How to become a welder

A vital job for many industries around the world, welders are always in demand. But if you want to become a welder, where do you start? Learn all about getting into this career with our guide.

Why should you start a welding career?

When it comes to common and skilled trades, there are few out there like welding. It is a skill that is essential for all manner of industries, and as a welder, you could find a place in:

• Construction

• Engineering

• Shipbuilding

• Car manufacture

• Structural repairs

• Pipe fitting

Welding is an incredibly skilled trade, and is perfectly suited for anyone who likes working with their hands. As a very technical profession, you could find it also pays very well, especially once you have a couple of years of experience.

Best of all, it’s the sort of trade that’s needed all year round. So, if you eventually start your own welding business, you’ll never be short of work!

So, if you want to know more about how to become a welder, read on. This article is designed to guide you through welder skills, welding qualifications, and finding work after training.

What do welders do?

For the most part, a welder’s job involves working almost exclusively with metal.

The process of welding involves attaching metalwork to:

• Create

• Maintain

• Repair

As a result, welders know the best way to build, cut, join, and shape metal alloys using heat.

Many of which are used in the UK manufacturing, construction, and engineering industries. Which means there are plenty of welding specialities to choose from.

However, some of the most common welding specialisations include:

• Pipe welding

• MIG welding

• TIG welding

• Arc welding

• Boiler making

Whatever type of welding you find yourself working in, be aware that it is a complementary skill that works well with other trades. For example, in plumbing and central heating work, the use of copper piping means that welding knowledge is incredibly useful.

What work is covered by a welder job description?

Due to the varied nature of welding work, the day-to-day activities of any welder will vary from industry to industry.

Whether that’s working in a workshop or directly on a construction site. Or help with demolition work. No day is exactly the same.

But, with that being said, welders can expect to do all or some of the following activities on a daily basis:

• Correctly understand and following technical drawings

• Preparing materials for joining by measuring and noting their join order

• Carrying out safety checks to ensure risks and hazards are minimised

• Calibrating the tools you’ll be using for correct use

• Operating various welding equipment safely and correctly

• Performing joint inspections on current or previous work and testing them using precision measuring tools

• Dismantling and deconstructing metalwork during demolitions and repairs

• Carrying out repairs and maintenance work

• Using the correct welding PPE to ensure workplace safety

• Cleaning and preparing your workstation for the next person to use it

Of course, this is just a general overview and does not cover the specifics of each welding role.

However, an understanding of all these areas is required to become a welder. Especially if you want to be capable of performing a variety of complex joining tasks.

What skills are needed to become a welder?

Alongside knowing what a welder does daily, it’s also important to understand the non-welding skills required for such a role.

After all, you’re going to be working with more than just metal in your career.

To become a professional welder, as well as the technical knowledge, it is also good to have:

• Excellent attention to detail for accurate work

• The ability to work independently when required

• Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity

• A sound understanding of welding design and engineering practices

• Competent maths skills for precise measuring

• An understanding of how to carry out a full quality and performance analysis

• Sound knowledge of welding health and safety best practices

• Solid interpersonal skills as you will be working with many different people

• Basic computer skills

Learning all of these skills as you progress will put you in a much better position when applying for welding jobs.

On top of this, gaining a complete understanding of how to use various essential welding tools is an absolute must.

Where can you train for a welding career?

Like any trade, there are various places you can train to become a welder. For example:

• Apprenticeships

• College courses

• Trade skill courses

• Night school

Whatever your preferred style of learning, you'll need to know how to weld and understand core concepts. An apprenticeship lets you learn on the go while also earning an income.

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What welding qualifications are available?

Regardless of if you choose to attend college or start an apprenticeship, there are plenty of welding qualifications out there. However, the most important ones to attain are listed below:

• A Level 1 in introductory welding skills

• A Level 2 Award in welding skills and techniques

• A Level 3 certificate in welding and fabrication engineering technology

• A T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing, and Control

• A General Welder Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship

• A Pipe Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

• A Plate Welder Level 3 advanced Apprenticeship

A combination of one or several of these accreditations will give you the knowledge needed to start a welding career.

But if you intend on working in a construction setting, be sure to get a CSCS card as well. These are a legal requirement for site work.

Do you need welding qualifications to become a welder?

As with a variety of trades, there are no legal requirements out there saying you need qualifications to start welding. However, with a trade as complex and methodical as this one, and with a higher hazard rating, it can still be argued that qualifications are essential.

Simply put, without the right training, you could be putting yourself at risk.

Welding work has several hazards and uses many dangerous tools. By getting the right training, you can minimise the chance of injuring yourself.

Alongside this, having qualifications is a smart way to prove to your customers that you know what you’re doing. Not to mention making it far easier to find employment going forward.

How to get more experience as a welder?

In order to get more experience as a welder, once qualified, you can always take further courses.

Training helps you upskill yourself and find your welding niche. Courses also let you develop your skills further in a safe environment.

On top of this, it’s always work looking for local welding roles in your area.

Send out your CV to various businesses seeking welders and see if they have roles available. Even a part-time job is a great way to put your skills into practice while seeking full-time employment.

Get more work as a welder with Checkatrade

So, hopefully you now know exactly what’s required to become a welder. But even if you’ve found employment, you might want to go it alone and start a welding business.

Whether you're a sole trader or run a limited company, there are many reasons to consider joining Checkatrade as a member.

There are a range of benefits for tradespeople to consider:

• Exclusive offers and discounts for business essentials like workwear, tools and vehicles

• Reduced rate of public liability insurance

• Guarantee for jobs booked through us (T&Cs apply)

• Specialised trades app for job management, quoting/invoicing tool and more

• Dedicated membership advice team

Get in touch with our team today to learn more about the sign-up and vetting process.

What do you need to become Checkatrade approved?

Find out what checks we carry out, the standards you’ll be asked to meet, what happens once you’re an approved Checkatrade member.

Learn more

Welder training FAQs

How long does it take to become a welder in the UK?

As welding is a skilled role, it’s not uncommon for training to take several years. Most apprenticeships will last anywhere from 2 to 4 years, depending on their niche and complexity.

However, you may be able to qualify as a trainee welder in just a few months. From here, you can get further experience on the job.

Is welding a good career in the UK?

Welding is constantly in demand from a variety of industries, which can make it a very lucrative career choice. Of course, you’ll need the right training to carry out some of the higher-paid work. But this is more than worth it in the long run.

How much are UK welders paid?

As a skilled profession, welders can earn good money, even from day one. The average welder's salarycan range from £11,063 for an apprentice welder, to around £76,702 for the owner of a welding limited company.