The apprenticeship program for welding at Dilling Group, Inc. builds upon the fundamental welding skills taught in the pipefitting curriculum.

Maintaining accreditations of the “U” and “PP” Stamps issued by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), as well as the “R” Stamp issued by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI), requires additional training and the competency that results. This is accomplished by a welding apprenticeship program that targets specific welding procedures and certifications.

Specific certifications for individual diameters, wall thickness, and metallic alloys for different kinds of pipe are accomplished through teaching of classroom theory, and hands-on laboratory methods. Repetitive practice in order to master uniform welds that meet or exceed certification requirements is required in order to attain certification for specific welding procedures for different material alloys. Test coupons and pipe are destructively tested to document specific certification standards. Only when the apprentice can repeatedly produce specimens that pass, are they granted certification for that specific combination of pipe diameter, wall thickness and alloy, as well as for the welding technique used to join metal pipe and fittings. This mastery is necessary to meet quality assurance and control standards.

Some journeyman welders are certified for ten or more specific combinations of pipe diameter, wall thickness, alloy and welding technique. Please see “Expanded Welding Procedures and Certifications” for a comprehensive list of ASME certifications.