Welding Apprentice Information
A welding shop owner may face a dilemma if a job applicant with no welding experience asks if he can undergo training to become a welder. If the shop owner is independent, and runs a small business that requires most of his time, he might not be able to train the applicant on his own. In this situation, the path most often taken is that of an apprentice. A welding apprentice can learn the trade in a suitable environment, from someone accustomed to training others.
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Training
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Corporations or businesses can offer welding apprenticeships, but similar training can also take place at colleges or technical institutes. Some states, such as Oregon, have apprenticeship committees, which evaluate and choose potential apprentices.
Requirements
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The general age requirement is 18, but this is based on either college, institute standards or apprenticeship committee standards. If the state allows a working age lower than 18, an apprenticeship at 17 may be sought. For a college, institute or committee apprenticeship, a high school diploma, general education development (GED) or equivalent is required.
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Features
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Penn Foster's Workforce Development division lists 10 topics that should be known at the end of an apprenticeship: the electrode color system; selection of gas welding tips; identification of welding prints; arc welding start-up procedure; uses of gas tungsten arc welding; welding shield gas selection; weld inspection procedures; weld testing procedures; and proper metal filler selection.
Benefits
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The apprentice will be able to learn under actual working conditions, and use actual instruments in an environment that is instructive and free of stress related to employer expectations. The apprentice will also be able to train in various different fields and welding techniques.
Potential
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After a successful apprenticeship, opportunities as a welding foreman, inspector or supervisor can be pursued. These positions can be found within independent fabrication shops, such as tractor manufacturers; maintenance shops, such as auto-repair yards; or structural fabricators, such as those that make bridge repairs.
Salary
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An apprentice can expect to make about three-fourths the wage of a journeyman-level welder. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median wage for a welder between $14 to $16 per hour, meaning the median apprentice wage will be between $10.50 to $12 per hour.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit welder image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
