Is becoming a pipelayer right for me?
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How to become a Pipelayer
While many pipelayers pursue their training on the job with only a secondary school education, there are also vocational and technical schools that can provide a basic education and certification in pipelaying. More and more employers are looking for candidates with some form of training.
Like others in the various construction trades, a pipelayer will have to spend several years working as an apprentice under a more experienced journeyman pipelayer before being able to work on their own or train apprentice pipelayers.
Pipelayers must be in good physical condition. Pipelaying often requires the lifting of heavy materials and tools as well as long hours of work. In addition to the physical requirements of the job, the ability to work under pressure is also important. Work must often be completed quickly and accurately, as owners and contractors have deadlines to meet.
This job requires teamwork, as well as the ability to communicate effectively. Pipelayers will need to communicate with the operators of equipment as they guide pipeline segments into place, and during the crucial process of connecting a segment to the rest of the pipeline.