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.
Plate welders will weld to internationally recognised quality standards using more than one manual arc welding process. Each welding process requiring significantly different welding equipment, assemblies, controls, skills and techniques, and represents an individual production process. Each material type requires specific controls and techniques to achieve a satisfactory weld.
Plate welding contributes to the UK economy through the fabrication, construction and upgrade of major infrastructure projects, defence assets and exported goods. Plate welders are employed by the supply chain organisations or the direct owner/operator.
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.
