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Plate Welder – Level 3
In Short
This occupation is found in a wide range of sectors associated with the Fabrication, Construction and upgrade of major capital plant items and facilities.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to manually weld plate and structural components to high standards of quality. This will involve fabrication, construction or repair of fabricated plate assemblies, extrusions and structural components (e.g. Channel, H-Beams, I-Beams etc.) used often used to fabricate larger components and assemblies.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide range of people and organisations including Platers, Metal Fabricators, Erectors, Riggers, Stores Operatives, Supervisors, Engineers, Inspectors, Non-Destructive Technicians and Quality personnel. Plate welders may need to work shifts and flexible work patterns. They can work in organisations ranging from multi-national organisations to very small businesses.
They work in a range of environments across the world including Fabrication Shops, Assembly Yards, Construction/Building Sites, Factories and Operational Facilities requiring maintenance & upgrade. This occupation may involve working at height, and beside or over water. Plate welders’ work will be regularly assessed to ensure continued quality of welding and overall integrity of the component being welded, as specified in the applicable component design code. This could include visual inspection, non-destructive testing and destructive testing of production test pieces.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the safety, quality and accuracy of their own work whilst ensuring it conforms to a relevant plate welding specification. They work autonomously, or on occasion as part of a wider team, reporting to a workplace supervisor.
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Ofsted has recognised us as a ‘Good’ college, celebrating the strength of our teaching and our commitment to preparing students for the future. Through our close partnerships with local employers and industries, you’ll gain real-world experience and insights that make you ready for both today’s opportunities and tomorrow’s challenges.
Entry Requirements
GCSE in Maths and English level C/4 or Functional Skills L2.
A suitable work placement must also be in place before an apprenticeship can begin.
Duration
Typically, 36 months plus 3 months EPA.
Course Content
You will attend college one day a week and spend the remaining time with your employer. You will be required to work a minimum of 30 hrs per week, this includes your college day.
Alongside college attendance, the candidate will be required to develop work-based skills, knowledge and behaviours in line with the apprenticeship standard:
- Plan and prepare for the welding of plate, and structural components before commencing work
- Check materials conform to the specified grades, dimensions and thicknesses.
- Inspect weld preparations, surface conditions and cleanliness
- Assemble and position plate and structural components to be welded, including attachment of bracings, strong-backs, alignment aids, run-on and run-off tabs and backing materials (e.g ceramic, metallic etc.).
- Assemble equipment to be used in the preparation and welding of plate and structural components and check its performance and condition, including any component heating and monitoring equipment.
- Adjust and maintain the equipment to be used during the welding of plate and structural components.
- Interpret technical specifications & drawings to establish detailed welding process controls, consumable selection, and dimensional limitations imposed to control distortion.
- Make the joints to specified dimensional accuracy using appropriate welding techniques.
- Identifying areas for improving the production process where possible through the monitoring of performance
- Monitor associated parameters throughout the welding of plate and structural components (e.g. Preheat, Interpass Temperature, Heat Input).
- Remove material using manual powered and non-powered hand tools, before and during welding to remove defects within the preparation and weld deposit.
- Visually inspect alignment and distortion of components and apply techniques to ensure compliance with specifications.
- Visually inspect completed weld and component geometry
- Remove and dress bracings, strong‐backs, run-on/run-off tabs and alignment aids, and dress finished external weld surfaces using manual powered and non‐powered hand tools
- Restore the work area and equipment to a safe and reliable condition on completion of welding including the remediation and recycling of bracings, strong‐backs and alignment aids.
- Monitor the use of consumables and adjust quantities issued, and return unused consumables for re-conditioning, re‐use or disposal.
- Complete production documentation and reporting at the appropriate stages of the work activity
Progression
Level 4 Welding Technologist