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Welder

  • Hours

    37 to 40 per week

  • Starting salary

    £12,500 + per year

If you can work accurately with your hands and you've got good concentration levels, this could be an ideal job for you.

Welders cut, shape and join sections of metal in a wide range of industries, such as construction and engineering, transport, aerospace, and offshore oil and gas. They also carry out repairs on manufacturing equipment and machinery.

In this job you will need to understand technical plans and work well on your own. You'll also need maths skills for working out measurements.

You may be able to get into this type of work through an Apprenticeship, if they are offered in your area. You could also choose to develop your welding skills on courses run at colleges and other training providers.



The work

As a welder, you would:

  • select and lay out materials to be cut or joined
  • follow engineering instructions and drawings
  • use the most suitable welding method for the job in hand
  • inspect and test cuts and joins, using precision measuring instruments, such as a micrometer
  • operate semi-automatic spot-welding equipment (often found on high volume production lines like car manufacturing).

As well as working with metals and alloys, you may also cut and join composite materials, such as plastics, using specialist welding methods. Common types of welding include oxyacetylene, MIG (metal inert gas), MMA (manual metal arc), TIG (tungsten inert gas), laser and ultrasonic.


Hours

You would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week. Shiftwork is common and overtime may be necessary to meet deadlines.

Your working conditions would depend on your job. For instance, in a shipyard, it would be cramped if you were working in the bottom of a ship's hull. If you worked on an oil pipeline or a rig out at sea, you would be exposed to all weather conditions.

You would usually wear protective clothing, such as a face-shield, apron or gloves. In some cases you might need to use specialist safety equipment, for example breathing apparatus for underwater welding work, or a safety harness for working at heights.


Income

Starting salaries can be between £12,500 and £17,000 a year. With experience, this can rise to between £18,000 and £26,000. Experienced specialist welders can earn well over £30,000 a year.

Shiftwork and overtime may increase these amounts.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.


Entry requirements

You may be able to get into this career through an Apprenticeship in engineering. To get on to a scheme, you will usually need four GCSEs (grades A-C), in subjects like maths, engineering, English or science. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

Alternatively, you could take a welding qualification, which would teach you some of the skills needed for the job. Relevant courses include:

  • ABC Certificate in Fabrication and Welding Practice at levels 1 to 3
  • City & Guilds Award in Welding Skills, and Certificate in Engineering at levels 1 to 3
  • BTEC Diploma/Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (Fabrication & Welding) or Mechanical Engineering
  • EAL Award in Welding.

See the websites for the Engineering Construction Training Board (ECITB), SEMTA and the Welding Institute (TWI) in the section below for more information about welding careers, qualifications and training.

For more general information about engineering as a career, see the Tomorrow's Engineers website.


Training and development

Most of your training would be work-based and cover areas such as reading technical drawings, selecting materials and tools, and training in the relevant welding methods for the industry you are working in.

You could study for one of several NVQs once you are working, including:

  • Performing Engineering Operations levels 1 and 2
  • Fabrication and Welding Engineering levels 2 and 3.

You would normally have to pass competency tests for the type of welding work you carry out. These tests show that your work meets British and European welding standards (also known as codes).

There are many codes specific to particular welding work, for example BS EN 287 and BS EN ISO 9606 cover work on pipes, pressure vessels and tanks. For more details about coding tests, contact your local welding course provider or the Welding Institute (TWI).

You could also contact the Welding Institute about their range of training schemes for welding methods, as well as inspection and testing qualifications. They also have information about the industries in which welding skills play a key role.


Skills and knowledge

To be a welder you will need to have:

  • good hand-to-eye coordination
  • the ability to work accurately
  • good concentration levels
  • the ability to work without direct supervision
  • the ability to understand technical plans and drawings
  • good maths skills to work out measurements
  • an understanding of safe working practices.

More information

SEMTA (Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies in the UK) (Opens new window)
14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0845 643 9001
www.semta.org.uk

Welding Institute (TWI) (Opens new window)
Granta Park
Great Abington
Cambridge
CB21 6AL
Tel: 01223 899000
www.twi.co.uk

Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) (Opens new window)
Blue Court
Church Lane
Kings Langley
Hertfordshire
WD4 8JP
Tel: 01923 260000
www.ecitb.org.uk

Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) (Opens new window)
Interpoint
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878
www.etcni.org.uk

Tomorrow's Engineers (Opens new window)
EngineeringUK
Weston House
246 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7EX
Email: careers@engineeringuk.com
Tel: 020 3206 0400
www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

Women into Science, Engineering and Construction (Opens new window)
Athlone Wing
Old Building
Great Horton Road
Bradford
BD7 1AY
Tel: 01274 436485
www.theukrc.org/wise


Opportunities

You could work in a wide range of industries, such as civil engineering, engineering construction, agricultural engineering, shipbuilding, and vehicle manufacture and repair. You may also have the opportunity to work abroad on overseas construction projects.

Because welding knowledge is transferable, you may find it easy to move between different industries.

Your promotion options include becoming a foreman/forewoman and shift supervisor, or fabrication workshop manager. With experience, you may have the option to work in welding inspection, quality control and non-destructive testing. See the profile for non-destructive testing (NDT) technician for more details about this role.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (Opens in a new window) there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.


    Related industry information

    Industry summary

    The metals industry is part of the engineering manufacturing, science and mathematics sector, represented by Semta Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: automotive manufacture; electronics and electrical equipment manufacture; mechanical equipment manufacture; transport equipment manufacture, including marine and aerospace; and science. Across the sector as a whole, the workforce comprises approximately 2 million people, working across around 75,000 companies. UK engineering and science turnover is over £250 billion. British engineering exports amount to 37% of total UK exports of goods and services. The UK is Europe’s top location for investment in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development.

    The UK metals industry comprises:

    • Manufacture of basic metals – companies that are involved in the smelting and refining of ferrous (e.g. iron and steel) and non‐ferrous metals (e.g. copper, silver, aluminium) as well as those that produce bars, rods, tubes and carry out casting of metals.
    • Manufacture of fabricated metal products – companies that manufacture structural metal products (such as tanks, reservoirs, prefabricated metal buildings, steam generators), treating and coating of metal, manufacture of cutlery, tools and general hardware and other fabricated metal products (such as metal packaging, screws, washers and other metal fasteners). This has the largest number of employees of all of the metals sub‐industries.
    • Wholesale metals and scrap – companies involved in the wholesale of metals and metal ores and wholesale of waste and scrap. Energy savings can be made from the recycling of metals, especially aluminium, rather than extraction from ores. There is much interest in how to make‐up components with a view to disassembly and recycling at the end of a products lifecycle.

    Research developments in the molecular structure of the materials and manufacturing processes have led to their extended use in modern buildings, vehicles, engines and turbines that as well as having applications in the aircraft industry, help to harness the energy of wind and waves.

    Key facts:

    • There are an estimated 412,600 people employed in the metals industry, across 33,240 workplaces in Great Britain.
    • The greatest concentrations of employment in the metals industry are in the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West.
    • 90% of the metals workforce is full‐time.
    • In engineering, an estimated 6% of the workforce is self‐employed.

    Jobs in the industry range from: metallurgist, materials technician, materials engineer/scientist, foundry moulder/coremaker, foundry patternmaker, heat treatment operator, foundry process operator, manufacturing production manager, quality control inspector, sheet metal worker, welder, labourers in process and plant operations.


    National and regional data

    East Midlands – There are an estimated 37,700 employees in the regional workforce, in over 2,900 companies. There is a total requirement of 8,530 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: metal workers; Computer Aided Design (CAD); assembly line/production robotics; tool setting; tool makers; pattern making; and foundry skills. 48% of the workforce is employed as sheet metal workers. The largest industries in terms of employment are metal products, mechanical equipment, aerospace and automotive. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Derby City, Leicester City, South Derbyshire, Charnwood, Hinckley and Bosworth and Ashfield.

    East of England – There are an estimated 28,100 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 3,340 companies. There is a total requirement of 9,960 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: welding skills; Computer Aided Design (CAD); tool setting; fabrication; Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Material Requirement Planning (MRP11); assembly line/production robotics; manufacturing; and toolmakers. 51% of the workforce is employed as sheet metal workers. The largest industries in terms of employment are mechanical equipment, electronics and metal products. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Peterborough, Huntingdonshire, South Cambridgeshire, Luton and Basildon.

    London – There are an estimated 12,700 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 2,030 companies. There is a total requirement of 8,700 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); Material Requirement Planning (MRP11); CNC machine operation; tool setting; fabrication; metal workers; toolmakers; carpentry/woodwork; and machine operator (unspecified). 47% of the workforce is employed as sheet metal workers. The largest industries in terms of employment are mechanical equipment, electronics and metal products. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Barking and Dagenham, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow.

    North East – There are an estimated 22,700 employees in the regional workforce, in 1,180 companies. There is a total requirement of 4,875 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: metal workers; Computer Aided Design (CAD); Materials requirement Planning (MRP11); welding skills; and craft skills. 56% of the workforce is employed as sheet metal workers. The largest industries in terms of employment are mechanical equipment, metal products and automotive. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and Sedgefield.

    North West – There are an estimated 44,300 employees in the regional workforce, in 3,700 companies. There is a total requirement of 13,595 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: CNC machine operation; technical drawing; welding skills; general engineering skills; moulding skills; fabrication; metal workers; and grinding. 49% of the workforce is employed as sheet metal workers. The largest industries in terms of employment are metal products, mechanical equipment and aerospace. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Fylde, Knowsley, Crewe and Nantwich, Stockport, Oldham and Preston.

    South East – There are an estimated 33,000 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 4,300 companies. There is a total requirement of 10,120 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Design (CAD); welding skills; assembly line/production robotics; fabrication; Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Computer Aided Engineering (CAE); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); Statistical Process Control (SPC); tool setting; craft skills; general machining; metal workers; precision engineering; and foundry skills. 46% of the workforce is employed as sheet metal workers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around West Berkshire, Basingstoke and Deane, Milton Keynes, Eastleigh, Portsmouth, Crawley and Medway.

    South West – There are an estimated 31,400 employees in the regional workforce, in just under 2,870 companies. There is a total requirement of 7,460 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: CNC machine operation; Computer Aided Design (CAD); Computer Aided Engineering (CAE); Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); tool setting; welding skills; general engineering skills; fabrication; and precision engineering. 47% of the workforce is employed as sheet metal workers. The largest industries in terms of employment are mechanical equipment, electronics and metal products. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Stroud, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Swindon, South Somerset, Poole and Plymouth.

    West Midlands – There are an estimated 86,300 employees in the regional workforce, in 5,850 companies. There is a total requirement of 15,730 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: CNC machine operation; fabrication; Computer Aided Design (CAD); assembly line/production robotics; welding skills; general engineering skills; general machining; Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); Statistical Process Control (SPC); tool setting; moulding skills; metal workers; grinding; plating; and pattern making. 67% of the workforce is employed as metal making and treating process operatives. The largest industries in terms of employment are metal products, mechanical equipment and automotive. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Birmingham, Sandwell, Walsall, Coventry, Dudley and Telford and Wrekin.

    Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 57,900 employees in the regional workforce, in 3,580 companies. There is a total requirement of 13,595 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: CNC machine operation; Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); general engineering skills; metal workers; Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); assembly line/production robotics; tool setting; moulding skills; and manufacturing. 72% of the workforce is employed as metal making and treating process operatives. The largest industries in terms of employment are metal products, mechanical equipment and automotive. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Rotherham and Kingston upon Hull.

    Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 8,800 employees in the metals workforce. There is a total requirement of 500 employees needed per year between 2005 and 2014. 39% of the workforce is employed in the welding trades. Skills gaps include: welding; CNC machine operations; mechanical engineering skills; metalworking; and electrical engineering skills. The largest industries in terms of employment are electrical and electronics industry and the metals industry.

    Scotland – There are an estimated 28,500 employees in the workforce, in just over 2,000 companies. There is a total requirement of 7,140 employees needed between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: CNC machine operation; Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); metal workers; Computer Aided design (CAD); Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Computer Aided Engineering (CAE); Statistical Process Control (SPC); assembly line/production robotics; tool setting; general engineering skills; craft skills; fabrication; mechanical engineering; and turners. 62% of the workforce is employed as smiths and forge workers. The largest industries in terms of employment are electronics, metal products and mechanical equipment. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around the City of Glasgow, Fife, South Lanarkshire, the City of Aberdeen, North Lanarkshire and West Lothian.

    Wales – There are an estimated 30,000 employees in the workforce, in just under 1,450 companies. There is a total requirement of 4,350 employees needed between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided design (CAD); fabrication; CNC machine operation; welding skills; general engineering skills; general machining; precision engineering; and machine operator (unspecified). 75% of the workforce is employed as metal making and treating process operatives. The largest industries in terms of employment are automotive, basic metals, mechanical equipment and aerospace. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Flintshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda, Cynon and Taff, Bridgend and Wrexham.

    [N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, Census, 2001, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007.]


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