All about the ranks of welders

In the past few years, working professions have been very popular among young people. In this case, one of the most common is the profession of a welder. However, all welders are not equivalent, as they may have different ranks. In this material we will talk more about the existing categories of welders.

Not every welder is allowed to do all the work. So, if you want to participate in the assembly of complex structures, then you need to pass the appropriate certification. This process is fully carried out by the National Welding Control Agency (or NAKS). It is this agency that can assign the employee the qualifications necessary to carry out work of high complexity and functions associated with a high level of responsibility.

A welder can have 4 skill levels;

• level number 1 - a welder who can participate in the assembly of structures;
• level number 2 - a master welder who carries out control functions and a number of other management tasks (for example, issue instructions for work);
• level 3 - a technologist who is involved in the control of welding operations within the enterprise;
• level number 4 - An engineer who approves the documentation.

In addition to the fact that NAKS is engaged in testing the knowledge and skills of workers, the agency also pays great attention to the equipment with which welding is carried out.

Assigning a discharge to a welder is an important undertaking.The existing category testifies to the qualification of a specialist, about his professional skills, knowledge and skills. The higher the discharge, the more complex the welder can do.

Consider a detailed description of each discharge.

• 1. This category is assigned not to professional workers, but to pupils and students (for example, those who receive appropriate education in technical schools and colleges). If the welder has the 1st rank, then he can perform only the simplest jobs.
• 2. After graduating from a specialized education and obtaining a diploma of a welder, a young man receives the 2nd category. At this stage of his professional development, a specialist can perform welding work in the lower and vertical positions.
• 3. Graduates of educational institutions who have shown special abilities are assigned the 3rd category, which indicates that the specialist can perform not only vertical and horizontal welding work, but also work at corner joints. In addition, the welder of the 3rd category must have the skills to create tight joints on pipes. Increased requirements are also imposed on theoretical knowledge - so, the welder must understand the device and the principle of operation of the technique, be able to read drawings and reproduce products on them.
• 4. The welder of this category works with parts of medium complexity, he must be able to cut curly elements from sheets. One of the key skills at this stage of professional development is the ability to carry out plasma welding. In addition, the employee must be able to make high-quality airtight seams in all positions (except for the ceiling).
• 5. This category is assigned to specialists with extensive experience and honed professional skills. So, such a discharge, the welder must be able to carry out welding work in all positions, he must have the skill to create high-quality tight joints. In addition, materials of any thickness and composition (metals and its alloys) should be available to him.
• 6. The category is considered the highest. This is the highest qualification that a welder can achieve during his career. The specialist must possess all the possible skills that were described above. In addition, he must be able to work with various experimental compounds.

The salaries of welders are quite high (above the national average). Accordingly, this profession attracts many people from a material point of view.

The amount of material compensation for the work performed depends on several key factors, namely:

• the level of education;
• experience;
• discharge;
• region of residence;
• specific place of work;
• specialization;
• economic situation in the country, etc.

Many welders who seek to increase their income, as well as to advance on the career ladder, want to get a higher rank. Moreover, his assignment is carried out strictly in accordance with the officially adopted procedure. So, for starters, you must be absolutely sure that you have the necessary amount of professional knowledge, skills and abilities, since you will have to pass a professional exam. That is why you can not increase the discharge every month. Typically, continuing education occurs once every several years.

The procedure itself may vary depending on your place of work.So, in large enterprises there are special qualification commissions, and in small companies they are not, therefore, employees of such organizations need to contact a special training center. To improve your qualifications you need to pass the appropriate exam, after which you will receive a certificate that you must pass to your employer.

Thus, a welder is a profession that requires maximum return from a person. The specialist must be responsible and attentive. In addition, to be successful in your career, you must constantly develop and improve, improve your professional skills, as well as replenish the volume of your knowledge.