By Marty Baker

Father and son participants in the Hobart Institute’s Preparation for the AWS CWI/CWE Welding Inspector/Educator Examination course at the same time are not a common occurrence.  So when Raymond Strum and his son, Barry, from West Virginia enrolled together, I wanted to learn more about their careers that seem to be running parallel.

Raymond Strum has been working with Boilermakers Local 154 for 38 years, having acquired his trade, in his words, “through the school of hard knocks.”  Barry has been with the same union for 10 years, including a four-year apprenticeship.

“I have seen Local 154 grow from 360 people in 1965 to a present number of 1800.  The amount of work has increased that much,” says Raymond.  “Approximately 75 percent of them are certified welders.”

Boilermakers Local 154 encompasses work primarily in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.  They install and repair boilers, furnaces, and water tanks, working with mild steel, stainless steel, and nickel alloys in high-pressure applications.  All welds must meet 100 percent x-ray inspection.  Much of their work is in power plants and some steel mills where Raymond and Barry often work side-by-side. 

The Certified Welding Inspector status will enable the men to be more flexible on the job and increase their value to contractors, since they will be able to work either as welders or as inspectors depending upon the requirements of the project.  The workload is generally greater in the winter, so summer was an easier time to come for training at the Hobart Institute.  A friend, Jerry Mulligan, had earlier attended the CWI course and highly encouraged the two to enroll. 

Their advice for young welders just beginning their careers:  “Complete your education and if you are interested in working for the union, return to your home area and apply for an apprenticeship.  There is definitely a need for welders.”

The Preparation for the AWS CWI/CWE Examination course will be held again beginning on October 20 and December 8, 2003; and on January 19 and March 15, 2004.  For complete information packet, instructions, and application, log on to our web site at http://www.welding.org/downloads.html or phone 1-800-332-9448, ext. 5215, or (937) 332-5215.