Welder
Welders cut, join and shape metals, alloys and other materials in the manufacturing, construction and engineering industries.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a welder you could:
- follow drawings and instructions
- prepare materials to be joined and select the right welding procedure
- calibrate tools and operate welding equipment
- inspect and test the quality of joins using precision measuring instruments
- dismantle and cut up metalwork, for example during demolitions
We've identified this as a potential green job
For a welder to be a green job, you could:
- weld components used to build wind turbines
- use newer energy efficient welding methods to reduce waste
- work with fume extraction systems when welding to filter out harmful pollutants
Find out more about green careers
Working environment
You could work in a workshop, on a construction site or on a demolition site.
Your working environment may be hot, cramped and at height.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
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
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
- specialist courses run by a private training provider
You could do a welding qualification at college before applying for a job as a trainee welder. Courses include:
- welding skills
- welding techniques and skills
- fabrication and welding engineering
- T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
You could apply to do a welding apprenticeship, such as:
- General Welder Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Pipe Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Plate Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
These take between 2 and 4 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll 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
More Information
You can apply directly for welding jobs.
You'll need welding experience and certifications, for example from working in:
- pipe fitting
- engineering construction
- marine engineering
- steel fabrication
You could take a course in welding or inspection through The Welding Institute (TWI). You usually need to be working in engineering to do this.
Registration
- you'll need an industry safety certificate like the Client Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) Safety Passport Scheme for many jobs
Professional and industry bodies
You could join The Welding Institute (TWI) for professional development and training opportunities.
Further information
You can find out more about welding careers from The Welding Institute (TWI).
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.