Welding (mechanised) – Apprenticeship unit
Level 2 · IntermediateEngineering and manufacturing
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This apprenticeship unit covers mechanised welding, where automated or semi-automated welding equipment is used to join metal components in high-volume manufacturing or precision fabrication environments. You will learn to set up, operate, and monitor mechanised welding machines including robotic welding cells and submerged arc systems. It is suited to learners in automotive, structural steel, or heavy engineering who want to specialise in automated production welding.
On the job
What you’ll learn
How mechanised and robotic welding systems operate and are programmed
How to set up welding parameters on automated equipment
Quality monitoring and in-process weld inspection on production runs
Metal properties and their effect on automated welding performance
Fault-finding and basic maintenance of mechanised welding systems
Health and safety requirements specific to automated welding cells
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Set up and load components into mechanised welding fixtures or jigs
Programme or adjust parameters on welding machines for each job
Monitor weld quality during production runs and log any deviations
Carry out visual and dimensional checks on completed weldments
Identify and report machine faults or process drift to engineers
Carry out routine maintenance and consumable changes on equipment
Follow safe working procedures around automated welding cells
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
No employer videos yet for this apprenticeship. Employers offering it can add one to show young people what the role is really like.