You're welcome to ask questions here. Lots of CWI and SCWI types here. I am leaning pretty heavily on the forum as I am always learning my way through this inspection experience.

While I agree with John, I also know where you are coming from.  The first guy I got linked up with was the best experience for me in actually applying my credetials to a job.  In a way, I wish that kind of 'apprenticeship' was mandatory.  Way too many of the people I see take and pass the exam are no where near ready to strike out on their own.  Like you say, just to be a shadow for a while and learn the fine points.

Don't know anyone right off the top of my head.  Hopefully someone will.

Have a Great Day,  Brent

Hi 68tank! 

I'm new too, as of July of '12.  There are a lot of really knowledgeable and swell guys here.  I ask some really strange questions and the guys are very cordial.  Like you, I'm trying to work for free under another CWI, a friend, locally.  He is almost 2 hours away and our schedules don't line up.  Don't know if it will happen, or not. 

Good luck!

Hook up with people by attending AWS section meetings!

Very good place to make professional contacts.

I would offer another suggestion....

Have you thought about investing in your future by taking a 'working vacation' and going to where someone else is and spending all your time learning for at least a couple of weeks.  I'll bet you would be surprised how much you could learn in a short time.  1-2 months may be better obviously but even a couple of weeks would get you off to a better start than totally guessing how many aspects of the job fit together.

Have a Great Day,  Brent

I have found this forum to be invaluable and I have found it to be a reliable source for advise and answers.

So far I have attended one section meeting before I attained my certification, and I talked briefly with a gentleman that had recently attained his Senior Weld Inspector cert. He gave me good advise for taking the exam. Most of the section meetings are a couple of hours away from me so I can't always make it. I think the my AWS section will be the best place to find what I am looking for.

In response to Brent's idea of a "work vacation" that is great idea that I hadn't considered. The problem for me is that I own another business so I can't be gone for two weeks working on one company when I am responsible to my business partner and our employee. However, I will see if this is something I can work out at some point even if only for a week.

Thanks for all the insight fellas.

Dane