Coded welders fuse materials together through the application of heat. They may work with a range of materials, including steel and aluminium.
No set entry qualifications are required to work as a coded welder. However, employers and colleges tend to require GCSEs in English, science and maths. Apprenticeship schemes are also available and involve undertaking work experience while studying for a qualification such as an NVQ Level 2 or 3 in fabrication and welding engineering, a BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in manufacturing engineering (fabrication and welding), or a City & Guilds Award in welding skills.
To enter into employment, welders require excellent hand-to-eye co-ordination and concentration skills, good manual dexterity, perseverance, a high standard of physical fitness, good eyesight, an awareness of health and safety, and an ability to understand technical drawings.
Coded welder jobs can be found within small and large companies in the oil and gas industry, and are often filled by recruitment agencies. Contract work is also readily available.
Qualified coded welders may earn as much as £30,000 a year. Experienced welders may move into supervisory or staff management roles