hogan,
Seems like you hit the sore spot that prompted me to get my CWI. Let me tell the story that started in Central Texas. I began my welding career in a pre-cast concrete company mostly stud welding, anchor plate welding and repair to the forms and concrete mixer and shoots got to see plenty of different outside inspectors ICC, ICA, AWS (only one of these). Left that and bought a used Lincoln weld-n-power 125 amp machine that fit nicely in the trunk of my Chevy. Monte Carlo. I supplemented that with this a mini torch set and eked by doing odd jobs as I pursued other interests. Then went in the milling and grain business found a niche being a seed processor for seed stock and of course some of us just can't stay away from welding so I caught myself doing welding repair and maintenance which lead to working on the mills grower's equipment then right into custom fabrication of some pretty crazy farmer invention/ideas to make their lives easier. As the mills in my area began to see financial trouble everyone who knew me was suggesting going professional, 'because I was well versed in welding because I bought every book I could find and afford. I thought this was good Idea so I took a few continuing Ed classes (which I really enjoyed) to get myself some paper for employers to look at. Went into welding aerial lifts (cherry pickers, scissor lifts, and man buckets) which lead to some new learning and experiences. All the same time enrolled into an Associate degree program for welding while building lifts at night shift.
Back to the subject, during the continuing ed classes I over-heard a conversation between a couple of CWIs about this pass or repeat free training program and on of the companies that sent there employees to the school for print reading made a comment that stuck. He said instant do or die train to the test that they give are hurting the AWS CWI program by send unknowledgeable dumbaXXes into the once respected field. (Kind of made me think of semi truck driver cracking on JB Hunt's driver training). So after I graduated I took the CWI test, Kind of to prove I knew my stuff to a coworker engineer and to make JB Hunt jokes at the test site, well I didn't see any of the (JB Hunt type) pass or repeat free Inspector trainees (those places do at there location). Shortly after family issues brought me to Indiana and it seemed that the CWI credential scared more employers than it helped me, good thing I hand the welding skill and experience to get me in once I started to omit the CWI from the applications. Finally, I got into the job I have now which I really enjoy, and actually asked for the CWI and paid for my ASNT ACCP II cert. Only it seems that this area has some messed up issues with what is deemed welding knowledge and quality, I meet 20 welder veterans that bet me pizzas that you can't weld vertical up MIG. Anyway- even though I don't make enough to keep the ends meeting, Training is quite enjoyable and rewarding, which lead to me getting the CWE with the hope that I'll make the difference. I still dream of the romantic welding lifestyles that I read of on this forum and catch myself wishful without knowing how to get there. Family restraints are the excuse I use when my hart is telling I should let my nut hang and chase the romance. Speaking of romance Read the Forward of the Jefferson Welding encyclopedia to that is R*O*M*A*N*T*I*C.
Sorry I'll turn it off now, hell I'm starting *itch like sourdough and run on like Stephan (know offence intended) just sharing how much like a family this forum is to me, See YA'll