The job description of a welder is complex and challenging. However, this creates an exciting and rewarding lifestyle! No day of work as a professional welder is the same. Sometimes welders will spend the day cutting, shaping, and combining materials to make different parts for a variety of industries. Some of these may include the construction, engineering, automobile, or aerospace fields. Whichever field is chosen, the tasks tend to be similar across the board.
They pick the materials to be joined or cut, arrange them in an appropriate configuration, then follow a specific design or blueprint to create the desired product. Sometimes a welder has to perform certain melting methods on materials like lead bars to complete a project. Welders are also in charge of fixing structural repairs and making sure welding machinery and equipment is in great shape.
Many community colleges, vocational and technical schools and private welding institutions offer formal training for prospective welders such as degree, diploma or certificate programs. There are also welding schools that are run by the U.S. armed forces. Some welders complete welding apprenticeship programs. Formal welding programs vary, but students typically learn the necessary procedures for heating and shaping a variety of metals. The time frame to finish the training generally ranges from weeks to years.