Why Welding May Be The Job For You [Infographic]

Westermans International http://www.westermans.com 2m 553 #welding

The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.

Over the past few years the numbers of registered and certified welders have been declining. In the last 5 years alone 18,000 have left the industry. This has created a worrying gap of 25% in the welding industry. The demand however is at an all-time high.

The Association of Welding Distribution (AWD) has published that 50,000 people need to start their welder training at level 1 and 2 within the next few years, ideally 3-4 years and progress on their courses for the gap to close.

To ensure there are enough courses UK’s Weldability-Sif Foundation has entered into a partnership deal with EAL and the Welding Institute to install specialist welder training facilities at colleges around the country.

So far there are 15 colleges who have benefitted from this partnership. More than 2000 students have completed their level 1 and are progressing with their training.

If you are interested in welding courses or want to read the latest information about the welding shortage, check out our infographic where we have summarised the current welding situation in the UK.

The demand for welders is increasing and if you are interested in studying and training to become a registered and certified welder you will find the courses on our infographic as well.

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Welding Skills – A State of Flux

Shortfall -> The Office of National Statistics has said:

Over the last five years 18,000 registered and certified welders have left the industry

There are now only 58,000 welders left in the UK
Leaving a gap of 25%

Demand -> The Association of Welding Distribution (AWD) says that 50,000 people need to start welder training at level 1 and 2 within the next 3-5 years, with a proportion progressing to level 3…

“With major build programs rolling out in the renewable and sustainable energy markets expecting to make the UK self-sufficient for energy from 2020, which alone will require some 20,000 trained welders. Combined with the decline in the availability of existing welders, we will need at least another 38,000 to meet UK demand.

… to counteract the declining workforce in the Nuclear Energy Industry and help meet the Government’s energy plans -> +£200bn investment

+£250bn UK engineering and science turnover -> British engineering exports amounts to -> 37% of total UK exports of goods and services

Plan for future
The partnership has so far helped 15 colleges
To educate and train a new generation of UK-based welders, the Weldability-Sif Foundation has entered into partnership with EAL and The Welding Institute (TWI) to install specialist welder training facilities.

The Partnership, by supporting manufacturing with help in elder training, is providing opportunities for students of all ages to enter into a fulfilling and rewarding career

The 7 EAL/Weldability-Sif Foundation, Welder Training Courses are:

600/1903/7, EAL Level I Award in Introductory Welding Skills (QCF)
600/2170/6, EAL Level I Award in Introductory Tungsten Inert Gas Welding Skills (QCF)
600/2171/8, EAL Level I Award in Introductory Metal Inert Gas Welding Skills (QCF)
600/2172/X, EAL Level I Award in Introductory Manual Metal Arc Welding Skills (QCF)
600/2173/I, EAL Level I Award in Introductory Oxy-Acetylene Welding Skills (QCF)
600/6003/7, EAL Level I Award in Introductory Brazing and Soldering Skills (QCF)
600/5801/8 EAL Level I Award in Introductory Thermal and Plasma Cutting Skills (QCF)

Some qualified welders can earn as much as £100k p.a.

Provided by Westermans International

Data and graphic sourced from Westermans

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