Plate Welder Apprenticeship (Level 3)

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Land-based Engineering

Study Mode

Apprenticeship

Start Date, Location

Aug 2025, Flexible

Duration

36 months

Cost

£.00

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Course Overview

Plate Welders work across a wide range of industries including construction, marine, defence, manufacturing, transport, and engineering. They help build and repair large structures such as buildings, bridges, ships, cranes, and industrial equipment.

Their main role is to manually weld structural components to high quality standards using a variety of welding techniques such as MIG, TIG, MMA, and FCAW on materials like carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and more. Work involves complex welding positions (including vertical and overhead) and different joint types, requiring precision and technical expertise.

Plate Welders operate in settings like fabrication shops, construction sites, shipyards, and factories— often working shifts or in challenging environments, including at height or near water. They collaborate with engineers, inspectors, and fabrication teams, and must ensure their work meets strict safety and quality standards.

This skilled role plays a vital part in national infrastructure, defence, and manufacturing, with opportunities in both small businesses and global organisations.

More information

What will I learn?

– Working safely at all times, complying with health, safety and environmental legislation
– Using appropriate documentation such as drawings, job instructions and quality control
– Knowing machine set up in MMA, MIG/MAG, TIG, Oxygen and Acetylene processes, welding parameters, safe handling and set up of gases, different consumables used within each process and their uses and general maintenance of equipment
– Preparing, checking and planning before work commences, inspect and maintain consumables
– Knowing and producing welds in plate and/or structural components using a variety of materials, joint welding positions and configurations, recognition of defects that can occur and how to rectify
– Producing plate welds in 3 main joint configurations: Single or Double-sided Butt, Single or Double-sided T-Butt and Fillet
– Completing progressive and final checks on the weld prior to release for formal

Entry Requirements

Apprentices who do not hold maths & English L2 or GSCE grades 4 (C) or above will need to complete these prior to Gateway

You must have secured a position with an employer and be ready to start working with them before you can begin your apprenticeship course.

If you already have an employer and they have agreed to put you through an apprenticeship, contact the Apprenticeship team and we’ll get you started. Email apprenticeships@wiltshire.ac.uk or call 0845 345 2235.

Study, Assessment and Qualifications

Delivered one day a week at WCUC’s Lackham campus during term time only, and in the workplace with a visit from your tutor every 10 to 12 weeks.

As part of the apprenticeship programme, you’ll need to record a minimum of 6 hours per week ‘off-the-job’ training time. This can include college attendance, work shadowing, training, workshops, online learning, tutor sessions, revision, webinars, industry visits – anything that supports your learning on the apprenticeship and supported by your dedicated assessor.

This programme is assessed by practical assessments including multiply choice tests, observations and professional discussions conducted in the workplace and used to generate evidence for your portfolio in preparation for your EPA. The tutor will arrange college lessons covering both theory and practical learning as required throughout the programme; option for remote deliver available.

On successful completion of the Plate Welder Level 3 Apprenticeship you will hold the qualification of the Apprenticeship Standard.

Additional Costs and Information

This apprenticeship lasts 36 months plus 3 months for the End Point Assessment (EPA) and begins in September.

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Other upcoming events

Lackham Open Event: November 2025

15 November 2025