What skills are most important for a welder, and why?

by 2020 Welding Scholarship Winner, Sean Donovan Wilde

There are three major skills that a welder will need to possess to be successful. The first is to have the physical ability to perform the tasks. A welder stands for an extended period of time because welding is performed when mainly standing. A welding torch needs to be held steady for long periods of time. Great eye-hand coordination is needed along with reliable and unshakeable hands. A welder needs stamina. Bending and lifting are among the many physical activities of a welder, and so you need to be able to squat down and get into places to put together or take apart pieces.

Attention to detail is a must have. Great welding depends on attention to detail. Welders have to see when pieces are damaged in some way before putting them together. Some welders may be asked for their expert opinion when it comes to purchasing equipment and should be able to notice both the benefits and setbacks to a piece.

Math skills are a must. Many welders are required to be able to read and decipher blueprints, sketches, or designs. Math definitely helps when it comes to this task. Welders also have to calculate the dimensions of pieces, and therefore, being good at math is a necessary skill to have. Spatial reasoning also plays a huge part in welding. There is a need to understand how well a piece will fit into an area, and then it is also necessary to have a good understanding of two and three dimensional diagrams.

Aside from these three major skills, a welder should also have good administrative skills. While welding is mainly a physical job, there are also administrative tasks that come along with it. They need to be organized and be able to document legibly. Welders should maintain inventory and know how to plan and manage projects. They should also be able to work independently or with a team depending on the job. Communication and collaboration with others is key.

A welder needs to have the ability to examine pieces, melt them down appropriately before soldering them. They should be able to effectively use grinders and repair any leaks that occur. People who weld also need to know how to set up machines and test for air leaks. They should be effective users of soldering irons, hand tools, weld gauges, and other common devices.

Because the world of technology constantly evolves, it is very important for a welder to continue to hone their skills and keep up with forward-moving technology in order to stay ahead of the industry as it evolves.