Which course has good employment, AMPP or BGAS?

As the industrial sector continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for professionals with the right skills and expertise. A certification from a recognised and reputed institute is one way to stand out in a competitive job market and demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency. While a number of institutes offer coating inspector programs, the two popular certifications in the field of industrial coatings are AMPP and BGAS. In this article, we will compare these two certifications and explore which certification has better employment prospects.

Introduction to AMPP and BGAS certifications

AMPP stands for The Association for Materials Protection and Performance and is a professional association focused on the protection of assets and the performance of materials. AMPP was created when NACE International and SSPC (Society for Protective Coatings) merged in 2021. It has a global presence in more than 130 countries across the world and 40,000 plus active numbers. This makes it one of the most significant associations in the field of the protection of manmade assets. In addition, it provides several certifications and training programs and develops technical standards for a wide variety of industries.

BGAS- British Gas Approval Scheme is a certification program held by The Welding Institute (TWI), UK, for the qualification of Painting Inspectors. CSWIP, originally coined in 1969, stood for Certification Scheme for Weldment Inspection Personnel. However, over the years, a wide range of schemes have been added to the programme, and it no longer represents the acronym. It now simply stands for Certification Scheme for Personnel and is one of the most reputed and reliable personnel certification schemes in the world.

What is AMPP certification?

AMPP stands for The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (formerly known as NACE) and is a nonprofit organisation focusing on corrosion control and prevention. The organisation provides a range of training and certification programs to professionals in the corrosion and coatings industry. Corcon, the Institute of Corrosion in India, is the official education licensee for AMPP in India.

The AMPP certification program is designed to help individuals enhance their skills and knowledge in areas related to corrosion prevention and control. The program offers a range of certifications for different levels of expertise, including the Certified Coating Inspector Program (CIP).

The Coatings Inspector Program (CIP) certification is designed for professionals who are responsible for inspecting coatings and surfaces to ensure they meet industry standards and specifications. The certification program covers topics such as surface preparation, coating application, and inspection techniques. For years NACE and SSPC certifications have set the global standard for inspectors in the protective coatings industry. They are the most widely recognised and accepted certifications in the coatings inspection industry.

The CIP certification is tailor-made for professionals in the field of coating inspection, covering a wide range of topics such as surface preparation, coating application, inspection techniques, and quality control. To acquire this certification, individuals are required to pass a rigorous exam that assesses their expertise and proficiency in these areas. The course is designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience, combining classroom instruction, hands-on practical training, and discussions. It caters to a diverse group of professionals, including individual applicators, specifiers, inspectors, blasters, manufacturers, and technical sales personnel. The course’s curriculum encompasses corrosion control, paint inspection, application, and project management, equipping students with complete knowledge in these fields. The multidisciplinary teaching approach ensures that students gain an in-depth understanding of corrosion control practices across various industries.

The AMPP certification program offers a range of certifications for different levels of expertise, including the Certified Coating Inspector Program (CIP).

The courses offered by AMPP for coatings certifications are

CIP Level 1 Course / Basic Coatings Inspector Certification

CIP Level 2 Course / Certified Coatings Inspector Certification and

Senior Certified Coatings Inspector Certification.

The Senior Certified Coatings Inspector Certification is the highest level of certification. It is a peer-reviewed certification for certified coating inspectors who want to become field leaders.

What is BGAS certification?

BGAS (British Gas Approval Scheme) is a certification program that provides training and certification for personnel involved in the inspection and testing of industrial coatings. BGAS certification is recognised in many countries worldwide and is often a requirement for certain industries. The BGAS coating inspection certifications are more relevant to the pipeline industry. They are more relevant for people seeking a career in the oil and gas industry though they cover topics relevant to other industries.

The courses available are:

BGAS-CSWIP Painting Inspector Grade 2

BGAS-CSWIP Painting Inspector Grade 1 and

BGAS-CSWIP Site Coating Inspector

The importance of certification for job prospects

In today’s competitive job market, having the proper certification can give you an edge over other candidates. While several institutions offer coatings inspection certifications, AMPP and BGAS are the oldest and most recognised certifications accepted worldwide. These certifications demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field of coatings inspection and increase the opportunities available to you to further your career. Certification from either of these two institutions reflects your commitment to professional development and places you amongst the top professionals in the field.

AMPP CIP Level 1 and Level 2 fees in India

If you’re considering pursuing AMPP certification, it’s essential to be aware of the cost involved. The fees for AMPP’s Certified Coating Inspector Program  (CIP) Level 1 and Level 2 vary depending on your location. In India, the fees for CIP Level 1 are approximately INR 90,000, while the fees for CIP Level 2 are approximately INR 1,20,000. However, it should be noted there may be extra charges for study materials and other resources, which may drive up the costs.

It should be noted that though the fees of AMPP CIP Level 1 and CIP Level 2 are higher than those of other institutes, AMPP courses command these rates due to the technical superiority and expertise of knowledge it provides as compared to other institutes and is worth the extra prices they command.

Employment Prospects of AMPP and BGAS employees. Which course has better prospects of employment?

No course can guarantee employment, but it is well known that a good course from a reputed institute greatly enhances a candidate’s employability. Although both AMPP and BGAS enjoy global recognition and are widely accepted across industries, there are specific points of difference that affect individuals’ employability.

 1.  Global Recognition:

AMPP certification is recognised globally and is highly valued by employers in the corrosion and coatings industry. The Certified Coating Inspector Program (CIP) is the most popular certification offered by AMPP, and it is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of coating inspection and testing.

Professionals with AMPP certification can expect excellent job prospects in various industries, particularly in oil and gas, marine, and infrastructure. According to a survey conducted by AMPP, certified professionals earn an average of 29% more than non-certified professionals.

BGAS certification is also widely recognised and is often required for certain jobs. For example, the BGAS certification program provides training and certification for personnel involved in the inspection and testing of industrial coatings.

Professionals with BGAS certification can expect to have good job prospects, particularly in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and transportation.

2. Industrial Relevance:

AMPP Certifications are the most recognised and widely accepted in the world and are built on decades of comprehensive knowledge from industry subject matter experts. Highly qualified professionals with years of experience and a deep subject knowledge create comprehensive programs that are widely accepted by all industries for the protection of their assets against corrosion and environmental damage. Certificate awardees of AMPP are professionals whose skills have been tested to perform in the field successfully and can reduce the impact of corrosion on industries. This results in excellent public safety as well as environmental protection while reducing the economic impact of corrosion on industries and economies.

The BGAS program has been specifically designed for professionals in the pipeline and offshore sectors and heavily focuses on established subjects such as NDT inspection and welding. However, it should be noted that it also includes topics relevant to other industries, such as painting, coating, and agricultural and environmental factors making this course relevant to other industries.

So while BGAS programs cater to all industries, it strongly focuses on the pipeline industry. At the same time, the AMPP certifications are more extensive and cater to all industries, including the gas and pipeline industry.

3. Geographical location:

South Asian countries, particularly countries such as India, produce a high number of skilled and qualified engineers each year, and there is fierce competition for coveted jobs. An additional qualification from a reputed and internationally recognised institute such as AMPP provides professionals with valuable knowledge and an edge over others. This increases their chances of landing a job in the industrial sectors and companies preferred by them. Moreover, a qualification from AMPP is helpful to a wide variety of young professionals to get better jobs and accelerate their careers. Though both AMPP and BGAS certifications are globally accepted, many professionals believe that an AMPP certification is advantageous in India and Arab countries.

4. Demand:

Developing countries boast a large oil and gas industry with a rapidly developing infrastructure and transportation sector. Corrosion is a significant cause for concern in these industries. A lack of attention to proper corrosion control methods can cause severe damage and drastically reduce the life span of industrial and infrastructural assets. Therefore, these sectors have a high demand for qualified and trained corrosion professionals who contribute to the industry. Professionals with AMPP CIP certifications demonstrate specialised knowledge and expertise in this field of corrosion control. Therefore, they are generally in high demand and have higher chances of getting better jobs and opportunities.

5. Professional Development:

Many professionals in various industries opt for an AMPP certification to advance their career paths and accelerate the scale of their growth. Though the AMPP CIP courses are explicitly designed for candidates interested in the field of coating inspections, it is seen that many professionals from diverse industries opt for the CIP courses, particularly the CIP Level 1 course. Professionals include project managers, supervisors/foremen and engineers, Maintenance and quality assurance/control (QA/QC) personnel, Contractors and specification writers, Coating manufacturers and technical sales representatives. In addition, fabricators, welders, Paint applicators and blasters from diverse sectors have been known to take the course and gain a CIP certification.

Additional knowledge of coatings inspections helps them provide a deeper insight into their respective fields and enables them to complete their tasks more accurately and efficiently. It also results in greater protection of their assets, long-term savings, and increases in the lifespan of assets.

Gas and pipeline professionals opt for the AMPP course to increase their employability and career advancement opportunities. An AMPP course is also taken by professionals who have projects with specific companies, as the course is a mandatory requisite for certain companies, particularly in the UK.

6. Networking Opportunities:

It is widely known that the success of individuals depends on their social and networking skills as much as their qualifications and capabilities. AMPP and BGAS provide ample networking opportunities in the form of regular seminars, conferences and training programs. These help certified inspectors continue their professional training, network and connect with other professionals in their industry. This increases their chances of finding employment in their preferred sectors and locating opportunities that interest them.

AMPP  boasts of a global network of professionals from various industries, providing opportunities for individuals to interact with coatings inspection professionals from all industries. BGAS, on the other hand, is more focused on the pipeline industry.

It’s important to note that the benefits of certification may vary depending on individual circumstances and career goals, so it’s essential for Indian professionals to carefully consider their options and choose a certification that best aligns with their specific career aspirations.

Conclusion

Both AMPP and BGAS certifications are highly regarded in the industrial coatings industry and can offer excellent job prospects. However, which certification provides better chances of gaining employment will depend on your specific career goals and the requirements of the industries you are interested in.

AMPP certification is recognised globally and may be a better choice for those who want global opportunities in diverse industries related to asset protection through controlling and preventing corrosion. On the other hand, BGAS certification is often a requirement for certain jobs.

Regardless of which certification you choose, investing in your professional development through certification can lead to better job prospects and increased earning potential.

 

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