Pipewelder, Jon
First of all, I want to thank you for a thoughtful post. I usually see shrill anti AWS rants on this subject.
The ASME has just instituted their Bolting Certification. It is for flanges, miscellaneous mechanical. ASME almost did it through the AWS Structural Inspector Subcommittee, but when they visited AWS Headquarters, they were rather ungraciously received by AWS Staff. They could not be given the time their interest merited by my Subcommittee, because we had our agenda to cover. However they were well received by the Structural Inspector Subcommittee. Just today I heard from the ASME Committee that there is a chance that ASME may still run some of their training and testing through some AWS ATFs.
National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) has the painting and coatings inspector certifications, as well as a host of other certifications, including metallurgical and welding engineering. In fact the NACE Certifications are really really really expensive. (If you get on the NACE E-Mail Forum, you will be amazed at the volume and depth of welding information.)
The Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) has other painting and inspector certifications.
API has all kinds of Certifications.
As you suggest, it is not going to stop. Why should it? The customers / End users, want to be sure they are not hiring shady tree mechanics.
As to your suggestion that a survey be performed, It is not in the CWIs best interest to ask them what they want. It is more important to ask the end users / consumers of the CWI Certification what they need in the CWIs that they hire or the testing labs that they hire. To that end, I made a motion a year ago that we ask the Board of Directors to fund a Third Party commercial survey. Later this month, we should have the results of that survey.
As to your Suggestion that an independent agency prepare test questions and issue endorsements to holders of the CWI Certification. That is an interesting idea, but I don't see the point, except to give a reciprocal certification based on some mutual recognition agreement between the different societies. The testing funds would not benefit either of the societies, unless there was a royalty agreement, (which would raise the cost further). Why do you begrudge the AWS or the other societies, making the money?
Joe Kane
Chairman, Structural Inspector Subcommittee.