Inspection Trends

What the CWI Lifetime Achievement Award Means to Me

How does one say “thank you” to an organization that bestows such a weighty honor as the CWI Lifetime Achievement Award upon one of its members? I’ve wrestled with this since being honored by the CWI Lifetime Achievement Award Committee during FABTECH 2022 in Atlanta, Ga.

A lifetime of achievement would suggest that the individual has spent most, if not all, of their professional life pursuing this single endeavor. For me, it never seemed like a lifetime of pursuit. My years of working in inspection as both an AWS volunteer and an inspection professional have passed away with alarming speed. I had barely begun before I realized that I was approaching my fiftieth year of professional service to the AWS CWI program and the many industry sectors it has been my pleasure to serve.

The people I met and had the pleasure of working with at AWS and in different industries helped guide and instruct me in the intricacies of our profession, and any recognition that has come to me must be shared with them. We have all been blessed at AWS to have had access to mentors and instructors who set the standard for professionalism and dedication to the science and art of welding.

When coming to the end of a profession, it becomes harder than ever to declare an end to your life’s work. I return to my own advice to my children: Find something you love and do it as well and for as long as possible. The end will take care of itself.

Thankfully, I retain a passion for inspection, education, consulting, and volunteerism and will continue to give back to the Society and its members in any way possible. Going forward, I will occasionally look over my shoulder and feel humbled and honored by a plaque and medal hanging prominently in my office. I will also feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude for the honor bestowed on me by my peers.

Chloë Hudson: The Path to Becoming a CWI

Chloë Hudson is a specialty gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) welder and a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) in North Carolina. She was the first hire for Joe Gibbs Aerospace’s aerospace program, and with a longstanding desire to work in aerospace welding, this opportunity allowed her to grow alongside a fledgling program from its inception. Her primary responsibilities include welding and fulfilling her role as a CWI.

In 2018, Hudson began her journey toward CWI certification by assessing whether she met the minimum requirements. To her disappointment, she discovered that she did not. During her first job, when she expressed her aspiration to become a CWI, colleagues scoffed at her ambition, dismissing it as unrealistic. Hudson had faced skepticism in the past; some individuals questioned her optimism, having experienced the complex process of becoming a CWI themselves.

As a dedicated professional, Hudson believes proficiency in her field was essential. A lifelong learner at heart, she felt it was crucial to challenge herself. She attended a week-long CWI seminar, recognizing its importance for hands-on learners like herself. Hudson emphasizes how crucial visual and practical explanations are to grasp the material thoroughly, and the seminar proved invaluable. She diligently documented her learning throughout the class, taking pictures of every slide and transcribing her notes into a comprehensive notebook. Surrounded by others who shared her interest in the subject matter, she found the experience enriching. The instructor’s engaging teaching style ignited her enthusiasm for passing the CWI test, ultimately enhancing her skills as a welder, coworker, employee, and inspector.

Obtaining CWI certification was a significant milestone for Hudson. It gave her a nationally recognized credential that commands respect in any welding environment requiring specific codes. The achievement validated her efforts and brought positive feedback from her supervisors and managers. When her company had the opportunity to bid on a job with SpaceX, Hudson was integral to the sales pitch as an in-house CWI, a role she viewed as a testament to the value she added to her company.

Hudson’s journey as a welder and CWI exemplifies her commitment to her craft and her desire to contribute meaningfully to her industry. Through perseverance and a passion for learning, she has advanced her career and positioned herself as a vital asset to her company’s future success. A video about her journey is featured on AWS’s YouTube channel.

Recently, Inspection Trends asked Hudson about all aspects of her career, and below are her answers.

1. How did you get into the welding field, and why have you made it your career?

I initially cut my teeth in the industrial sector with my first job in maintenance for nuclear shutdowns. During this time, I noticed that specialized trades made a far better living. I had welded in high school and found myself proficient enough to continue my education to become a master of a specific trade rather than just a jack of all trades. Returning to a full immersion in a specified skill was the spark I needed to engulf myself in the passion that welding has become.

2. Why did you want to become a CWI, and what did earning this distinction mean?

I wanted to challenge myself with something difficult. I am a forever student and always hungry for a challenge. This was the natural next step to add value to what I bring as an employee.

3. How was that goal achieved in addition to studying and taking a one-week seminar?

I studied for six months, using every single moment of downtime. I wanted to do the most difficult CWI course (D1.1). I read that code book cover to cover, made flashcards, and did everything I could to prepare. I am extremely proud to wear that badge. It’s one of the most difficult things I’ve ever accomplished.

4. What are your current jobs?

I work part-time at Joe Gibbs Aerospace and full-time at Tony Stewart Racing. I also recently started my own company and work from my shop at home during the offseason.

5. What parts do you inspect on the job now, what are your inspection responsibilities, and what are you looking for to ensure quality? Also, what AWS codes are followed in doing so?

I inspect titanium hub parts and operate under AWS D17.1, Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications (this project is considered experimental). The guidelines for this project require parts that are near perfect every time. There are very small margins for error, and I am both a welder and an inspector, so the pressure is on for each part produced.

My main focus is visual inspection. After each visual inspection, we also do a penetrant test using a Zyglo machine, looking for surface cracks and ensuring proper fusion at each welded junction.

6. What’s both challenging and cool about your position?

There’s a lot of pressure to perform, which is incredibly stressful and challenging. Perfection is demanded because of the cost of each part, but the finished product and the airships they go toward building are incredibly rewarding. This project is based on a humanitarian effort to deploy these airships to disaster areas to aid those affected.

7. What advice do you have for individuals who want to become a CWI?

Commit yourself to the process. It’s not something to be taken lightly and can’t be put on the back burner. It requires dedication and focus, but the pride that comes with accomplishment is worth any trials and tribulations faced in the process.

8. What are your future plans?

I have committed myself to achieving my pilot’s license in the coming weeks, and gearing myself to be more immersed in the aerospace, Federal Aviation Administration, and aviation sectors will be the next challenge on the horizon. I also plan on taking on more of a consulting role as far as being a CWI goes from my personal business. But all things considered, I am extremely happy where I am currently, and if nothing changes in the next five or ten years, I will be content.

Kristin Campbell (kcampbell@aws.org) is managing editor and Carlos Guzman (cguzman@aws.org) is editor of Inspection Trends.