A Career in the Field of High-Pressure Welding

Welding is considered the heart of the industrial and manufacturing sector. The industrial and manufacturing industries would not exist without the machinery, structures, and resources provided by industrial fabrication, and in turn, industrial fabrication would not exist without welding. It significantly contributes to the creation of aircraft, spacecraft, automobiles, bridges, building structures, wind turbine towers, and basically everything metal. Welders are required in various industries around the world, including construction, automotive, agriculture sector, and so on. It’s no surprise that there is a huge demand for trained welders across the nation.

Often when people think about welding jobs, they usually think of only one title/role – welder. In fact, there are several different types of welding jobs available today. One such is High-Pressure Welding. High-Pressure Welding is usually performed during the making of large projects and power plants. Work is underway on a large project to meet the country’s energy needs and targets. It requires skilled people to lay the foundation and prepare the structure. In view of the shortage of such skilled people on a large scale, the Power Sector Skill Council, formed under the aegis of NSDC & MSDE, aims at training candidates in the job-oriented course of High-Pressure Welding.

What is Welding & High-Pressure Welding?

Welding is the process of joining two pieces of metal together. The welding process requires intense heat which allows the metallic structures of two pieces to join together and become one, rather than only bonding them together as brazing and soldering do. There is a range of different welding techniques, including spot welding, metal inert gas (MIG), and tungsten inert gas, which are types of gas metal arc welding, arc welding, and gas welding, to name a few. Welding can also be performed underwater.

High-pressure welding is commonly used in engineering and maintenance work. The pressure of acetylene used is high i.e., above atmospheric (max. up to 2 bar). This process uses acetylene gas which is already filled in the commercially available cylinder.

Welding qualification & how to enter this field –

Welding may sound easy, but it requires skill training. High-pressure welding can be only performed correctly after taking specialized training in it. Several popular courses are running all over India through government and private Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). A two-year diploma course can also be done from ITI to get entry in this field. Given the demand for skilled welders in the country, the Power Sector Skill Council is training youth in vocational skills such as welding.

Why is there a huge career opportunity in this field?

Currently, the government’s vision is to achieve a $5-trillion economy and transforming the country into the next manufacturing hub. Given this, there will be lots of career opportunities for welding professionals within the country. The Indian Institute of Welding (IIW) has also reported a short supply of 1.2 million welding professionals, including welders, cutters, fitters, equipment operators, and also engineers and inspectors. As per a report, by the year 2022, the need for skilled people in welding will increase at the rate of about six percent in the country.

Future Job Prospects –

There is no shortage of jobs for skill-trained welders in the country. If you have acquired proper skill training in the welding sector, then there are various job options for candidates to work in this field. High-pressure welders are usually required in the manufacturing and industrial units. This includes energy-related projects, automotive body parts manufacturing, shipbuilding, machinery manufacturing industry such as agricultural-related equipment, construction, and mining-related industries. Candidates get the opportunity to work in such industries on a large scale and also get a very good salary. Additionally, there is a huge demand for high-pressure welders in the field of robotics, military careers, repairing, and maintenance. Initially, candidates get a salary of around Rs.12 – 15 thousand, which will continue to increase based upon your experience.

What’s more in store for High-Pressure Welders?

With the situation arising after the Covid-19 lockdown, the government is now more focused on micro, small, and medium-scale industries. In such a situation, you can also start working by becoming a small entrepreneur. If you are trained and have a skill certificate, you’re eligible to get a loan under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY). You can start this work simply in your city. There is a possibility of higher income in an industrial city. Apart from this, if you want to go abroad and work, then also you have a great opportunity for it. You can also get a chance to work as a welder, welding operator, welding supervisor, welding engineer, and associate welding inspector in several big companies.