What is a coded welder?

A welder who has passed a formal welding test for a particular process, material and thickness. Some employers ask for this on work that needs proof of skill, so list each test with its dates.

Do I need an NVQ or City & Guilds to be a welder?

Not always. Employers care most about what you can weld, your coded tests and practical skill, though a qualification helps if you are starting out.

What if I have no coded tests?

Say which processes and metals you have welded, and ask whether the employer supports testing. Many can arrange a test for the right person.

Welder CV example

A strong welder CV shows the processes and metals you work with, such as MIG, TIG or stick on steel, stainless steel or aluminium, plus your coded tests. Include the kind of work you do, such as fabrication or site welding, and that you read drawings and work safely.

Tom Walsh

Welder

tom@example.com 07700 900182 Manchester

Profile

Experienced welder with coded tests in MIG and TIG on carbon steel and stainless steel, working in a busy fabrication shop. Confident reading drawings and weld symbols, fitting up parts and producing clean welds that pass visual inspection. Careful with hot work safety and comfortable working to tolerances.

Experience

Welder Fabricator – a steel fabrication workshop

Welded steel frames, gates, handrails and brackets using MIG to drawings and tight tolerances

Carried out TIG welding on stainless steel tubing and catering equipment, keeping welds clean and consistent

Read drawings and weld symbols, then cut, fitted up and tack welded parts square before full welds

Ground and finished welds and checked them visually for defects before passing work to inspection

Followed hot work safety rules, including a fire watch and the right PPE and fume extraction

Trainee Welder – an engineering company

Helped welders prepare and clean steel, set up jigs and move material

Practised MIG and stick welding on test pieces and passed a first coded test at the end of training

Used cutting and grinding equipment safely after training

Kept the work area tidy and gas bottles stored and secured correctly

Example · fictional candidate · Statement design · Use this design

Tips for a welder CV

List each coded test clearly, with the process, material, thickness, standard and dates, for example a test to BS EN ISO 9606-1
Name the processes you use most, such as MIG, TIG and stick, and the metals you weld
Say what you make or work on, such as fabrication, pipework, structural steel, repairs or site work
Mention reading drawings and weld symbols, since employers value welders who can work from a drawing
Add any NVQ, City & Guilds or safety tickets you hold
Say whether you are happy with shift work, overtime and site work away from home

Applying with a cover letter? See our welder cover letter example.