Welder

Welders work with metals or plastics and join sections, pipes or plates together by applying heat. The edges of the materials melt and then fuse together when the weld metal solidifies and cools.

Most welders work with steel or aluminium and three processes of welding - manual, semi-automatic and fully mechanised are used. Welders working in manufacturing are more likely to work as part of a production team although some types of mechanised welding are carried out by robots, especially in the car industry. Welders usually specialise in more than one welding process as different methods require different levels of skill and suit different industries.

The working week normally involves standard hours and may include shifts. Welders may work in factories, workshops, and even offshore where they could work undersea. They might work outdoors welding sections of a pipeline or chemical plant, or in confined conditions within a building structure. They must wear a headshield with protective filter glass and safety glasses, overalls, an apron and gloves.

Salaries range from around £7,500 for apprentices to £80,000 a year for highly experienced welders (or more for specialised undersea work).

Welders need:

• good hand-to-eye co-ordination and practical dexterity
• good concentration skills
• perseverance, as a lot of practice is required to become a good welder
• to be physically fit
• good eyesight.

Welding is used in many industries across the UK, including construction, engineering, vehicle manufacture and maintenance, shipbuilding and ship repair, offshore oil and gas production, power generation and the aerospace industry. The main employers of welders are small and medium-sized firms, although there are some large employers in the engineering industry. Contract work and self-employment are common.

There are no set minimum entry qualifications, but employers and colleges may require GCSEs grades A*-C in English, maths and a science subject, or the equivalent. The Diploma in engineering may be relevant for this area of work.

An Apprenticeship scheme is the most common route of entry. A college course, full time, part time or on day release, combined with experience in employment, may be an alternative. Students leaving full-time education may attend college to study engineering-related vocational courses. They may progress to an Advanced Apprenticeship on completing the course.

Companies employing a team of welders may provide opportunities for promotion to supervisor, or to fabrication shop manager. Some welders move into inspection and non-destructive testing, or equipment sales.

Further details