Level 3
Plate Welder, Apprenticeship
Level 3
Plate Welder, Apprenticeship
Become a specialist in one of the most in-demand engineering trades. As a plate welder apprentice, you’ll learn how to weld large components used in construction, shipbuilding, manufacturing, and major engineering projects – all while earning a wage and gaining real industry experience.
Course Overview
This apprenticeship trains you to weld thick plate materials to high technical standards. You’ll work with skilled welding professionals who will teach you how to set up equipment, read drawings, prepare materials, and produce high-quality welds. Your training at college will sharpen your technique, build your safety knowledge, and help you understand welding processes in depth.
Based at our South West Skills Campus, you’ll train in a purpose-built environment designed specifically for engineering, construction and technical education. The campus features industry-standard workshops, specialist engineering classrooms, and fully equipped labs that mirror real workplace settings. This high-tech, career-focused environment ensures you gain the practical experience and industry readiness needed to succeed in the engineering sector.
You will be guided by expert lecturers with extensive industry experience who will help you develop the skills to work safely, accurately, and professionally – just as you would in a real engineering environment.
As a student, you will automatically join our Engineering & Green Skills Career Excellence Hub, providing access to employer networking, industry visits, guest lectures, and career-focused activities to ensure you are fully prepared for your next steps. This course equips you not just with specific skills, but with the broader knowledge and confidence needed for a successful career in this industry.
What will I study?
- Manual metal arc (MMA), MIG/MAG, and flux-cored welding
- Preparing and positioning thick plate materials
- Setting up and maintaining welding equipment
- Reading engineering drawings
- Achieving welds that meet industry quality standards
- Health and safety in welding environments
- Problem-solving and fault identification
How will I be assessed?
- Workplace assessments
- Practical welding tests
- Portfolio evidence
- End-point assessment including welding tasks and a professional discussion
Additional Information
Throughout your course, you will benefit from:
- Training in specialist welding bays
- Support from highly experienced welding tutors
- Access to the Engineering & Green Skills Career Excellence Hub
- Real fabrication and welding tasks with your employer
- Opportunities to gain additional qualifications or coded welds
Entry requirements
- Employment in a suitable welding or fabrication role
- GCSE English and maths (or willingness to work towards them)
- Interest in practical, hands-on engineering work
What can I do after this course?
- Become a qualified Plate Welder, Fabricator, or Welding Technician
- Progress to coded welding, pipe welding, or structural steelwork
- Move into offshore, construction, renewable energy, or manufacturing sectors
- Take higher-level apprenticeships in fabrication, welding inspection, or engineering
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.
What 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
Most people qualify for FREE tuition and material fees due to discounts we offer. Click on the icon(s) below to find out what you’ll need to pay.
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