What Is an Arc Welder and How to Become One
Table of Contents
What Is an Arc Welder?
An arc welder is a metal worker that uses electricity to join metal to metal, as opposed to traditional welding processes. The welding machine used in the process creates a tremendous amount of heat using an electrode and the base metal material to generate an electric current. In this career, your job duties include welding pieces of metal together as part of the construction process, ensuring the arc welding machine is functioning correctly, and performing routine maintenance on the welder. The qualifications needed for a career as an arc welder include a high school diploma and experience as a welding apprentice. There are also vocational programs available that teach you the skills needed for the job.
How to Become an Arc Welder
The primary qualifications for getting a job as an arc welder include at least a high school diploma or GED certificate and some experience with arc welding techniques as an apprentice or similar position. You may also attend a technical school for training and certification. This is a highly skill-based position, so employers may ask you to weld an object as part of the application process. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of an arc welder requires excellent communication and mechanical skills, the ability to follow instructions, physical stamina, and situational awareness for maintaining a safe work environment.
