You could do a welding qualification at college before applying for a job as a trainee welder. Courses include:

• welding skills
• welding techniques and skills
• fabrication and welding engineering
• T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

You could apply to do a welding apprenticeship, such as:

• General Welder Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Pipe Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Plate Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These take between 2 and 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You can apply directly for welding jobs.

You'll need welding experience and certifications, for example from working in:

• pipe fitting
• engineering construction
• marine engineering
• steel fabrication

You could take a course in welding or inspection through The Welding Institute (TWI). You usually need to be working in engineering to do this.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to work well with your hands
• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As a welder you could:

• follow drawings and instructions
• prepare materials to be joined and select the right welding procedure
• calibrate tools and operate welding equipment
• inspect and test the quality of joins using precision measuring instruments
• dismantle and cut up metalwork, for example during demolitions

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a welder to be a green job, you could:

• weld components used to build wind turbines
• use newer energy efficient welding methods to reduce waste
• work with fume extraction systems when welding to filter out harmful pollutants

Find out more about green careers

You could work in a workshop, on a construction site or on a demolition site.

Your working environment may be hot, cramped and at height.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.