Welder

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

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

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

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

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.

Registrations

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).

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

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.