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Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

SOC 51-4121.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers welding, cutting, soldering, and brazing competencies from entry-level shop floor production through senior lead and departmental leadership roles in manufacturing and fabrication environments.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Personal protective equipment and shop safety protocols — identify and apply under direct supervisor guidance on a production floor.
  2. Shielded metal arc and basic gas metal arc welding equipment — recognize components and set up with hands-on assistance in a vocational training environment.
  3. Flat-position weld beads on mild steel — execute following step-by-step instructor direction in a controlled shop setting.
  4. Workpiece dimensions and surface conditions — measure and visually inspect using straightedges and templates under close supervision before fabrication begins.
  5. Filler rods, flux, and torch tips — select from a provided welding chart with guidance from a journeyman welder on a light fabrication job.
  6. Faulty equipment operation or defective base materials — recognize common indicators and report immediately to a supervising welder or shop lead.
  7. Job numbers and piece marks — apply to finished components using standardized marking methods as directed by work order instructions.
  8. Hand tools common to the welding trade — identify, handle, and use safely under direct observation during entry-level shop tasks.
  9. Basic metallurgy terminology and weld joint types — recall and apply in guided classroom or on-the-job learning exercises.
  10. Work area cleanliness and hazard controls — maintain consistently as part of daily shop housekeeping routines directed by a supervisor.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Safety equipment and lockout/tagout procedures — apply independently and verify compliance before beginning welding operations on a production line.
  2. Shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment — set up, adjust, and operate with reduced oversight across routine fabrication assignments.
  3. Weld joints in flat, vertical, and overhead positions — complete to specification on standard structural or sheet-metal components with occasional quality checks.
  4. Straightedges, squares, and weld inspection gauges — use routinely to confirm workpiece conformance to dimensional tolerances on familiar job types.
  5. Torches, torch tips, and filler materials — select and install independently by reading welding procedure specifications for common metal types and thicknesses.
  6. Equipment malfunctions and material defects — diagnose recurring issues, document findings, and notify supervisors with clear written or verbal descriptions.
  7. Job traveler tags and piece-mark systems — complete accurately and consistently to support production tracking on multi-piece fabrication orders.
  8. Welding method selection for common carbon and stainless steel applications — apply working knowledge of geometry and basic metallurgy with limited supervisor input.
  9. Weld quality and bead appearance — monitor in-process using visual inspection and basic destructive test results to catch non-conformances early.
  10. Production schedules and job priorities — interpret and follow using shop floor work orders and, when available, ERP system task lists.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full-scope welding operations across multiple processes — perform autonomously on complex fabrications including structural steel, pipe, and pressure components in a manufacturing environment.
  2. Non-routine weld defects such as porosity, undercut, and incomplete fusion — diagnose root causes and implement corrective action without supervisor direction.
  3. Welding procedure specifications and qualified procedure selection — interpret and apply independently across varied metal types, thicknesses, and joint configurations.
  4. Precision fit-up and dimensional conformance — verify using calibrated inspection tools and correct deviations before and during welding on tight-tolerance assemblies.
  5. Equipment selection for specialized applications — evaluate and configure GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, or oxy-fuel systems to match material and position requirements.
  6. Quality control checkpoints and weld acceptance criteria — apply AWS or applicable code standards consistently across an entire production run without prompting.
  7. Material identification and traceability documentation — manage piece marks, heat numbers, and job records to satisfy customer and regulatory requirements.
  8. Metallurgical considerations including preheat, interpass temperature, and post-weld treatment — determine and apply for alloy steels and dissimilar metal joints.
  9. CAD drawings and engineering sketches — read and interpret to extract weld symbols, dimensions, and assembly sequence for complex fabrication projects.
  10. Welding-related data and production metrics — record and report using spreadsheet or ERP software to support shop-floor quality and efficiency tracking.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Welding program standards and best practices — establish and maintain across a production department, setting quality benchmarks aligned with industry codes and customer requirements.
  2. New welders and trainees — mentor and evaluate systematically, providing structured on-the-job coaching to accelerate skill development and credential attainment.
  3. Welding procedure development and qualification testing — lead from concept through documentation, ensuring compliance with AWS, ASME, or applicable certification bodies.
  4. Cross-functional process improvement initiatives — drive by analyzing weld defect trends, cycle times, and rework costs using ERP and quality data to reduce waste.
  5. Equipment procurement decisions and capital investment recommendations — inform by evaluating emerging welding technologies and presenting cost-benefit analyses to management.
  6. Production scheduling and resource allocation — coordinate across welding cells and shifts, using ERP and scheduling software to meet delivery commitments at organizational scale.
  7. Safety culture and hazard-mitigation programs — champion by authoring procedures, conducting risk assessments, and leading incident investigations across the fabrication facility.
  8. Welding specification compliance and third-party audits — manage by preparing documentation packages, interfacing with inspectors, and resolving non-conformance reports at the organizational level.
  9. Workforce competency frameworks and skills matrices — design and implement to align welder qualifications with production demands and career advancement pathways.
  10. Strategic supplier and materials partnerships — cultivate by evaluating filler metal and base material performance data and negotiating quality agreements that support long-term production goals.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

The Anthropic Economic Index (2026-03-24 release) doesn't show enough AI-assisted task observations for this occupation to anchor an AI-at-Work Competency Framework yet. Most physical and on-site occupations land here today; that signal may rise as more workers in this field adopt AI tools.

Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Welder, Combination · Welder · Welder, Gas · Welder, Arc · Acetylene Burner · Acetylene Cutter · Acetylene Operator · Acetylene Torch Burner · Acetylene Torch Operator · Acetylene Torch Solderer · Aluminum Welder · Arc Cutter
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0072 · Welder, Combination · 0149 · Welder · 0150 · Welder, Gas · 0151 · Welder, Arc
O*NET skills
Quality Control AnalysisMonitoring
Knowledge domains
Production and ProcessingMechanical
Abilities
Arm-Hand SteadinessNear VisionProblem SensitivityFinger DexterityManual DexterityControl PrecisionOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningSelective Attention
Work styles
DependabilityAttention to DetailCautiousnessPerseveranceStress ToleranceAchievement Orientation
Technology
Enterprise resource planning ERP softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareOperating system softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareData base user interface and query software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
  2. Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
  3. Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
  4. Detect faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notify supervisors.
  5. Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.
  6. Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.
  7. Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required.
  8. Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.
CIP education codes
15.061448.0508

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.