What Does A Welder Do?

A Welder permanently joins pieces of metal with metal filler, using heat and/or pressure. Welders join parts being manufactured, they build structures and repair broken or cracked parts, according to specifications.

Essential Skills for Success as a Welder

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • using and maintaining tools, material handling equipment and welding equipment
  • reading and interpreting blueprints
  • acquiring thorough knowledge of arc, gas and resistance welding theory
  • laying out, cutting and forming metals to specifications
  • preparing the work site
  • fitting sub-assemblies and assemblies together and preparing assemblies for welding
  • welding using shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux core or metal core arc welding, submerged arc welding and plasma arc welding processes
  • carrying out special processes such as welding studs and brazing
  • ensuring quality of product/process before, during and after welding

To view the Essential Skills necessary for someone to work in this occupation, click on the following link for NOC code 7265:

http://www10.hrsdc.gc.ca/CE/English/ShowProfile.aspx?v=218

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

To become a Welder you should complete Grade 12 with credits in mathematics (particularly technical math) and some shop courses. In Ontario, welding is an unrestricted trade; completion of an apprenticeship could take approximately 3 years including 3 periods of 8 weeks (720 hours) in-school theory. Upon successful completion of the training agreement, you will receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

If you are currently attending high school, you may benefit from enroling in a Manufacturing Specialist High Skills Major Program. For more information, please click the following link:

http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/studentsuccess/pathways/shsm/manufacturing.pdf

What’s Your Future as a Welder?

Most workers in this occupation work full-time, sometimes in shift work, usually indoors. Those with the ability to work with high-technology welding applications may have better employment opportunities. The bulk of employment opportunities are predicted to occur in the non-electrical, machinery, construction and metal-fabricating industries. Some workers will become self-employed. Examples of companies that employ Welders  include:

  •  Fabricating shops
  •  Manufacturers of structural steel and platework
  • Construction industries
  • Boilers
  • Heavy machinery contractors
  • Aircraft contractors
  • Ship building and other transportation contractors
  • Specialized welding shops

For additional information about this career, check out the construction sector website at: www.CareersInConstruction.ca.

Wage Rate

  • as an Apprentice you would start at a wage rate less than that of a journeyperson
  • this rate increases gradually as you gain competency  
  • the wage range for fully qualified Welders according to the Peel Halton Dufferin HRDC Wage Book is between $9.50/hr to $16.18/hr, with a median salary of $12.50/hr, slightly less than the jobfutures average for Welders of $38,200 per year.

Self-Rating

Ask Yourself: Is Working as a Welder For You?

Are you good at preparing and planning a job from start to finish?

Yes     No

Can you look at a diagram or shop drawing and visualize how things come together?

Yes     No

Do you like figuring out what’s wrong with something and then repairing it?

Yes     No

Are you able to bend, stretch, kneel, stand for long periods and lift material and supplies?

Yes     No

Would it bother you to work around dangerous gases and intense heat?

Yes     No

Do you have good hand/eye coordination to guide a welding arc along the edges of metal?

Yes     No

If you answered Yes to most of these questions, Welder may be for you!

You may also want to explore other careers that require similar interests and skills, such as:

  • Millwright
  • Sheet metal worker
  • Fitter/Welder
  • Machinist
  • Boilermaker

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