Welding a very noble job. Being able to create a beautiful thing using vast raw materials and putting things together to create a whole. The art of welding requires years of skill-building and experience. It also needs huge investment in welding materials.
Some people make good welders. That’s because they have certain skill sets that come as a huge advantage in the line of work. If you have these skills, then you’re bound to make a good welder. But even if you don’t, you shouldn’t lose hope. The process involves a lot of learning, and you’re bound to get the hang of it too.
Here are the skills that will help you excel in welding.
Physical capabilities
Welding involves a lot of heavy-weight materials, which means physical traits are an advantage. There’s going to be a lot of physical work involved, like carrying materials, dismantling objects, lifting parts, etc.
Don’t get us wrong; there are available tools and equipment to make this job easier, such as pipe rotators and cranes. But physical capabilities are definitely a plus. Endurance, strength, vision, and depth perception are traits that will really come as an advantage in welding.
Mathematical skills
Your math teacher back when you were in elementary or high school, probably told you that mathematics is everywhere. True enough, there are a lot of aspects in life where math proves its utmost importance. That’s why they teach the subject in school.
Knowing math is an essential and very helpful soft skill, even in the field of welding. You probably thought it was all physical and handicraft work. But that’s where you’ve got it wrong. Welding involves a lot of thinking. You need to be able to calculate dimensions, read blueprints, understand diagrams, etc. With this, math skills are definitely a plus.
Organisation skills
Much of what welders do involve physical and analytical skills. But the ability to organise will also prove as an advantage. That’s because they have to document their work, manage an inventory, keep track of materials and supplies, etc.
If a welder is not organised, then the job will become harder — not just for him or her, but for the rest of the team. That means a lot of administrative work will also be required. The basic skills of organisation, coordination, planning, and prioritising are definitely a few strengths.
Strong communication skills
Welding is not something you do alone. There are clients and partners you need to communicate with. Especially when you’re working as a team, you and your members have to be on the same page about tasks and objectives.
When you’re doing welding work for a client, you have to communicate with them to explain processes, give updates, make negotiations, etc. You’ll be talking and coordinating with a lot of people. So if you have strong communication skills, you’re at an advantage.
Problem-solving skills
The whole craft of welding cannot be put into specific, concrete steps. Yes, there are guides and basic tips on mastering it. But things don’t always go smoothly. Sometimes, unforeseen circumstances happen, and it will be up to you to solve it.
To be a good welder, you need to have a knack for problem-solving. You need to have the ability to think of solutions to certain issues that come with the job. Once you do, then you’ll be able to deliver great work.
Welding is more than just putting things together and having the physical ability to undertake the job. There are skill sets that prove beneficial in this line of work. If you want to excel in the field, you need to start honing and mastering these skills.
