Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers

Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers cut, shape, join and repair components of iron, steel and other metal structures, boilers, pressure vessels and pipes, ships and other vessels.

**Indicative skill level:**

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

#### In Australia:

- AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

#### In New Zealand:

- NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

**Tasks include:**

- studying blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine job requirements - selecting, cleaning and preparing metal stock - cutting marked-out metal sections and shapes using hand tools, flame cutting torches and metal cutting machines - shaping and bending metal sections and pipes using hand and machine tools, and by heating and hammering - aligning parts to be joined using hand tools and measuring instruments - joining metal sections using various welding techniques, bolting and riveting - examining welds for width of bead, penetration and precision - finishing products by cleaning, polishing, filing and bathing in acidic solutions - cleaning and smoothing welds by filing, chiselling and grinding