The world of welding offers unique job opportunities across multiple industries. Being a skilled welder is beneficial because the knowledge you need to perform this technique requires proper training.
Within this dynamic field, it’s vital to differentiate between the roles of welders and welding technicians. While both involve the art of joining metals through fusion, welding technician roles entail additional responsibilities and advanced training.
In this article, we will discuss the difference and where to go to get started as a welder.
What is Welding and Why Choose this Career?
Welding is a skilled trade that revolves around the use of handheld or remote-controlled equipment to heat and meld metals, creating sturdy structures and equipment like buildings, bridges, and machinery. This profession demands physical agility, manual dexterity, excellent hand-eye coordination, and unwavering attention to detail.
Opting for a career in welding offers advantages, including job security, stable compensation, and room for growth. As technology continues to advance, welders can anticipate prosperous and rewarding careers.
Exploring Career Paths for Professional Welders
The skills you acquire as a professional welder can pave the way for diverse and exciting career paths in various industries:
- In automotive manufacturing, welders contribute to vehicle assembly by skillfully welding various metal components.
- Welders in construction play pivotal roles in erecting large infrastructure projects like bridges, buildings, and oil/gas pipelines.
- Underwater welding, a unique specialty that requires scuba certification alongside welding expertise, involves underwater repairs on offshore oil rigs and ships.
- The aerospace industry beckons welders to craft small metal parts for aircraft and spacecraft.
- For those inclined towards creativity and independence, careers in metal fabrication allow welders to design custom furniture, sculptures, or decorative structures.
Unveiling the Distinction: Welder vs. Welding Technician
While welders and welding technicians share overlapping responsibilities, several distinctions set them apart:
Welder: Welders primarily focus on welding and fabricating metal structures. Their duties may include reading blueprints, setting up equipment, and employing various welding techniques such as MIG, TIG, or Stick welding. Welders acquire their skills through on-the-job training and typically hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
Welding Technician: Welding technicians delve into specialized tasks, often involving research and development or quality control roles. They employ advanced technology to test welds for strength and durability. To become welding technicians, individuals should undergo formal education through certification programs, or apprenticeships. This form of training equips you with advanced skills in areas like metallurgy and non-destructive testing methods.
Advancement Opportunities: Welders can progress in their careers by pursuing additional training and accumulating experience to become welding supervisors, inspectors, or engineers. Welding technicians, with their specialized knowledge and skills, can aspire to roles such as quality control managers, research and development specialists, or welding instructors.
Join IMBC’s Welding Program
Skilled welders and welding technicians embarking on a career in any industry can benefit from the curriculum offered at IMBC. We recognize the significance of quality training and education in preparing individuals for successful careers in welding.
Discover more about our welding program and enroll with us today.