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Are you looking for a trade that’s in high demand, offers a good income, and lets you create something tangible? Here at the Welding Academy, we’re passionate about helping you turn your interest in welding into a rewarding career. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the exciting journey from enthusiastic student to a master welder in New Zealand.
The first step is equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills to excel. We offer programs aligned with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to ensure you meet industry standards. Our Certificate in Welding Level 3 provides a solid foundation in welding fundamentals, safety protocols, and practical techniques. This program covers a variety of welding processes. You’ll learn proper joint preparation, bead placement, and techniques for creating strong, clean welds across different materials.
As you progress, the Certificate in Welding Level 4 builds on this knowledge, allowing you to specialise and refined your skills under expert guidance. You’ll delve deeper into specific welding processes, focusing on mastering techniques and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each method. You’ll gain experience with different materials, such as stainless steel, aluminium, and high-strength steels, used in various industries.
While the core NZQA qualifications provide a strong foundation, consider these additional avenues to truly elevate your welding expertise:
Certain industries, like pressure vessels manufacturing or pipeline construction, require welders to be qualified according to specific welding codes. These codes ensure welds meet stringent safety and quality standards. By undergoing additional training and passing specific tests, you can become a coded welder, opening doors to specialised and high-paying opportunities.
Automation is playing an increasingly significant role in the welding industry. Understanding robotic welding principles and programming techniques can position you for exciting opportunities in automated welding systems.
The world of welding is constantly evolving. Explore advanced processes like laser welding, often used in high-precision applications, or friction stir welding, a solid-state joining technique gaining traction in various industries.
Experience is crucial for launching your welding career. Armed with your qualifications, the next step is gaining practical, real-world experience. Employers highly value a blend of formal training and on-the-job learning. At the Welding Academy, we foster close industry connections. With pathways that include additional work experience or further qualifications, our graduates can advance into roles such as welding inspector, supervisor, engineer (both welding and mechanical), and more.
The beauty of welding is the bast array of specialties you can pursue. Do you thrive in fast-paced environments? Consider becoming a pip welder, crucial in construction and energy sectors. These welders specialise in joining pipes used for transporting fluids or gases, often working in confined spaces and demanding strict adherence to safety regulations. Perhaps intricate details are your forte? Then delve into the world of TIG welding, used in aerospace and medical equipment manufacturing. TIG welding requites meticulous attention to detail and produces high-quality, clean welds crucial for these sensitive applications.
As your skills and experience grow, opportunities for advancement open. You could become a lead welder, overseeing projects and mentoring junior welders. Lead welders ensure projects meet quality standards, interpret welding procedures, and assign tasks to their team. With additional training and certifications, you could even transition into welding inspection or supervision roles. Welding inspectors ensure welds comply with codes and specifications, while welding supervisors manage welding teams, oversee projects, and ensure adherence to safety protocols.
The path to becoming a master welder is a continuous journey of honing your skills, staying up to date with the latest technologies, and expanding your knowledge. New Zealand’s welding industry is constantly evolving, and master welders are adept at adapting to new materials, processes, and equipment. They can troubleshoot complex welding problems, advise on welding procedures for new materials, and train and mentor the next generation of welders. The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you can tackle any welding challenge thrown your way is truly unmatched. Master welders are highly respected in the industry and often command premium wages.