Engineering Plate Welder Apprenticeship

Overview of Role:  

This occupation is found in a wide range of sectors associated with the Fabrication, Construction and upgrade of major capital plant items and facilities. This will include Structural Steel fabrication and construction (e.g. Buildings, Stadia, Bridges, Piers, Jetties etc.), Marine fabrication, construction and upgrade (Ships, Submarines, Wind Turbine Towers), Defence fabrication (armoured vehicles), Process Plant (structures and storage tanks), Engineering Construction (Lifting Beams, Cranes, Construction Vehicles etc.), Mining & Mineral Processing (Shuttering, Structural Supports, Wear Plates, Chutes, Mills, Pulverisers), Transport (Aerospace, Rail and Automotive), and Manufacturing of machinery & equipment. Plate Welders may be employed in any size of organisation from small companies to large multi-national organisations. 

The broad purpose of the occupation is to manually weld plate and structural components to high standards of quality. This will involve fabrication, extrusions and structural components (e.g. Channel, H-Beams, I-Beams etc.) often used to fabricate larger components and assemblies.

For more information on the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to fulfil this role, please see: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/plate-welder/ 

If you have an employer that is willing to take you on as an apprentice, please provide us with those details so we can contact them.

If you don’t have an employer, all of our current vacancies are available to see and apply for on The College website and on Isle of Wight Jobs. In the meantime, someone from the apprenticeship team will contact you with information on the next steps.

Duration:  

The apprenticeship will typically take 42 months to complete. 

Delivery:  

Apprentices will complete work-based learning and will be paid a wage, gaining valuable knowledge and experience. In-house training will be provided by the employer with an Assessor visiting and supporting in the work place. Further training will be provided at the Isle of Wight College, depending on the needs of the learner and the employer. This method of delivery allows for a flexible approach which is tailored to each apprenticeship.

Qualification:  

Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to the End Point Assessment. 

Assessment:  

The apprenticeship will end with an End Point Assessment (EPA). This measures the skills, knowledge and behaviours each apprentice has developed. Employers will decide when the apprentice is ready to be assessed. 

The End Point Assessment consists of:  

• Multiple choice knowledge test 
• Professional discussion supported by portfolio 
• Practical skills test 

Career Progression:  

Apprentices will go into full time employment. Typical job titles include Plate Welder, Structural Welder, Class B Welder, Coded Multi-Positional Plate Welder.  

Apprentices will be eligible for registration with The Welding Institute as an engineering technician. 

There may be a cost for purchasing equipment or uniform for this course. Find out about financial support available.