Welders use intense heat to join pieces of metal together. They are responsible for preparing the metal and looking after the tools that they use.

Also known as:

• MIG Welder
• Fabricator Welder
• Fitter Welder

Work activities

Welders use intense heat to join pieces of metal together. The heat melts the metal to form a liquid pool, which then solidifies as a tight join. As a welder, you may have to set up the pieces to be welded on a bench, workshop floor or maybe at a construction site. These may be held in position by jigs, or pre-positioned and tack welded by a plater, pipefitter or sheet metal worker. You could be using manual or mechanised techniques. Usually you’ll use an electric arc (the bright, hot area between the electrode tip and the metal) or a gas flame to melt the metal in the joint. In manufacturing and production, electrical resistance, high energy beams (such as electron beams and lasers) or friction may be used.

You will need to carefully follow technical drawings or instructions. Safety is vital to welding, so inspectors may check completed welds by using X-ray, ultrasonic or dye-testing techniques. If they discover cracks or other flaws, you will have to do the job again!

Personal qualities and skills

As a welder, you’ll need:

• Good practical skills.
• To be able to work with great accuracy.
• To understand and follow technical information and diagrams.
• To be able to write reports, describing the repairs and services you have carried out.
• To understand and follow health and safety regulations.
• The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• to be able to work as part of a team and to be able to work on your own.

Personal skills:

• Observation; you will need to be able to spot faults.
• Communication; you might need to work with other people, such as sheet metal workers and platers.

Pay and opportunities

You can expect to start on around £22,000 per year once qualified, and up to £45,000 is possible for senior positions.

Welders usually work long weeks of 44 to 46 hours. Saturday working may be necessary and overtime may well be available.

Employers are firms in manufacturing or construction concerned with metal fabrication, in heavy engineering and related industries such as shipbuilding/ repair and engineering construction. Opportunities for welders occur with employers throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, trade industry publications, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. You can search for apprenticeships on the Find an Apprenticeship website.

Vacancies can also be found through specialist engineering recruitment agencies and internet job boards.

Entry routes and training 

There are no specific entry requirements for this role. The best way to begin a career is through an intermediate apprenticeship as a general welder. More specialist level 3 apprenticeships are available as:

• Pipe welder
• Plate welder

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an apprenticeship, you will need to be 16 with GCSEs (including English and maths). However, the selection process may include aptitude tests, and more emphasis may be placed on the results of these than on your academic achievement.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some people enter after working in other jobs that involved some welding, for example, plating. People who want to change careers need to get the basic skills of welding before applying for employment. A knowledge of and/or qualifications in metal work and technical drawing can be an advantage.

Evening classes are available at further education colleges, providing training in practical skills and an understanding of welding principles - you should contact local colleges or The Welding Institute (TWI) for more information. There are a number of relevant City & Guilds qualifications.

Related careers

• Blacksmith
• Foundry worker
• Sheet metal worker/plater
• Toolmaker