Is Welding a Smart Career Choice?

“Welding is more than just grabbing a stick and going to work. There’s a lot of science and knowledge involved.”

- Mike Kuehnl

After talking with many people about welding as a career, I heard their reasons for not seeing it as a good option.

The most common myth was that “there’s no good money in it,” followed by “machines have replaced manpower in welding,” which then led to “it offers few opportunities and has no scope.”

Let’s go on to debunk these myths.

Starting with not good enough income.

Welding is needed across the board, from gadgets and electronics to cars and airplanes.

Starting from 1,30,000 to 2,99,000 p.a rising to 8,00,000 p.a. However, depending on experience level, the specialty, and location of work, it’s not uncommon for welders to earn more p.a. There are a lot of job opportunities and positions for welders to earn more, especially when it involves numerous skill sets, such as aerospace or military or underwater welding as well; have the potential to be even more profitable.

Welding training wraps up sooner than a typical three- to four-year graduation degree, so welding students can finish their education and start building experience earlier. As with any job, the more experience you gain, the more you earn.

• There’s only use of machines and no manpower required.

Machines only handle repetitive tasks. Work that calls for personalization or fine detail still needs people. Even where automated or machine work is done, welding still requires manpower, because automation is more expensive and machines cannot handle the customization and detailing of many tasks. So the need for welders will always remain.

• Fewer opportunities and no growth.

This myth is easy to understand, but it is still wrong. In India, the sight of men welding with shields in a local car shop can make anyone think there is no growth or opportunity in welding, and that is wrong. Learning different methods can open many career paths. Welding jobs exist on projects like bridges and skyscrapers, and wouldn’t it be exciting to work on a spacecraft? As I mentioned earlier, welding is needed in construction, automotive and aerospace, which opens up plenty of creative and professional opportunities and growth for welders.

Now, Let’s come to what welding is.

Welding joins pieces of metal by heating or compressing them so they form a continuous bond. It is usually applied to metals and thermoplastics, but it can also be done on wood. The parts being joined are called parent materials, and the materials used to create the joint are called consumables or fillers. An arc flame from the welding power source is usually the heat source. Arc welding is the name for welding that uses an arc to create a joint. The heat source melts the parent metal along with the filler, joining it to the other metal piece. Heat and pressure are generally used to attach different metals according to their thickness and type.

When welding wood, pressure is applied to the material, followed by heat generated through friction.

Surfaces are prepared before heat and pressure are applied, and afterwards the materials are brought down to a lower temperature.

As noted above, metals are usually welded by applying heat and pressure. It is a quick and efficient method. Shielding gas protects the molten metal or molten pool from oxidation or contamination.

There are many types of welding, but here I will cover the three main ones.

• MIG- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

It is used in the automotive industry for vehicle repair and construction. This arc welding method uses a continuous wire called an electrode, along with a shielding gas that flows through the welding heat source to prevent contamination. It is one of the most familiar types of welding.

• STICK- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

This is a portable welding method, usually used in construction, underwater work, industrial fabrication and more. The stick joins metals by heating between a covered metal electrode and the parent metal. The stick melts along with its coating, which then protects the welded metal from oxidation.

• TIG- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

It also uses an electric arc, similar to MIG. The electrodes are made of tungsten, one of the strongest metals, which does not burn. It also needs a separate gas supply such as helium or argon. This method is used by both the automotive and aerospace industries.

After getting the misconceptions cleared and knowing the basics of welding as a career. Here are the reasons why welding is a good career choice.

There is a great demand for welders.

Almost every industry needs welders, in every part of the world. That demand creates more work opportunities for welders, and the more experience you have, the higher your position and pay range.

• Getting to travel and earn.

You read that right: skilled welders are needed everywhere, and welding techniques are the same around the world. You can earn while you travel, and if you are passionate about your work and travel, you can take on projects you might never get locally.

• Easier to start your own business.

There is strong potential to start your own company, which can earn you good money while creating more opportunities for other welders.

If you want to become an entrepreneur and start your own company, welding is a great option.

• The industry is very diverse.

There are many different metals and materials to work with and many methods to specialize in. You can take on different projects and sharpen your skills with each one.

• It is an enjoyable career option.

As we mentioned earlier, there are so many types of welding and kinds of projects to work on that it can never be boring. Welding as a career pays well, and there is also a shortage of professionally skilled welders, so plenty of opportunities await.

Ending with something Mr. Sundarram Srinivasan (Managing director- south Asia, Lincoln electric (I) Pvt. Ltd.) when asked: “What is your say on the future of Welding segment in India?”

To which he said, “Welding in India has a strong future. As manufacturing grows, so will welding.”

Hopefully this blog helps you move ahead with your dream or consider welding as a career. As Temple Grandin said, “I think one of the worst things schools have done is taken out all of the stuff like art, music, woodworking, sewing, cooking, welding, auto-shop. All these things you can turn into careers. How can you get interested in these careers if you don’t try them on a little bit?”.