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Welder

Hold everything together.

Here's a career that will make sparks fly, literally. And, while you'll be responsible for holding part A and part B together, your employers will consider you to be the person who holds the whole operation together! You'll be put in tough situations, but as a Welder, the challenge is yours to piece together.

Where would I work?

A Welder will usually find employment at a maintenance facility or at a plant where trailers and other equipment is being made or assembled.

In addition, a Welder will often work in conditions that are not very comfortable and, by some standards, may be considered dangerous. For example, you may work with hazardous fumes, at heights, in hot, cold, humid weather conditions and in cramped, dark areas. To perform your work, you'll rely on your knowledge of metals and the effectiveness of the equipment being used. You'll also have to know the safety codes, regulations and laws required to operate welding equipment in your province or jurisdiction. Because each welding situation is unique, you'll draw on your extensive work experience to determine the best way to complete a task.

You'll operate hand and power tools, deciding the best way to go about your work. Modern welding equipment can be very sophisticated, as it includes new computer controls and other advances that make the work less physically demanding than in the past.

Still, the work does demand a reasonable level of health and physical fitness. Welders must have above average physical fitness and must also rely on their mechanical and mathematical skills, eye-hand coordination and agility, and their ability to plan and think in proper order.

Welders often work closely with other maintenance people, including Truck and Transport Mechanics and Truck and Coach Technicians. As a result, you'll need to be somewhat familiar with the work of these trades.