Welder

Alternative titles for this job include Pipe welder, MIG welder, TIG welder, boilermaker

Welders work in different industries, cutting, shaping and joining sections of metal plate and pipes.

Average salary (a year)

£16,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

44 to 46 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on shifts

How to become a welder

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• specialist courses run by private training organisations

College

You could take a welding qualification at college before applying for a job as a trainee welder. Relevant courses include:

• Level 1 Award in Introductory Welding Skills
• Level 2 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding Practice
• Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering Technology

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G) for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) for a level 3 course

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You can get into this career through an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in welding or engineering manufacturing.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), usually including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Other routes

You could take a course in welding techniques or inspection work through The Welding Institute. You'll normally be working in engineering to do this.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join The Welding Institute for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about welding careers through the Engineering and Construction Industry Training Board and The Welding Institute.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work on your own
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• leadership skills
• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work well with your hands
• being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• setting out the materials to be cut or joined
• following engineering instructions and drawings
• inspecting and testing cuts and joins, using precision measuring instruments
• operating the semi-automatic spot-welding equipment used in high volume production lines

Working environment

Your working environment may be cramped and at height.

You may need to wear safety clothing and protective clothing.

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.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Engineer

• Wage : £13,000.00 - £15,000.00 Annually
• Location: Wokingham RG41 2PL

Apprentice X-ray Engineer

• Wage : £246.00 Weekly
• Location: Stonehouse GL10 2LU

Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

"Introductory Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding Award - Level 1 - C&G"

• Provider: Cheshire College South & West
• Start date: 25 April 2019
• Location: Crewe

Welding Practice - Level 2

• Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
• Start date: 10 September 2019
• Location: Lytham St. Annes

Find courses near you

Related careers

• Blacksmith
• Engineering maintenance technician
• Engineering construction technician

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