Jobs for Welders

Are you interested in jobs for welders? We’ll take you through everything you need to know, from how to become a welder to where you can find welding jobs in the UK.

Welding can be traced back to ancient times with the earliest examples coming from the Bronze Age. However, in the last 50 years, we’ve seen an explosion of new welding techniques and processes which has rejuvenated the skill and created more jobs. Welding is an essential component of many industries worldwide, including the automotive industry, the construction industry, the aviation industry, and many more.

Therefore, welders are constantly in high demand across a variety of industries.

 

What Do Welders Do?

Welders create or repair metal products or goods. They do so by using heat to fuse multiple metals, such as stainless steel, brass, or aluminium. Where welders work can vary greatly depending on the company they work for and the industry they work in. Some examples of locations include:

• Car garages
• Manufacturing plants
• Shipyards
• Factories
• Construction sites

Salaries for welders range from £22,000 to £45,000 per year based on their level of expertise and experience.

 

How to Become a Welder

There are a number of ways to get into welding:

 

College Course

Some examples of college courses you could take before applying for a job as a trainee welder include:

• Level 2 Award in Welding Skills
• Level 2 Award in Welding Techniques and Skills
• Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering Technology
• T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

A college course will allow you to develop the skills needed for the job, as well as build a strong network of contacts who can help you find employment.

If you’re interested in welder jobs for career changers, a number of colleges and private training organisations offer part-time or shorter courses. This will give you a taste of the job before making any big decisions.

 

Apprenticeship

Depending on the type of welding you’d like to get into, there are a number of apprenticeships you could enrol in:

• General Welder Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Pipe Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Plate Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Level 2 apprenticeships usually take around 18 months to complete, after which you’ll be able to apply for jobs as a welder. Level 3 advanced apprenticeships take a lot longer to complete, usually around 38 months.

 

Direct Application

The option also exists to apply directly for jobs as a welder. Of course, you will need to have some experience in order to be considered for positions. Relevant experience would include pipe fitting or working in engineering construction or marine engineering.

 

Specialist Courses

A number of training providers, like The Welding Institute (TWI), offer specialist courses on welding. There is a whole range of courses available from welding inspection to topside and underwater inspection, among many more.

In order to go down this route, however, you would generally need to be working in engineering.

 

Welding Skills

The following skills and knowledge will be of great benefit to you when becoming a welder:

• attention to detail
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to work unsupervised
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• good at maths
• good with your hands
• hold your work to a high standard

Many of these skills can be acquired during training, so don’t worry if you don’t already possess them all.

 

Finding Jobs For Welders

Due to the constant high demand for welders in the UK, there’s no time like the present to make a career change to welding and apply for welding jobs. Check out Refreshing a Career’s welding jobs board for all the latest jobs for welders.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions and sign up for our newsletter below for all the latest from Refreshing a Career.