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Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding field

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:41 pm
by tigwelder302
I'm a new member to the forums I want some advice I'm just coming out of a tech school I have one week of pipe welding class left then I'm going out to find a job I live in South Carolina and their is a company I would be very interested in they go by the name of Carolina Energy Solutions and 95 percent of their work is field pipe welding nuclear work but they also do orbital welding in house on some parts then ship them out I don't have the 7018 stick welding skill and job experience yet to do that I need advice on what to do before I go and trying for a test and what experience does anybody have in the nuclear pipe welding field feel free to comment let me know anything that u think will help

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 4:08 pm
by Alexa
TW302.

At the welding school, did you get any tig orbital experience?

Alexa

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 6:02 pm
by tigwelder302
no they offered a course on it I didn't take it but when I go work for Carolina Energy they said they would train me on it if I wanted to get into that instead of just doing tig/stick pipe welding

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 6:58 pm
by Otto Nobedder
tigwelder302,

This recently appeared from Fluor (formerly Fluor-Daniels). It is advanced training, and let a buddy of mine into the nuclear field (though years ago). Thought it worth sharing.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT, and if it's like the old days, you don't need the job experience if you have the classroom credentials.

(This was posted to the IPR forum on 5/17.)



Requisition Number 55342BR
Req # / CWS # 0000
Job Abbreviation Title Pipe Welder Training School
Job Description Fluor has immediate training opportunities in our award winning pre-employment welder training program in Greenville, South Carolina. This program is for experienced welders who are actively welding and need additional skills to advance to the next level or wish to brush up their existing skills. Duration of training ranges from a few days to several weeks, based on the trainee’s needs. Cost: $6.00 per day.

The preferred welder for these programs should be highly motivated to learn, have a good work ethic, possess experience ranging from intermediate knowledge to advanced skills, and be willing to travel. Students can enter the program at anytime; however, class size is limited to available space. Submit a candidate profile now and then give us a call at 888-782-3363 (prompt 5) to speak with an instructor!

Requirements:
Must be an experienced welder capable of welding 1-1-A-2 SMAW Structural or Carbon Steel in accordance with AWS D1.1.

Chemical screening required.

Participation in any Fluor training does not in any way guarantee employment, advancement, or promotional opportunities with Fluor.

Fluor values the contributions of a diverse and inclusive workforce and is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Site Location - City Greenville
Other Job Requirements Submit a candidate profile now and then give us a call at 888-782-3363 (prompt 5) to speak with an instructor!
Base Pay None
Per Diem None

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 7:21 pm
by tigwelder302
yeah well I have my own welder and the only thing I need to work on to really get in to Carolina energy is my stick im having a just a little undercut when u come up from the overhead to vertical on 5g and 6g if I can get that down I'll be good I don't know if anybody knows this but their paying big money 29 to 37 a hour for pipe welders but the they have to pass a written safety test, written welding test, a pipe fitting test, and two 2 inch carbon steel pipe test one tig all the way out the other tig root 7018 all the way out that's what required for the pipe welder job they also have 6 inch sch 80 limited space test one 5g one 2g it hard I saw it its a metal box u have to weld with a mirrior on the floor pretty much and even if I or someone else goin in didnt pass all the test but they have a good attitude and pass the safety test they said they would put me on as a welder helper makin 20 to 23 a hour so its good money both ways

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:33 pm
by Otto Nobedder
If you have the answers, Why'd you ask the question?

Nukes don't hire rigs for the big money, just for the ancillary piping.

29-37 is "starting wage" for the real money work.

Hope you make a ton, your first year with that "welding school diploma".

You're about to learn just how much you don't know, yet.

Steve S

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:38 pm
by Otto Nobedder
Welding school teaches you how to weld. Nothing more. It does not teach you how to work on a welding job.

You'll understand what I mean in about six months or so.

Steve S

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:46 pm
by Otto Nobedder
Honestly,

I don't mean to sound harsh. Four welders laid off from NASA at the Michoud facility came to my job. Three couldn't do it.

In each case, you must adapt to the job.

Steve S.

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 10:40 am
by tigwelder302
I know theirs a difference and I know I'm not really ready for it straight out that why I'm going to get a year of just local tig or stick at a job learn all that I can from that and everything about what I'm trying to get into then when I think I'm ready I'll try not before IF this isn't for what can I go into cause I have really good tig welding not trying to brag or anything but I can weld on carbon steel the thickness of a fingernail all the way up to 1 inch carbon steel plate pipe stainless aluminum u name it I can pretty much weld it with tig

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 3:05 pm
by Otto Nobedder
I was on my sixth beer when I wrote my previous comments. I hope I didn't sound the way it looks when I re-read it... but I'm afraid it may have. If so, I'm sorry.

Usually, a first job from school doesn't pay all that well... They're taking advantage of the fact you have no history on your resume'. I'd suggest not taking the "first job out of the gate", so much as finding something interesting. A job that will hold your interest will make up for the relatively low pay a first-year welder usually gets stuck with. It should also, as you mentioned, be helpful to the career path you want to take.

Have a glimpse at this thread... It's cryogenic work, and good resume' building toward your ultimate goal:

http://forum.weldingtipsandtricks.com/v ... f=9&t=2162

There's a ton of work out there for a quality TIG welder.

Indeed.com is one of the better job boards for welding work, as it allows many variables for location and keywords.

What region of the country are you in? I assume you're in the U.S.

Steve S

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 4:30 pm
by tigwelder302
oh don't worry bout the comments before I'm not easily offened and South Carolina right below NC state line

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 4:58 pm
by Otto Nobedder
Ah...

Near Georgetown, then? Did a shutdown at Santee Cooper Wynyah station. Horrible job. Or farther from the coast?

I'll check the boards, and see if I can recommend something near you. Don't hold your breath, though... ;)

Steve S

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:21 am
by jwmacawful
tigwelder302 wrote:yeah well I have my own welder and the only thing I need to work on to really get in to Carolina energy is my stick im having a just a little undercut when u come up from the overhead to vertical on 5g and 6g if I can get that down I'll be good I don't know if anybody knows this but their paying big money 29 to 37 a hour for pipe welders but the they have to pass a written safety test, written welding test, a pipe fitting test, and two 2 inch carbon steel pipe test one tig all the way out the other tig root 7018 all the way out that's what required for the pipe welder job they also have 6 inch sch 80 limited space test one 5g one 2g it hard I saw it its a metal box u have to weld with a mirrior on the floor pretty much and even if I or someone else goin in didnt pass all the test but they have a good attitude and pass the safety test they said they would put me on as a welder helper makin 20 to 23 a hour so its good money both ways
i wish you lots of luck in what ever welding field you're going into but 29-37 dollars an hour is not what i would call big bucks.

Re: Advice for someone goin into the nuclear pipe welding fi

Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 11:23 am
by tigwelder302
well its more along the lines of getting into it if im not cut out for im pretty sure I could do structural stick or tig on anything and still make good money or decent money but idk ill settle for anything now that buys me pipe to practice on