Anthony, I see you are from the western slope of CO.  I worked in Parachute, lived in Rifle, while working (Daniels International) on the Union Oil shale oil retort project back in early 80's and broke out from pipe welding to inspection field at that time.

Not many big towns on your side of the slope so the only advice I can give you is to seek inspection work for a large company in a larger city.

Congratulations on your CWI cert. Yep, now comes the hard part, getting a job/experience. You might have to back down on the pay scale and look into shops (like the one you were/are in) or being a NDE Tech for someone like Acuren.
Being "under the Hood" has little relevance to QC work. It gives one insight, but even the requirements for CWI do not state welding as being necessary prior to taking the exam. If you don't know the basic MicroSoft Office software already, learn all you can working with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Since you don't live in Houston, Milwaukee or other huge industrial town, are you willing to move to facilitate your new career choice? Or, are you willing to come over to "the sand box" and play with us here. They are looking for 16 CWI's, and it doesn't look like there are enough applicants yet. PM me if you are interested in coming to Afghanistan. Fairly sure that even a green CWI has a chance to break out in this arena. I don't hire but can maybe help prepare you for the interview.

Either way, don't let lack of responses deter your quest. When I am between projects, I typically send out maybe 10 CVs a day. If I am lucky, perhaps 2 responses a week and many of those are "dear John Letters". Or, "well keep your Resume on file", which of course means your not getting an offer.
Keep searching, don't give up, don't pass up on an opportunity. Even an undesirable QC job is a resume builder.

Thank you very much for all of the insight. I am trying to get in with all the big companies out in Colorado, willing to take a pay cut to gain some experience. Wife is about to have a baby soon so not looking to move if I don't have too.

Thanks for your time,
Antony

Donna

With that much experience welding bridges, you may be acceptable to the DOTs as a third party inspector.  Your QC inspection experience might be enough to sway them, though they usually are looking for three years QC or QA experience.

TPI QA inspection work is considerably different than "in house" QC inspection work, and most of it requires extensive and moderate to long term travel away from home.  You may have to learn how to write adequate reports.

On the internet there is "inspectionjobs.com",which has extensive lists of job opennings.

Try Pennoni Associates, King of Prussia PA.  1-610-277-2402, and ask for Dan DeMaria.

Joe Kane