Plate Welder
Plate welding is an exciting and hands-on career where you use advanced welding techniques to build and repair massive structures like bridges, ships, wind turbines, and even armoured vehicles. You’ll work with different metals, using high-tech welding tools to ensure strong, high-quality joins.
This job can take you anywhere - from construction sites to factories, and even working at heights or near water. You’ll collaborate with engineers, fabricators, and inspectors while ensuring your work meets top industry standards. It’s a skilful, rewarding career with opportunities across various industries worldwide!
Apprenticeship information
Entry requirements
A minimum of two GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and Maths. Other equivalent qualifications are acceptable.
Where will I study?
Training 2000 Blackburn
Duration
3 years - x1 eight week block (covering MMA, TIG and MAG welding processes)
English and Maths
You may need to complete your English and Maths Functional Skills depending on your GCSE grades, or if you cannot provide evidence of your GCSE results.
The Functional Skills programme runs as an addition to the time you are already required to spend doing your off-the-job training. Following a thorough assessment process, we will select a learning plan suitable for you, which will be either 2-weeks full-time or 12-weeks (one day per-week) each for English and/or maths.
If a subject needs re-sitting, this will be additional time in the classroom on top of your learning plan.
Apprenticeship information
Planning
Plan and prepare for the welding of plate, structural components before commencing work
Materials
Check materials conform to the specified grades, dimensions and thicknesses.
Inspection
Inspect weld preparations, surface conditions and cleanliness
Assembly and position of components
Assemble and position plate and structural components to be welded, including attachment of bracings, strong-backs, alignment aids, run-on and run-off tabs and backing materials (e.g. ceramic, metallic etc.).
Preparation to weld
Assemble equipment to be used in the preparation and welding of plate and structural components and check its performance and condition, including any component heating and monitoring equipment.
Adjusting and maintaining equipment
Adjust and maintain the equipment to be used during the welding of plate and structural components.
Technical specifications & drawings
Interpret technical specifications & drawings to establish detailed welding process controls, consumable selection, and dimensional limitations imposed to control distortion.
Welding techniques
Make the joints to specified dimensional accuracy using appropriate welding techniques.
Improvements
Identifying areas for improving the production process where possible through the monitoring of performance
Monitoring parameters
Monitor associated parameters throughout the welding of plate and structural components (e.g. Preheat, Interpass Temperature, Heat Input).
Removing defects
Remove material using manual powered and non-powered hand tools, before and during welding to remove defects within the preparation and weld deposit.
Compliance
Visually inspect alignment and distortion of component and apply techniques to ensure compliance with specification.
Inspecting completed weld
Visually inspect completed weld and component geometry
Hand tools
Remove and dress bracings, strong-backs, run-on/run-off tabs and alignment aids, and dress finished external weld surfaces using manual powered and non-powered hand tools
Stock control
Monitor the use of consumables and adjust quantities issued, and return unused consumables for re-conditioning, re-use or disposal.
Working environment
Restore the work area and equipment to a safe and reliable condition on completion of welding including the remediation and recycling of bracings, strong-backs and alignment aids.
Finishing a job professionally
Complete production documentation and reporting at the appropriate stages of the work activity
Next steps
On completion of this course you may want to consider the following options to further your career.
Where can you progress to?
Frequently asked questions
Most of our Apprenticeships are 4 years but can be shorter dependant on the type of engineering you are learning.
We offer engineering Apprenticeships in a range of areas, such as CAD (Computer Aided Design), Welding, Fire & Security systems, Electronics, Mechatronics and CNC.
We work with many local engineering companies, who advertise their vacancies on our website. These will change daily, so always check back for the latest ones.
As we are part of the University of Central Lancashire, you can easily progress onto a Degree Apprenticeship