Welder
The Work
Welders join sections or plates of metal together by applying intense heat. Welding is an important skill and is used in many industries such as building, shipbuilding, engineering, transport, vehicle manufacture and maintenance, and offshore oil and gas platforms.
Basic welding has become a part of other jobs such as plater or cutter. Welders become proficient in one or more methods of welding. These include:
Welders would not be expected to be proficient in every type of weld as different methods suit different industries or companies. Some techniques are mechanised, as on a car assembly line where robots do the welding and the machine operator is not a skilled welder.
Hours and Conditions
Welders normally work a 37 to 39-hour basic week, which may include shifts working unsocial hours. Additional hours may be required to meet deadlines.
Welders usually work in factory workshops, but also may have to work in cramped conditions, for example in the bottom of a ship's hull. They might also work outdoors welding sections of a pipeline or chemical plant.
Welding is potentially dangerous, therefore welders wear protective clothing including head-shield, overalls, apron, gloves, and sometimes ear protectors and hard hats. In some situations they might need to use specialist safety equipment for example breathing apparatus.
Skills and Interests
To be a welder you should have:
Training
Most training is work based and will cover interpreting drawings and selecting materials and hand tools, in addition to transferable skills such as working with others and information technology. Involving three years' on-the-job training working alongside experienced welders, the resulting qualification is an NVQ / SVQ in Engineering Production at Level 3.
An alternate route may be to do a course at an FE college leading to a City & Guilds, BTEC / SQA, or vocational A level / GSVQ Level III, covering subjects such as sheet metal working and fabrication skills, or mechanical and manufacturing engineering.
Craft training as a welder is usually on the job, combined with part-time study at a college or, in the case of the larger employers, in company training centres.
Part-time courses are run at colleges and lead to a recognised Welder Approval Certificate. They last two to ten weeks depending on the course coverage.
Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (MAPPs) may be available for people aged 16-24. For details see:
MAPPs
(England)
Skillseekers
(Scotland)
National
Traineeships MAPPs (Wales) and
MAPPs
(Northern Ireland)
Opportunities
Skilled welders are important in heavy engineering. However, the decline in manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding generally means that fewer welders are needed. In light engineering there is reduced demand for welders due to the increase in plastics and the shaping of metal sheet by giant presses.
In companies employing teams of welders, promotion may be possible to foreman / woman and supervisor, or to fabrication shop manager. Some welders move into inspection and non-destructive testing. Further training is possible to acquire European qualifications such as European Welding Practitioner, Specialist and Technologist.
There are opportunities to work in a wide range of industries such as civil engineering, engineering construction, agricultural engineering, shipbuilding, vehicle manufacture and repair, as well as the opportunity to work abroad on overseas construction projects.
Salary
The figures below are intended as a guideline only.
Salary rates for welders can vary widely depending on the responsibilities, overtime rates and shift allowances.
Income starts at around £12,000 or more a year for trainees or apprentices.
A newly-qualified welder may earn £18,000 or more a year.
Skilled, specialist welders can earn up to £40,000 or more a year.
Further Information
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SEMTA (Science Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance)
Tel: 0808 100 3682
www.semta.org.uk
The Welding Institute
Tel: 01223 891162
www.twi.co.uk
