projects whenever you can and really fine-tune your skills. You may end up getting hired down the road for more lucrative underwater welding positions after you become a commercial diver.
Don't be afraid to start small, when it comes to working. Dive tender positions are a great place to start, so you can start to gain some experience and build connections with people who can network with you to climb the career ladder into exactly the kinds of positions you want. Look into construction companies that do a lot of work offshore; they are always going to be looking for these entry-level sorts of jobs.
I hope some of that was helpful to you. Good luck! Underwater welding can be a lucrative career, but it is risky, and it may take some time for you to work your way into your dream job, but if you have the perseverance and the motivation to keep your skills sharp, you'll make it!
Speak to a career advisor or transition coach; conduct informational interviews with experienced underwater welders.
Gain experience as a welder on the surface.
Obtain commercial diving license.
Start off as a dive tender to gain skills on a small-scale, then work your way up the career ladder.
Network with credible people in the field to support you to find exactly the job you want, once you have enough real-world experience.
Florida is definitely the place to live if you are looking for a career in underwater welding! That takes care of one major potential hurdle.
It is my understanding that Job Corps offers career advising services for graduates; before you finish up, it would be a good idea to speak to someone to figure out what your next steps are in your long-term career plan. Based on their experience with others in your field of choice, what are the necessary certification, licensure, and fieldwork expectations? They may be able to connect you to a person who is already working in underwater welding, and you can conduct an informational interview to get some invaluable tips and advice from someone who was once in your shoes.
Becoming a commercial diver seems like an excellent next step after obtaining your welding certificate. It would also be a good idea to take some time to gain experience as a welder on the surface. Since underwater welding, in general, is a very specific career choice, you will want to stand out as much as possible from other candidates, specifically the fellow new-graduates who don't have much by way of "real world" experience. Take welding projects whenever you can and really fine-tune your skills. You may end up getting hired down the road for more lucrative underwater welding positions after you become a commercial diver.
Don't be afraid to start small, when it comes to working. Dive tender positions are a great place to start, so you can start to gain some experience and build connections with people who can network with you to climb the career ladder into exactly the kinds of positions you want. Look into construction companies that do a lot of work offshore; they are always going to be looking for these entry-level sorts of jobs.
I hope some of that was helpful to you. Good luck! Underwater welding can be a lucrative career, but it is risky, and it may take some time for you to work your way into your dream job, but if you have the perseverance and the motivation to keep your skills sharp, you'll make it!
M. Cristina recommends the following next steps:
Thank so much this really helpful information and I'll take it to heart and make it a part of my mission of getting my ultimate career.
Ethan
You're very welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful. Best of luck!
M. Cristina Fernández
Sam Bonner
consultant
4
Answers
Safety Harbor, Florida
Updated
Sam’s Answer
Your Free Underwater Welding Ebook Awaits, here is the link: https://waterwelders.com/underwater-welding-schools-us/
You can also check out this site which evaluates the top nine schools throughout the country. Many will certify you to operate throughout the world enabling you to travel wherever you care to work. Just copy and paste the address into your web browser and off you go. Good luck!
You can also check out this site which evaluates the top nine schools throughout the country. Many will certify you to operate throughout the world enabling you to travel wherever you care to work. Just copy and paste the address into your web browser and off you go. Good luck!
Drew Mitty
Software Sales
4
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Drew’s Answer
Honestly, I would look into the US Navy as a springboard to a career in underwater welding. Also , find out what the regulations and licenses you need to be certified and employable.
Chuck Intrieri
Business Consulting
22
Answers
San Luis Obispo, California
Updated
Chuck’s Answer
Hello Drew:
Taking the Plunge:
For most folks, taking that first dip in the ocean signals the coming of summer and all the great things that come with its arrival. Cookouts trips to the beach, vacations, and night skies peppered by bursts of fireworks. However, for a special breed of welder, a dip in the ocean represents the start of a workday, welding and cutting ship hulls, oil rigs, and pipelines beneath the ocean’s surface.
Underwater welders are truly remarkable in that their craft demands a high degree of skill in not only welding but diving as well. If this aquatic twist on conventional welding speaks to your sense of adventure, or if you’re simply curious as to what it takes, then join us as we dive deeper into the world of underwater welding.
Underwater Welder Venn DiagramHow do I get started as an Underwater Welder?
Picture a Venn diagram comprised of two large circles. One is labeled “Welder” and the other is labeled “Diver”. In the middle of this diagram is an area where these two circles overlap. In this proverbial sweet spot, you’ll find the welder-divers of the world. To become an underwater welder, you’ll have to be exceedingly proficient at not just one of these tasks, but both.
The majority of the work performed by underwater welders isn’t actually welding, but rather the preparation tasks that lead to actual welding activities. This means that in addition to being certified to weld to the AWS D3.6M Underwater Welding Code, an underwater welder must also be certified as a commercial diver.
The good news is that if you don’t quite fall into the middle of the Venn diagram, there are plenty of ways to get you there. If you’re already certified as a topside welder, there are several training facilities and commercial diving schools that can provide the training necessary to make the transition into underwater welding. Conversely, if you’re already a skilled diver, but don’t quite know your way around the workshop, you can look into basic welding training, and then take the steps to learn to weld to the specifications required for wet (underwater) and dry (hyperbaric/cofferdam) welding. In both cases, you can expect to begin as a diver tender, or what is essentially a diving apprentice. This phase of your career will allow you to develop the skills to weld in accordance to the AWS D3.6 Underwater Welding Code, which virtually all contractors will require.
I think I’ve got some of the basics. What are some other things I should know?
The most desirable underwater welder-divers are qualified to assist diving contractors in any number of pre-job tasks, including underwater cutting, fitting and rigging, inspection and non-destructive testing, drafting, and underwater photography. Formal training is recommended and maintaining qualifications is important. To make a long story short, the more well-versed you are in a wide-range of underwater welding processes, the better off you’ll be.
Navy Underwater Welder CROPPED
A Navy diver welds a repair patch on the submerged bow of an amphibious transport dock.
Okay, I’m now a world-class diver and a virtuoso welder…where can I find work and how much can I expect to make?
Underwater welding serves a wide range of industrial needs, and as such, the type of work you can find will depend on several variables. For example, projects such as offshore structure repair may be readily available during certain times of the year, when storms are more common, and not during others. A potentially uneven work schedule is often paired with geographic mobility. Most jobs are found in coastal areas, though not always the same ones. Those who prefer a highly structured work s
Investigate some of the facts in this suggestion and move on.
Taking the Plunge:
For most folks, taking that first dip in the ocean signals the coming of summer and all the great things that come with its arrival. Cookouts trips to the beach, vacations, and night skies peppered by bursts of fireworks. However, for a special breed of welder, a dip in the ocean represents the start of a workday, welding and cutting ship hulls, oil rigs, and pipelines beneath the ocean’s surface.
Underwater welders are truly remarkable in that their craft demands a high degree of skill in not only welding but diving as well. If this aquatic twist on conventional welding speaks to your sense of adventure, or if you’re simply curious as to what it takes, then join us as we dive deeper into the world of underwater welding.
Underwater Welder Venn DiagramHow do I get started as an Underwater Welder?
Picture a Venn diagram comprised of two large circles. One is labeled “Welder” and the other is labeled “Diver”. In the middle of this diagram is an area where these two circles overlap. In this proverbial sweet spot, you’ll find the welder-divers of the world. To become an underwater welder, you’ll have to be exceedingly proficient at not just one of these tasks, but both.
The majority of the work performed by underwater welders isn’t actually welding, but rather the preparation tasks that lead to actual welding activities. This means that in addition to being certified to weld to the AWS D3.6M Underwater Welding Code, an underwater welder must also be certified as a commercial diver.
The good news is that if you don’t quite fall into the middle of the Venn diagram, there are plenty of ways to get you there. If you’re already certified as a topside welder, there are several training facilities and commercial diving schools that can provide the training necessary to make the transition into underwater welding. Conversely, if you’re already a skilled diver, but don’t quite know your way around the workshop, you can look into basic welding training, and then take the steps to learn to weld to the specifications required for wet (underwater) and dry (hyperbaric/cofferdam) welding. In both cases, you can expect to begin as a diver tender, or what is essentially a diving apprentice. This phase of your career will allow you to develop the skills to weld in accordance to the AWS D3.6 Underwater Welding Code, which virtually all contractors will require.
I think I’ve got some of the basics. What are some other things I should know?
The most desirable underwater welder-divers are qualified to assist diving contractors in any number of pre-job tasks, including underwater cutting, fitting and rigging, inspection and non-destructive testing, drafting, and underwater photography. Formal training is recommended and maintaining qualifications is important. To make a long story short, the more well-versed you are in a wide-range of underwater welding processes, the better off you’ll be.
Navy Underwater Welder CROPPED
A Navy diver welds a repair patch on the submerged bow of an amphibious transport dock.
Okay, I’m now a world-class diver and a virtuoso welder…where can I find work and how much can I expect to make?
Underwater welding serves a wide range of industrial needs, and as such, the type of work you can find will depend on several variables. For example, projects such as offshore structure repair may be readily available during certain times of the year, when storms are more common, and not during others. A potentially uneven work schedule is often paired with geographic mobility. Most jobs are found in coastal areas, though not always the same ones. Those who prefer a highly structured work s
Chuck recommends the following next steps: