Welding Technology Essential Skills

Use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products

Sample of reported job titles

Aluminum Welder, Fabrication Welder, Fabricator, Fitter/Welder, Maintenance Welder, MIG Welder (Metal Inert Gas Welder), Sub Arc Operator, Welder, Welder-Fitter, Welder/Fabricator

Tasks

Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
Layout, position, align, and secure parts and assemblies prior to assembly, using straightedges, combination squares, calipers, and rulers.
Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment

Tools used in this occupation

Drill press or radial drill— Drill presses; Portable magnetic drill presses; Punch presses
Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus— Oxyacetylene welding equipment; Rod ovens; Storage ovens and hot boxes
Manlift or personnel lift— Hydraulic truck lifts; Swing stages
Tungsten inert gas welding machine— Heliarc welding equipment; Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Welding electrode— Underwater electrodes; Welding electrodes

Technology used in this occupation:

Computer-aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; Parametric Technology Pro/ENGINEER software; UGS NX; XY Soft Sheet Cutting Suite
Computer-aided manufacturing CAM software — Applied Production ProFab; JETCAM Expert; Striker Systems SS-Profile; WiCAM PN4000
Database user interface and query software — Data entry software
Spreadsheet software

Knowledge

Production and Processing— Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Design— Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Administration and Management— Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Mechanical— Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics— Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Customer and Personal Service— Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language— Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Engineering and Technology— Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Skills

Critical Thinking— Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control— Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring— Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension— Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness— The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Near Vision— The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Control Precision— The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Multilimb Coordination— The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Problem Sensitivity— The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Visualization— The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Manual Dexterity— The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Depth Perception— The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Information Ordering— The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Selective Attention— The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Work Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes— Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Handling and Moving Objects— Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events— Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment— Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates— Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information— Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Performing General Physical Activities— Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material— Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Thinking Creatively— Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Training and Teaching Others— Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching

Work Context

Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets— 100% responded “Every day.”
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls— 62% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate— 56% responded “Extremely important.”
Face-to-Face Discussions— 73% responded “Every day.”
Exposed to Contaminants— 60% responded “Every day.”
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled— 71% responded “Every day.”
Frequency of Decision Making— 59% responded “Every day.”
Work With Work Group or Team— 43% responded “Extremely important.”
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results— 43% responded “Very important results.”
Structured versus Unstructured Work— 45% responded “A lot of freedom.”
Time Pressure— 44% responded “Every day.”

Interests

Realistic— Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems, and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional— Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually, there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Work Styles

Attention to Detail— Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability— Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Adaptability/Flexibility— Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Independence— Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Innovation— Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity— Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership— Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Analytical Thinking— Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Initiative— Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Work Values

Support— Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations, and Supervision: Technical.
Working Conditions— Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety, and Working Conditions.
Relationships— Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values, and Social Service.