Sunday, 22 December 2013

10 Skills You Need to Succeed as a Welder

There are many jobs available in the welding industry, but only welders who have honed their skills will win those job openings. Here is a list of 10 skills that a welder needs to succeed in the industry.
1) Problem Solving
Welders have to be really good at solving problems and pay attention to detail. They need to be able to find flaws in designs and materials, as well as worn down equipment or parts, and know how to fix those problems. Working in outer space or underwater means they need to solve problems even faster.
2) Dexterity
It’s obvious that welders need to have great dexterity skills. They need to able to keep their hands and arms steady as they move, as well as be able to hold their hands and arms in one position for long periods. Moving quickly to adjust equipment controls and making repetitive movements is a must as well.
3) Planning and Organization
Welders need to be able to organize their work and plan out their own schedules if they work for themselves. If they have a supervisor, they still need to be able to keep their work organized, as well as their work stations.
4) Physically Healthy
Welders have to be physically fit in order to work with different materials and in different positions. They will be bending, twisting, stretching and using a lot of their lower back and abdominal muscles during a normal workday, so they have to be fit enough to move without limits.
5) Endurance
Since there is so much moving involved in welding, welders need to have endurance to repeat it day in and day out. The constant attention to detail can also be tedious, so they have to be able to endure that for long periods.
6) Imagination
Believe it or not, a welder needs to have an imagination. They need to be able to picture how their work will look when they make their designs, as well as while the parts are being rearranged and put in place.
7) Know the Materials
Welders need to have a solid knowledge of the tools, methods and materials used in their line of work. This is a requirement to build or repair homes, buildings, roads and highways.
8) Science and Math
Using basic science and math skills at work is commonplace for welders. They have to make calculations, estimate costs, and determine which materials to use with which fuels and chemicals. Sometimes they need to track their own hours and use math to solve problems.
9) Know Technology
Welders need to have the technological skills to operate welding equipment that is computer-based. This includes using plasma cutting machines and entering data to complete tasks.
10) Interpersonal Skills
Although welders spend a lot of time by themselves, they do need to communicate with employers, clients and other people in the trade. This skill is really needed if they are working on a project with other welders or tradespeople, as it will help the project get done smoothly.
These are the skills needed for welders to obtain jobs across the custom welding, maintenance and repair, and construction fields. Now is the perfect time to develop and hone these skills, as the industry is expected to grow in the years to come.

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