The Top 3 Essential Skills Every Welder Needs To Know

As a training welder or one that’s beginning their schooling, there are a few skills you need to be aware of and start practicing while in training. Here’s a guide to the top three essential skills every welder needs to know.
 
Physical Abilities
 
The physical abilities of being a welder consist of standing, having good hand-eye coordination, and holding a welding torch for extended periods of time. These are some of the most important physical attributes you must have as a welder. As a welder, you’ll be expected to bend, twist, and lift a lot compared to other trade jobs. One other crucial physical ability to practice possessing is a firm grip. A firm grip helps with the ability to hold a welding torch.
 
Good Math Skills
 
For a welder, math is a solid skill to have while on the job. If you aren’t the best, consider taking classes to help refresh your memory and retain critical information. While math is essential, the most you’ll need to understand is how to depict sketches, understand blueprints, and estimate dimensions. Math skills help when needing to make cuts and trim down material.
 
Excelling Attention To Detail
 
Another trait to have and develop further is attention to detail. Since welders will often work on surfaces like bridges, ships, and planes, welders must be precise with their work. While on the job, welders are required to clean grease off metal pieces and help with getting rid of cracks, bubbles, or holes. Not only is being precise with work important, but you’ll also most likely hang around areas that pose a safety threat. In other words, if you’re in a dangerous environment, you must watch where you’re stepping while working.
 
We hope you’ve gained insight from this guide regarding every welder's top three skills to know. A welder who possesses these three skills will find it helpful to work through an ASME-certified welding company once they complete all of their training. Welding is a sought-after field with plenty of opportunities for educating welders to become aware of new trends and to improve their work.