Career Guide is a series of occupational briefs which aims to provide information on hard to fill and highly-in-demand occupations identified during the 2006 National Manpower Summit and the 2007 National Human Resource Conference. The Career Guides contain such information as the nature of the job, its education and competency requirements, earnings, employment and job outlook.

Welding & Metal Fabrication Technician

A Welding and Metal Fabrication Technician performs the different basic and advanced metal welding processes.

Tasks

Join and cut metal products using gas flame, electric arc, thermite compound and other methods;
Operate resistance welding machines;
Use blow torch to make and repair lead linings, pipes, floors and other lead fixtures;
Braze metal parts together;
Join metal parts by soldering.

Basic Educational Requirement

To be a Welding and Fabrication Technician, one must undergo a three-year post secondary non-degree course in Welding and Metal Fabrication Technology.

Skills and Competencies

Knowledge and hands-on-experience in basic and advanced metal welding processes;
Aptitude for Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry;
Knowledge of non-destructive tests for welding;
Analytical skills.

Physical Attributes and Characteristics

Physically fit;
Manual dexterity;
Arm-hand steadiness;
Near Vision.

Salary/Compensation

Salary rates depend on the industry/sector of employment. Entry-level salary may range from P10,400 to P15,000 per month and may even go as high as P18,000 to P19,000 for highly-trained and experienced welders.

Prospects for Career Advancement

Career advancement is highly dependent on pursuing further studies or training along his area of specialization. Welders can be promoted as foreman or supervisor after gaining considerable working experience.

Welders can also become entrepreneurs by putting up their own welding shops.

Employment Opportunities

Welding and Metal Fabrication Technicians may find employment in various settings: in metal working industries, welding plants, and in construction, both local and overseas.

In the overseas market, welders are highly-in-demand and are among the top occupations with the highest recorded deployment in the construction industry.

Cost of Education *

The basic tuition fee for a 3-year course in Welding and Fabrication Technology is around P15,000 per semester.

High school graduates can avail of the DOST-SEI Scholarship Grant to pursue the course in welding and metal fabrication.

* Based on tuition fee rates for school year 2007-2008