Skills
Welder Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in welders, and how to build and show them.
Welders need technical skills such as smaw, gmaw, fcaw and gtaw processes, blueprint and weld symbol reading, and metal preparation and fit-up, plus people skills like steady hands and focus and attention to detail. They also use tools such as MIG, TIG and stick welding machines and Auto-darkening welding helmet.
Technical (hard) skills
- SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and GTAW processes
- Blueprint and weld symbol reading
- Metal preparation and fit-up
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cutting
- Visual weld inspection
- Measuring and layout
People (soft) skills
- Steady hands and focus
- Attention to detail
- Patience
- Safety awareness
Tools, equipment and technology
- MIG, TIG and stick welding machines
- Auto-darkening welding helmet
- Angle grinders
- Plasma and oxy-fuel cutting torches
- Clamps, squares and measuring tools
- Fume extraction equipment
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how welders put their skills to work:
- How to set up a MIG welder
- How to run a horizontal fillet weld
- How to inspect a weld for common defects
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and GTAW processes” and “Blueprint and weld symbol reading.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “steady hands and focus,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as AWS Certified Welder near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our welder glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Welder training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.