Questions from a beginner looking for a career.

"A journey of a 1000 miles begins with the first step"! ...I would suggest getting as much drafting as you can! ...In ANY discipline! You need to understand how drawings are put together! ...Math doesn't hurt, especially geometry! THEN you need to go "talk" with a real piper, try to understand what they do and what is required. Piping is a unique discipline and not for everybody. "IF" you like what you see look for some piping classes ...with a degree if possible or a certificate at minimum. You need to be able to show a prospective employer that you've had training are capable of "learning how to do it"! ...And you do that by working with other pipers ...hopefully the "old guys" that STILL know how things are done ...properly (that another story). Then after about 5 years of this you "could" list your name in the "Piper rolls"!
OH …in my experience PDMS means "piping done more slowly"! *G*

As I see it, there are two basic ways in which you can become a 'Piping Designer'

Method 'A'
Spend 4 years doing an Engineering Apprenticeship which will cover Mechanical, Electrical, Draughting and Site Experience.

After this, spend 4 or 5 years in a Design Office, ideally on a drawing board learning how to layout a plant, create General Arrangement Drawings, Detail Drawings, Piping Isometrics, MTO's (these days with PDMS and PDS look on these tools as an 'electronic drawing board').

After this period, leave the safety and comfort of a Staff Position and go out into the 'real' world of Contracting where you stand or fall on your knowledge and experience.

Most importantly, never stop learning!!

Method 'B'

Go to India and sign up for one of the many 'become a Piping Engineer in 2 weeks' courses!!!

Buggernut

Havent seen any such courses. Do u have any contacts??

Except one that I know is in IIT where only engineers are allowed. I have seen their course material and by far it is the best I have seen as yet. No diplomas are allowed except one with considerable experience.

As I see it, there are two basic ways in which you can become a 'Piping Designer'

Method 'A'
Spend 4 years doing an Engineering Apprenticeship which will cover Mechanical, Electrical, Draughting and Site Experience.

After this, spend 4 or 5 years in a Design Office, ideally on a drawing board learning how to layout a plant, create General Arrangement Drawings, Detail Drawings, Piping Isometrics, MTO's (these days with PDMS and PDS look on these tools as an 'electronic drawing board').

After this period, leave the safety and comfort of a Staff Position and go out into the 'real' world of Contracting where you stand or fall on your knowledge and experience.

Most importantly, never stop learning!!

Method 'B'

Go to India and sign up for one of the many 'become a Piping Engineer in 2 weeks' courses!!!

Dear sir,

I do not know this, who told you this ' Go to India and sign up for one of the many 'become a Piping Engineer in 2 weeks' courses!!![/quote] ' . Really funy.

Thank you.

Our company has a Design Trainee Program for Piping Designers, Electrical Designers and Structural Designers for the Shipbuilding field as well as an Apprentice Program for over 15 different trades such as welding, pipefitters, shipfitters, riggers and millwrights . We are Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and are owned by Northrop Grumman Corp. We are located in Newport News, Va. Here is a URL to apply;
careers.northropgrumman.com/Exte ... etQuery.do

Any questions please call me

Rob West
Engineer Designer
Fluid Systems
757 688-5464