Gents,
I'm from the US originally, so my skin color could be anything, and my CWI and SCWI tests were taken in the US. I spent significant time in South Korea and am very familiar with the AWS CWI testing that is performed there. The test is the exact same one as is given in the US. In my opinion that makes it a more difficult test than is given in the US, as by definition most (if not all) of the test takers in South Korea will not be native born English speakers.
Mankenberg
By 803056 
Date 07-02-2009 05:18
Edited 07-02-2009 05:20
I agree Shane, this is not the place for conversations about nationalities, personal hygiene, or like subjects.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, regardless of the profession; welding inspectors, engineers, doctors, or Authorized Inspectors, there are a few great ones, a few good ones, and some that would lead you to believe they obtained their credentials from a box of popcorn.
We can all recite horror stories of situations that were downright scary; UT techs scanning welds without calibrating the machine, performing MT with the legs of the yoke barely in contact with the work piece, PT performed by flushing the excess penetrant from the test surface with a spray of solvent/cleaner, RT without IQIs, and the list goes on. Hopefully, these are infrequent occurrences and hopefully there is someone present that knows the techniques being employed are bogus and bring them to a halt. One of the goals of the CWI program is to make the CWI aware of what steps are required to preform various NDT methods (not to perform them) so they can recognize when the test method is being performed incorrectly.
It is unfortunate that we tend to remember the few idiots we encounter and quickly forget those individuals that are doing their jobs reliably and consistently. We remember the grocery bagger that place the loaf of bread on the bottom of the bag and the gallon of milk on top of the bread, but we never remember the individual that took pains to place all the baked goods in one bag and the frozen items in another bag.
As someone that teaches courses that prepare folks for the CWI examinations, I meet some individuals that are well prepared before they arrive for the seminar and a few that have never seen a code book and have very little (if any) background in welding or inspection. I had one class that included two ex-security people (fresh from Iraq) that were out of jobs and were looking for an easy way to make a living. Do I need to say they were rudely surprised at the breadth of knowledge and work (study) required to become a CWI? Are all those individuals that sit through one of the CWI classes going to pass the examination? No, it's usually clear to the instructor by the second day who will pass easily and who will struggle. I've had many letters telling me my class was the greatest they ever attended (clearly they haven't been to many seminars) and a few survey/letters saying that were very unhappy because they were only interested in what was on the exam to the point they demanded a list of the questions on the examination. Needless to say, they were less than satisfied with my responses to their demands. It is the few that demand to know just what is on the examination that have me concerned, because if they pass, they will be our future problem children. Their attitude tells all.
Many of the comments I've read are valid and reasonable, but no where is it written that a CWI is an expert in the science of welding or inspection. As it turns out, the CWI is often the one individual that has the best understanding of welding in the company, but still their qualifications and certifications are limited to visual welding inspection. The CWI certification doesn't qualify them as welding experts, nor painting/coatings specialists, nor NDT technicians. Humans, being the what they are, sometimes overstep their abilities or they are sometimes thrust into positions for which they are ill prepared. I still believe the majority of the CWI I know are well worth their wages when they are allowed to do their jobs (without management interference).
As for Joe's statement about being asked to take various exams without forewarning, believe me, he's telling you the way it is. The last time I challenged the degree of difficulty of the exam questions I was promptly given the opportunity to sit and take the examinations. Are the programs perfect or are the tests perfect? Probably not, but I believe they do a good job of determining if the individual has a basic understanding of the subject and the degree of difficulty is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the CWI/SCWI. I also recognize that for many individuals, passing the CWI is the first step to a new career for themselves and a better way of life for their families. I know the difficulty of the work and effort that goes into developing test questions and I respect the individuals that volunteer their time and effort to develop the programs offered by AWS, ASNT, etc.
Best regards - Al
It's quite obvious to all of us except yourself, that you cannot help acting like a JERK in here...
