Find out everything you need to know about becoming a Welder.

Job Title – Welder

Description

A Welder is crafts person who needs hands-on skills to do a professional job. Welders play a key role in the manufacturing process. Their work varies from repair and maintenance welding, to construction and fabrication.

Typical Job Activities

Fixes welds which have weakened and carry out general repairs
Analyses engineering drawings
Plans the layouts
Assembles and welds operations
Identifies damaged equipment and repairs them Checks angles and adjusts by re-welding or using hand tools
Creates tools for welding by using mathematics and blueprint examinations

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Related Occupations

Solderer or Brazers
Tool, Jig or Die Maker
Jewellery Designer

Educational Requirements

Grade 9 Certificate

There are three ways to qualify as a registered artisan:  1. A 4-year apprenticeship contract between the company and apprentice, comprising a 12-week theoretical training, which includes 4 subjects at national exam level. 

2. A structured learnership programme that will lead to a qualification in a certain field. The learnership programme includes a theoretical and a practical component. It usually takes about a year to complete. The training takes place on-site.

3. FET colleges offer theoretical training to prospective artisans via the new National Certificate Vocational (NCV). During this 3-year programme (levels 2 to 4), learners complete a school-leaving certificate (this NCV) similar to the new National Senior Certificate (NSC) in schools. They are also exposed to a practical workshop component.

All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a FET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.

Compulsory subjects: None
Recommended subjects: Civil Technology, Mechanical Technology, Mathematics, Physical Sciences

What natural skills and/or aptitudes do I need for this occupation?

Must be a quick learner
Be able to read Blue-prints
Be mathematically minded
Have detail orientated
Be able to use inventive
Be able to use hand-eye coordination

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Employment Opportunities

High

Market Competitiveness

Low

Income Potential

Moderate

Self-Employment Opportunities

High

International Employment Market Opportunities

Moderate

Possible Employers

Motor manufacturing industry
Electricity supply industry
Explosives and allied industries
Metal industries
Railway undertakings
Heavy and light engineering industries
Gate and fence industry
Self-employment, with enough experience

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Relevant Contact Details

Southern African Institute of Welding
http://www.saiw.co.za

Denel Technical Academy
http://www.deneltechnicalacademy.co.za

TWI Training in South Africa
http://www.twitraining.com/home

Working conditions

Standing and stooping for long periods of time
Possibility of injury on the job
Relatively dirty working environments

Career Progress and Path

Further studies in specific fields
Further studies in related fields
Further on-the-job training
Experience in specific fields
Experience in related fields 

Possible Career Paths

Specialist career in related field
Specialist career in specific field
Management positions in related fields
Own practice/ contractor
Own business

Employment Stability

Very stable

Reasons to consider this career

A job in private companies
To start my own business
A stable job
To design things
To become a manager
To work with my hands
To work with people
To face intellectual challenges
To work flexible hours
To focus on a specific field