welding

Level 3 Apprenticeship: Discover The Art of Pipe Welding

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Learn all about the Level 3 Pipe Welding Apprenticeship. Pipe Welding can be found across diverse sectors like Engineering Construction, Oil & Gas, Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Power Generation, and more. They are the skilled craftsmen who forge the vital connections that keep these industries working. In short, they manually weld tubes and pipes to high standards of quality. In this blog, we will delve into the world of pipe welding, exploring the importance of this occupation and the skills required.

This apprenticeship standard is recognised by: The Welding Institute for Engineering Technician (Duration: 48 Months)

”Pipe welders are the uncelebrated heroes binding our industries together.”

A view of the silver gloved hands of a worker grinding a piece of metal causing sparks to ignite
A view of the silver gloved hands of a Pipe Welder grinding a piece of metal causing sparks to ignite

Pipe Welding for a challenge & variety

Pipe welders are skilled in a variety of welding processes because each process requires distinct equipment, controls, skills, and techniques. Additionally, they must be comfortable welding in various positions and joint configurations, ensuring the integrity of the final product.

Pipe welders take responsibility for the safety, quality, and accuracy of their work but also to assure the integrity of the entire system, they are in charge of cleanliness. Depending on the size of the organisation and sector, their roles can vary from working alone to part of a larger team.

Major infrastructure projects NEED Pipe Welders

The maintenance of major infrastructure projects rely on pipe welders instrumental role. For example, by doing the stringent engineering specifications they are ensuring the safe and reliable operation of piping systems.

How Do You Become A Pipe Welding Apprentice?

Do you have the right qualifications? Before your end-point assessment you must have a Level 2 in English and maths. Or even in some cases, an entry Level 3

Dedication, Focus, and Responsibility: As a Pipe Welding apprentice, you’ll need to embody dedication, focus, and a strong sense of responsibility showing these qualities are the foundation of your path to success.

Seek Guidance and Learning: To excel in this field, seeking guidance to understand the intricate processes and various industrial applications is crucial in continuous learning, your ally.

Commit to Competence and Goals: Make a commitment to maintaining your competence through ongoing professional development by setting clear goals for yourself and work diligently to reach them.

Support and Assess Risk: Be someone who supports the development of your peers. Support and vigilance ensure a safer work environment.

What skills will you learn on this Apprenticeship?

Is this Apprenticeship right for you? Here are some of the duties associated with this occupation:

  • How to plan preparatory tasks and coordinate pipe welding activities before starting work.
  • Arranging and assembling necessary welding equipment and safety gear for each task
  • The right way to prep, inspect, and secure materials and work areas for welding.
  • Receiving, inspecting, and maintain consumables.

  • Checking materials conform to the specified grades, dimensions, thicknesses and diameters.
  • Upon completing the welding, restoring the work area, equipment, and purging devices to a safe and reliable condition.
  • Read and use technical specs, inspection criteria, and drawings to set welding process controls, bore protection methods, and select consumables.

Conclusion

In summary, the craft of pipe welding stands as a bedrock in various industries, ensuring the secure and seamless functioning of critical piping systems. A pipe welding apprenticeship will offer you a competitive salary, skills that are in high demand, job security and more.

If you’re intrigued by apprenticeships in general, we invite you to take a look at our other opportunities whilst staying informed about the latest apprenticeship tips and prospects. Consider following us on platforms like X or LinkedIn and your follow will connect you to a world of new possibilities and insights.

Find out more on Pipe Welding Here!

Level 4: Nuclear Welding Inspection Technician

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Looking to earn while you learn with our Level 4 Nuclear Welding Inspection Technician role? Take that next step in your career and gain technical experience in the work environment whilst working towards two industry qualifications.

What does the role involve?

Working in the Nuclear industry is a fantastic challenge for someone who is aiming to work towards a higher-level role.

The role focuses on the safety and integrity of nuclear fabrications and carrying out detailed observations, making detailed records and giving technical feedback.

Everyday tasks/roles:

•Key parts of role: Working on nuclear licensed sites such as waste management, decommissioning, construction and operational nuclear plants, and manufacturing industries will be a key part of the role.

•The individual will work in a challenging environment where quality standards are paramount, and safety is top priority.

•Expectations include working both individually and with a team of inspectors, implying that independence and communication skills are significant.

•NWIT Apprentice will be required to meet the requirements specified in nuclear industry regulations, specifications, and standards.

Nuclear Welding Inspection Technician

What do I need to know for the role?

Because of the high priority of safety in the role, there are a few things the Apprentice should be informed about prior to application.

No need to panic, you will be assisted and supported throughout your journey.

Knowledge:

• Material science: The Apprentice should be aware of the materials they are dealing with. Sensible behaviour and performance during welding process. They will gain a full understanding of the fundamental aspects of destructive testing.

• Welding Technology: Apprentices will be informed of the assurance requirements for welded constructions. Skills will be expanded in the understanding of processes, terminology, standards, documentations, and records.

• A Welding Inspection: Will be given the opportunity to learn the quality control requirements during welding and can carry out three stages of weld inspection. 

Safety/commitment to safety: The Apprentice should be knowledgeable in understanding the importance of working safely in a nuclear industry environment. Aware of fundamental principles and implications of radiation types, sources, hazards, and appropriate control measures. 

Behavioural qualities:

• Integrity: relations with customers, suppliers, and other parties. Portray professional and high quality standards.

• Resilience: Must be able to cope with demand in challenging and pressured environment and give full effort to each task in a tactful way.

•Quality focus: Apprentice can listen well, follow procedures and complete tasks to best of ability.

• Good commination: Confident in speaking internally and externally, written, orally and electronically, taking into consideration diversity and equality.

Skills required:

• Before welding: Conducts in depth detail inspections; storage, condition and certification are correct, and procedure is in place. Check condition of equipment and ensure calibration.

• During welding: Professionally, safely, and correctly carry out the welding procedure, monitoring parameter and verification. Ensuring current voltage, heat and travel speed correct during procedure. 

• After welding: They can carry out checks on appearance and identification, also known as a visual inspection. As well as non-destructive testing, dimensional surveys against engineering drawings. The Apprentice should be able to document and report errors or maintenance checks or repairs.

Additional Information

Duration: 48 months

Entry Qualifications: Employer’s state specific qualifications. 5 GCSE’s Grade A-3. Mathematics and English must be grade B or above.

Qualifications received: Minimum of ONE Level 2 Non-destructive testing method. (visual, penetran, magnetic testing, radiographic testing, ultrasonic or eddy current testing) Employer will determine.

Second qualification is Level 2 welding inspection qualification. 

FYI: NWIT will need to achieve a level 4 qualification in welding inspection as specified by the professional body. 

Progression routes: Apprentice will be eligible for Engineering Technician registration on completion of the scheme

Is this the Apprenticeship for you?

With the nuclear industry becoming more popular than ever, bringing in Apprentices to learn the trade is a great way to kickstart your career. If this Level 4 Nuclear Welding Inspection Technician sounds like the career path you’re looking for. This is the role for you! 

You can find out more information on this role here

Changed your mind? You can view our other Apprenticeship options below.

• Level 3 – Furniture Product Developer Apprenticeship

• Manufacturing Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.