Pressure systems welders use shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding and flux cored arc welding processes to weld metal plates, tubes, and other structures in boilers and other pressure systems. They cut pipes and tanks and assemble these pieces, and may have to repair defective welds in boilers and pressure systems.
Job Related Skills, Interests and Values
- Apply American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ standards to welds
- Use weld procedure specifications
- Apply welder performance qualifications
- Select pressure welding components
- Select pressure welding procedure
- Cut and prepare pipes, tubes, tanks or vessels
- Complete assembly of pipes, tubes, tanks or vessels
- Weld pressure systems with shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding and flux cored arc welding processes
- Braze metal on pressure systems
- Repair defective welds
- Perform specialized techniques
What Preparation and Training Do You Need?
- 5,280 hours of on-the-job training
- 8-week in-class technical training sessions
- Once you have successfully completed the apprenticeship requirements, you receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship and are considered a journeyperson candidate. If you choose to challenge the Certificate of Qualification exam and pass, you become certified as a journeyperson in the trade.
- A person with at least 5,760 hours of related work experience and a Certificate of Qualification as a welder or equivalent is eligible to apply for a Trade Equivalency Assessment (TEA) and challenge the Certificate of Qualification exam to become certified as a journeyperson in this trade.
What's Your Future as a Pressure Systems Welder (456P)?
- Full-time or shift work
- Indoor workplace
- Some workers can become self-employed
Wage Rate
Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $28.00-$42.50 per hour.
Self-Rating
Pressure System Welder (456P)
| Ask Yourself: | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Can you look at drawings and blueprints and visualize how things come together? | ||
| Do you have good manual dexterity? | ||
| Do you enjoy working with your hands using a variety of hand and power tools? | ||
| Can you lift 50lbs comfortably? | ||
| Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines? | ||
| Are you interested in learning to weld? | ||
| Would you enjoy interacting with site supervisors, customers, suppliers, co-workers and other tradespeople to get the job done? | ||
| Do you have excellent time-management? | ||
| Are you an organized person? |
If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Pressure System Welder may be for you!
You might want to look at these similar trades as well;
- Millwright
- Welder
- Sheet metal worker
- Fitter/Welder
- Machinist
- Boilermaker
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