Why is 6G certification the most sought-after?

6G certification — welding a pipe inclined at 45° — is the most valued in the industry for several reasons:

Why 6G is difficult:

• The welder must master all positions in a single weld: flat (1G), horizontal (2G), vertical (3G), and overhead (4G)
• The fixed pipe cannot be rotated — the welder must go around the pipe, constantly changing angle and position
• The root pass is particularly critical: it must penetrate the full thickness without sagging

Benefits of 6G certification:

• Versatility: A 6G welder can weld in all positions on pipe and plate
• Salary: 6G qualification opens the jobs that require every position; no quantified premium is published — the trade's hourly wage is the one in the NOC 72106 profile, and any gap shows up in job offers
• Portability: 6G qualification is requested on many projects in North America; its recognition depends on the body that issued it
• Employment: Priority on major projects (pipelines, refineries, plants)

Cost of 6G qualification:

The price is obtained from the body running the test (CWB, Emploi-Québec) and from the training centre: it depends on the process, the number of test pieces and the destructive tests required. The platform publishes no rate.

6G qualification is often combined with 6GR qualification (with a restriction ring), which is even more demanding.