On Demand
Duration: 18 Months
Code: APP000222P

Course Overview

The General Welder Apprenticeship is an excellent route into one of the world's most versatile and highly respected engineering trades. Combining paid employment with specialist college training, you'll develop the practical skills and technical understanding needed to produce high-quality welds to recognised industry standards while working alongside experienced welding professionals.

Based at Weston College's South West Skills Campus, you'll train in industry-standard engineering workshops equipped with professional welding bays, fabrication equipment, and specialist engineering machinery. You'll be taught by experienced engineering tutors who will help you master a range of welding techniques while developing the precision, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills employers expect.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll gain valuable workplace experience while working towards recognised industry welding certifications that are respected across the UK and internationally. As a member of Weston College's Engineering Career Excellence Hub, you'll benefit from employer networking opportunities, industry visits, technical demonstrations, guest speakers, and recruitment events, helping you build valuable professional connections within the engineering sector.

Qualified welders are in demand across a wide range of industries, offering excellent opportunities for career progression, travel, and specialist technical roles.

What will I study?

Throughout the apprenticeship, you'll develop the practical skills and technical knowledge required to produce high-quality welded fabrications safely and accurately.

Topics include:

• Health and safety in welding • Preparing materials and work areas • Welding equipment setup and operation • TIG welding • MIG/MAG welding • MMA welding • Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) • Welding carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and specialist alloys • Welding in multiple positions • Welding inspection and quality standards • Visual inspection and testing • Engineering drawings and specifications • Preparing completed welds for inspection

You will also work towards achieving an industry-recognised welding qualification to internationally recognised standards, as specified by your employer.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment takes place throughout the apprenticeship and concludes with an End-Point Assessment.

Assessment includes:

• Practical welding assessments • Workplace observations • Knowledge tests • Portfolio of evidence • Regular progress reviews

You will demonstrate your ability to produce safe, accurate, high-quality welds that meet recognised industry standards.

Additional Information

Throughout your course, you will benefit from:

• Paid employment while completing your qualification • Membership of Weston College's Engineering Career Excellence Hub • Access to industry-standard welding workshops and specialist equipment • Training from experienced engineering and welding professionals • Employer networking opportunities • Guest lectures and technical demonstrations • Industry visits and engineering events • Career planning and progression support

Working alongside experienced welders throughout your apprenticeship will allow you to develop valuable workplace skills while building confidence in a professional engineering environment.

Entry Requirements

If you do not already hold the required English and maths qualifications, you will be supported to achieve:

• Level 1 English and maths • Level 2 English and maths assessments before completing your apprenticeship, where required

You must also:

• Be employed in a relevant welding role

If you are not currently employed, Weston College can provide advice and support to help you find a suitable apprenticeship opportunity.

What can I do after this course?

Successful completion of this apprenticeship opens the door to a wide range of engineering careers and further specialist training.

You could progress to:

• Multi-Positional Welder • High Integrity Welder • Welding Inspection qualifications • Welding Instructor or Assessor qualifications • Higher-level engineering apprenticeships • Engineering technician roles

Career opportunities include:

• General Welder • Fabricator Welder • Structural Steel Welder • Production Welder • Pipe Welder • Marine Welder • Aerospace Welder • Welding Inspector • Welding Supervisor

Many apprentices secure permanent employment with their employer on completion of the programme, with opportunities to work across the UK and internationally in sectors including construction, manufacturing, aerospace, marine, automotive, and energy.

What do I do now?

Ready to apply? – Please use the ‘apply now’ button on this page. From here you'll be taken through to our application portal.

Want to learn more? – Visit and see the facilities and chat to staff by signing up for our next open event.

Have a quick question? – Use our Live Chat facility on the bottom right of this page.

Full Fee: £0.00 ?

Supported Fee: £0.00

Fee Information

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