Job Description

A Welder will cut and join sections of metal, alloys or other materials using specialist welding methods. This could be in a factory, service plant or on a construction site or offshore platforms. The job of a Welder involves working with metals, copper, brass, pipes, steel, iron and any material that is required to be melted, heated, or fused.

Entry Requirements

You could get into this job through a college course or an apprenticeship.

College

You could take a relevant college course and then apply for jobs as a trainee welder.

Courses include:

General Welder level 2
Welding and Fabrication Level 3

You will usually need:

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

The following colleges may offer a relevant course

Apprenticeship

You could take an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in:

Welding
engineering manufacturing
engineering construction

You will usually need:

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

Find an apprenticeship

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming a welder from the Engineering and Construction Industry Training Board , the Welding Institute and Go Construct

Career Path and Progression

With experience, you could be promoted to a supervisory role or be a workshop manager.

You could also work in welding inspection, testing and quality control or, with commercial diver training, underwater welding.

Related careers you may be interested in:

Blacksmith
Engineering construction technician
Engineering maintenance technician
Heat treatment operator

Required Skills

For this role you'll need:

the ability to follow instructions and drawings
good health and safety awareness
good hand to eye co-ordination
the ability to work accurately
good numerical skills
the ability to solve problems
knowledge of maths

Salary Range

£18,000 to £33,000

Welder