Welders' Work-Travel Opportunities: Exploring Mobile Welding Careers

Welding is a career that offers a lot of variety in terms of industries and locations. For those who want to travel and work, becoming a travelling welder can be a great option. Travelling welders, also known as road warriors or mobile welders, are welders who travel to different locations to work on projects. They can be permanent or temporary, and often work in industries such as pipeline repair, shipbuilding, and military support. Travelling welders may need to undergo additional training, such as underwater welding or extreme weather preparedness, depending on the specific requirements of their employer. This career path offers the opportunity to see new places, gain diverse welding experience, and earn a competitive salary.

Welders can travel overseas for work

Welders can find work overseas, with some companies specifically hiring welders for their international locations. There are also independent contractors who can work for foreign welding companies or contractors.

How to find overseas welding jobs

Qualifications and experience

Welders need to meet the same qualifications and training requirements as they would in their home country. However, welders who work overseas may need to have more experience than native welders, as well as additional skills such as operating heavy machinery or using specialised equipment.

Certifications

It is important to have the right certifications and credentials. This may include joining a welding union, which can help welders find overseas job opportunities. Other organisations that send qualified welders overseas typically require certifications related to safety or skill specialisation.

Resume

Create a resume that showcases your skills and specialisations, as well as any certifications and training. Include specific keywords from job postings to increase the chance of your application getting past the initial screening stage.

Company

Consider working for a company that regularly sends its employees overseas. Research local and national companies by using online job boards, newspaper job postings, or looking into welding companies in your community.

Language and culture

If you know the specific country you want to work in, it may be beneficial to learn the local language and familiarise yourself with the culture and customs. This can make the transition smoother and improve your communication skills and confidence.

Benefits of being a welder overseas

Some of the benefits of working as a welder overseas include higher pay, increased demand for skilled welders, and the opportunity to work without a college degree. You also get to travel and explore new places, gain multicultural experiences, and learn new skills that may be useful when you return to your home country.

They can work in shipyards and on cruise ships

Welders can work in shipyards and on cruise ships. In shipyards, welders help to build and repair ships by welding various types of metal. They follow blueprints to ensure that the structure can withstand the pressure of the ocean. This can include working on small yachts or large cruise ships and aircraft carriers. The job may involve working in elevated areas, tight spaces, or even underwater, which often requires additional training and certification.

Shipyard welders may also specialise in a specific type of vessel and can work on docked vessels that need repairs. They interpret schematic drawings and follow safety regulations, using different welding processes such as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Their daily duties might include inspecting materials and structures, conducting ship component construction, repairing ship components, using cutting tools and torches, and monitoring the welding process to prevent overheating.

Working as a welder on a cruise ship is also an option, although it may be harder to come by. Welders on cruise ships typically perform emergency repairs and are often part of the engine room crew. They may be required to have a broader set of skills beyond just welding, such as engineering and machining. Working conditions on cruise ships can vary, with some crew members reporting poor living conditions and long hours. However, others have shared positive experiences, highlighting the amenities provided for staff and the opportunity to travel the world while working.

For those interested in pursuing a career as a shipyard welder, there are a few steps to follow. Firstly, it is essential to determine if shipyard welding is a good fit for your skills and interests. This includes assessing your comfort with manual labour, physical fitness, manual dexterity, and attention to detail. The next step is to acquire formal training, either through a trade or welding school, a community college, or an apprenticeship program. Employers often prefer applicants with formal schooling and previous experience in welding various types of metal. Finally, once you've completed your training, you can start pursuing entry-level welding positions and gain experience in the field.

They can work in the military

Military support welders are an essential part of the armed forces, working across various branches to maintain and repair vital equipment. This role provides a unique opportunity to serve one's country while also gaining specialised skills in welding and metalworking.

Army Welders

In the US Army, welders are classified as Allied Trade Specialists or 91E, a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code. To become an Army welder, one must meet basic education requirements, such as a high school diploma, and pass the ASVAB test, specifically scoring a minimum of 98 on the General Maintenance (GM) section. After enlisting, individuals undergo 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training, followed by 13 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Lee, Virginia, where they learn welding and machining skills.

Army welders work in repair shops and in combat, repairing and maintaining a range of equipment, from vehicles and weapons to ships and submarines. They may also be responsible for fabricating custom metal parts and repairing structural components.

Navy Welders

The US Navy has three main rates for welding and metalworking: Hull Maintenance Technician (HT), Steelworker (SW), and Underwater Construction Team (UCT) Divers. HTs are the ship's handymen, responsible for metalwork and various other tasks to keep the ship in good condition. SWs, or Seabees, fabricate structural steel and sheet metal, often in challenging environments. UCT Divers undergo specialised training to perform underwater welding, a highly skilled task.

Air Force Welders

In the US Air Force, Aircraft Metals Technology (A2A7X1) is the AFSC that performs the most welding. They repair and create aircraft parts, working with metals like aluminium, titanium, and stainless steel. Air Force welders undergo 8.5 weeks of basic military training, followed by 67 days of technical school training.

Marine Corps Welders

The US Marine Corps, the smallest branch, includes Metal Worker (1316) as their primary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) for welding and metalworking. Recruits must score 95 or higher on the Mechanical Maintenance portion of the ASVAB test to qualify. Marine welders are trained in various welding processes and must be prepared to apply their skills wherever needed, including repairing armour plating on combat vehicles.

Coast Guard Welders

For dry dock repairs, the US Coast Guard typically outsources to civilian contractors. At sea, the Damage Controlman (DC) takes on welding and fabrication tasks, along with other duties like firefighting and flood control. DCs attend a 15-week course in Yorktown, Virginia, where they learn oxy/fuel cutting, brazing, plasma cutting, and SMAW welding.

Benefits of Military Welding

Joining the military as a welder offers several advantages, including the opportunity to serve one's country, gain specialised skills, and travel to unique places around the world. Military welders also experience a variety of work, from shop-based repairs to field maintenance, ensuring no two days are the same. Additionally, military welders can take pride in the crucial role they play in supporting their country's defence and security.

They can work in NASCAR

Welding is a career that can offer many opportunities for travel, and one such opportunity is working in NASCAR.

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is the perfect place for welders to put their skills to use, especially TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welders. TIG welding is a common process used on stainless steel and non-ferrous metals like copper, aluminium, and magnesium. This method is ideal for thin metal sections, allowing welders greater control and resulting in stronger, higher-quality welds.

NASCAR racecars require hundreds of welds that must be both strong and lightweight. The body needs to be robust enough to protect the driver without slowing down the vehicle. TIG welding is the preferred method for these racecars as it allows welders to work with precision on thin metal. The chassis, spoilers, seat brackets, and rear-end housings are all welded, and the majority of welds involve intersecting tubes that form the frame and the roll cage. These welds are critical for driver safety, withstanding impacts at speeds over 200 mph.

It takes a team of welders about 950 man-hours to fabricate a single NASCAR vehicle. The fabrication shop's workers often end up welding, and some may even be part of the pit crew. Daniel Smith, a welder at Stewart-Haas Racing, works in the shop during the week and as a rear tire changer on the track on Sundays. He understands the importance of his work, stating that his welds "have to look nice and be clean and sound" to ensure the safety and performance of the vehicle.

The NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina, offers a Welding Technology Training program to train students in welding. The 36-week program provides hands-on experience, introducing students to tools like welding booths and virtual reality simulators. This training prepares students for various fields, including automotive maintenance, railroad track repair, and construction.

So, for welders who want to combine their skills with a passion for NASCAR, there are indeed opportunities to work in this exciting industry.

They can work in pipeline installation

Welders can definitely travel and work, and one of the most common jobs for welders who want to travel is pipeline installation and repair. Pipeline welders are responsible for installing and repairing pipes that transport substances such as water, chemicals, oil, gas, steam, and sewage. This work is done in a variety of environments, from mountains to deserts to underwater, and often in harsh and unpredictable conditions.

Pipeline welders need to be able to choose the appropriate materials, transport them to the job site, and use different welding methods to assemble pipes. They may also need to cut or reshape pipe sections, construct supports for pipes, and maintain their welding equipment. This job requires a range of skills, including physical stamina, detail orientation, problem-solving abilities, machine-operation skills, effective communication, and customer service.

To become a pipeline welder, you will typically need a high school diploma or GED, complete an apprenticeship, and get certified in pipeline welding. The work is challenging and often involves travel to remote locations, but it can be very rewarding, both financially and personally. Pipeline welders are highly respected in the welding industry and are known for their skill and dedication.

If you are interested in becoming a pipeline welder, you can enrol in a welding school or program to gain the necessary skills and knowledge. These programs often include hands-on training and can help you prepare for the certification exams. With the right combination of education, training, and experience, you can build a successful and fulfilling career as a travelling pipeline welder.

Frequently asked questions