The work of traditional welders has been, and continues to be, critical to the development of our country’s infrastructure. Every building, bridge, and machine showcases the custom work of a welder. Traditional welding jobs involve working with materials that will be used for buildings, vehicles, healthcare equipment, and even attractions, such as the ones enjoyed at theme parks and carnivals.
Welding is the process of fabricating and assembling structures and equipment — usually metals — using heat. Welders can use their training and experience on the job to be fabricators, cutters, fitters, solderers, or arc operators.
Completing a hands-on welding training program can help equip individuals with the knowledge and expertise needed to pursue any of a number of different types of welding jobs in a variety of industries.
5 Welding Job Types to Pursue
Welding is an exciting field in which professionals work on projects that range from artistic sculptures to oil and gas infrastructure. Trained welders work in the aerospace, construction, manufacturing, and automotive sectors, among others. Following are five types of welding jobs that welding program graduates can pursue:
1. Industrial Welding
Industrial welding is among the types of welding jobs that are a cornerstone of the modern manufacturing and construction industries. Industrial welders join pieces of metal using heat and pressure.
Industrial welders work in a variety of sectors, such as the automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding sectors, where they fabricate machinery, vehicles, pipelines, and structures such as buildings and bridges. The knowledge and expertise of industrial welders help ensure that structures meet safety and quality standards.
2. Pipe Welding
The field of pipe welding focuses on joining multiple sections of pipe to create strong, durable, and leak-proof connections. This type of welding is commonly employed to build and maintain pipelines used to transport water, gas, oil, and chemicals.
Pipe welders work in a variety of environments, depending on the industry they work in. For example, while pipe welders in the oil and gas industry often work at refineries and drilling sites, those in the construction industry may work at residential or commercial building sites to install water and sewage plumbing systems.
3. Deep Sea Welding
Deep sea welding is a specialized form of underwater welding that’s typically conducted thousands of feet below sea level. This type of welding is primarily used to repair and maintain a number of types of underwater structures, such as oil rigs and deep-sea pipelines. Deep sea welders work in pressurized chambers and use special welding equipment designed to meet the challenges of working in this unique environment.
A career in deep sea welding takes high levels of skill and knowledge, including hours of practice, special qualifications, and years of experience. Aspiring deep sea welders will usually need to acquire a deep sea diving license. Deep sea welding is a physically demanding and tough job, but the work of these professionals is crucial to the shipping and oil industries.
4. Fine Arts Welding
Fine arts welding involves using any of a number of welding techniques to create intricate sculptures, installations, and functional art pieces. Professionals working in this specialized field use a variety of welding methods, such as metal inert gas (MIG) welding, tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, stick welding, and flux cored arc welding to manipulate metal into durable works of art.
Students interested in combining their love of metal with their passion for creating art are likely to find that becoming a fine arts welder aligns well with their passions. Throughout history, there have been many famous sculptors and metalwork artists who were assisted by welders or were welders themselves. From Alexander Calder to Antoine Pevsner, metalwork artists specialize in welding materials of different shapes and colors into unique works of art.
5. Modern Technology Welding
Every race car boasts more than 950 hours of welding before the vehicle ever touches blacktop. From NASA to NASCAR, a host of organizations are in need of welders who can build light, durable, and efficient vehicles and machines. As industrial technology continues to advance, the robotics industry will need welders to put industrial and manufacturing equipment together.
Learn More About Welding Programs Offered at Fortis
Whether you are seeking a traditional career path or more adventurous opportunities, there are welding careers out there to suit a variety of interests. Fortis offers skilled trades training programs, including welding technology diploma programs, at campuses across the United States that can be completed in as little as a year. If this interests you, please call 1-855-436-7847 to schedule a campus visit or to request more information.
Are you ready to take the next step toward becoming a professional welder? Learn more about the programs offered at the skilled trades schools at Fortis, and the types of welding jobs you can pursue upon graduation.
Recommended Readings
Why You Might Like a Welding Career
National Welding Month: Is Welding Right for You?
How Has Technology Changed the Welding Profession?