Welder

Welders join metals in a wide range of industries, such as aerospace, construction, defence, mining, marine and structural engineering. Welding contributes to the UK economy through the creation and repair of engineered goods and assets. Welders may be employed in any size of business from small companies to large multi-nationals. They work in a range of settings including fabrication shops, assembly yards, construction and building sites, factories and operational facilities requiring maintenance and upgrade. They can be employed by supply chain companies, the direct owner, or operators.

Welders are responsible for the production of welds using manual and mechanised arc welding processes to sector standards. They will weld using a minimum of two weld process and material combinations, with at least one process being manual welding.

Manual processes can include: manual tungsten inert gas (TIG), plasma arc welding (PAW), manual metal arc (MMA), metal inert or metal active gas (MIG or MAG), flux cored arc welding (FCAW). Mechanised processes can include: submerged arc welding (SAW), tractor-mounted metal inert or metal active gas (MIG or MAG), tractor-mounted flux cored arc welding (FCAW), tractor-mounted or orbital tungsten inert gas (TIG), tractor-mounted or orbital plasma arc welding (PAW).

Material groups include: carbon steel, low alloy steel (3-7% alloy content), high alloy ferritic or martensitic steel (>7% alloy content), austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, nickel and nickel alloys, aluminium and aluminium alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, copper and copper alloys. Given their close similarity when welding, for the purpose of this standard, MIG and MAG welding will be deemed to be the same process.

The role requires production of welds in components covering two welding positions, in at least two joint layouts. These can be from butt (including seams), T-butt, fillet (including outside corners), buttering or cladding. Each welding process requires different welding equipment, assemblies, controls, skills and techniques, and represents a separate production process.

Welders work with people from other teams and functions, such as plate fabricators, steel erectors, steel workers, riggers, stores operatives, supervisors, inspectors, testing and quality control technicians. Their work may be checked to ensure continued quality of welding: this includes visual inspection and dimensional checks. It may also include non-destructive and destructive testing. They must ensure that the process and products meet quality standards and are produced to schedule. They must comply with health and safety regulations and procedures, including wearing personal protection equipment (PPE). They also need to meet environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures – reducing waste and recycling materials. They may work on their own or as part of a team. They work with minimal supervision and are responsible for the quality of their own work. They will typically report to a workplace supervisor. Welding operatives may need to work shifts and flexible work patterns. They may be required to work at height, and beside or over water.