Plate Welder Apprenticeship – Level 3

Apprentices will manually weld plates and structural components to high standards of quality across various sectors, including construction, marine, defence and manufacturing. They will learn multiple manual arc welding processes (TIG, MMA, MIG/MAG) and work with various materials (Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Nickel Alloys, Aluminium Alloys, etc.). 

Training includes interpreting technical drawings, setting up and maintaining welding equipment, and ensuring welds meet international quality standards. There is an emphasis on adhering to safety regulations, performing visual inspections, and conducting non-destructive testing. Apprentices will also identify and address issues in the welding process, contributing to continuous improvement in production. They will work both independently and as part of a team, interacting with various professionals in the field.

GCSEs in Maths and English grades 4-9 (C or above) or Level 2 Maths and English Functional Skills.

The apprentice must hold welder approval certificates validated by a recognised third party organisation that are held by the apprentice, with six-monthly prolongation signatures where appropriate – production welding records showing welding procedure specification, production control card used, method of inspection and acceptance criteria applied to the finished weld, volumetric inspection acceptance report for the identified weld authenticated by a suitably qualified welding inspector or non-destructive testing (NDT) technician.

The employer is to supply a summary of the selected material groups (two) and welding processes (two) applicable to the apprentice. The employer is to supply a suite of employer welding procedure specifications (WPSs) for subsequent selection by the Independent Assessor suitable for the range of materials and processes selected.

Required Behaviours:

• Responsibility: Taking ownership of decision-making within the guidelines of work instructions and being accountable for productivity and quality.
• Seeking Guidance: Actively enquiring and seeking guidance to understand processes and industrial applications.
• Commitment to Development: Maintaining competence through continuous professional development and reflecting on performance to ensure safety, quality and production standards.
• Challenging Poor Practices: Confidently intervening and challenging poor practices, and providing feedback to implement changes.
• Consistency and Reliability: Delivering consistently in terms of safety, production, quality, ethics and self-development.
• Supporting Others: Encouraging and supporting the development of colleagues and completing risk assessments at the point of work.
• Adherence to Procedures: Following specified procedures and controls, and being personally responsible for production work and personal development.
• Continuous Improvement: Reflecting on performance to provide recommendations for improving efficiency and effectiveness in working practices and training.

Level 3 Plate Welder Apprenticeship qualification

The apprentice will be assessed using a variety of assessment methods. This will include making practical pieces, completing job write-ups, question and answers and witness testimonies from the employer. The apprentice will build a portfolio of work-based evidence that they will present for their End Point Assessment (EPA).

The End Point Assessment (EPA) for the Plate Welder apprenticeship includes several key components:

1. Practical Assessment: Apprentices must demonstrate their welding skills on various materials and joint configurations, ensuring they meet international standards.
2. Knowledge Test: This involves a series of questions to assess the apprentice’s understanding of welding processes, materials and safety protocols.
3. Professional Discussion: A structured interview where apprentices discuss their work, demonstrating their knowledge, skills and behaviours in real-world scenarios.
4. Portfolio Review: Apprentices present a portfolio of their work, showcasing their competence and development throughout the apprenticeship.

The EPA ensures that apprentices are fully prepared to meet industry standards and excel in their roles as plate welders.

The apprentice will attend College on a day-release basis over two academic years.

The apprentice will be required to come equipped with the following personal protective equipment (PPE): safety boots, safety glasses, gauntlets, sweatband and company fire retardant overalls.

N/A

The Plate Welder apprenticeship is specific for the following job roles:

• Class B Welder
• Coded Multi-Positional Plate Welder
• Plate Welder
• Structural Welder

These roles involve manually welding plates and structural components to high standards of quality across various sectors, including construction, marine, defence and manufacturing.

You may already have someone in your organisation or someone who has come to you directly asking for an apprenticeship. However, if you don’t, we have a free recruitment service to help you hire the best candidate for your organisation from our talent pool and can provide external advertising through social media and the National Apprenticeship Service’s website.

If you are an employer and you would like to know more, please email businessenquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or call 01332 387421