Introduction to Welding

Course overview

Expand your skills in welding and consider starting a
new career journey. This course introduces different welding techniques used in
industry. You will have the opportunity to learn the basics of each welding
technique and develop your knowledge of welding. This course is ideal for you if
you are a beginner wishing to gain experience of all of the different welding
processes. You may already have attended a Welding Taster Day, although this is
not necessary. This is an elementary level of training which will teach you the
basic skills required for different types of welding if you are considering it
as a career. It is also an excellent programme to develop the skills to support
a hobby or interest that you may have.

Modules

This programme will provide you with:

• Hands-on experience of using welding equipment to gain a good introduction to welding skills and techniques.
• Introductory level of  knowledge of welding plant used for MIG, TIG and MMA welding processes.
• Measuring and marking out in preparation for metal fabrication
• Setting up, preparing and shutting down equipment for cutting, forming and joining.
• Identification of hazards in metal fabrication  You will also learn the process and health & safety requirements for welding.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through practical tasks and a verbal knowledge-based assessment.

Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and equipment:

• Steel toecap boots
• Clothes made of non-synthetic fibres
• A notebook and pen

Welding Gauntlets and an EW Welding helmet will be provided.

What is it like to be a student on this course?

The course will enable learners to develop skills for safe welding as well as acquiring associated underpinning knowledge to a level that will enable them to produce welded joints in simple welding positions and work with specified materials, thicknesses, and tolerances. The course is entirely practical in the workshop.

This course will give you an introduction to the three most commonly used welding processes:

• Tungsten inert gas (TIG)
• Metal Inert Gas (MIG)
• Manual Metal Arc (MMA)

You will be able to choose to specialise in one area of welding, if you have a particular area of interest.

Industry links

• The Welding Institute (TWI)
• The Welding Institute membership

Progression routes