Focus on Jobs: Welder

There are all kinds of careers in the world, and some are more difficult than others. This is especially true for jobs requiring tools and heavy-duty physical labor. Today we will be reviewing the profession of welding, a high-intensity career focusing on precision, manual labor, and the ability to handle hazardous tools.

Welders hold a great deal of responsibility as their handiwork can make or break the safety of any construction. They are one of the most important professionals in modern manufacturing and construction.

This begs the question: what does it mean to be a welder?

What Does a Welder Do?

Welders are responsible for the cutting and joining of construction materials, including metals and other materials. However, they have far more responsibility than just that description makes it seem. An example of a job description is:

“A Welder, or Brazer, is responsible for assembling pieces of metal together or repairing damage in metal components using heavy machinery that emits high heat, melting the metal into shape. Their duties include reviewing blueprints, cutting metal into the appropriate shape, and smoothing molten metal to remove creases.” – Indeed.

A welder needs to understand geometry and mathematics to the degree necessary to read blueprints and reference measurements to effectively prepare the procedures they will need to complete their work. Once they have figured out the course of action, the welder also needs to determine the best tool for the job and how to use it.

Even then, the welder needs to properly calibrate and maintain their tools and prepare the materials used in their project to fit with the schematics. This may involve cutting down metal strips to meet measurements or ensuring enough materials are available to complete the task.

A welder needs to be able to maintain the tools of the trade just as effectively as they can use them to avoid any malfunctions or breakdowns in the middle of a project. This makes welders something of a multi-faceted worker that requires more education than many people assume, given the blue-collar nature of the career.

What are the Requirements for Becoming a Welder?

When it comes to qualifying as a welding professional, the associated requirements are relatively relaxed compared to other professions. The educational requirements to become a welder are simply a high school diploma or GED. However, other requirements need to be fulfilled before you will find successful employment as a welder.

To start, a prospective welder needs to complete a vocational program. Most welders learn through apprenticeships or vocational training. This grants the welder experience with welding hands-on, in real scenarios, with an expert welder present to guide them.

Welding is a highly varied career. Novice welders may be expected to construct simple metal structures, follow plans for construction purposes, or work on welded metal artwork. Expert welders may contribute to high-end scientific equipment and other advanced assignments.

The Point

Welders are an essential career in the modern world, responsible for ensuring our infrastructure stands up to the weight placed upon it. In some ways, they are the surgeons of the manufacturing world, working on the bones of a construct and keeping them intact.

Welding work can be underestimated due to the lack of higher-level degrees tied to those who fill the role. However, this has never diminished the importance of the position, nor the training needed to give one the skills they need to fill it.If you are considering pursuing a career as a welder, you should always be aware of the skills needed to succeed and just how important it is. If you are considering pursuing a career with a leading manufacturer of high-end food and scientific equipment, contact Anderson Dahlen today!.