Welder
What is the work like?
Welders cut, shape and join materials to make components in a wide range of industries, such as construction and engineering, transport, aerospace, and offshore oil and gas. Welders also carry out repairs on manufacturing equipment and machinery.
As a welder, your tasks would include:
- selecting, laying out and positioning materials to be cut or joined
- following engineering drawings and templates
- using the most suitable welding methods to build up sections or make repairs
- inspecting and testing cuts and joins, using precision measuring instruments, such as micrometers
- operating semi-automatic spot-welding equipment, often found on high volume production lines like car manufacturing.
You would usually work with metals and alloys, but you could also cut and join composite materials, using specialist welding techniques. Common methods include oxyacetylene, MIG (metal inert gas), MMA (manual metal arc), TIG (tungsten inert gas), laser welding and ultrasonic welding.
Within engineering and construction, if you are qualified to carry out particular types of work, you would often be known as a 'coded' welder. This means that your work meets British and European quality standards.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You may be able to get into this job through an engineering Apprenticeship scheme. To start on a scheme, you will normally need four GCSEs (A-C), such as maths, engineering, English or science. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Alternatively, you could study for a qualification, which would give you some of the skills needed for this job. Relevant courses include:
- ABC Certificate in Welding and Fabrication Practice at levels 1 to 3
- City & Guilds Certificate in Welding Skills, and Certificate in Engineering at levels 1 to 3
- BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (Fabrication & Welding) or Mechanical Engineering.
See the websites for the Engineering Construction Training Board (ECITB), SEMTA and the Welding Institute (TWI) in the section below for more information about welding careers, qualifications and training. The Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) also has careers information and a course database for local colleges.
What further training and development can I do?
Most of your training would be work based and cover areas such as reading technical drawings, selecting materials and tools, and training in the relevant welding techniques for the industry you are working in.
You could study for one of several NVQs once you are working, including:
- Performing Engineering Operations levels 1 and 2
- Fabrication and Welding Engineering levels 2 and 3
- Welding (with pipework or plating options) Level 3
- Fabrication and Welding Level 3.
You would normally have to pass competency tests for the type of welding work you carry out. These tests show that your work meets British and European welding standards (also known as codes). There are many codes specific to particular welding work, for example BS EN 287 and BS EN ISO 9606 cover pipework, pressure vessels and tanks. For more details about coding tests, contact your local welding course provider or the Welding Institute (TWI).
If you have teamleading responsibilities, you could take the ABC Level 4 Diploma in Supervisory Management in Fabrication and Welding Studies, which covers advanced welding processes, welding science and quality assurance.
You could also contact the Welding Institute about their range of training schemes covering welding techniques, as well as inspection and testing qualifications. They also have information about the industries in which welding skills play a key role.
Where can I go for more information?
Granta ParkGreat Abington
Cambridge
CB21 6AL
Tel: 01223 899000
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878
Church Lane
Kings Langley
Hertfordshire
WD4 8JP
Tel: 01923 260000
NASEC Administration: 01923 402155
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282167
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries for welders are between £12,500 and £17,000 a year.
- With experience, this rises to between £18,000 and £26,000.
- Experienced specialist welders can earn up to £30,000 a year.
Shiftwork and overtime may increase these rates.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week. Shiftwork is common and overtime may be necessary to meet deadlines.
Your working conditions would depend on your job. If you work in a shipyard, conditions could be cramped, for example, when working in the bottom of a ship’s hull. If you work on an oil pipeline or rig, you would be exposed to the elements.
You would usually wear protective clothing, for example a face-shield, apron or gloves. In some situations you might need to use specialist safety equipment, such as breathing apparatus for underwater welding work, or a safety harness for working at heights.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good hand-to-eye coordination
- the ability to work accurately
- good concentration levels
- the ability to work without direct supervision
- the ability to understand technical plans and specifications
- good numeracy skills to work out measurements
- an understanding of safe working practices.
What opportunities are there?
You could find work in a wide range of industries, such as civil engineering, engineering construction, agricultural engineering, shipbuilding, and vehicle manufacture and repair. You may also have the opportunity to work abroad on overseas construction projects.
Prospects in welding are good and because welding knowledge is transferable, you may be able to move between industries. SEMTA, the Sector Skills Council for engineering, reports a demand for skilled welders, for example in the automotive engineering sector.
Your promotion options include becoming a foreman/forewoman and shift supervisor, or fabrication workshop manager. With experience, you may have the option to work in welding inspection, quality control and non-destructive testing. See the profile for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Technician.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in a new window)
SCENTA
The Engineer
UKWelder
JustEngineers.net
Engineering Jobs Network
Oil and Gas 4U
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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