Requirements
Welders serving the energy field services industry often work under hazardous conditions including intense heat and light as they deal with very hot materials. Of course, they wear safety glasses, hoods with protective lenses and other gear designed to prevent injuries to the eyes and burns. But the work still requires care as well as stamina and endurance.
Welders also often have to work outdoors during inclement weather, perhaps on a scaffold high above the ground. Plus, they may have to lift heavy objects and assume a variety of awkward positions such as bending, stooping, and stretching high to perform work over their heads. Good eyesight, excellent hand-eye coordination, and the ability to concentrate well on one task for hours at a time are all mandatory.
Industry wide, fifty percent of welders work a traditional 40 hour week, but it is common to get overtime. Some welders work in 12–hour shifts, still others are employed in plants that operate 24/7 making it necessary to work a particular shift. Being able to adapt to different schedules is a definite plus for a would-be welder.
During the course of the program and on the job, WEC Welding Institute students will be expected to work overtime—so be prepared to do so.
Also take note that you should be able to travel to work sites within state and out-of-state. These onsite assignments may be for extended periods—weeks or even months at a time. You will, however, enjoy a generous per-diem in such a case but these arrangements can still be hard on a man or woman with a family.
