Are you considering taking up a career in welding? If so, you could be entering a very thrilling and exciting career path. Welding is a lucrative job which takes you worldwide allowing you to gain employment across a number of sectors. If you’re thinking about signing up for a welding training course or applying for an apprenticeship, here are some things you should consider before making the commitment.
Which Industries Could I Work In?
There are lots of sectors and industries which require the services of welders. These include:
- Fabrication
- Manufacturing
- Oil and gas
- Construction
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Shipbuilding
There are many other opportunities too. Once you’re a qualified welder, the world really is your oyster. Your skills will be in high demand and you will be able to command a very attractive salary, especially if you have more qualifications and skills in your repertoire.
Which Skills Will I Need?
Beginner welders will embark on a career in which they will learn lots of processes. Welding today includes more than 140 processes, and you’ll need to learn them all since no single process can suit every task. However, the principle of all the processes is the same. You won’t always be welding metal, however. Polymers and plastics are also welded these days. Welding these materials will require a different skillset to those skills which are perfect for metals.
Safety Is Paramount
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing a career in welding is the danger which this career can pose to your health and safety. You’ll be dealing on a daily basis with powerful equipment and high temperatures. That means you need to be aware of safety precautions and have the right equipment to avoid being exposed to fire, fumes, explosions and gas as well as electric shocks. You’ll also need to bear in mind that welders work in a range of environments. They can be high up on a narrow beam, squeezed into a tight or narrow space or even be welding underwater. You’ll need to ensure you’re comfortable with all of those.
What Kind Of Jobs Can Welders Do?
Welders can travel around the world doing their job. There are lots of travelling welding opportunities including:
- Installing and repairing pipelines
- Building and repairing ships
- Military support
- Maintaining and repairing cruise ships
- Welding underwater
All of these are very exciting options which offer a lot of progression opportunities, lucrative salaries and which allow you to travel and see the world. As long as you’re happy to work in a range of environments and take on a wide range of welding tasks, you’ll be well qualified to take up any of these posts.
What Are The Certifications Required?
You’ll need specific training to practice and learn all the skills necessary to carry out the welding processes you’ll need to know. You’ll need certification and to pass exams before you can apply for some jobs. While it’s possible to get a welding job without certain qualifications, if you obtain certification, you’ll be able to get better-paying and more demanding jobs. If you want to travel the world in your welding career and have as many options as possible open to you, getting certified is vital. You’ll also be offered the best rates of pay.
Future Opportunities
If you’re a trained welder, you can either progress within the industry itself or you can change direction and become a trainer or teacher of welding skills yourself. You can also become a welding inspector, although this will require further certification. You could work in a quality control capacity you can work in laboratories while you could alternatively move into consumable and welding equipment sales or become a consultant. Whatever direction you want to take, you’ll need to plan ahead to achieve your long-term goals and make sure you take the correct qualifications to get to where you want to go.
Now you know more about what’s involved in becoming a welder, you are better placed to make an informed decision about whether or not this is the career path for you. If you’re interested in taking up a career in welding, you won’t regret it!
