Welder

Welders are some of our most important skilled tradesmen. Welding is the process of joining metal parts together. During the welding process, heat is applied to metal pieces, melting and fusing them to form a permanent bond. Because of its strength, welding is used in a wide variety of manufacturing processes, including shipbuilding and automobile manufacturing. Welding also is used in the construction process for joining beams in buildings and bridges and is used in power plants and refineries to join pipes.

There are about 100 different types of welding. Standard arc welding is the most common, and involves attaching clips that carry a strong electrical current to the piece to be welded and a welding rod. When the rod touches the piece, a powerful electrical circuit is created. The massive heat created by the electrical current causes both the work piece and the steel core of the rod to melt together, cooling quickly to form a solid bond.

Two other common types of arc welding are Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding. TIG welding is usually used with stainless steel or aluminum. While TIG uses welding rods, MIG uses a spool of continuously fed wire, which allows the welder to join longer stretches of metal without stopping to replace the rod. Welders may perform one or more types of welders to join the metals required in their business.

Welders must endure a significant number of job hazards including the intense light created by the arc, poisonous fumes, and very hot materials. While employers do their best to make the workplace comfortable and safe, it is often very hot and poorly ventilated.

Training for welders varies based on the type of welding to be done. For some lower skilled welding jobs, training consists of a few weeks of on the job training, while highly skilled welding jobs require formal education as well as on the job training. Formal welding training can be obtained at vocational and technical schools. Welders should have coursework in reading blueprints, and have some background in mathematics, chemistry, mechanical drawing and metallurgy for the most skilled welding positions.

Welders should be able to work well with their hands, and have excellent hand eye coordination. They must have excellent concentration, since they will often be working on a single task for a long period of time. In addition, welders should be prepared to work long hours, since overtime is often required in this position.

Welding jobs are expected to decline in the western world over the next few years, mostly because a high number of manufacturing jobs are moving to other countries, for economic reasons. However, many employers still report that finding skilled welders to fill their positions is difficult, proving that there are still jobs to be had.

Welding is a rewarding skilled trade for the person who enjoys using their hands and who takes pride in completing a finished project. If you're interested in finding a job as a welder, visit www.weldingjobs.com for listings of available positions.

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