This occupation is found in a wide range of sectors where piping systems are used for fluid transport and pressure containment. This will include Engineering Construction, Maintenance and Project upgrades, Oil & Gas (upstream extraction, bulk fluid transport & distribution, downstream processing), Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals (manufacturing and process plant); Power Generation (Thermal, Biomass & Nuclear); Food, Dairy & Brewery Process plant and equipment; Water and Water treatment (processing, bulk transport & distribution and remediation); and Fuel & Coolant systems for Transport Vehicles (Aerospace, Marine, Road & Rail systems). Employers range in size from small businesses to multi- national organisations.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to manually weld tubes and pipes to high standards of quality and integrity using a minimum of two manual arc welding processes from Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), Plasma Arc Welding (PAW), Manual Metal Arc (MMA), Metal Inert Gas (MIG)/Metal Active Gas (MAG) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW). The occupation requires the pipe welding of a minimum of four material groups from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys.
Pipe welders must use all welding positions and 3 main joint configurations from Single Sided Butt, Socket, Flange and Set-on Branch welds. For example, a pipe welder might use Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and Manual Metal Arc (MMA) to join Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel and Nickel Alloy materials. Each welding process requiring significantly different welding equipment, assemblies, controls, skills and techniques, and represents an individual production process.
Key Information
-
Course Level
Level 3
-
Duration
This apprenticeship has a typical duration of 48 months.
There are 2 delivery models:
Standard
First year in Training Centre (British Steel) full-time (8am till 4pm) Day-Release in second year (rest of time on-site)
Third year on-site full time
Assessed every 8 weeks whilst on-site
Day-release
First-year to complete workshop units via block-release or in employer’s workshop
Two-years day release (8am till 4pm) Assessed every 8 weeks whilst on-site
Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their apprentices. Most candidates will have achieved grade C or above in English and Maths and a STEM-related subject at Level 2 prior to commencement of apprenticeship. Some employers may mandate training or qualifications at level 3 in English and/or mathematics.
Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their apprentices. Most candidates will have achieved grade C or above in English and Maths and a STEM-related subject at Level 2 prior to commencement of apprenticeship. Some employers may mandate training or qualifications at level 3 in English and/or mathematics.
Financial Support
Depending on your situation, you may be able to access a range of financial support available.
Course Fees
UK
£27,000 – Apprenticeship Levy payers will pay the full cost from their levy: employers with 49 or less staff with an apprentice aged 16-18 years will pay no fees; all other employers will pay 5%.
If you are an employer with an annual wage bill of £3 million or more, you will pay into an apprenticeship levy. This levy is then used to pay for the full cost of the apprenticeship course which is £27000. This figure is divided by the duration of the
Apprenticeship and you will make monthly payments from your account directly to us.
There are incentives available if you are a small employer (under 50) and if you train/recruit a 16-18 year old.
Enquire about this Apprenticeship
Please use the following links to make an enquiry about this course.
Information for EU Students
From January 2021, how you apply for a course will change. For more information, read the UK Government's guide for the UK points-based immigration system for EU students (pdf).
Visit our International pages for more information and contact details