Welders cut, shape and bond materials to make products and components in a wide range of industries. These  including construction, shipbuilding, engineering, transport, power, automotive, aerospace, and offshore oil and gas. They also carry out repairs on equipment and machinery.

Welder main activities include:

• selecting, laying out and positioning materials to be cut or joined, paying close attention to engineering drawings, templates and specifications
• using the appropriate welding method (outlined below) to fabricate sections or make repairs
• inspecting and testing cuts, joins and tolerances, using callipers, micrometers and other precision measuring instruments
• operating semi-automatic spot-welding equipment, often found on high volume production lines like those found in car manufacturing. 

Welders normally work with metals and alloys, but they can also cut and join composite materials, using specialist welding techniques. They will normally be skilled in one or more of the following methods:

• oxyacetylene – using a mixture of oxygen and acetylene
• MIG (metal inert gas) or MMA (manual metal arc) – also known arc welding, involves manual welding and cutting with electric arc equipment and a welding rod
• TIG (tungsten inert gas) – using nitrogen or carbon dioxide
• laser welding – producing very precise cuts and joins with laser equipment 
• ultrasonic welding – using high frequency sound waves to melt and bond composites and thermoplastics.

Welders tend to specialise in the method which suits their particular industry.

Hours and Environment

Welders normally work 37 to 40 hours a week. Shiftwork is common and overtime may be necessary to meet deadlines.

Many welders work in factory workshops, however, some working conditions may be cramped, for example, in the bottom of a ship’s hull. Outdoor work may be required if welding sections of pipeline or processing plant.

Protective clothing including head-shield, overalls, apron and gloves are worn. In some situations they might need to use specialist safety equipment, for example breathing apparatus for underwater work, or safety harnesses if working at heights.

Skills and Interests

To be a welder you should:

• have good hand-to-eye coordination
• be able to work very accurately and have good concentration levels
• have the ability to work without direct supervision
• have excellent technical knowledge and awareness of material properties under different conditions
• be able to understand technical plans and specifications
• have good near vision
• have good numeracy skills to calculate tolerances and measurements
• be aware of safe working practices.

Entry

People aged between 16 and 24 can enter this role through an engineering apprenticeship (see Training section for contacts). There are no set entry requirements, however, four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) or equivalent, such as maths, engineering, English or science are often required.

Alternative qualifications open to all ages and offered by local colleges include:

• ABC Certificate in Welding and Fabrication Practice at levels 1 to 3
• BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (Fabrication & Welding) or Mechanical Engineering.

For information about welding as a career, see the Engineering Construction Training Board (ECITB) website. For details about welding techniques, training and qualifications see The Welding Institute's (TWI) website. In addition, the Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) has careers information and a course database for local colleges. All websites can be found in Further Information.

Training

Most training is work based and will cover interpreting drawings, selection of materials and tools, and training in the relevant welding techniques for the industry you are working in.

NVQs/SVQs are available for those working as welders, 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.

There is also a City & Guilds Progression Award in Production Engineering: Welding at levels 2 and 3.

There is an ABC Diploma in Supervisory Management in Fabrication and Welding Studies at Level 4, which covers advanced welding processes, welding science and quality assurance.

The Welding Institute also offers a range of training schemes for welders, covering techniques as well as inspection and testing qualifications. They also have information about the industries in which welding skills play a key role. Contact TWI for details.

Opportunities

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.

In companies employing teams of welders, promotion may be possible to foreman/woman and supervisor, or to fabrication workshop manager. Some welders move into inspection, quality control and non-destructive testing. See profile for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Technician.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Starting salaries are between £12,500 and £16,000 a year.
With experience, this rises to between £18,000 and £23,000.
Experienced specialist welders can earn up to £30,000 a year.

Further information

14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282 167 Interpoint
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878 Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB)
Blue Court
Church Lane
Kings Langley
Hertfordshire
WD4 8JP
Tel: 01923 260000
www.ecitb.org.uk

Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland)
Interpoint
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878
www.etcni.org.uk

The Welding Institute (TWI)
Granta Park
Great Abington
Cambridge
CB1 6AL
Tel: 01223 891162
www.twi.co.uk