19 Important Skills for Welding Occupation (Part 2)

With those skills, welders can be confident with their job achievement and employability!

Welding is a hard work; it requires the following skills to perfect the end products, accomplishing the job and earning handsome pays as a result. The employers will figure they are having a talent among their hires when they find out those skills that welder obtains:

11. Knowledge of Welding Tools and Equipment: An experienced welder with various welding tools and equipment will know how to use the tool most effectively for quickly having the job done in a safe fashion.

12. Manual Dexterity:  A great welder is always proud of their amazing manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination for performing complicated physical tasks required of a welding career.

13. Comprehensive Knowledge of Different Welding Techniques:  A great welder would work to show you what a comprehensive knowledge of various techniques they have accumulated – for example, metal art, flux core arc, oxy fuel, and gas tungsten arc welding.

14. Writing: As an all-around welder, he should be good at writing reports or invoices from employers about his tasks completed, materials used, hours worked and how much to cost customers; writing safety guidelines to describe how to operate company equipment properly; to name some.

15. Reading: Good reading skills allow welders to grasp company policies, procedures like time-off request, understand codes and specifications for well leading up to welding projects. They also can read equipment and safety manuals that demonstrate safe operation procedures; read and follow specific welding procedures that governing bodies develop.

16. Document use: An ability of document use facilitates examining lines and colors of pipes at workplace to decide their contents – for instance, the type of gas they contain. Welders also use checklists to learn, follow appropriate work procedures, safety guidelines. Document use will help them with comparing color coding on metals to the color code chart for identifying its grade and alloy. Not all, they would review notes on the blueprints from the engineering department about materials, procedures; understand diagrams, tables on the blueprints for determining engineering requirements.

17. Computer use: The computer use skill helps out operating plasma cutting machines, orbital welders and other computer controlled equipment.

18.  Eye for the arc: This is the skill of bead placement, torch/electrode angles, and the ‘tricks of the trade’ that is needed to make an x-ray quality weld in any arc welding process.

19. Positive attitude and work ethic: As reported by many employers, ‘can-do’ attitude is becoming rare in the workforce those days. Some workers fail to learn the work ethic towards becoming a skilled welder. That way may result in a negative attitude about welding. Necessarily, positive working ethic and attitude are addressed early in the training centers because it is simply as important as the welding skills.

To add it up, welding is not as simple as thought. To earn a buck, the welders should ensure they grasp those skills, both technical and behavioral. Not few welders have complained about their pays. They have heard of this job’s very attractive wages, but it turns out to otherwise when they are working as a welder. This may be reasoned that they are not addressing some key skills among above listed, or pursuit an easy-to-do weld type occupation. After all, with the zeal for welding, hard work, commitment, and persistent improvement, they sure enjoy happy ending with this occupation. 

Also have a look at other important skills for welding occupation:

19 Important Skills for Welding Occupation (Part 1)

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19 Important Skills for Welding Occupation (Part 1)

With those skills, welders can be confident with their job achievement and employability!

Welding is a hard work; it requires the following skills to perfect the end products, accomplishing the job and earning handsome pays as a result. The employers will figure they are having a talent among their hires when they find out those skills that welder obtains:

1. Ability to Read Blueprints: What makes a great welder is the ability to quickly and easily read blueprints and grasp how the information presented is associated with a project.

2. Awareness of Safety Standards:  A great welder has a good grip of safety standards in the industry for protecting themselves and others.

3. Concentration: A successful welder definitely is immersed into their job. Rather, they pay full attention to a project in a long period of time. They are able to be wholeheartedly dedicated to their work, and make sure all aspects are correctly completed.

4. Problem-solving: Just like other workers in the skilled trades, welders are required to be great problem solvers who care for details. They have to discover flaws with designs and materials, deal with broken areas, and know how to repair worn part or/ and equipment.

5. Math and science: Similarly to plumbers and other tradespersons, welders persistently apply their knowledge of basic science and math while working. They would estimate costs, make calculations, decide which metals to use with what chemicals and/ or fuels, track their own hours, etc.

6. Interpersonal: Welders usually spend lots of time on their own though, they often have to interact with employers, clients, other tradespeople. In construction, the welders, from time to time, work with other welders and tradespersons to guarantee projects are finished seamlessly.

7. Customer Service Skills: They can cater to clients’ needs and work effectively with other staff.

8. Detail Orientation:  A great welding worker will be very detail oriented. They are meticulous and thorough in the work.

9. Good Eyesight: While a historian need a photographic memory, an actor will shine out with exceptional acting skills and good looking face, a great welder with sharp vision will be able to see very complicated details in the work area.

10. Metallurgical Knowledge:  A great welder is simply familiar with different type of metals, their properties and how to work with them.

Find more of important welding skills here:

19 Important Skills for Welding Occupation (Part 2)

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Welding in Vietnam: In-demand and Good Pay Occupation

Welding is now one of the most in-demand occupations with handsome pay in Vietnam.  Kindly check details below.

Like other mechanical occupations, welding has been gathering numerous employees as a result of its big labor force demand and attractive pay

Such a big demand for welding manpower

There now increases welding workforce demand in Vietnam and the world. As shown in the statistics by Bureau of Vocational Training (MOLISA), with the good welding skills, the welders-to-be have been topping the list of graduated trainees with highest employability (to be specific, up to 92.5%)

Indeed, this job demand is enormous to the extent that demand is higher than the supply. As shared by Mr. Dang Trung Dung, one lecturer of mechanical department – Cao Thang Engineering College, Ho Chi Minh city, many enterprises have, from time to time, had him introduce welders. Still, regrettably, there is not enough Vietnam manpower to address such big demands. Similarly, International Vocational Association Vabis –Hong Lam that is advantageous with mechanical vocational training, especially welding has failed to supplied adequate number of workers for local enterprises and export market.

As listed by Lilama2 school (Ba Ria – Vung Tau), this school’s welding graduates are more highly demanded. To be specific, quarter I/ 2011 witnessed 8 company requests for 250 welders; 6 companies with requests for about 150 welders were recognized in quarter II/ 2011; in quarter III/ 2011, 8 enterprises needed hire 250 welders; quarter IV/ 2011 came with 11 companies in need of employing over 400 welding workers. Since 2012, the demand for welders has been keeping high. There are lots of enterprises in demand for hundreds of welding jobs – for example, Zamil Steel Vietnam Company, Nam Kim Steel Joint Stock Company, etc.

Why Choose Welding Occupation?

Welding has been around for centuries. It is especially important for manufacturing industries. For example, in U.S, up to 50% of products have been manufactured thanks in part to welding. Incredibly, all of those familiar products can’t be created without welding – cars, motorbikes, bridges, ships, computers, medical device, hand phones, to name a few. Chasing this occupation means pursuing a better life not only for the workers themselves but also for others.

Welding jobs are now heading the list for most in-demand occupations. As analyzed by International Institute of Welding (IIW) and American Welding Association (AWS), those in pursuit of welding technique always stand an ample chance of being most current about new knowledge of energy, material, controlling device, equipment, etc. That way will aid them in creating amazing products for human beings. 

Amid today’s industrialization and modernization, those well trained of welding will enjoy attractive job opportunities in the large manufacturing industries – for example,

- Petroleum industry (manufacturing, repairing rig base, oil pipelines, storage tanks)

- Ships manufacturing

- Aircraft industry

- Petrochemical, chemical industry

- Hydroelectric, thermoelectric industry

- Cement industry

- Bridge, tunnel industry

Handsome pay up to tens of million dong

Good pay is guaranteed

Welding can be said to be among the hottest jobs with truly high salary those days. It doesn’t take long for fresh gradates from welding training centers to be employed in local companies with the average salary of 4-5 millions dong/ month. The figure is far higher for those with welding certificates 3G-6G, especially for those skilled and working overseas. There are now available many offshore welding manpower supplies in Vietnam. Welders of 4-6G competence sent to Japan are often paid 800 USD/ month and more. As Middle East is really in need of 6G welders working in the oil and gas factories, the skilled welders can make salary negotiation with the employers.

According to Mrs. Truong Thi Phuong – Head of Department of Vabis – Hong Lam, the wage rate for welders is high those days, 6-7 millions dong per month. As per the offshore welding job posting in Japan by Lilama2, the monthly pay rate for the first working year is 20-25 million dong, and higher at 30 million dong or more from the second year (exclusive of overtime pay).

As collected from job seeking websites, there have been numerous demands for welders in the construction of factory, prefab houses, skyscrapers, pipelines, and others. The salary given is commonly from 4.5 million dong to 1,000 USD reliant on the work type whether local jobs or exported jobs.

Vietnamese workers overseas will enjoy the really handsome salary rate equivalent to their competency and performance, especially welders properly trained and internationally certificated – for instance, DVS welding certificate authorized by IIW and tested and supplied by HwC. 

Less cost and time consuming training

It’s not difficult for you to make welding your career. It isn’t important whether you have no idea of welding occupation, a high school graduate, or whatever. What is important is that you are ensured of physical health and self-motivation.

A job that you can work out and enjoy rock music

Some people consider welding as a tiring work and welders as those with dirty hands and obsession with unblemished skin. Still, on a brighter note, this is the best job. It is welders who work out and keep fit. It is welders who make clean money with their dirty hands. And it is welders who make metal and rock music when welding.

High chances of career advancement

Students from vocational schools can find a job for money and experience accumulation while they are studying. If they are quite good at English and computer use, they can work for foreign companies with the salary of thousands of dollars. After 3-5 years of working as 6G welding professionals, learning English and office computer skills, and others, they can sit for the welding teaching certification exam to become welding teachers, welding supervisors, welding inspector or welding engineers. This is among ways they can become an engineer without getting hold of a university degree.

In short, welding has been an in-demand and good pay job in Vietnam. Of course, there is none of workplace will pay high for jobs that can be handled by anyone. If you want a high wage, you should know to do what many people can’t do. Vietnamese welders have impressed foreign employers as being clever, hard working, intelligent. They favor hiring Vietnamese welders and accept to pay them high. Then why don’t we keep trying to make that good impression never sway, but better over time? Do our best for our sake!

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Sneak Peek at Weaknesses of Vietnam Welding Industry

There are always two sides to anything. While Vietnam welders have been more recognized for quality and work attitude, there remain some limitations to be overcome in this industry towards brighter future for Vietnam welding.

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8 Top Benefits of Hiring Vietnamese Welders

It is necessary to recognize good points the welding industry got and achievements it gained. It is more necessary to figure out and fix downsides to it for national welding development and higher creditability on its workforce competencies. Below specifies 5 limitations with Vietnam welding industry and how they have been overcome.

1. While there are certified, skilled workers, there remain those without proper training 

Will your career be as bright as welding arc if you, as an amateur welder, diligently learn skills and show good work ethic?

Vietnam welders have been highly preferred among foreign employers as being clever, skilled, experienced and hard working. Their skills are often obtained from training and work practice. Still, there are some amateur welding workers without any official training and degree. They have accumulated knowledge through learning from their peers and/ or seniors that they respect and trust, and their skills grow by practical experience. Many of them were successful in this career as a result of diligent work and eager-to-learn attitude. Their work ethic and skills are amazing, and they are now making the good money. Meanwhile, some were lacking in skills and information of labor safety. This problem has been taken with best care by enterprises, vocational schools and placement agencies. Employers are more engaged in manpower training. Vocational schools have attracted increasing number of students due to their affordable fees and facilitating their students learning at school and working part time for money and experience accumulation. Those schools also offered professional training as required by employers. For best quality workers supply, hiring companies in Vietnam have poured out lots of time and efforts looking qualified welders across over the country and providing intensive trainings. 

2. There are limited modern welding equipment and devices

Some training schools haven’t kept up with continuous technology innovation at enterprises. Indeed, their facilities weren’t updated, and tools and equipment weren’t adequately offered for an increasing number of trainees. With this shortage, students will find it harder to learn and upgrade skills and miss the chance to access and get familiar with more productive equipment that produces superior weld quality. Just imagine, using FCAW will result in 300% higher productivity than when manual SMAW is employed, in terms of lbs of weld per hour.

FCAW  (left) is 300% more productive than manual SMAW (right) in terms of lbs of weld per hour

As a solution to this shortage, the Government, companies and associations have strongly encouraged and generously supported training centers and colleges with advanced equipment and devices. Those schools themselves have also attempted for proper investment in latest training equipment in response to higher skill demand. Vietnam welding industry can be confident with their further success in the near future.

3. There is inadequate information about welding industry

Let welding occupation be more known!

There have not been lots of updates about this industry in Vietnam. Not few people would consider welding as a blue collar job only and have no idea of its job types and its crucial role in national development. That’s why this promising industry needs more promotion, and proper orientation among learners.

4. There needs more effective leadership 

A good leader will hold the key to problems

Leaders are not only responsible for his work accomplishment but also his team members/ subordinates’ results. This doesn’t hold for some welding supervisors in Vietnam. It is not that they are not good at checking and discovering defects. What they lack is the ability to identify causes, root cause and come up with optimal countermeasures. That led to a waste of time, cost and efforts redoing welds. Related training and clear identification of roles and responsibilities will help this case. 

5. There needs more focus on labor safety

This cake is called S'mores because it is too delicious to eat just one. Welding safety is too important to just involve protective equipment...

Worker injuries may be the biggest financial risk employers face, especially for skilled welders. This induces really expensive downtime and lost productivity. That is why Vietnam welding industry has poured proper investment in work protective equipment – for example, welding helmet, hand shield, goggles, fire/flame resistant clothing and aprons, boots, gloves, etc. Along with the industry development, it is increasingly important to fullest equip welders with best possible safety equipment. That way not only does good to worker safety but also working performance. Any interruption due to work accidents would induce weld’s failure. Welding protective equipment has been currently available on the market at good prices. While labor safety in this regard has been improved, work arrangement with risk assessment and mitigation have not been properly taken care. There should involve careful assessment of surrounding environment, welding sites for fire and explosion prevention.

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Welding Health Hazards and Prevention That Your Welders Must Know About 

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