A welder specialises in the fusing of materials, usually metals with intense heat to produce products or build infrastructure.

A pipe fitter is responsible for the installation or repair of pipeline systems, that will carry various commodities around the region and the UK.

Working mainly in engineering and construction, a plater is a specialist metal worker, who shapes, constructs or repairs metal for specific projects, such as pipes, tanks, vessels and structural components.

Both Welders and Pipefitters are in demand, benefits include high wages, job security and high job satisfaction. By becoming a welder or a pipefitter you have a job for life

• To work safely at all times – complying with relevant regulations.
• Use tools safely.
• Plan, organise and undertake the fabrication, assembly, installation and maintenance or pipework components.
• Read, interpret, and apply information from engineering drawings.
• Shape pipework to the required tolerance and specification using a range of hand tools or power tools.
• Assemble and install pipework.
• Ensure the integrity of joints to comply with specifications and tolerances.
• Undertake inspection and testing.
• Teamwork
• Apply techniques for the removal of pipework.
• Communication.

• Work safely at ALL times – complying to relevant regulations.
• Be able to use appropriate documentation.
• Plan and prepare work area before starting.
• Correct selection & setup of welding equipment.
• Prepare materials.
• Inspect the joint before welding to make sure it complies with documentation.
• Receive and maintain consumables.
• Work to welding procedure using correct welding parameters.
• Correctly setup purge and be able to monitor.
• Safely use power tools in the aid of weld preparation.
• Work to ISO 5817, 9606, ASME IX or ASME B31.3 when inspecting the weld.
• Safely restore the work area.
• Problem solving.
• Produce pipe/ plate welds using TIG, MMA, MAG FCAW.
• Produce pipe/ plate welds using different materials (EG. Carbon steel, Martensitic/ High Alloy Ferritic, Austenitic Stainless Steel).
• Produce pipe/ plate welds in a range of positions.
• Produce pipe/ plate welds using a range of joint types (Butt, branch, socket, flange).
• Produce pipe/ plate welds in restricted areas, knowing how to manipulate the equipment to suit.
• To use both left and right hand.

• Work safely at ALL times – complying to relevant regulations.
• The importance of complying with statutory, quality, organisational and health and safety regulations
• The structure, properties and characteristics of common materials
• Approved diagnostic methods and techniques used to help solve engineering problems
• Processes for preparing materials to be marked out
• The tools and techniques available for cutting, shaping, assembling and finishing materials.
• Allowances for cutting, notching, bending, rolling and forming materials
• Principles, procedures and testing of different joining techniques (Mechanised or Manual)
• Effects of heating and cooling metals
• Metallurgy associated with joining
• Different types of Welds and joints

A pipe welding apprenticeship will typically be 48 months with plate welding being 36 months, metal fabrication 42 months. A pipefitting apprenticeship will typically run for 36 months. All 3 apprenticeship standards now include an end point assessment (EPA) which can change the duration depending on the candidate.