Become a Qualified Welder & Get An Oil Rig Job

As the oil and gas industry expands and demand for skilled workers increases, getting training and certification as a qualified welder will greatly improve your chances of getting an oil rig job.

Welders are in demand everywhere and even though you’re likely to get tested before being employed, the right welding qualifications make the whole job process easier.  Since welding certification gained while working for a particular employer is often not transferrable, having your American Welding Society (AWS), or similar, certification will help you stand out from the crowd and far more employable.

When asked, most training institutions will tell you that there are far more job openings than they have graduates to fill them and the shortage is growing all the time.

Because there are over 100 different types of welding, a qualified welder needs to know what techniques to apply to the types of metals being used.  He/she needs to know about metal characteristics, special materials and how to interpret and apply welding specifications.

Since welders will be joining all sorts of metals, pipes used under pressure, sections of pipelines, structures, etc. as well as working in a variety of conditions, locations and facilities, the starting point for any welder is getting the right training and qualifications.

When thinking about the courses to take, you need to consider if they cover the use of all the basic tools, welding safety, metallurgy, use of the various types of welding machines and give you adequate practice sessions on each. You’ll also want to know if the courses go into sufficient depth on MMA-manual metal arc or SMAW-shielded metal arc welding as well as FCAW or FCA-flux-cored arc welding. You need that plus much more to get your AWS certification.

While some might say technology is squeezing the human welder out of employment, technology is actually providing more work because the automatic welding machines still need skilled operators, the welds still have to be checked, and the machines calibrated and repaired.  And, when was the last time you saw an automatic welding machine hanging from a harness welding a metal framework on a new oil rig platform out at sea?

Although often considered entry level jobs, welding experience and certification are usually required.  A roustabout job could be your entry point for an oil rig welding career but before looking for a welding vacancy, you have to be aware that the jobs are demanding, you’ll often be working long hours, in harsh and dangerous conditions, and you had better not be afraid of heights!  The starting pay ranges between $40,000 and $52,000, depending on your skill and experience, the company you’re working for, the available overtime and the location of the job.

Oil rig welding vacancies for an accredited welder can be land-based or offshore and in places such as Texas, North Dakota, Arizona, Alaska, Canada, Dubai, or the Arctic – basically anywhere the oil drilling industry needs someone to do the work of joining pieces of metal together.

The jobs are out there, now all you need is to get the welder training, certification and welding experience to make you the qualified welder every oil and gas company needs.