In November of last year, we posted a 5-minute overview of welding as a trade and job opportunity. We highlighted some statistics showing that welding was becoming more lucrative, and that welding job openings were on the rise. Finally, we outlined the relatively quick path to establishing yourself as a welder.
If you’re still considering welding as a trade, you may be looking for details on what road to take. What specialty is most appealing to you? Here are three general types of welding jobs to help you form a clearer vision of the direction you want to go.
Manufacturing Welding
Manufacturing is the industry of creating products with machines, tools, mechanical and (sometimes) chemical processes, and the most important component – labor. Manufactured items can be as big as ships, planes and cars or as small as toys, phones and portable fans. When the products require the assembly of metal parts, a manufacturing welder is needed to put the pieces together.
When manufacturing welders aren’t creating, they’re fixing. In either case, the welding quality is critical, so attention to detail is critical. If you’re a worker that gets joy out of crafting something that lasts, manufacturing welding could be particularly satisfying for you.
Construction Welding
If manufacturing welding’s focus is building products, construction welding is all about building, well … buildings. Whether its commercial construction, the creation of places of business, or residential construction, the building of homes, there is a lot of metal involved, and that metal needs securely joined.
But construction doesn’t just entail buildings; it also is responsible for bridges, dams, tunnels and other infrastructures that keep society and the economy going. And each of these construction specialties require its own set of skills. Residential welders are often concerned with smaller, more intricate jobs like plumbing or HVAC piping. Commercial welders are more likely to be involved on bigger scale projects. In both cases, however, welders make some of the best salaries in the construction industry.
Sheet Metal Work
Some welders specialize in one part of manufacturing or construction – sheet metal, for example. Sheet metal is a welding component that’s made of thin pieces of particularly strong types of metal, like titanium, tungsten or carbon. Many people associate sheet metal with car chassis, boat hulls and plane fuselages, but sheet metal is also crucial for smaller items like oil pans, chairs, and even wire!
Sheet metal projects often start with a detailed blueprint and precise measurements. So, if you’re interested in the mathematics angle of making sure things fit, this type of work could be for you.
Mega Force Can Help You Find a Welding job in North Carolina
Of course, these three areas are only a sample of the specialties you can pursue in welding. You could create jewelry, make tools or even construct an oil rig. If any of these possibilities interests you, let Mega Force help find the right fit for you. We match job seekers throughout North Carolina with employers who are eager for new talent.
