Welder

Job Description:

Welders cut, join and shape materials like metal in the aerospace, construction and engineering industries.

Job Category:

Engineering & Construction

See Engineering & Construction jobs

What you will do:

As a welder you could:

follow engineering drawings and instructions
check the size of materials and prepare them to be joined
calibrate tools and operate welding equipment
inspect and test joins using precision measuring instruments
dismantle and cut up metal

Working environment

You could work in a workshop, on a construction site or on a demolition site.
Your working environment may be hot, cramped and at height.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Skills:

You’ll need:

knowledge of engineering science and technology
the ability to work on your own
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
design skills and knowledge (creativity)
knowledge of maths

As well as:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisational skills)
the ability to work well with your hands
the ability to analyse quality or performance
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly
specialist courses run by private training provider

College
You could do a welding qualification at college before applying for a job as a trainee welder.

In the UK, for example, courses include:

Level 2 Award in Welding Skills
Level 2 Award in Welding Techniques and Skills
Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering Technology
T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Apprenticeship

For example in the UK, you could do a:

General Welder Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
Pipe Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Plate Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Direct Application
You could apply directly for welding jobs.

You’ll need welding experience, for example from working as a pipe fitter or working in engineering construction or marine engineering.

Other Routes
You could take a course in welding or inspection work- in the UK this would be through The Welding Institute (TWI). You usually need to be working in engineering to do this.

Working Hours and Environment:

A typical week consists of 44-46 hours of work. You could be required to work evening/weekends on shifts.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience you could:

become a supervisor or metal fabrication workshop manage
work in welding inspection, non-destructive testing or quality control
do commercial diver training and specialise in underwater welding, for example in oil, gas and marine engineering
become a further education teacher and teach welding