Plate Welder – Level 3

GSCE Grade C/4 or above in English & Maths or equivalent.

Based on individual results of the initial assessment, functional skills in English & maths may need to be completed during the apprenticeship. Applicants will also be required to complete a skill scan to establish any prior knowledge/experience. A work placement must also be in place before an apprenticeship can begin.

College Course – 

Level 3 EAL Subsidiary Diploma in Engineering Technologies-601/5799/9

You will be required to attend college on a day-release basis for two years, study and develop Knowledge, skills and behaviours skills in the following areas:

Unit title

• QET3/001A Engineering and environmental health and safety
• QET3/002 Engineering organisational efficiency and improvement
• QET3/006 Computer-aided design (CAD) techniques
• QET3/019 Metal inert gas, Metal active gas (MIG/MAG) welding
• QET3/020 Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding process

Alongside college attendance, the candidate will be required to develop work-based skills, knowledge and behaviours in line with standard

Occupational Duties/Requirements – 

• 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

This standard has professional recognition for Eng Tech through IMechE, IET or the Royal Aeronautical Society.

On completion of this apprenticeship standard, you will have demonstrated your professional skills and knowledge as a Plate Welder.

You will undertake an End Point Assessment.

This will consist of assessment through:

• scenario-based assessment,
• knowledge exam,
• phase tests,
• project work,

and

• portfolio evidence, with professional discussion, prior to undertaking End Point Assessment.

You may also gain employment within the Fabrication, Construction or Engineering Industry.

As well as ensuring full competency as a Plate Welder, this standard provides the foundation for progression onto a number of career paths associated with the Fabrication, Construction and Engineering industries.