Welder (Level "A" or Level "B")
Welder Level "A" means a person who has advanced training, skills and abilities to weld all materials, including specialized alloys, by any manual welding process, in any position, and such other work as is usually done by a Level "A" Welder.Welder Level "B" means a person who has training in and is capable of welding ferrous and non-ferrous metals in all positions, on both plate and/or pipe, using SMAW, GTAW, and FCAW processes. These welders qualify to test for Portable Pressure Welding Procedure tests in British Columbia (PWP), and such other work as is usually done by a Level B Welder.
Welder Level "A" and Welder Level "B" are nationally designated trades under the Inter-provincial Red Seal program. (Find out about Red Seal in the Trades Lingo section.)
What do these workers do?
(Source: BC Work Futures)
There are two types of welding: free hand and machine assisted. Free hand welders can work in factories, machine shops and in the field on construction sites. Machine welders almost always work in the controlled factory environment. Welding is the process of melting two pieces of metal together to make a strong, long-lasting join.
Weld joints. In shipbuilding and industrial assembly jobs, welders build pre-manufactured components. They also weld support beams and reinforcing framework for bridges and buildings, and make repairs to heavy equipment and vehicles.
Read blueprints and assemble materials. Welders use blueprints and their knowledge of metallurgy and welding processes to assemble metal components into finished products. They employ the best combination of welding techniques to ensure longevity and strength.
Assemble welding jigs. It is impossible to hand-hold pieces of metal and weld them, so welders set up a metal framework and use it to clamp components in place.
Measure and make working drawings. Welders, like carpenters, spend a lot of time measuring and planning before they assemble components and make welds. They use micrometers, digital calipers and drafting tools such as CAD programs to make working drawings.
Use welding machinery. Some welders use mechanical feeds to increase the speed precision of the welding process. Wire feeders help create welds that have a consistent thickness, look and strength.
Control robotic welding machines. Welding machines use robotic controls to follow a pre-set plan or pattern. On large-scale production lines, operators make sure the machine is functioning properly, and they perform regular quality control checks. In custom shops and on small scale assembly lines, the operators must understand the machine's programming and adapt it to different jobs.
Control cutting tools. Metal cutting uses heat to cut metal and trim assembled parts. This is different from welding but welders often operate cutting machinery. Plasma cutting is becoming common in industrial manufacturing and well-rounded welders are learning plasma torch skills.
Read the full Welder Level 'A' profile (121Kb pdf)
Read the full Welder Level 'B' profile (136Kb pdf)
