Welder

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

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

Entry requirements:

College

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

• welding skills
• welding techniques and skills
• fabrication and welding engineering
• T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a welding apprenticeship, such as:

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

These take between 2 and 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for welding jobs.

You'll need welding experience and certifications, for example from working in:

• pipe fitting
• engineering construction
• marine engineering
• steel fabrication

OtherRoutes

You could take a course in welding or inspection through The Welding Institute (TWI). You usually need to be working in engineering to do this.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to work well with your hands
• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• to be flexible and open to change
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• leadership skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• concentration skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to read English

What you'll do:

Welders cut, join and shape metals, alloys and other materials in the manufacturing, construction and engineering industries.

As a welder you could:

• follow drawings and instructions
• prepare materials to be joined and select the right welding procedure
• calibrate tools and operate welding equipment
• inspect and test the quality of joins using precision measuring instruments
• dismantle and cut up metalwork, for example during demolitions

Possible green job

This job could help the environment.

For a welder to be a green job, you could:

• weld components used to build wind turbines
• use newer energy efficient welding methods to reduce waste
• work with fume extraction systems when welding to filter out harmful pollutants

Find out more about green careers

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

Salary:

Starter : £24,000
Experienced : £45,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

42 - 46 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends on shifts

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become a supervisor or metal fabrication workshop manager
• work in welding inspection, non-destructive testing or quality control
• train as a commercial diver and specialise in underwater welding, for example in oil, gas and marine engineering
• become a further education teacher or training assessor
• study materials science to become a welding engineer and work in welding design and standards development