Becoming a Welder M/F: job, salary and missions

A key job in metal assembly

The welder assembles, repairs and secures metal structures using various welding techniques. Present in construction, industry and metal construction, it plays a crucial role in the solidity and safety of structures.
‍

The sector's figures confirm its importance:

✔ Job in tension, with strong demand in France and internationally.

✔ Sustained recruitment in industry, energy and construction.

‍

A technical and demanding job

Reading plans, mastering MIG, TIG or arc processes, compliance with safety standards: the welder must be rigorous and precise. It is a position that values technical mastery and attention to detail.

Training courses to become a welder: everyone has their own path

‍

The different types of training available
‍

1. CAP Industrial Achievements in Boilermaking or Welding

• Duration: 2 years after the 3rd.
• Audience: young people or adults in the process of retraining.
• Objective: learn welding processes (MIG, MAG, TIG, electrode), read plans, prepare and control welds.
• Where? CFA, vocational high schools, AFPA.

2. Bac Pro Industrial Boilermaking Technician (TCI)

• Duration: 3 years
• Audience: post-3th or holders of a CAP.
• Advantage: versatility: welding, boilermaking, manufacturing of complex parts and production organization.
• Where? technical high schools, CFA.

3. Professional title Industrial Welder

• Duration: 6 to 9 months
• Audience: adults in retraining, temporary workers, professionals.
• Advantage: rapid apprenticeship, strong employability in metallurgy, construction and energy.
• Where? AFPA, GRETA, approved private centers.

4. Specific certifications (QS, EN ISO 9606, ASME)

• Duration: 1 to 5 days per certification.
• Audience: qualified welders who want to validate or renew their skills.
• Advantage: mandatory on many construction sites (piping, nuclear, offshore, rail).
• Where? certified organizations, centers authorized by Cofrend, Apave, Bureau Veritas.

5. Improvement modules (stainless steel, aluminum, copper, pipes)

• Duration: 1 to 3 weeks
• Audience: welders already in place.
• Advantage: specialization in materials and processes to access premium markets.
• Where? private and industrial centers, technical schools.

6. VAE/Continuing education

• Audience: experienced welders.
• Objective: obtain a CAP, Bac Pro or Titre Pro through experience.
• Ideal for: evolve into positions of welding team leader or quality controller.

Comparison of training courses — Welder

‍

‍

Skills taught in training

By following a training course as a Welder, you will acquire:

🔥 Welding processes

• Welding MMA (coated electrode), MIG/MAG (steel/stainless steel/aluminum) and TIG (steel/stainless steel/aluminum).
• Setting the stations, choosing the gases, parameters and consumables.
• Positions and assemblies: flat, ledge, riser, ceiling; chamfers, end to end, angle.
• Reloading, pointing, clamping and sequences to limit deformations.

‍

🧰 Preparation, reading plans & metallurgy

• Reading plans, isometric and DMOS/WPS (descriptions of operating procedures).
• Dimensioning, plotting, cutting (saw, grinding, plasma), deburring and adjustment.
• Metallurgy concepts: steel/stainless steel/aluminum grades, thermally affected zones, treatments.
• Jig assembly, dimensional control and preparation for welding.

‍

✅ Quality control & traceability

• Visual checks (VT), penetrant testing (PT), magnetic particle inspection (MT) — awareness of CND.
• Reading of QMOS/WPQ, compliance with acceptance criteria (ISO 5817...).
• Traceability of welds, marking of parts and quality records.
• Writing reports and preparing for exams of welding licenses.

‍

🛡️ Safety, health & environment

• Risk prevention: smoke, UV/IR, burns, fire, ATEX depending on context.
• PPE (gloves, auto-darkening hood, fireproof clothing), smoke extraction.
• Additional qualifications: work at height, overhead crane, SST.
• Gestures and postures, ergonomics, 5S and workshop cleanliness.

‍

🛠️ Professional situation

• Workshops: test coupons, test tubes in different positions and processes.
• Construction sites and alternation in boilermaking, piping, locksmith-metalwork.
• Preparation and passage of welding licenses (QS welder).
• Basic CAD/CAD initiation for digital and isometric reading.

Access conditions

• CAP Realization in Industrial Boilermaking (RCI) or CAP Métallier : accessible after 3rd.
• Bac Pro TCI (Industrial Boilermaking Technician): to broaden to preparation/control.
• Pro/CQPM Welder titles : 6 to 12 months, adapted to adult retraining.
• VAE : possible from 1 year of experience to validate CAP/Bac Pro or CQPM.

‍

The steps to integrate a training

• Parcoursup : for CAP/Bac Pro in professional and CFA high schools.
• Direct application : AFPA, GRETA, private centers (Pro titles, CQPM Welder).
• Adult retraining : mobilize CPF, OPCO, France Travail.
• Alternation : boilermaking companies, metallurgy, piping, industrial maintenance.

‍

Comparison of training courses — Welder

‍

‍

From beginner welder to assembly expert
‍

✅ Confirmed welder: You master several processes (MIG, TIG, ARC, plasma) and work on various sites.

✅ Welding team leader: You supervise several welders, ensure quality controls and safety.

‍

Supervision and production management
‍

Workshop manager: You manage metal manufacturing, organize the stations and follow the production.

Metallic work operator: You manage carpentry, pipe or boiler work sites.

‍

Specializations
‍

High pressure welding: nuclear, petrochemical, sectors with high responsibility.

Underwater welding: offshore interventions or port maintenance.

‍

Footbridges
‍

CND controller: You ensure checks by X-rays, ultrasound, magnetoscopy.

Welding trainer: you transfer your know-how to a specialized center.

‍