Skip to content

Showcase your skills, achievements and set goals.Build your profile today!

Welder

Use tools to heat, cut and shape metal together to build amazing things – from tiny parts to huge bridges, wind turbines and even rocket pieces!

Also known as: arc welder, tig welder, mig welder, pipe welder

About the job

What it's like

Imagine building the towering structures of offshore windfarms or forging the strong hulls of ships. As a welder, you'll use powerful tools to heat, cut and shape different types of metal. You'll join metal pieces together and repair vital parts to help bring structures to life.  Welding isn't just about working with metal - it's about shaping the world around you.

You'll work with different types of metal and in various industries, such as:  

  • onshore and offshore: making and repairing wind turbine parts to help power the future 

  • construction: building massive steel structures for skyscrapers, bridges and other projects that shape our cities 

  • engineering: crafting and fixing high-tech machinery and industrial equipment that keep the world moving 

  • transport: assembling and maintaining vehicle frames and parts, from cars to trucks 

  • aerospace: creating and repairing aircraft and spacecraft that explore the skies and beyond 

Your tasks might include: 

  • choosing and laying out materials to be cut or joined 

  • following engineering instructions and drawings 

  • deciding on the best welding method for the job 

  • setting up welding equipment 

  • testing cuts and joining using specialised instruments 

  • inspecting welding work 

  • maintaining equipment 

  • following safety rules 

As a welder, you'll use various techniques such as MIG, using a wire that melts and joins the metal, or laser, a modern way to weld using lasers to melt and join metal.

Green job

In this job you could be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.

Hours

You’ll usually work Monday to Friday and may need to work overtime. If you’re working in construction or other industries with tight deadlines, you may work shift patterns, including nights and weekends.

Environment

Welders can work in a variety of different environments, from shipbuilding and construction sites to offshore windfarms and repair shops. You might work indoors on automotive and aerospace parts, outdoors on bridges and pipelines, or even underwater for marine repairs. The job often involves extreme temperatures, heavy equipment and strict safety measures.

Travel

You may need to travel to different sites. Some jobs may involve international travel and long stays away from home.

Explore more information about this job

Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:

Like the sound of this career?

Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Welder'

Select qualification level(s)

Show me courses

Other careers that you might like

  • Farrier
  • Blacksmith
Browse all job profiles

Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.

  • Engineering and manufacturing
  • Energy
View all industries

Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Top specialised skills

These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.

  • metal inert gas (mig) welding
  • flux-cored arc welding
  • arc welding
  • carbon steel
  • stud welding
  • electric resistance welding
  • submerged arc welding
  • ceramic tile
  • filleting
  • metal-cored arc welding
Source: Based on vacancy data from Lightcast

Meta skills

Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.

  • time management
  • managing resources
  • implementing ideas
  • developing a plan
  • attention to detail
  • observation
  • working with numbers
  • resourceful
  • verbal communication

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

Discover skills

Getting in

Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Engineering Science

  • Practical Craft Skills

  • Practical Metalwork

  • Skills for Work: Construction Craft

  • Skills for Work: Engineering Skills

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering

  • Skills for Work: Practical Experiences: Construction and Engineering

You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.

Discover what's on offer at your school on  Apprenticeships.scot.

College

Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you find work or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include: 

  • Fabrication and Welding  

  • Welding 

  • Coded Welding Training 

Trainee roles

You can become a welder through paid trainee roles, where you learn on the job even without needing previous experience. You can use the My World of Work job search to look for trainee roles.

Find the right course for you

Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Welder'

View all courses

Search jobs and apprenticeships

View work opportunities