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Welders in Somerset
CLCI: RON
CRCI: GF
Welders join pieces of metal together using heat. They do this by making metal edges melt so that, once they cool, the parts can be fused together.
This type of process is important for all sorts of businesses and industries, especially building and engineering.
As a welder you could be working in a factory, a workshop or on site. You could be working on most types of machinery from cars to farm equipment, ships and oil rigs.
There are different types of welding including oxyacetylene, resistance, laser, manual metal arc (MMA), tungsten inert gas (TIG), metal inert gas ( MIG) and metal active gas (MAG).
To find out more look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your careers or Connexions library.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WELDING WORK IN SOMERSET
You’ll find welders working in all sorts of business in Somerset. Many work for specialist welding business with others working in factories, garages or on site.
Examples of local welding jobs include working with vehicle exhausts, wrought iron, building equipment and boats.
There are welding jobs throughout Somerset with hundreds of people doing the work in the county. Career prospects are reasonable but, compared with the past, there are slightly less welding jobs.
At some places you may find yourself working with a team of welders. Elsewhere you may be the only welder. It’s also possible that welding may only be part of your job as a mechanic or engineer.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
| |  | Get work experience when at school to see if it’s the career for you | | | | Start as a trainee – or apprentice – with a firm that does welding. This may involve doing company courses or going to college as part of your job | | | | Go to college or sixth form for extra qualifications before starting as a trainee welder |
USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS
| | | GCSEs in maths, science and English useful for all apprenticeships and traineeships | | | | Around 4or 5 GCSE passes at grade C (or better) - including maths, English and science – may help for some welding apprenticeships | | | | NVQs in fabrication and welding, pipework and plate welding | | | | Short-training courses for MMA, TIG, MIG, MAG and other types of welding
| | | | Certificates from courses run for welders in engineering, engineering construction, construction, motor vehicle and other industries
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More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset)
DO YOU KNOW?
You can find a welding discussion board at www.ukwelder.com
WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE?
Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice. Earnings as a skilled welder vary according to the industry and where you are working. Typically, in Somerset, you could earn anything between £8 and £15 per hour.
FINDING A JOB
| | | Connexions centres | | | | Job centres | | | | Through applying for work apprenticeships | | | | School and college careers notice boards | | | | Speculative letters/visits/emails | | | | Newspaper and industry publications adverts | | | | Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites | | | | Job offer after work experience | | | | Word of mouth | | | | A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here |
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS WORK
| | | Welders must be responsible, safety-conscious and able to solve practical problems | | | | It’s essential to work carefully and accurately with tools. This means being good with your hands and having excellent eyesight | | | | Concentration is important for seeing jobs through. You also have to work to deadlines | | | | It’s tough work and you need to be fit, healthy and ready to work outdoors in all weather | | | | Indoor conditions can be dirty, smelly and noisy | | | | Other people’s safety depends on your work. You’ll be tested from time-to-time to make sure you keep good standards | | | | Welding is a skill you can take between different employers and different industries | | | | It’s unlikely that you’ll learn all types of welding. You may need to decide which interest you the most (TIG, MIG or whatever) |
WHO DOES THE WORK?
Lidmila (22) comes from Wellington and works in a wrought iron business dealing with iron gates, garden gates, garden furniture and similar items. She trained by doing an apprenticeship and enjoys the skilled nature of the job.
Ed (17) lives in Castle Cary and is halfway through an apprenticeship with a local manufacturing business. In time he plans to learn gas welding such as TIG or MIG.
More info: A-Z of careers
Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions.
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