welder.

All the different industries that need secure, stable and sustainable joining of various metals require welders. 

If you want to work mainly indoors, the manufacturing industry is a good place for welders, as the demand for welding is high there. If you work as a welder in the manufacturing industry, you can work with anything from tools and containers to large ships, aeroplanes or cars. There is also a need for welding in the computer industry, for example to join different computer parts when manufacturing computers. 

If you prefer working outdoors and having more variety in your work environment, you can work in the construction and civil engineering industry. Many building sites have a great need for welding on a daily basis. For those working as a welder on a construction site, the job includes joining the metal shell and metal frameworks that form the very foundation of modern buildings. 

Read on to find out which skills and experience may be relevant and needed for the role of welder.

Welders who can handle pressure welding may, for example, work with friction welding, ultrasonic welding and spot welding. In pressure welding, pressure is used to weld, and you can use both heat and weld without heat.

For many, fusion welding is also classic welding, where high temperatures are used to heat the joint surfaces to a temperature at which they melt. Then, different joint surfaces are fused together to form a welded joint. This can be done with gas welding, arc welding or methods with high energy density, including laser welding.

Butt welding and magnetic pulse welding are two other welding techniques. In other words, there are many different types of welding techniques and not all are suitable for every job or in every industry. For those with basic knowledge as a welder, there are good opportunities to develop further and add more welding methods to their skills.

Working as a welder means joining together different metals and materials by welding. But it's not just the welding process itself that makes up the job of a welder. A successful weld begins long before the actual moment of welding. To become a successful welder, you need to be efficient throughout the entire process, from start to finish. 

• Your work as a welder begins when you receive the instructions from the engineer for the specific job. After you have read and understood these, it is time to collect the relevant material to be able to carry out the job.

• After evaluating and preparing the equipment, you can begin the welding process itself, which can take anything from a few seconds to many hours.

• When the welding is finished, it is important to inspect the result, as well as test the joint to ensure that it meets the requirements and safety regulations. 

To master this entire process, from start to finish, is what sets a good welder apart from a less experienced welder. It's also what allows you to feel satisfied with a job well done when you've finished welding.

Most welders work in manufacturing or on construction sites, or with large machinery. But there are other industries that also require welding. One of the more common roles for a welder is working with demolition and dismantling in various contexts. As a welder in this field, your knowledge of materials and welding techniques is very important for carrying out demolition safely. 

There are also construction sites where both demolition and new building take place, which means that the person responsible for welding may need to assess previous welds to carry out demolition safely. At the same time, you need to evaluate techniques and materials to build new structures safely.

Choosing a career as a welder also means you get the chance to work at a range of different workplaces and in various working environments. Some welders work at regular places like a workshop or a factory. Others work at construction sites or at installation sites. A welder’s job often means working in a hot environment, with lots of people moving about and a high noise level. Those working at a construction site might need to work deep underground, or high up on a floor many metres above ground level. The better you are at adapting to new working environments in a safe and efficient way, the more successful you’re likely to be as a welder. Being adaptable is an important quality.

If something breaks or needs fixing that falls under a welder's area of responsibility, it doesn't matter what time of day or which day of the week it is. In construction work, every delay means lost revenue, which will also affect the budget, something employers always want to avoid. These are factors that mean welders often have to work unsociable hours or at least be available quickly. 

Whether it's a fast-paced work environment on a construction site or in a factory, welders often have a schedule that involves long shifts, inconvenient working hours and being on call. 

The work schedule for a welder can be quite demanding. There is often a need for welders around the clock, every day of the week, which means there is a wide choice in selecting what type of shift, hours or sessions you want to work. Of course, this varies between different employers, but as a welder there are good job opportunities for those who are happy to work shifts or at unsociable hours.

Further development and training are important factors for having a long career as a welder. The more welding methods you are comfortable with, the more attractive you become to the employer. 

Working with welding to some extent is a good first step to get a foot in the door on the job market, especially as many employers choose to further train their own staff. With experience, it also becomes easier to move forward in your career. 

• If you have the ambition to use your job as a welder as a stepping stone to other jobs, it’s a good idea to look at a job as a manager or supervisor. As a workshop manager or supervisor, you’re responsible for overseeing the operation. A background as a welder makes you more suitable to be in charge of a welding team.

• Another option for those who want to advance their career as a welder is to move from welding to quality control and quality assurance. In that case, you may be tasked with inspecting the final product on a larger scale.

• For those with extensive experience in welding and a passion for teaching, it can be a good idea to move on to welding courses to work as a teacher. Experienced welders are needed to teach a new generation to become successful in welding.

Finding a job as a welder through Randstad comes with a range of benefits: 

• various development and career opportunities

• an experienced contact person who can help when needed

• many job vacancies within your area

• full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment 

Do you want a permanent position as a welder? A temporary contract or assignment as a welder is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, several people get a permanent position with employers, thanks to a temporary job that has come through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent employees directly through Randstad.

To constantly develop and educate oneself in welding is relevant for anyone wishing to build a career, or who wants to ensure their attractiveness to new employers. Many employers also train their staff in new welding techniques. Considering that there are many different methods in welding, depending on the context and material, it is almost always possible to further one's education. One such example is underwater welding, which is a complicated technique used, among other things, in the construction of bridges over water.

A welder works with joining different materials. Welding often means working with high temperatures and it requires a strong focus on safety. By fusing different materials, often metals, a welded joint is created. Welders can work on construction sites, in manufacturing industries or in other areas where safe welding is needed.

Welding is usually divided into three main welding methods. These are pressure welding methods, fusion welding methods, and other methods. Other methods include, among others, stud welding and magnetic pulse welding. Becoming a welder means you may learn a range of different types of welding methods to be able to handle many different materials and jobs.

If you’re employed as a welder at a company, you usually don’t need to have your own welding equipment, as it’s available at the workplace. For example, if you work at a construction site, there’s often specialised equipment relevant to the particular build taking place. If you run a welding business, you’ll need your own equipment to handle welding jobs at customers’ locations. Remember that safety gear is included in your welding equipment.

It's easy to apply for a job as a welder. Search among our vacant jobs in your area. Then send in your cv and your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn. if you need help with your job application you can read all our job tips here! 

Here you can find more information about the role welder.