At Commercial Divers Academy (CDA) we turn curious technicians into confident metalworkers.
Our Welding & Cutting seminars are designed for commercial divers, marine technicians and industrial personnel who need practical, job-ready skills to cut, join and repair metal in demanding environments — including an introduction to specialized underwater techniques. Taught by experienced instructors with years of field experience, these courses combine safety-first theory with hands-on practice on real equipment so you leave ready to add real value on any jobsite.
Why welding & cutting matter for commercial divers
Metalworking is a core skill in many marine and offshore operations. From repairing vessel hulls to restoring subsea structures, being able to cut and weld metals safely and accurately makes you an indispensable member of any team.
For commercial divers, this skillset opens doors to higher-responsibility roles: underwater fabrication, hull repair, decommissioning, pipeline and cable works, and emergency interventions where conventional shore-side services can’t reach.
What this course covers
CDA’s seminars teach you the fundamental principles of metal joining and separation, the safe operation of common welding machines, and the practical skills you’ll use on the job. You’ll receive a certificate of attendance demonstrating both
theoretical knowledge and practical competency, taught by instructors who have worked on real marine and industrial projects.
Core topics
- Introduction to welding theory: metallurgy basics, joint types and weld quality criteria.
- Manual Metal Arc (MMA) — stick welding: electrode selection, technique, and common troubleshooting.
- MIG/MAG welding basics: machine setup, wire selection, shielding gas and process control.
- Oxy-fuel cutting and flame safety: safe setup, kerf control and edge preparation.
- Thermal arc cutting and plasma cutting fundamentals for fast, accurate metal removal.
- Safe operation of welding equipment: electrical hazards, fume control and personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Welding inspection basics: identifying defects, porosity, undercut and other common issues.
- Specialized introduction to wet (underwater) welding techniques: theory, limitations, safety considerations and how it differs from dry welding.
- Worksite preparation, rigging for welding tasks and safe handling of hot and sharp components.
Underwater welding — what you’ll learn (introductory)
Underwater welding is a specialist discipline. In this seminar you’ll receive a carefully controlled introduction to the principles and safety requirements of wet welding and underwater cutting. Our aim is to give you practical awareness and
supervised drills that demonstrate the differences between surface and underwater techniques, plus the additional risk factors and controls involved. This is an excellent foundation if you later pursue full commercial underwater welding certification.
Who should attend
Our welding & cutting program is ideal for:
- Commercial divers who want to expand into fabrication, repair and cutting tasks.
- Marine technicians and shipyard workers needing shore-to-sea skill transfer.
- Offshore maintenance personnel, rigging crews and salvage teams.
- Anyone preparing for advanced underwater welding certification or specialized subsea roles.
Prerequisites
To ensure safety and an efficient learning experience, participants should meet the following prerequisites:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be in good physical condition and medically fit for practical workshop activity.
- Submit a signed declaration of responsibility
- For the underwater segment: prior diving experience or certification is recommended (e.g., Commercial SCUBA Diver) — this seminar provides awareness and introductory drills, not a full commercial underwater welding licence.
Training format & duration
Our seminars are highly practical and structured to build competence quickly. Typical delivery includes classroom instruction, controlled workshop sessions and supervised practice on multiple machines. Course duration varies depending on the selected module (basic, intermediate, or combined welding + underwater awareness). Most participants complete the core seminar in a few intensive days,
while extended practical packages are available for those who want extra hands-on time.
- Theory sessions: metallurgy, process selection, safety regulations and job planning.
- Hands-on workshops: MMA, MIG/MAG setup and welding, oxy-fuel and thermal cutting, cutting torch practice.
- Underwater awareness drills: demonstrations of wet welding principles, safety measures, and simulated tasks (dry training followed by controlled submerged demonstrations where applicable).
- Assessment: practical performance checks and instructor feedback; certificate of attendance issued on successful completion.
What a certified operator can do — job-ready outcomes
Graduates of CDA’s Welding & Cutting seminars leave ready to perform a broad range of tasks that are immediately useful on commercial sites. Your new capabilities will typically include:
- Perform basic to intermediate welds and cuts on structural steel and common marine alloys in a workshop or shipyard environment.
- Operate MIG/MAG and MMA machines safely and effectively for repair and fabrication tasks.
- Execute oxy-fuel and thermal cutting operations for salvage, demolition, or repair preparation.
- Support underwater repair teams by preparing metalwork, performing topside welds and assisting welding supervisors during subsea jobs.
- Understand when wet welding is appropriate, its safety limits, and how to transition a repair to dry or hyperbaric methods when required.
- Implement workplace safety, rigging and hot-work permit procedures—critical for offshore and yard operations.
Career opportunities
The practical metalworking skills you gain are highly sought after across marine and industrial sectors. Typical job roles and sectors include:
Marine & offshore
- Ship repair technician and hull maintenance crew.
- Subsea maintenance assistant supporting weld & cut operations.
- Offshore platform maintenance — emergency cut-and-fabricate tasks.
- Salvage and wreck removal teams — cutting and dismantling operations.
Construction, fabrication & decommissioning
- Steel fabricator and on-site welder for coastal infrastructure projects.
- Decommissioning support — cutting and preparation of subsea structures for removal.
Specialist progression
- Pathway to certified underwater welder (with additional training and accreditation).
- Role progression into welding inspection, NDT support or welding supervision.
- Natural transition into ROV support, subsea fabrication or hyperbaric welding projects.
Why train with Commercial Divers Academy (CDA)?
CDA combines practical rigour with maritime relevance. Our instructors bring industry-proven techniques and safety-first habits that employers recognise. Whether you’re preparing to expand your diving skillset or want to add a valuable metalworking capability to your résumé, CDA’s seminars provide the foundation you need to perform—and to progress into specialist commercial roles.
Next steps & enrollment
Ready to learn how to cut and weld metals the professional way? Contact Commercial Divers Academy (CDA) today to view upcoming seminar dates, course packages, and tailored paths for divers aiming for full underwater welding certification. Gain hands-on experience, earn your certificate, and make yourself indispensable on the next marine or offshore project.