Posted on March 24, 2016 by Institute of Technical Trades
Becoming a master welder is a challenging but rewarding endeavour. There are specific requirements to become a master welder. Becoming a master welder requires years of dedicated study with a certification program, as well as practice at a master welder program. Other requirements may include further certifications for welding, cutting, and brazing as well as welding inspection. There are also consistent success rates which must be met. A master welder must possess the ability to consistently create nearly flawless welds with a failure rate of less than 5% in Magna Flux testing, and below 10% in X-ray testing. Some employers will hire and train you on the job if you have no formal education or experience, but most employers are likely to favour candidates with both.
First, here is some background on welding in general. The first welders began by working with steel; since then, the field of welding has expanded to include materials such as titanium, plastic, and aluminum. There are several certain welding techniques which a master welder should be familiar with. Arc welding is perhaps the most common type of welding a master welder will end up dealing with, using an electrical current to heat metal to its molten stage. Examples of other welding types include MIG, which is metal inert gas welding, and TIG, which is tungsten inert gas welding. These are common types of welding to specialize in and all contribute toward becoming a master welder.
Most skills taught in master welder programs aim to use knowledge of metal composition and metal configuration. This is to determine how much heat should be used, as well as which welding methods to utilize. Welding programs may offer training in areas such as mechanical drawing, blueprint reading and shop mechanics. Students also commonly learn about arc welding, plasma cutting, the aforementioned MIG and TIG welding, and metal fabrication as well as oxyacetylene welding.
Certain associate's’ degree programs may include training in other areas such as entrepreneurship, human resources management, business development, office administration and accounting. Due to welding programs relying on mostly hands-on instruction, these programs typically cannot be completed online. Becoming a certified master welder requires passing practical tests and demonstrating thorough knowledge of their skill in the trade. The steps to becoming a master welder will vary for students as they will to some extent dependent on their area of specialization.
To become a master welder, it is recommended one enroll in the types of classes described here. Enrolling in these types of specialized classes will help to build knowledge of welding fundamentals, as well as assist in connecting aspiring welders to appropriate training channels. By following these steps, instructions, and advice, one will be well on their way to becoming a master welder. By seeking out a technical school offering a certified master welder program, The Institute of Technical Trade offers a wide variety of educational resources for learning how to become a master welder and much more. For more information, visit
www.instituteoftechnicaltrades.com or call 1-800-461-4981 or 416-750-1950.
