Duties and responsibilities
An aluminium welder responsible for fusing aluminium together. Aluminium welders may work in auto-body shops, the construction industry, factories, or a variety of other industries. Regardless of where they work, their typical duties and responsibilities include:
- Reading blueprints and drawings to plan layout and procedures
- Determining the appropriate welding equipment for the aluminium
- Operating angle grinders to prepare the parts of aluminium that must be welded
- Setting up and aligning the aluminium components that need to be welded together
- Welding components together using the correct technique
- Repairing machinery as needed
- Testing and inspecting aluminium surfaces and structures to discover flaws or issues
- Maintaining all equipment in a perfect condition
Qualifications
To become a aluminium welder, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent, combined with technical and on-the-job training. These can be awarded from vocational–technical institutes, community colleges, private welding schools and various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Skills and relevant work experience
In order to have the best possible employment opportunities, aluminium welders should aim to get as much experience in the construction and welding industry. They also need skills such as:
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- Physical fitness and stamina, as aluminium welders will need to lift aluminium, which is heavy
- Communication skills as aluminium welders will need to carefully and clearly communicate with other welders and clients
- Detail orientation, as aluminium welders will need to cut aluminium and weld it to the exact millimetre
- Critical thinking, as aluminium welders must be able to problem-solve when issues arise in a project
Hours
Aluminium welders will work full time, and overtime is common. Many manufacturing firms have two or three 8- to 12-hour shifts each day, allowing the firm to continue production around the clock if needed. As a result, aluminium welders may work evenings and weekends.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was $42,490 in 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,470, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $64,240. Aluminium welders can expect to earn a salary in a similar range.
It is important to not that the median income for welders will vary with their experience and skill level, the industry, and the size of the company they work for.
Progression
The employment growth of welders is expected to increase over the coming years. This is due to the nation’s aging infrastructure needing the expertise of welders. Aluminium welders may have increased job prospects due to their specialization. After completing their initial training, Aluminium welders can take further courses and certifications to improve their job prospects and opportunities