Choosing a career means weighing up skills, interests, working hours and the job market. Plenty of people in senior technical and management roles in this industry started in a welding trade. There is a misconception that a trade is a destination rather than a starting point. A trade gives you practical and problem solving skills that transfer into a lot of other work. If you love working with your hands, a career in welding may be for you. There is a large demand for welders in Australia. Welding is a specialised skill, so if you have the passion and can put in the work, you will be in high demand.
So where can a welding trade take you?
- Drafting
- Engineering
- Welding Supervisor
- Welding Inspector
- Fabrication company owner
- Sales Role
- Technical roles within a supply company
The list is endless.
1. Welding is an In-Demand Career
Not just anyone can decide to pick up the right tools and become a welder. To become a welder, you need to complete a Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication). Post trade study and certification take you further. When going for a welding trade, you will learn important job-related aspects of the whole industry, including metal fabrication, forging, founding and sheet metal work. Since welding is such a hands on career, you shouldn’t expect to just sit in a classroom and learn all these important skills. Instead, you will likely work as an apprentice to learn these skills from masters of the field.
Demand for qualified welders in Australia has been consistent for years, and a trade is a serious alternative to a university engineering degree rather than a fallback from one. Job security follows demonstrated skill.
2. Get Paid What You’re Worth
Interest in the work matters, and so does what it pays. Welding rates rise with demonstrated skill and with the certifications you hold, and fly in fly out and shutdown work pays well above workshop rates. Check current rates against the relevant award and against live job advertisements rather than against an article.
3. Express Your Creativity
Welding is often described as more of an art than a craft. This interesting career is constantly changing as new ways to weld are discovered. Once you perfect your welding skills, you can put them to use in a variety of ways. Many welders work in factories or for repair companies working on specific, constant welds (example: manufacturing or construction.) You do not have to settle for a standard nine to five. There are so many different directions you can take your skills. Welders can work on race cars, art installations, and unique architectural designs.
4. Never Stop Learning
One of the biggest complaints workers have, is that they are bored at work. This can happen when your mind is not being challenged. This is almost never a problem for welders. On the job, welders must be on top form 100% of the time, with many welds being Xrayed. Due to the dangerous nature of the career, safety is a top priority. Welders need to be constantly aware of the conditions they are working in to prevent an accident. If you are bored, you are probably being unsafe.
With the hard work aside, welding is an exciting job because there is always room to grow. There are over 30 different types of welds that each use a unique process. Most welders only use 3 to 5 types, but if you want to grow your skills, you can master these exotic materials.
If you love working with your hands, a welding career may be for you. Once you have gained the proper certification, you can start working in this high-paying field right away. Since the career is in such demand, you will likely be able to find a secure job no matter where you live across Australia.