Welcome - hope you get out soon. There are two aspects, the first is to learn to weld to a high standard. The second is to learn to dive to a very high standard.

Both skills will stand you in good stead to earn a good living.

Since you have access to a pc, why not start by searching for "underwater welding schools".

Realistically, you will be starting "underwater" from prison. Add 5 years to the career path, if you are dedicated and have support.

Your motivation, "I am looking for a good paying job" may not impress the powers-that-be, but at least you're honest.

The schools are expensive.

Good Luck.

American Welding Society - Underwater Welding

good background material can be found in the US Navy Underwater Cutting and Welding Manual:

http://www.hnsa.org/doc/pdf/cut_weld.pdf

http://www.commercialdivingacademy.com/

http://www.oceancorp.com/

1. Get welding and diving certificates, and then get certified for underwater welding.
2. Yes, they'll accept ex-cons as long as it isn't a security-sensitive job.

Given that most underwater welding work would require a TWIC card in the US, there could be security issues that would prevent you getting one. I've heard of (but have not seen verifiable evidence of) people who were denied TWIC cards for just joining the tea party movement (and thereby being labeled "domestic terrorists"). I don't know if that is true or not, but I would not put it past the current administration. I would contact the DHS and verify that your conviction would not preclude your getting a TWIC card before spending the money if I were you.

Another Idea...

Assuming you still have some time to serve?... can you undertake a welding course while you are still indisposed? In Australia I believe study courses are available to inmates. If this is a possibility, you could get a head start on your chosen new career. Its worth a try, & someone who is actively persuing a trade would surely improve their chances once released.

Hope this is an option for you in CA

Tony

I would suggest that your very BEST choice would be either the Navy or the Marines, and enlist for their Underwater repair school, where they'll teach underwater welding, etc. Then when you get out of the service, you'll have a high paying trade and a good record as a vet. One of my friends is an ex-SEAL, and he did years of underwater diving and welding after leaving the service..

I agree with most posts. However you need to examine how long it will take you to get to the point of making good money. As I understand it , commercial divers often do not have a long time to work. In other words, it is a young mans job. However consider some other u/w work such as inspections. Good Luck

One other point, at least in the Oilfield industry, the water depths are getting so deep that with the exception of repairs and inspections of platforms in the splash zone, everything is done by ROV's now. It has to be. Divers simply can't survive at those depths. Many ex-divers transistion to being ROV pilots when their bodies can no longer take sat diving and decompression damage.

I looked into this.

Get your welders lic. (about ten month coarse) and then you could go for your underwater tag. (Another coarse at another school) You should be done in a year and a half from when you start, If you put everything into it.

I'm in Canada so list of my schools wouldn't help. They are out there just look.

But that is the order you would go to get it.

Cheers and good luck.

Most certainly go for your welding certificates first, then tie up with with a company doing structural and or pipeline welding. when you consider you have enough experience join a diving company and learn the ropes eventually you will work your way to diving, this is the moment of truth as not everyone becomes a good diver you are either a natural or a lousy diver at this point in time you may not want to proceed with the diving part but you will have your welding to fall back on.

There are some company's who specialise in underwater welding they travel round the world doing emergency repair jobs,sorry I cannot bring to mind who they were just now do an internet search.

Hate to bust yer bubble, here, but:

Neither IMCA not ADCI would permit ANYONE to simply "join a diving company and learn the ropes"...!

One does not (any longer) simply "work your way to diving".

Not a SINGLE Offshore Oil & Gas company, Hydroelectric (dam) outfit, marine contractor, nor any other profitable entity would allow anyone to "get in the water" on a project for them unless that individual had successfully achieved certification as a "Commercial Diver".

For the same reason that laws now exist *mandating* that you wear seat belts...

...and routine inspections are *mandated* on ships, planes, etc...

the INSURANCE RISK would be intolerable.

I would search Google the internet if they allow that in prison. Maybe the library. As far as school I am not aware of criminal record being a factor. But job applications you must declare felony and even DUI which I think is stupid. It sounds like a interesting job hope you get it.