Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Welder- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
Working Life
Welders can use manual techniques to do a large amount of welding. They use an electric arc (the bright, hot area between the electrode tip and the metal) or a gas flame to melt the metal in the joint. There are four main manual welding processes.
In manual metal arc welding (MMA), welders strike an arc between the metal rod and the work piece; both melt to form a weld pool. The flux covering on the rod melts to form gas and slag, which protect the weld pool until it has cooled.
Oxy-acetylene (OA) relies on the combustion of oxygen and acetylene to form a very hot flame. In metal inert gas welding (MIG), welders use an inert gas to protect the arc and weld pool. Welders use the similar tungsten inert gas (TIG) method to join magnesium and aluminium.
Welders follow technical drawings or instructions, and work out the best position to adopt and the best angle to work at. They may rehearse a difficult weld, going through the motions to be sure they can hold the position. They prepare and clean the surface that they will weld. They fit the appropriate weld torch nossle or electrode, set the current, switch on and strike the arc, and start to weld.
Welds may be horisontal or vertical, at an angle, on a curve, or encircling a big pipe. Welders may work from above, beside or below the weld and sometimes in very awkward and cramped spaces. Safety is vital to welding, so inspectors may check completed welds by using X-ray, ultrasonic or dye-testing techniques. If they discover cracks, porosity or other flaws, the welders have to ground out the weld and do the job again.
As well as manual techniques, some types of welding are mechanised or done by robots, especially in industries that produce items on a large scale, like the motor industry. Here, technicians set up the machines, which the welders then operate. There are other, more specialist welding processes like laser welding, electron beam welding and solid state welding. Highly skilled welders are often trained to work with materials like titanium, aluminium and plastic.
At graduate level entry to The Welding Institute, engineers and technicians are involved in research and development departments, where they work on a very wide variety of projects. They help to solve problems in design, materials selection, production processes and systems, repairs and inspections. They may research and develop high power lasers to help industry in welding, cutting and drilling. In materials research, materials engineers look at how metals behave (for example, in terms of corrosion), and the effects of welding on the properties and structure of materials.
They may work to improve the reliability of joining plastics; this is essential in the automotive and aerospace industries for example. Welding engineers may act as consultants, giving advice to manufacturing industries on equipment and systems. Welders have helped to develop intelligent robotics for welding.
They usually wear protective clothing. It can be very noisy, so welders may wear ear protectors.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
- Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
- Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
- Recognise, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.
- Weld separately or in combination, using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys.
- Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.
- Ignite torches or start power supplies and strike arcs by touching electrodes to metals being welded, completing electrical circuits.
- Connect and turn regulator valves to activate and adjust gas flow and pressure so that desired flames are obtained.
- Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.
- Monitor the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
Qualities - Welder
To be a manual welder, you must be able to work with great accuracy, very steady hands and the ability to concentrate exclusively on the weld for the duration of a 'run' (up to five minutes).
Good eyesight and hearing (to detect variations in the buzz and crackle of the arc) are important. You need physical fitness to lift and carry equipment, climb ladders and crawl into cramped spaces.
You must be able to work without close supervision. You need to be able to follow technical instructions carefully, and follow safety procedures at all times.
Interests - Welder
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry / Progression - Welder
There are many pathways into welding & fabrication careers. There are careers and jobs in onshore allied trades, site welding, and offshore welding and diving.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: engineering operations, welding fabrication.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: construction technology, plumbing, building construction, engineering.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Engineering, Toolmaking, OEM, Original Equipment Manufacturing, Metal Fabrication, Plumbing, Vehicle Mechanics.
Search for Apprenticeships
Pay & Salary - Welder
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €29k - €60k
Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. Salaries for this can vary acccross industries in line with parts of the job people do.
Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Talent/ WRC/ WEI/ Excel
Last Updated: March, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Welder
Useful Contacts - Welder
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Enterprise Ireland
- The Plaza, East Point Business Park, Dublin 3
- (01) 727 2000
- Click Here
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Construction Industry Federation
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Health and Safety Authority
- The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
- 1890 289 389
- [email protected]
- Click Here
