All Job Categories
Welder
Pipe welder, MIG welder, TIG welder, arc welder, boilermaker
Welders cut, join and shape metals, alloys and other materials in the manufacturing, construction and engineering industries.
Average salary (a year)
£25000
Starter
£45000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
40.0 to 46.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; applying directly; specialist courses run by a private training provider
College
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
Apprenticeship
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
Direct Application
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
Other Routes
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.
More Information
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).
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
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
Possible green job
This job could help the environment.
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
Working environment
You could work in a workshop, on a construction site or on a demolition site.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Your working environment may be hot, cramped and at height.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
Powered by
Claim your school or college profile