Welder

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

• become a supervisor or metal fabrication workshop manager
• work in welding inspection, non-destructive testing or quality control
• train as a commercial diver and specialise in underwater welding, for example in oil, gas and marine engineering
• become a further education teacher or training assessor
• study materials science to become a welding engineer and work in welding design and standards development

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to work well with your hands
• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Design and Technology - Welders read technical drawings, work with a wide range of tools and materials, and follow detailed construction plans every day. Understanding how to shape, join, and manipulate materials – and how to use workshop equipment safely – is central to the job.
• Physics - Welders need to understand how heat affects metals, including expansion, contraction, and changes in material properties during the welding process. Knowledge of forces, energy transfer, and the behaviour of different materials helps them produce strong, reliable joins.
• Mathematics - Welders use maths constantly – measuring dimensions, calculating angles, reading technical drawings, and working out material quantities. Precision is critical, so being confident with numbers and geometry directly affects the quality of their work.
• Engineering - Welders work across engineering construction, marine engineering, and manufacturing, joining components that must meet strict structural standards. Understanding engineering principles helps them select the right welding procedures and ensure their work can withstand the forces it will face in use.

Also relevant

• Chemistry - Welders work with a range of metals and alloys, and need to understand how different materials react to heat and to each other. Knowledge of chemical properties helps when selecting filler materials and shielding gases, and when avoiding problems like corrosion or contamination.
• Art and Design - Welders sometimes create decorative metalwork, sculptures, or bespoke fabrications where visual quality matters. Skills in sketching, spatial awareness, and an eye for form and proportion can be valuable, especially in artistic or custom welding work.
• Business - Welders who progress into supervisory roles or run their own workshops need to manage budgets, price jobs, and organise teams. Understanding business basics is useful for those who want to move into management or become self-employed.