The broad purpose of the occupation is to manually weld plate and structural components to high standards of quality. This will involve fabrication, construction or repair of fabricated plate assemblies, extrusions and structural components (e.g. Channel, H-Beams, I-Beams etc.) often used to fabricate larger components and assemblies. Plate welders will weld to internationally recognised quality standards using more than one manual arc welding process from Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), Plasma Arc Welding (PAW), Manual Metal Arc (MMA), Metal Inert Gas (MIG)/Metal Active Gas (MAG) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) on more than one material group from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys. For example, a Plate Welder might use Manual Metal Arc (MMA) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) to join both Carbon Steel and Low Alloy Steel materials.
Plate Welder Standard – Level 3
All learners will receive induction onto their programme covering:
- Induction to In-Comm
- Induction to the qualification
- Working Safely
- Employment Rights & Responsibilities
- Diary keeping & Continuous Professional Development Log
- Equality & Diversity
- Safeguarding
- Prevent Agenda & British Values
All learners will complete off the job training for this standard. Dependent upon prior qualifications learners may also need to complete
Functional Skills in English and Maths at Level 2.
For the off the job training element, it is compulsory that learners attend centre to achieve knowledge, understanding and competence in
the following subjects:
- General & Welding Specific Health & Safety
- Dimensional & Mechanical Properties of Materials
- Welding Procedures, Parameters & Symbols
- Testing & Inspection
- Welding Defects
- MIG, MAG and FCAW processes
- MMA Processes
- TIG-TAG and PAW Processes
To achieve this qualification learners must go through End Point Assessment consisting of:
- Knowledge Test – The learner will be given a multiple choice test as part of checking their underpinning knowledge for competence elements.
- Portfolio – a portfolio of evidence comprising of naturally occurring evidence during the on-programme period from the workplace, backed up by relevant company processes and procedures.
- Practical Test & Associated Oral Examination – giving the learner the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, skills and behaviours
- Professional Discussion – covering the application of knowledge learned, role of the welder in industry and professional behaviours prescribed in the standard
- Log book & diary of Continuous Professional Development