Welder
Welding is a way to make high strength joints between two or more parts. General Welders use high electrical energy to form an arc. Manual dexterity is essential in controlling the arc, which is used to melt metals, allowing them to fuse together to form a structurally sound weld.
Welding is used extensively and in almost every sector of industry. There is a high demand for skilled General Welders in areas such as: automotive, marine, transport, general fabrication, construction and many more. General Welders produce items like components for cars; ships; rail vehicles; simple metallic containers; and steelwork for bridges, buildings and gantries. Welding is a safety critical occupation and every welder takes responsibility for the quality and accuracy of their work. General Welders are required to produce joints that satisfy basic quality standards in order to ensure that the finished products function correctly, contributing to the safety of all and the global quality of life.
Skilled, qualified, professionally certified General Welders can work anywhere in the world and provide services in harshest of environments. For these accomplished professionals, the monetary rewards can be significant.
There is a highly complex range of welding skills: the different arc welding processes require different levels of manual dexterity, knowledge and skill to avoid making defective welds. There are a wide range of metallic materials that can be welded, each with different properties and behaviours.
Apprenticeship information
Entry requirements
A minimum of two GCSEs at grade 3 (D) or above in English and Maths. Other equivalent qualifications are acceptable
Where will I study?
Training 2000 Blackburn
Duration
18 months - x3 blocks of training (duration may vary depending on the training your employer requires)
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
Welding safety
Conduct safety checks of welding equipment and surrounding work areas
Welding data
Receive and read welding data and documentation, engineering drawings and technical data
Quality standards
Identify, check and inspect materials to be welded and ensure they conform to quality standards
Planning
Plan and prepare for welding activities. Ensure that consumables, work area and materials for use are correct. This applies to basic or complex welding tasks
Setting up equipment
Set up, operate and adjust welding controls for the welding equipment being used
Welding components
Weld components to create an interim assembly or finished product
Evaluation
Inspect welds produced for dimensional and surface weld quality to ensure compliance prior to release
Identifying issues
Identify, communicate and report issues affecting weld quality
Stages of welding activity
Complete welding documentation at all stages of the work activity. For example, Production Control Cards
Working environment
Restore the work area and equipment to a safe and reliable condition on completion of welding, including remediation and recycling
Completion of work
Ensure tools, consumables, unused materials and equipment are returned to a safe, clean and approved condition on completion of welding work
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