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General Welder Level 2 Apprenticeship

General Welder (Arc Processes)

A General Welder will be fully competent in manual welding using at least one arc process. General Welders are required in a number of sectors for example, the steel work construction sector.

Role profile
Welding is a way to make high strength joints between two or more parts. A General Welder will use high electrical energy to form an arc. Manual dexterity is essential in controlling the arc, which is used to melt metals, allowing them to fuse together to form a structurally sound weld.

Welding is used extensively and in almost every sector of industry. There is a high demand for skilled General Welders in areas such as: automotive, marine, transport, general fabrication, construction and many more. General Welders produce items like components for cars; ships; rail vehicles; simple metallic containers; and steel-work for bridges, buildings and gantries. Welding is a safety critical occupation and every welder takes responsibility for the quality and accuracy of their work. General Welders are required to produce joints that satisfy basic quality standards in order to ensure that the finished products function correctly, contributing to the safety of all and the global quality of life. Skilled, qualified, professionally certified General Welders can work anywhere in the world and provide services in harshest of environments. For these accomplished professionals, the monetary rewards can be significant.

There is a highly complex range of welding skills: the different arc welding processes require different levels of manual dexterity, knowledge and skill to avoid making defective welds. There are a wide range of metallic materials that can be welded, each with different properties and behaviours.

Course Info

How to Apply

Information for Applicants

What knowledge and skills are covered as part of the General Welder Apprenticeship?

General Welders will have the skill to:

Produce good quality welds using two welding process/material type combinations (TIG, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW) and (Carbon and Low Alloy steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel and Nickel Alloys, Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys) in two welding positions (Downhand, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead)
Attain a qualification in accordance with one of the following standards: ISO 9606 / ASME IX / BS4872 / AWS D1.1, determined by the employer. N.B. These qualifications are regarded as licences to practice in welding
Achieve a quality of work to meet international standards for dimensional and surface inspection (Visual, Magnetic Particle Inspection and Dye Penetrant Inspection).
Position, prepare and check the welding equipment.
Receive, handle and maintain consumables
Prepare, check and protect materials and work area ready for welding.
Complete and check the finished weld ready for inspection and report into the production control system.
Ensure that health and safety requirements are fully accounted for in all the above.

General Welders will have the knowledge to:

Be aware of the basic mechanical properties and weldability of welded materials
Understand the common arc welding processes, joint types (fillet, lap, butt, etc.) and positions
Understand the major components of welding equipment and the essential parameters for welding
Understand the terminology, operation and controls for the selected arc welding processes, joint types and welding positions
Identify and understand the causes of typical welding defects and how their occurrence can be reduced, for the materials and welding processes selected
Understand the functions of welding consumables and the requirements for correct storage and handling
Be able to identify and select correct welding consumables for each application
Understand and identify hazards and basic health, safety and quality requirements when welding
Know how to interpret and work to a welding procedure specification.
Know the basics of welding quality documents and reporting systems.

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What are the entry requirements?

Practical skills are considered as important as academic ability and the employer will set their own specific selection criteria. However, the candidate will be required to successfully achieve qualifications at level 1 in English and Mathematics and also to have taken examinations at level 2, for both subjects, within the period of apprenticeship if not already achieved.

How often do I have to attend college?

College attendance will be required over the duration of the course and this will be determined post-application. This will be in conjunction with further assessment in the workplace. Our well-equipped workshops will allow apprentices to carry out practical work in a safe environment.

How will I be assessed?

The apprenticeship programme is expected to have an overall duration of 18 months (but no shorter than 16 months). Prior to undertaking the end-point assessment, apprentices will be required to undergo a sustained period of on- and/or off-the-job training provided by a recommended Training Body. There will be a mandatory three-part holistic end-point assessment starting no earlier than three months before the planned end of programme.

The three parts of the end-point assessment are as follows:

1. A theoretical knowledge test using multiple choice question papers containing generic questions relevant to all welders and specific questions relevant to the theoretical part of the skill/knowledge modules selected by the employer.

2. A practical/oral examination comprising two practical tests and an oral examination. The practical tests will be carried out in accordance with a recognised industry specification and will be in the most difficult welding positions for the skill/knowledge modules selected. The Authorised Examiner, responsible for supervising the tests, will also conduct an oral examination to assess the apprentice’s understanding of the tests he/she is undertaking and of the wider responsibilities of a welder.

3. A professional interview which is designed to do two things: firstly, to further explore the apprentice’s knowledge relevant to his/her role and, secondly, to assess if the apprentice’s occupational behaviours meet the requirements specified in the Apprenticeship Standard. Part 3 must be carried out last. In order to be successful, apprentices must pass all three parts.

What can I do next?

There are numerous pathways for General Welders who may wish to pursue higher level careers in welding. These include progression to Multi-Positional Welder, High Integrity Welder or Welding Instruction and Teaching, Welding Inspection and Managing and Supervising Welding Operations.

Information for Employers

How can I fit this apprentice into my business?

How is my business going to benefit from an Apprentice General Welder?

General Welders will display the following behaviours:

A questioning attitude, to understand the processes and associated industrial applications
Maintaining competence with a commitment to Continuing Professional Development.
Planning and preparation to ensure production and Continuing Professional Development goals are achieved.
Intervention, to challenge poor practices and channel feedback to the appropriate authorities to implement change.
Reliability and dependability to consistently deliver expectations in production, quality, work ethics and self-development.
Accountability, to follow the specified procedures and controls and be personally responsible for their production work and personal development.

What will this cost my business?

The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017 has changed the way that government funds apprenticeships in England. All businesses operating within the UK with a wage bill of over £3million are required to contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy.

If the levy applies to your business you will be required to pay 0.5% of your entire wage bill into the levy. This will be offset against a levy allowance worth £15,000 for each tax year.

You will only be able to use your levy payment for government backed apprenticeships.

Levy payments will expire after 18 months.

Speak to an advisor at CI Business Solutions on 01206 712727 to make your levy payments work for you.

Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship.

Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account.

Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee.

Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview.

Speak to an Advisor at CI Business Solutions on 01206 712727 to make your levy payments work for you.

Does the apprentice have to attend college?

How is the apprentice assessed?

The three parts of the end-point assessment are as follows:

What about support in the workplace?

Skilled and knowledgeable staff must be available to support the apprentice as they complete work-based tasks

Why should I choose Colchester Institute to support my recruitment and retention?

Colchester Institute is the largest college provider of apprenticeships in Greater Essex. We are experts at connecting the right people, to the right training, to the right business – and when it comes to Apprenticeships, our Apprenticeship Advisors can support your business every step of the way.

As part of our service we can support your business with:

Advertising the Apprenticeship vacancy
Manage the applications received in line with your individual requirements
Match prospective candidates already known to us
Conduct initial pre-screening for candidates
Carry out visits to your premises alongside regular reviews to support you, your staff and your apprentice
Advice on any grants or funding where available

Our team will provide:

A fee free recruitment service.
Personal 1:1 Apprenticeship Levy advice and guidance.
A dedicated Account Manager.
Industry experienced, professional, technical trainers.
Bespoke programmes available upon request.
An Essex priority skills focus.
Free employer events.

Looking for a new career, job or maybe a qualification to take your current role to the next level?

Previously apprenticeships were primarily aimed towards 16-18 year olds but government reforms introduced in March 2017 mean that there is no longer an upper age limit for commencing an apprenticeship, even if you already possess a degree or higher level qualification (all applicants must be eligible for funding).

To apply for an apprenticeship please read through the information below and then select the correct application button from the menu located further down the page.

Aged between 15 and 18

The application window for joint applications for full-time courses and apprenticeships starting in September 2023 opened on Monday 3rd October at 12pm.

In order to study an apprenticeship you must have an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice and have an offer of employment in place by September, ready for enrolment.

The information below applies to those:

currently in year 11 and looking to study on an apprenticeship upon finishing school
currently in year 11 and looking to make a joint full-time and apprenticeship application, so that both options are available to be pursued upon finishing school (although you can apply for both options you will eventually need to choose between a full-time programme or apprenticeship, you cannot do both at the same time)
currently in year 12* on a full-time course and looking to find an apprenticeship to start after the end of the summer term

If you are interested in an Apprenticeship but do not yet have a contract of employment from an employer, we strongly advise you to apply for a full-time programme as well so you have a back-up. We will process both your full-time application and apprenticeship application until you inform us that you have secured an employer and have an Apprenticeship contract in place, at which point your apprenticeship application will take priority.

If you do have an employer with an Apprenticeship contract of employment in place, we still strongly advise that you apply for a full-time programme as well so you that you have a back-up in case this falls through.

Once you have read the above please click the button ’15 – 18 Years – Apply Online’ in the menu underneath this section and you will be taken to the next stage of the application process.

*If you are currently in year 12 and 13, but looking to find an apprenticeship and switch mid-year then please contact our Apprenticeship Admissions Team where they will advise you on suitable vacancies.

01206 712043 – Apprenticeship Admissions or email:

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

Aged 19+

In order to study an apprenticeship you must have an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice and with an offer of employment in place.

Please read through the information below and follow the information that applies to your current status.

If you do have an employer with an Apprenticeship contract of employment in place then please click the button ’19+ Years – How to Apply’ located in the menu underneath this section, where you will be taken to the next stage of the application process.

I am already in employment and my employer would like to put me through an apprenticeship

If you are already in employment then please contact our Apprenticeship Admissions Team where they will work with you and your employer to complete the sign-up and enrolment onto the programme.

01206 712043 – Apprenticeship Admissions or email:

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

I don’t have an employer

If you do not have a contract offer of employment from an employer in place then there are other options available to you:

Apply for a vacancy

Employers can recruit for apprentice positions all year round. We have apprenticeship vacancies listed on our website throughout the year in a variety of industries and with employers small, medium and large.

View our live vacancies

Join Our Talent Pool

All you have to do is complete and submit our Talent Pool application form, attend a pre-screening assessment/interview and be available when contacted. We will then send your details along with your profile to employers looking for an apprentice, inform you if you are selected for interview, and send you guidance to prepare you for interview.

Join our Talent Pool

If you are unsure about any of the above and would like to speak to our apprenticeships team directly then please contact us using the below:

01206 712043 – Applicant Enquiries or email:

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

Employer Enquiries

If you would be interested to find out more about how this apprenticeship can work for your business or already have a member of staff who this apprenticeship would be perfect for please contact us using the ‘Hire an Apprentice: Enquire Here’ button in the menu below.

General Welder Apprenticeship

Course Outline: General Welders are required in a number of sectors for example, the steel work construction sector.

Starting employment as an apprentice can occur throughout the year. However, the start date for attending college for training, where required, or if delivered online, when sessions begin, will vary depending on the type of apprenticeship and will be communicated post-employment and sign-up.

Level	Level 2
Location	Colchester
Duration	Typically 18 months
Campus / Adult Skills Centre	Colchester Campus
Apprenticeship Funding Band (Levy paying employers)	£9,000
Employer Contribution Fee (Non-levy paying employers)	£450

15 – 18 Years – Apply Online 19+ Years – How To Apply Apprenticeship Enquiry Line: 01206 712 043 Open Event Updates Latest Apprenticeship Vacancies

Hire an Apprentice: Enquire Here Employer Enquiry Line: 01206 712 727 Register a Vacancy Employer Information Events : Book Your Place Join our mailing list

What will this cost my Business?

Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account.

Apprenticeship Funding Bands

Apprenticeship Funding Bands
Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee. Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview.

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2022-23 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.