If you enjoy working with your hands to build or repair certain items, welding may be the ideal career for you. Since it involves using complex tools and flames, welding requires plenty of practice and training to remain successful in the field. Once this education and experience is gained, welders can continue building their skillset to eventually advance in their career and complete larger projects.
In this article, we outline what a welder does, how much they make, how to become a welder and frequently asked questions regarding their career.
What does welders do? A welder is a professional trained in using heat to join different types of metals together to build or repair various products or goods. Since there is an array of products welders can build, there are several types of welding you can pursue. The tasks of welding can include building and repairing housing or commercial structures, automobiles, bridges, ships or aircraft.
Common responsibilities of a welder may include:
- Making sure each project completed is durable and safe for consumers to use.
- Following safety regulations to handle flame usage safely and responsibly.
- Maintaining the proper temperature of the flame and metals during the welding process.
- Cleaning and storing welding equipment.
- Viewing blueprints to determine the length and dimensions of the product being welded.
Is welding salary worth working hard for? Welding is a very labor-intensive profession. You operate a large machine and use high temperatures to handle delicate materials. Accuracy is also essential in this race. However, skilled workers in this industry are fairly easy to enter the industry and can get high salaries. Higher education is not required. Most welders have a high school diploma or equivalent, and many employers offer on-the-job training. Welding is also used in a variety of industries, including construction, aviation, and military, so this carrier can offer the opportunity to travel to a variety of interesting places where you would otherwise not have the opportunity to travel and work on projects.
Let’s cut the chase! How do one become a welder?
1. Investigate different types of welds. Before you become a welder, you need to explore the various welding options available. It can help you learn which particular welding obligations and responsibilities best match your strengths and abilities. Different welding carriers have different responsibilities and require different training or certification.
Investigating the tasks associated with each welding career will help you better understand what education and training you need to do. You can also explore the various welds and find tasks that you can enjoy performing.
2. Take a welding course. Once you have selected the type of welding carrier you want to pursue, look up the educational requirements of your area of expertise. Most welding careers require a high school diploma or GED. If your high school offers welding courses, take them to learn more about different types of welding. Welding often involves measuring dimensions, so it is also advisable to take a math course that complements welding, such as geometry.
3. Get a welding certificate. After high school education, you can continue your education by enrolling in a welding certificate program or community college. Welding certificate programs typically last about 6 months to 2 years and help to develop a general understanding of welding obligations and responsibilities. Some welders may choose to continue training and earn a bachelor's degree in welding, depending on their area of expertise.
4. Gain practical experience. Once you are certified as a welder, you can begin your practice through the specific type of welding practice you desire. As an apprentice, you can go ahead and complete the work under supervision and learn more about the welder's regular schedule and responsibilities.
After completing the apprenticeship, if permitted, you can stay at the company where the apprenticeship is offered or use this experience to apply to a new full-time weld position.
5. Become a certified welder. Before working full-time, you need to be certified to complete the particular type of weld you want to perform. There are many certificates available for welders, depending on the skill set you acquire and the welding career you plan to work with. The main certification required by an employer is the AWS Certified Welder Basic certification.
You must take an exam to obtain this certification. This certification is offered by many AWS-certified testing facilities. There are no requirements required to write this exam. It consists of written parts as well as inspection of your welding technique and performance.
6. Start job hunting. Once you have the necessary training, education and experience, you can start looking for a weld position. Search for jobs online to find a job that matches your current skills and experience. You can highlight these skills in your resume. List each skill in your work experience using detailed and concrete examples.
You can also include skills in specific sections of your resume. Try presenting the skills listed in your resume job listing.
What skills are must-have for welders? Before deciding to connect your life with a welding job, realize that it is a physically challenging occupation. It requires hard physical work, often in severe conditions. Besides good health and high endurance, you will need the following skills:
- Close vision
- Hand-eye coordination
- Manual dexterity
- Depth perception
- Calculating dimensions
- Reading sketches and blueprints
- Reading 2- and 3-dimensional graphics
Attention to details:
- Full adherence to safety standards
- Precision in cutting metal objects, joining parts, etc.
- Complete following the directions.
Bonus! Here are 13 tips to help you get a stable job as a welder.
1. Carefully search the mailing list. Look carefully at the categories when looking for a work engine for a major employer. Welding can occur in "skilled trade," "manufacturing," "construction," "general labor," "repair and maintenance," or "industrial technology."
If you are diligent, the welding list will eventually appear.
2. Go out and visit the office. For small employers, job seekers often call or visit the office (regardless of the advertised position). Ask if you can try the position of the welder. If nothing is available, please wait a month and then call again.
You may not be able to get a job just by submitting your resume and waiting for a call.
3. Learn multiple processes. Don't concentrate on learning how to weld as it is more comfortable for you. Employers generally prefer multi-process welders to welders with limited skills.
4. Learn how to weld pipes. You can also increase the attractiveness of recruiters by acquiring both structural and pipe welding skills.
Pipes are more difficult, but experts predict thousands of new constructions and repairs over the next few years. Pipe welding is also generally more expensive than structural welding.
5. Know the certification. Once you have a step-by-step understanding of the weld certification test details, perform these steps until you are able to perform the necessary welds during sleep.
6. Practice at home. Consider purchasing a small arc welder (MIG, TIG, or stick) or an oxyacetylene kit so that you can practice at home after the training semester. For more information, see the guide "How to choose a welder".
7. Tips for college students. If you spend time at a school going to the United States and can afford to meet your graduation requirements, get a degree. Titles help you qualify for high-paying positions. Work part-time at a local welder for a few hours a week. This is a great way to learn about different tools, consumables, and hardware.
8. Keep the reference handy. There's a lot to learn, so put together a reference binder to take to work or school. Break it down into various welding processes and make copies of useful tables, diagrams and product inventory lists. Understanding the consumables classification system is essential.
9. Join AWS. Join a professional organization such as the American Welding Society, which offers discounted rates to students, and participate in local departmental activities. It keeps you informed of work trends and expands your contact network.
10. Get ready to move. Use desk list entries to monitor which cities and regions in your country you have work experience with. If you want to earn a higher salary, you can decide to move to one of these areas.
However, it may be desirable to bring the first weld closer to the house to reduce stress.
11. Confirm financial assistance. If you currently have low or no income, you may be eligible for tuition waivers at junior colleges and some non-profit vocational training programs. Other forms of financial assistance may be available to pay books and monthly invoices while at school. Check with your local unemployment office, non-profit vocational counseling center, or the university's financial assistance department for more information.
12. Get a cheat lens. If it is difficult to see the welded part or follow the joint with the torch during welding, please purchase a "cheat lens". This is a magnifying glass or plastic insert calibrated at a distance of approximately 12 inches. Put it in your helmet and adjust the shadow settings. This should help you take a closer look at things.
13. Find a support position. Not everyone will be a skilled welder in time, but almost all students will benefit from future work experience. Make sure you are looking for support positions such as weld inspectors, staff recruiters, sales reps, buyers, project assistants and more.