Plate welder
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 3 apprenticeship qualifies you in structural plate welding, joining steel plates used in shipbuilding, pressure vessels, storage tanks, and structural fabrication. You will develop expertise in welding thick steel sections to coded standards, working to precise engineering specifications. It can lead to coded plate welder status, fabrication supervisor, or quality inspection roles in heavy engineering and manufacturing.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Plate welding processes including MMA, MIG, SAW, and TIG welding
Welding codes and standards for structural and pressure vessel applications
Joint preparation, fit-up, and distortion control in plate welding
Non-destructive testing methods including visual, dye-penetrant, and UT
Metallurgy and weld heat input effects on plate materials
Welding procedure specifications and essential variables
Health and safety in fabrication shops including fume and fire control
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Prepare and fit steel plates and sections prior to welding
Weld structural and pressure-containing joints in multiple positions
Control distortion using correct weld sequence and clamping techniques
Inspect welds visually and using NDT methods to quality standards
Set up and maintain welding equipment and check consumables
Read and work to welding procedure specifications and drawings
Complete weld records and certification paperwork for traceability
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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