Fabrication and Welding Level 1

Throughout the course, you’ll get hands-on with a range of industry-standard welding techniques, including GMAW (MAG), GTAW (TIG), FCAW and SMAW (MMA). Don’t worry if those acronyms don’t mean much now – you’ll be confident with each process by the time you finish. Our department takes great pride in delivering high-quality training and is proud to work in partnership with global welding leader Lincoln Electric.

In fabrication and welding, you will be preparing and joining different types of metal using various processes. You'll learn how to interpret engineering drawings and symbols to make accurate objects. You will also learn about aspects of the trade such as cutting, forming, and joining metal, and using different methods of carrying out sheet metal cutting, forming and assembly including oxy-fuel equipment and manual metal arc and TIG welding. Our Engineering and Renewable Energy Centre offers you the unique chance to work with a variety of welding equipment as well as diagnostic testing equipment which has been installed to help you develop the up-to-date skills the industry is looking for.

The department works hard to provide real-life work experience opportunities with local employers, and works closely with the department’s skills and employability trainer to engage as many as learners as possible.

When you do a vocational qualification you will learn in a workshop, salon or studio as appropriate for your subject and you will usually be assessed through practical assessments, projects, assignments and oral and written questions. There may be exams in some subjects and your tutor will prepare you for these.

3 GCSEs at grade 2 or above

Welding and fabrication apprenticeships with engineering firms, manufacturers, and offshore companies

Entry-level employment as a welder, fabricator, pipefitter or metalworker across construction, oil and gas, and renewable energy industries

Further education, including HNC, HNDs or university-level engineering degrees, with opportunities to specialise in mechanical, marine or structural engineering