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Are You Really Ready to

Take a CWI Seminar?


2 days ago

Source: AWS Learning


CWI seminars are popular these days. Whether it’s the one-week, intensive seminar
hosted by the American Welding Society (AWS), or one of several programs offered by
commercial organizations, seats fill up with individuals eager to take the next step in
their welding and fabrication careers. But who is a CWI seminar for? Is it for welders
who are exploring the possibility of becoming welding inspectors? Is it for engineers
who want to gain a better understanding of how their procedures and designs are
applied and evaluated?
No. CWI seminars are actually designed for individuals who already have the
knowledge and skills to be a welding inspector. Without prior knowledge or
experience, even the greatest welder, engineer, or robot tech cannot learn everything
they need to know about weld inspection in a one or two-week course—no matter how
intensive.
This misunderstanding about the nature and purpose of CWI seminars probably stems
from a lack of appreciation for the wide breadth of knowledge required of a welding
inspector. Among other things, welding inspectors (and therefore CWI test-takers) need
to be familiar with:

 the principles and application of the most common welding processes


 the interpretation of technical drawings and welding symbols
 WPSs, PQRs, contracts, and all the other documents that contractors, engineers,
welders, and inspectors use to communicate vital information
 the heat control and metallurgy of low alloy and carbon steels
 the most common nondestructive testing methods and visual inspection tools
 the principles of destructive testing; welder qualification
 how to use a welding code and inspection tools to assess a weld’s suitability for
service
As we’ve already surmised, a CWI instructor cannot possibly teach this large body of
knowledge and skills, even if their seminar ran for a month or more. Rather, CWI
seminars are designed to help prospective CWIs review the CWI Body of
Knowledge and familiarize themselves with the specific demands of the CWI
Exam. The CWI exam is rigorous because it is designed to assess whether a person
truly has the knowledge, skills, and experience to inspect welds on the buildings,
bridges, cars, planes, gas pipes, etc., that our friends and family use every day.
About now, you may be asking, “If CWI seminars are meant for people who already
have the knowledge and skills to be a welding inspector, where do I get the knowledge
and skills in the first place?” We are glad you asked! Here is a list of steps that you can
take to begin acquiring the knowledge and skills you need to take advantage of a CWI
seminar and sit for the AWS CWI Exam:

 Visit the Welding Inspector Career Pathway webpage for a comprehensive


overview of the knowledge, skills, and steps required to become a CWI.
 See our three-part blog series for helpful hints on How to Prepare for the CWI
Exam.
 Check out the AWS Certified Welding Inspector Certification webpage. In the
documents section of this page you can download free copies of QC1 – Standard
for the AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors, B5.1 – Specification for the
Qualification of Welding Inspectors, and the CWI Body of Knowledge. These
documents outline the rules, regulations, and structure of the CWI exam.
 Check out online resources like ESAB University, NDT Resources, AWS online
courses, and AWS blogs.
 Read publications, like the Welding Handbook and Inspection Trends that explain
the science and application of welding processes and weld test methods.
 Borrow or purchase a copy of the D1.1, API 1104, or D17.1 codes and view
an AWS online code clinicto learn how to navigate it.
 Shadow a welding inspector on the job.
 Spend some time in a weld test lab and learn about what they do there, perhaps
even help out.
 Become an AWS member to receive discounts on all AWS products, receive a
monthly copy of the Welding Journal, and join discussions about getting started in
welding inspection on the AWS Member Forum.
The 8-week Online CWI Seminar allows
participants to meet with a an AWS instructor twice per week and do all of their studying
at a more relaxed pace without ever leaving home. Register now to receive all of your
study materials before classes begin on Oct. 3rd.
When you are really ready to sign up for a CWI seminar, visit the AWS Certified
Welding Inspector Seminar webpage for a convenient time and location. If you are
ready to attend a CWI Seminar right now, we encourage you to check out the AWS 8-
week Online CWI Seminar. It’s a new program that combines the advantages of live
instruction with the convenience of online learning. It’s completely home-based so you
won’t have to spend time away from work or family.
However, it features real-time, web-based sessions with an AWS instructor so you can
interact with a teacher in real-time. Moreover, all study materials (books, practice tests,
and inspection tools) are delivered directly to your home shortly after you register. Yes.
Unlike most seminars, you’ll finally have plenty of time to read the course
materials before class starts.
We would wish you good luck, but it’s really all about preparation, so happy
researching, studying, and training!

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