What skills does a welder need?

A welder needs 36 essential skills including cutting technologies, torch temperature for metal processes, welding techniques, fuel gas, types of metal. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace welder jobs?

The AI disruption score for welder is 28/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Manufacturing & ProductionMetal, machinery and related trades workersISCO 7212

welder

Welders operate welding equipment in order to join metal workpieces together. They can use fusion welding processes based on different techniques and materials. They also perform simple visual inspection of welds.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (36)

cutting technologiescutting technologiesThe variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.torch temperature for metal processestorch temperature for metal processesIdeal temperature of tools and machinery equiped with torches to perform various metal processing on workpieces.welding techniqueswelding techniquesThe different methods of welding together pieces of metal using various equipment, such as oxygen-acetylene welding, gas metal arc welding and tungsten inert gas welding.fuel gasfuel gasThe various qualities, hazards and applications of gaseous fuels, such as oxy-acetylene, oxy-gasoline, oxy-hydrogen and others.types of metaltypes of metalQualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.metal thermal conductivitymetal thermal conductivityThe property of metals to conduct heat.flammable fluidsflammable fluidsThe behaviour of liquids and gases that represent a serious explosion and fire danger, and their appropriate handling systems and effective storage.weld in hyperbaric conditionsweld in hyperbaric conditionsUse arc welding techniques to make welds in conditions of very high pressure, usually in an underwater dry chamber such as a diving bell. Compensate for the negative consequences of high pressure on a...operate oxy-fuel welding torchoperate oxy-fuel welding torchOperate a cutting torch fueled by oxyacetylene gas safely to perform welding processes on a workpiece.handle fuelshandle fuelsHandle and store fuels and assess their potential risks and dangers.apply arc welding techniquesapply arc welding techniquesApply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of arc welding, such as shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, submerged arc welding, flux-cored arc welding, and others.monitor gaugemonitor gaugeOversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.join metalsjoin metalsJoin together pieces of metal using soldering and welding materials.operate welding equipmentoperate welding equipmentUse welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, wearing protective eyewear during the working process.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.spot metal imperfectionsspot metal imperfectionsObserve and identify various kinds of imperfections in metal workpieces or finished products. Recognise the best fitted manner of fixing the problem, which could be caused by corrosion, rust, fracture...remove processed workpieceremove processed workpieceRemove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.perform test runperform test runPerform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, ...repair metal sheetsrepair metal sheetsRepair bent or torn sheet metal.align componentsalign componentsAlign and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.perform metal active gas weldingperform metal active gas weldingWeld metal, mostly steel, workpieces together using active gas mixtures such as concotions of argon, carbon dioxide and oxygen.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.ensure equipment availabilityensure equipment availabilityEnsure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.shape sheet metal objectsshape sheet metal objectsUse the appropriate tools and measurements to bend, fold and curve sheet metal objects into the correct shape.follow health and safety procedures in constructionfollow health and safety procedures in constructionApply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.apply precision metalworking techniquesapply precision metalworking techniquesComply with precision standards specific to an organisation or product in metalworking, involved in processes such as engraving, precise cutting, welding.perform tungsten inert gas weldingperform tungsten inert gas weldingWeld metal workpieces together by tungsten intert gas (TIG) welding. This arc welding process welds metal workpieces using the heat generated between an arc of electricity struck between a non-consuma...interpret 3D plansinterpret 3D plansInterpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.recognise signs of corrosionrecognise signs of corrosionRecognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.smooth burred surfacessmooth burred surfacesInspect and smooth burred surfaces of steel and metal parts.ensure correct metal temperatureensure correct metal temperatureEnsure the necessary, usually constant, temperature of processed metal workpieces during metal fabrication processes.follow safety precautions in work practicesfollow safety precautions in work practicesApply principles, policies and institutional regulations aimed at guaranteeing a safe work place for all employees.interpret 2D plansinterpret 2D plansInterpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.perform metal inert gas weldingperform metal inert gas weldingWeld metal workpieces together using inert gasses or gas mixtures such as argon and helium. This technique is usually used for welding aluminium and other non-ferrous metals.select filler metalselect filler metalSelect optimal metal used for metal joining purposes, such as zinc, lead or copper metals, specifically for welding, soldering or brazing practices.

Optional (49)

non-ferrous metal processingnon-ferrous metal processingVarious processing methods on non-ferrous metals and alloys such as copper, zinc and aluminium.characteristics of productscharacteristics of productsThe tangible characteristics of a product such as its materials, properties and functions, as well as its different applications, features, use and support requirements.3D printing process3D printing processThe process of reproducing 3D objects by using 3D printing technologies.mechanics of vesselsmechanics of vesselsThe mechanical aspects and principles of vessels operations, and the technicalities and mechanical composition of boats and ships.printing on large scale machinesprinting on large scale machinesMethods, processes, and restrictions related to printing on machines that produce large quantities and sizes of graphic print materials.printing techniquesprinting techniquesThe techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing.ferrous metal processingferrous metal processingVarious processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.printing materialsprinting materialsThe materials, such as paper, film, metal foils, and glass, on which texts or designs can be transferred by applying ink through direct pressure or with intermediate rollers.manufacture of small metal partsmanufacture of small metal partsThe manufacture of metal cable, plaited bands and other articles of that type, uninsulated or insulated cable not capable of being used as a conductor of electricity, coated or cored wire as well as b...maintenance operationsmaintenance operationsThe preservation and restoration of products and systems, and the methods and logistics of these practices.mechanics of motor vehiclesmechanics of motor vehiclesThe way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles.types of metal manufacturing processestypes of metal manufacturing processesMetal processes linked to the different types of metal, such as casting processes, heat treatment processes, repair processes and other metal manufacturing processes.mechatronicsmechatronicsMultidisciplinary field of engineering that combines principles of electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering in the ...maintenance of printing machinesmaintenance of printing machinesUpkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.metal bending techniquesmetal bending techniquesThe different techniques for the bending of metal sheets and their link with activities such as assembly, design, and maintenance.roboticsroboticsThe branch of engineering that involves the design, operation, manufacture, and application of robots. Robotics is part of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science and over...metal smoothing technologiesmetal smoothing technologiesThe various technologies used for the smoothening, polishing and buffing of fabricated metal workpieces.automation technologyautomation technologySet of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems.manufacturing of steam generatorsmanufacturing of steam generatorsThe manufacture of steam or other vapour generators, the manufacture of auxiliary plant for use with steam generators: condensers, economisers, superheaters, steam collectors and accumulators. The man...operate automated process controloperate automated process controlOperate process control or automation system (PAS) used to control a production process automatically.operate brazing equipmentoperate brazing equipmentUse equipment designed for brazing processes in order to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.prepare pieces for joiningprepare pieces for joiningPrepare metal or other material workpieces for joining processes by cleaning the workpieces, checking their measurements with the technical plan and marking on the pieces where they'll be joined.assemble metal partsassemble metal partsAlign and arrange steel and metal parts in order to assemble complete products; use the appropriate hand tools and gauges.determine suitability of materialsdetermine suitability of materialsWhile designing products, determine if materials are suitable and available for production.apply preliminary treatment to workpiecesapply preliminary treatment to workpiecesApply preparatory treatment, through mechanical or chemical processes, to the workpiece preceding the main operation.perform welding inspectionperform welding inspectionInspect and assure the quality of welded metals using diverse testing techniques.perform product testingperform product testingTest processed workpieces or products for basic faults.apply spot welding techniquesapply spot welding techniquesApply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of welding metal workpieces under pressure exercised by electrodes, such as projection welding, radius style electrodes spot welding, concent...apply thermite welding techniquesapply thermite welding techniquesWeld using equipment that operates based on an exothermic reaction fuelled by thermite.operate precision measuring equipmentoperate precision measuring equipmentMeasure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, an...apply brazing techniquesapply brazing techniquesApply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of brazing, such as torch brazing, braze welding, dip brazing, and others.inspect construction suppliesinspect construction suppliesCheck construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.handle gas cylindershandle gas cylindersGrip gas cylinders in a safe manner and ensure they are compliant with safety and health regulations.read standard blueprintsread standard blueprintsRead and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.maintain robotic equipmentmaintain robotic equipmentDiagnose and detect malfunctions in robotic components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing rob...use sheet metal shearsuse sheet metal shearsUse specialised heavy duty shears to safely cut sheet metal objects.maintain mechatronic equipmentmaintain mechatronic equipmentDiagnose and detect malfunctions in mechatronics components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storin...operate oxy-fuel cutting torchoperate oxy-fuel cutting torchOperate a cutting torch fueled by oxyacetylene gas safely to perform cutting processes on a workpiece.mark processed workpiecemark processed workpieceInspect and mark parts of the workpiece to indicate how they will fit into the finished product.ensure correct gas pressureensure correct gas pressureEnsure the necessary, usually constant, pressure of gas which is part of a machine or tool, such as torching equipment, used to process metal workpieces during metal fabrication processes.apply fluxapply fluxApply a chemical cleaning agent, such as ammonium chloride, rosin, hydrochloric acid, zinc chloride, borax, and others, that removes the oxidation from metals being joined during soldering, brazing, a...operate printing machineryoperate printing machineryOperate machinery for various types of printed documents, adjusting the font, paper size, and weight. This allows ascenders and descenders to be correctly placed.consult technical resourcesconsult technical resourcesRead and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.perform minor repairs to equipmentperform minor repairs to equipmentConduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.operate oxygen cutting torchoperate oxygen cutting torchOperate an oxygen cutting torch to cut metal, which uses an oxidation reaction combined with heat, allowing quick reaction with iron and steel but uneffective on other materials. Advance the flame at ...operate plasma cutting torchoperate plasma cutting torchUse a plasma cutting torch, which forces a narrow stream of plasma through a nozzle to melt metal, and a gas jet to blow the molten metal away.operate soldering equipmentoperate soldering equipmentUse soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.operate 3D computer graphics softwareoperate 3D computer graphics softwareUse graphical ICT tools, such as Autodesk Maya, Blender which enable digital editing, modelling, rendering and composition of graphics. These tools are based in mathematical representation of three-di...