What are the best pipe welder qualifications and training to get ahead?

What is the best training for becoming a pipe welder? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective pipe welder?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

Start at the botton as a helper and make money while you learn and have an opportunity to learn from those who ar making a living at it, don't try to call yourself a welder, until the old farts call you one, learn one process at time,take jobs that may not be all that attractive but will teach new techniques, take advantage of any schooling and classes an employer may offer,(in the south thats rarely)and try to make every weld a little better than the last. I am probably the worst capper ever to make a living welding, but Im quick, and can go a very long time without a single repair, even in adverse conditions. I broke out welding at 20, and was in Brazil S.A. as a journeyman pipeliner. Since then, I have worked about every state I ever wanted to, and some I didn't, up to Alaska. But you can bet I didn't get there with false ego or by myself, I was able to pay attention,work and learn from some of the best in the world at the time.
I always hear comments concerning "Certification" and "Certified Welders". In my lifetime, (54yrs.) I didn't know there was any other kind! I have yet to go on a pipe job anywhere in the world that I didn't take a certification test before I was allowed to weld on a job! The one exception would be with the rig truck, and cert. papers from completed jobs that were given to you, or bought from a company that you recently tested for were shown as reference that you actually had passed a particular procedure. (Ususally right before they send you to a lab to test). I quit keeping them long ago. AWS certified means nothing on most of the jobs I am familiar with.
Non traditional paths of becomming a welder for one, is going to a "welding school"with no previous welding related construction experience hiring out on a pipe job, and actually being able to stay. A new welder that can do that is going to be one of the best IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. Most "welding schools"don't prepare you for laying on your back between boiler tubes. Or mirror wel

r51d in Highlands, Texas said: Start at the botton as a helper and make money while you learn and have an opportunity to learn from those who ar making a living at it, don't try to call yourself a welder, until the old farts call you one, learn one process at time,take jobs that may not be all that attractive but will teach new techniques, take advantage of any schooling and classes an employer may offer,(in the south thats rarely)and try to make every weld a little better than the last. I am probably the worst capper ever to make a living welding, but Im quick, and can go a very long time without a single repair, even in adverse conditions. I broke out welding at 20, and was in Brazil S.A. as a journeyman pipeliner. Since then, I have worked about every state I ever wanted to, and some I didn't, up to Alaska. But you can bet I didn't get there with false ego or by myself, I was able to pay attention,work and learn from some of the best in the world at the time.
I always hear comments concerning "Certification" and "Certified Welders". In my lifetime, (54yrs.) I didn't know there was any other kind! I have yet to go on a pipe job anywhere in the world that I didn't take a certification test before I was allowed to weld on a job! The one exception would be with the rig truck, and cert. papers from completed jobs that were given to you, or bought from a company that you recently tested for were shown as reference that you actually had passed a particular procedure. (Ususally right before they send you to a lab to test). I quit keeping them long ago. AWS certified means nothing on most of the jobs I am familiar with.
Non traditional paths of becomming a welder for one, is going to a "welding school"with no previous welding related construction experience hiring out on a pipe job, and actually being able to stay. A new welder that can do that is going to be one of the best IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. Most "welding school

Have to be able to weld at any position and be able to pass a xray test. All must be able to weld with 7018 and 6010 rod. really helps having your own welder, so can know what it will do at what settings. must also have certs. and experience in pipe welding.