A state-funded technical school, such as Santa Barbara City College or South Central Louisiana Technical College, may be the least expensive option for many people. [2] X Research source You may need to begin saving up some money if you don’t have the means to pay for your education and certifications at present.
Having a college degree is not necessary to work as an underwater welder, but it could help you stand out from other professionals once it comes time to start looking for a job. After taking care of your education requirements, securing employment will largely be a matter of racking up the relevant credentials and experience. [4] X Research source
Run a quick search online to find welding schools or training programs in your area. It may take 7-24 months to complete your welding training and certification, depending on the school or program you choose.
The more surface welding experience you have under your belt, the more likely you are to be considered for underwater jobs in the future.
Having drugs, alcohol, or an infectious illness in your system can be enough to temporarily disqualify you from receiving a commercial diver certification. In this case, you’ll need to retake the physical once you’re clear of the offending substance. If you exhibit symptoms of asthma, claustrophobia, severe motion sickness, collapsed lung, cardiac arrhythmia, or congestive heart failure, you may be denied certification permanently. [8] X Research source It’s recommended that you submit to a dive physical before going any further, even if the dive school you plan on attending doesn’t require one. You may discover that you have some type of limitation that won’t allow you to pursue a career as an underwater welder.
A few of the more notable commercial diving academies include the American National Standards Institute Association of Commercial Diving Educator (ANSI/ACDE), the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI), and Diver’s Academy International. Some commercial diving academies make it mandatory for applicants to pass a written entrance exam and a dive physical before they’re accepted into a specific program.
In addition to classroom curriculum, most programs will require you to clock a certain number of dive hours (usually 20-50) in order to be approved for certification. [10] X Research source Underwater welding schools tend to be located in cities bordering major bodies of water that have thriving fishing, transportation, and drilling industries. [11] X Research source
Coastal construction companies, engineering firms, shipbuilders, and underwater salvage teams are just a few of the contractors that work with underwater welders. [13] X Research source Research the policies and procedures unique to the underwater welding firm you want to work for and train to these specifications. This will enable you to perform at your peak level as a dive tender.
Some wet-welders also train extensively in underwater videography and still photography to document the progress of important projects. Qualifications for underwater welders can vary not only from company to company, but from one project to the next. [15] X Research source
