Welcome to #QualityMatters — the podcast where quality management meets the real world. Hosted by Kyle Chambers, founder of Texas Quality Assurance and creator of the TQA Cloud platform, this show makes ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and API Q1 practical, understandable, and actually useful for everyday business operations.
Each episode explores what quality and risk management really look like on the ground — in manufacturing shops, industrial services, oil and gas, and field operations — where the work is fast-paced, the people are stretched thin, and every process has to make sense to survive.
You’ll hear how to:
Build and maintain systems that support ISO 9001 without drowning in paperwork.
Turn audits, NCRs, and CAPAs into opportunities for improvement instead of frustration.
Simplify document control and version management using tools that your team will actually use.
Train employees effectively and prove competence without endless spreadsheets.
Bring risk-based thinking to life in a way that fits your company’s culture and resources.
Use management review and internal audits to drive real performance — not just tick boxes.
Understand how technology, AI, and mobile tools are transforming the QMS landscape.
Kyle brings over two decades of hands-on experience working with organizations across Texas and beyond, helping small and mid-sized businesses reach compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and API Q1. He knows the standards, but more importantly, he knows how people actually work — and where quality systems succeed or fail in the field.
The #QualityMatters podcast started as a way to make complex topics like “risk-based thinking” or “document control” simple, relatable, and even a little fun. From customer satisfaction and safety culture to supplier quality and management of change, every episode breaks down a real-world challenge and offers actionable takeaways you can use right away.
Whether you’re a Quality Manager, Safety Coordinator, or small-business owner wearing too many hats, #QualityMatters gives you common-sense tools to make compliance achievable and improvement sustainable.
New episodes drop monthly, featuring interviews with quality leaders, safety professionals, auditors, and entrepreneurs who prove that quality truly matters — not just in documentation, but in the way teams work every day.
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Welcome to #QualityMatters — the podcast where quality management meets the real world. Hosted by Kyle Chambers, founder of Texas Quality Assurance and creator of the TQA Cloud platform, this show makes ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and API Q1 practical, understandable, and actually useful for everyday business operations.
Each episode explores what quality and risk management really look like on the ground — in manufacturing shops, industrial services, oil and gas, and field operations — where the work is fast-paced, the people are stretched thin, and every process has to make sense to survive.
You’ll hear how to:
Build and maintain systems that support ISO 9001 without drowning in paperwork.
Turn audits, NCRs, and CAPAs into opportunities for improvement instead of frustration.
Simplify document control and version management using tools that your team will actually use.
Train employees effectively and prove competence without endless spreadsheets.
Bring risk-based thinking to life in a way that fits your company’s culture and resources.
Use management review and internal audits to drive real performance — not just tick boxes.
Understand how technology, AI, and mobile tools are transforming the QMS landscape.
Kyle brings over two decades of hands-on experience working with organizations across Texas and beyond, helping small and mid-sized businesses reach compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and API Q1. He knows the standards, but more importantly, he knows how people actually work — and where quality systems succeed or fail in the field.
The #QualityMatters podcast started as a way to make complex topics like “risk-based thinking” or “document control” simple, relatable, and even a little fun. From customer satisfaction and safety culture to supplier quality and management of change, every episode breaks down a real-world challenge and offers actionable takeaways you can use right away.
Whether you’re a Quality Manager, Safety Coordinator, or small-business owner wearing too many hats, #QualityMatters gives you common-sense tools to make compliance achievable and improvement sustainable.
New episodes drop monthly, featuring interviews with quality leaders, safety professionals, auditors, and entrepreneurs who prove that quality truly matters — not just in documentation, but in the way teams work every day.
How to Become a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) — Real-World Guide from Caleb's Corner | #QualityMatters
Welcome to the very first episode of Caleb’s Corner, part of the #QualityMatters podcast! If you're a welder, inspector, or anyone curious about stepping into the welding inspection world, this episode is your step-by-step, real-world guide on how to become a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
Based on Caleb’s personal journey — from welding school to earning his CWI certification, and later moving into software development — this episode breaks down everything you need to know that most official guides don’t tell you. You’ll hear practical, boots-on-the-ground advice that will save you time, money, and frustration.
Why Become a Certified Welding Inspector?
Many welders realize early that staying on the shop floor or crawling through tight spaces forever isn’t a sustainable long-term plan. A CWI certification opens doors to inspections, NDT (non-destructive testing), and higher-paying quality roles, while building on your welding foundation.
Understand the Process (and Why It's Hard)
Becoming a CWI isn’t easy. The AWS CWI exam is intentionally challenging, and it should be — you're certifying yourself as an expert. Expect to study extensively in these three main areas:
* Code Book Navigation (ex: AWS D1.1, API 1104, etc.)
* General Welding Knowledge (safety, welding processes, NDT methods, metallurgy)
* Practical Inspection Skills (actual weld evaluation and measurements)
The exam isn't just about memorizing answers — it's about learning how to read, interpret, and apply complex standards accurately. AWS intentionally mixes topics to test your comprehension, not your memory.
Choose a Solid Prep Course
The prep course is critical. Caleb highly recommends Real Educational Services (or similar reputable prep programs). These courses walk you through the code books and show you where to tab important sections. They provide practice exams that simulate the actual AWS exam format. They offer real-world tips on navigating tricky AWS wording and test traps. They help clarify differences between similar concepts like welder qualification vs procedure qualification.
Pro tip: Schedule your AWS exam as close as possible to your prep course — ideally within one week, but no longer than one month after the course, to retain fresh knowledge.
Commit to a Study Schedule
Caleb studied for 2 hours per night for about 3 months before taking the prep course, followed by focused practice right up to the exam. Plan to review every section you’re weak in (TIG welding, NDT, safety, etc.). Use your prep course study materials to guide your self-study. Focus on reading comprehension — not just memorization. Practice navigating the actual code book under time pressure.
Master Reading Comprehension
This skill is crucial. The AWS exam is designed to trip you up with fine distinctions. You need to fully read every question before attempting to answer. Pay attention to footnotes, exceptions, and definitions. Double-check whether the question refers to procedure qualification or welder qualification. Build speed while maintaining accuracy.
Tip: While reading your prep materials, pause frequently and quiz yourself: “Do I really understand this paragraph?”
Know What the Exam Looks Like
The exam consists of three parts:
* Code Book Portion: Code-specific problem solving.
* General Knowledge: Broad welding & inspection topics.
Welcome to #QualityMatters — the podcast where quality management meets the real world. Hosted by Kyle Chambers, founder of Texas Quality Assurance and creator of the TQA Cloud platform, this show makes ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and API Q1 practical, understandable, and actually useful for everyday business operations.
Each episode explores what quality and risk management really look like on the ground — in manufacturing shops, industrial services, oil and gas, and field operations — where the work is fast-paced, the people are stretched thin, and every process has to make sense to survive.
You’ll hear how to:
Build and maintain systems that support ISO 9001 without drowning in paperwork.
Turn audits, NCRs, and CAPAs into opportunities for improvement instead of frustration.
Simplify document control and version management using tools that your team will actually use.
Train employees effectively and prove competence without endless spreadsheets.
Bring risk-based thinking to life in a way that fits your company’s culture and resources.
Use management review and internal audits to drive real performance — not just tick boxes.
Understand how technology, AI, and mobile tools are transforming the QMS landscape.
Kyle brings over two decades of hands-on experience working with organizations across Texas and beyond, helping small and mid-sized businesses reach compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and API Q1. He knows the standards, but more importantly, he knows how people actually work — and where quality systems succeed or fail in the field.
The #QualityMatters podcast started as a way to make complex topics like “risk-based thinking” or “document control” simple, relatable, and even a little fun. From customer satisfaction and safety culture to supplier quality and management of change, every episode breaks down a real-world challenge and offers actionable takeaways you can use right away.
Whether you’re a Quality Manager, Safety Coordinator, or small-business owner wearing too many hats, #QualityMatters gives you common-sense tools to make compliance achievable and improvement sustainable.
New episodes drop monthly, featuring interviews with quality leaders, safety professionals, auditors, and entrepreneurs who prove that quality truly matters — not just in documentation, but in the way teams work every day.
