Welding Jobs

Yes, it’s one of South Africa’s classic “scarce skills”. Government and industry bodies have repeatedly highlighted a shortage of qualified welders. In a 2017 list of 13 scarce skills, welding ranked second, and employers still report struggling to find competent, certified artisans for projects in power generation, mining, petrochemical plants, structural steel, and manufacturing. Because so much local industry depends on fabricated steel – from pipelines and refineries to bridges and process plants – demand for good welders is steady.

In simple terms, welders join metal parts together using heat and sometimes pressure.

But the day-to-day work is broader, and extends across reading drawings and specs (i.e., understanding fabrication drawings, weld symbols, and job instructions); preparing metal (cutting, grinding, bevelling, cleaning, and fitting pieces before welding); selecting process and consumables (i.e., choosing the right welding process and electrodes/wire based on the material and position); doing actual welds (tacking, multi-pass welds, position welding, and sometimes pipe welding); performing quality checks (i.e., visual inspection, basic measurements, and assisting with non-destructive testing), doing repairs, and maintenance (i.e., fixing cracks, leaks, worn parts, and structural damage); and ensuring all the necessary safety and housekeeping protocols are upheld (i.e., using PPE, following permits and hot-work procedures, keeping work areas clean, and handling gas cylinders, grinders, and lifting gear safely).

Specialised welders, such as pipe welders, pressure-vessel welders, and coded welders, work to stricter procedures and often on more critical components.

For South African industry, employers commonly look for skill in:shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) – very common in construction, maintenance, and site work;gas metal arc welding (GMAW), sometimes referred to by its subtypes metal inert gas (MIG) and metal active gas (MAG) – used in fabrication shops, automotive, and production lines;gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), also called tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding – valued for stainless steel, thin materials, and high-quality pipe work;
andflux-cored arc welding (FCAW)  – popular in heavy fabrication and structural work.

Earnings vary a great deal by sector, location, experience, and overtime. Recent data gives a good range – from R13 800 per month on average when starting out, and up to R33 000 per month (and more) for an experienced welder.

Remember that some cities and regions pay higher rates because of demand and cost of living. For example, data suggests higher averages in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, compared to some Gauteng areas. Also: mining, petrochemicals, and power-station projects can pay more – especially for coded pipe welders or shutdown work with overtime; and that welders with a recognised trade (Red Seal) or specific coding tests on certain materials typically earn more.

These figures all give a ballpark. Always compare offers, check if pay is hourly or monthly, and clarify overtime, allowances, and project bonuses before taking on a permanent role.

What is the minimum wage for welders?
There isn’t a single “welder minimum wage” law that applies nationwide. Instead, South Africa has a National Minimum Wage (NMW) set per hour for most workers. This is updated yearly through the National Minimum Wage Act.

Further, some welders fall under specific sectoral determinations or bargaining council agreements (for example, metal and engineering industries), which set higher minimum rates based on skill level, area, and years of service.

In practice, however, qualified welders are usually paid significantly above the general NMW due to the level of skill and demand inherent in their jobs. So, if you’re offered a wage that seems too low, compare it with recent data from salary sites and union/bargaining council tables – and, if necessary, seek advice from a union or labour advisor.

There are two broad paths.

(A) Full artisan / trade qualification (Red Seal)
For long-term career prospects, this is the ideal:

• Complete an Occupational Certificate: Welder (QCTO-approved).
  Training providers offer programmes aligned with the national occupational qualification and NQF standards;
Do a structured apprenticeship or gain workplace experience.
You typically need around three years combined theory and practical workplace training (the exact route depends on your programme);
• Pass the Welder Trade Test.
  To become a recognised artisan, you must pass a formal trade test set and moderated under South Africa’s artisan system (NAMB/QCTO); and
• Receive your Red Seal (Section 26D) certificate.
  This is the national artisan trade certificate, recognised across South Africa and often respected internationally too!

(B) Short welding courses and upskilling
If you’re testing the waters or already working in a workshop:

• Technical colleges and private providers offer short courses in MIG, TIG, or stick welding, sometimes bundled with basic fabrication;
  and
• You can start in an entry-level role (assistant, semi-skilled welder) and then work towards full trade status later. However, without a trade test, you may find your earnings and job mobility limited – especially when it comes to working for big industrial employers.

You have several options, including TVET colleges (i.e. many public technical and vocational education and training colleges offer welding and related engineering programmes at N1 to N3 level, plus practical), private welding schools and academies (for example, the Southern African Institute of Welding [SAIW] and various QCTO-accredited centres that focus specifically on welding training and certification), employer-based apprenticeships (companies in mining, manufacturing, and construction sometimes sponsor apprentices through formal artisan programmes), and structured learnerships in welding funded by the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

Ensure that your training provider offers QCTO or relevant SETA accreditation, that you will leave with an Occupational Certificate: Welder or equivalent, to later be eligible for the relevant trade test, that there is quality workshop equipment and a high student-to-trainer ratio, and that they have valid links to the industry so as to be able to place students in the job market on completion of their studies.

You can learn basic welding on the job, but remember that most large employers, especially in heavy industry, require a recognised trade certificate or specific welding codes for you to be able to work as a welder. Notably, government and industry are pushing to standardise and regulate welding skills, because decades of informal training has left many workers with limited or inconsistent skills. So while you can work as a “welder helper” or semi-skilled welder without a trade, getting a Red Seal improves:

• your pay prospects;
• your ability to change employers and industries;
• your chances of working on high-responsibility jobs (pressure vessels and structural steel, as two key examples); and
• your eligibility to take up international work opportunities.

The Welder Trade Test is the final assessment that proves you’re competent as an artisan welder. In South Africa it is an external test moderated by the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) and overseen by the QCTO. It consists of a combination of theory and practical tasks, covering different welding positions, joints, and materials. To qualify, typical routes include:

• apprenticeship route – complete an approved apprenticeship plus required logbook of workplace tasks;
• learnership or college route – complete the Occupational Certificate and required workplace experience;
  and/or
• recognition of prior learning (RPL) – experienced but uncertified welders can, in some cases, have their experience assessed and be prepared for the trade test through bridging programmes.

Once you pass, you’ll receive your Red Seal trade certificate for welding.

Multiple independent sources (across both industry and government) describe welding as a scarce skill. For example, the Department of Higher Education and Training’s scarce-skills list historically ranked welding number two among 13 critical occupations. Further, industry players such as Sasol and SAIW emphasise the shortage of properly qualified welders – despite there being many informally trained ones.

Reasons include many older artisans retiring, years of under-investment in formal artisan training, and the growing need for high-quality welds in energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing project. So, yes, the shortage is real – but employers are often specific: they want tested, certified, and reliable welders, not just anyone who can strike an arc.

Welders in South Africa (and elsewhere) typically work across the following industries:

• fabrication workshops – frames, tanks, machinery, trailers, and gates;
construction – structural steel for buildings, bridges, stadiums, and plants;mining and minerals – plant maintenance, conveyors, crushers, chutes, and pressure lines;oil, gas, and petrochemical – refineries, pipelines, and pressure vessels;power generation – coal, gas, and renewable projects (towers, frames, and support structures);automotive and transport – vehicle bodies, trailers, rail, and ship repairs;
andsmall business and residential – gates, burglar bars, balustrades, and custom-made steel furniture.

Environments range from relatively clean workshops to dusty construction sites, hot plant rooms, and outdoor work at height.

Welding has inherent risks – burns, UV radiation, fumes, fire, electric shock – but good safety practices and PPE reduce these risks substantially. Key safety aspects include:

• eye & face protection – auto-darkening helmets, and safety glasses;
• skin protection – gloves, leather jackets, aprons, closed boots, and flame-resistant overalls;
• fume control – local extraction, respirators where needed, and avoid welding in confined spaces without proper ventilation;
• fire prevention – hot-work permits, fire-watch, clearing flammables, and having fire extinguishers on hand;
  and
• electrical and gas safety – correct cable connections, earth clamps, secure gas cylinders, and leak checks.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act and associated regulations require employers to identify and control risks, provide PPE (i.e., a helmet, gloves, leathers, and safety boots, as mentioned above), and ensure training and supervision. Welders also have a duty to follow safe practices within their work.

You sure can. Common specialisations include that of a pipe welder (i.e., welding pressure and process pipes, often in power stations, petrochemical plants, and mines), a coded welder (i.e., an individual qualified to perform specific welding procedures and codes, e.g., ASME or API standards for pressure vessels), a stainless and hygienic piping welder (i.e. within food, beverage, and pharmaceutical plants), an aluminium welder (i.e., for automotive, marine, and lightweight structures), and a welding inspector/quality controller (i.e., with further courses, you can move into inspection, NDT, and quality roles). Specialisation usually means taking on additional testing and certificates, but also tends to bring higher pay and more stable work.

You can use online job portals, apprenticeship and learnership advertisements (i.e., on company websites) together with SETA announcements, recruitment agencies (especially those specialising in engineering or artisan roles), training providers’ networks (many colleges maintain relationships with employers and help to place graduates), and word-of-mouth and local fabricators (e.g., walking into workshops with a CV, especially in industrial areas, is still surprisingly effective).

Include your highest welding qualification (e.g., Occupational Certificate, N2, etc), your trade test / Red Seal details, if applicable, a list of welding processes and materials you can handle well, copies of any coding tests or procedure qualifications (WQTRs), and references from previous supervisors.

If you start as a welder, you can branch into:

• senior welder / team leader – supervising small teams, mentoring juniors;
• fabrication foreman or supervisor – planning jobs, allocating labour, and ensuring quality control;
• welding inspector / NDT technician – performing inspections, quality checks, and non-destructive testing after additional training and certification;
• welding coordinator or engineer – for those who decide to/can afford to go on to study an engineering degree;
• self-employed contractor – running your own mobile welding service or fabrication shop (gates, trailers, and structural work);
  and
• trainer / lecturer – experienced artisans sometimes move into teaching at TVET colleges or private academies.

As you move off the tools and into supervision or inspection, earnings and responsibility usually increase incrementally

If you’ve been welding informally or abroad and want recognised status in South Africa, the best way to proceed is to gather evidence of your experience – references, portfolio of work, previous training certificates; contact an accredited provider or SAIW about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and trade test preparation; and after an assessment, proceed to fill any gaps through short bridging programmes, and then book your formal trade test. This route allows experienced workers to gain the “Red Seal” without repeating a full apprenticeship course.

Yes, they sure can, but there are conditions involved. You need the appropriate work visa or permit (for example, a critical skills work visa where applicable, or an employer-sponsored visa). Also, your qualifications and experience may need to be evaluated or recognised by South African authorities or employers. And many employers prioritise South African citizens due to local employment policies – however, highly specialised or experienced welders may find opportunities, especially on large industrial projects.

If you’re a foreign welder, it therefore helps to have internationally recognised certifications (e.g., ASME, ISO coding tickets), and to work via a reputable agency or project contractor, who can handle the visa process for you. Always refer to official Department of Home Affairs guidelines for the latest visa rules.

What core skills do employers expect, or look intently for, when taking on a new welder?
Core skill areas include welding carbon steel, stainless steel, and sometimes aluminium; position welding (including vertical up and overhead); use of cutting and gouging methods (oxy-fuel cutting, plasma, air-arc gouging); basic fabrication and fitting (squaring frames, fitting flanges, setting root gaps); understanding weld defects (porosity, undercut, lack of fusion) and how to avoid them; and the ability to interpret weld symbols and procedures (WPSs).

On another note, soft skills matter too – reliability, punctuality, working in a team, taking safety seriously, and being willing to learn or upskill, as required, certainly stand in your favour.

The pros of being SA-based include lower travel and relocation costs if you’re local, a familiar legal and cultural environment, and a growing demand in certain sectors – especially where local skills are in short supply.

However, many South African welders also see overseas work as a long-term goal because countries such as Australia, Canada, and certain Middle-Eastern states recruit skilled welders from SA, international projects can pay more in absolute terms (though cost of living is often higher when living in those countries), and having a Red Seal and solid experience makes it easier to apply for overseas roles – but each country has its own recognition standards and visa systems.

• Welding is just a dead-end, low-skill job.”
  Reality: Modern welding involves understanding materials, processes, codes, and quality control. It’s a recognised artisan trade with progression into inspection, supervision, and engineering-related roles .
  
  • “You can’t earn good money as a welder.”
  Reality: While entry-level pay can be modest, specialised and coded welders on large projects can earn well above the national average – especially with overtime and allowances.
• “You don’t need formal training; just learn on the job.”
  Reality: Informal learning is common, but formal qualifications are increasingly important for better pay, safety, and mobility – and to meet regulated quality standards.
• “Welding is only for men.”
  Reality: More women are entering welding and related trades in South Africa. Industry bodies actively encourage woman artisans, and there are already many successful female welders and inspectors in the workplace today.

You’ll probably enjoy welding if you like hands-on, practical work and building things you can see; you’re comfortable with tools, machinery, and industrial environments; you have decent hand-eye coordination and attention to detail; you don’t mind heat, noise, and sometimes working at heights or in tight spaces; and you’re willing to keep learning – new codes, new processes, better safety methods.

On the other hand, if you prefer office work, dislike getting into PPE, and/or struggle with physical tasks and heat, this may prove a challenging career path for you!

Here’s a simple roadmap:

• Research local accredited welding programmes
  Check SAIW, TVET colleges, and QCTO-accredited providers in your province;
• Visit a workshop or open day
  Many training centres let you see the facilities and talk to the trainers before you sign up;
• Enroll in a foundational welding course or occupational programme
  Make sure it leads toward the Occupational Certificate: Welder and, ultimately, a trade test;
• Secure workplace experience
  Aim for apprenticeships, learnerships, or entry-level assistant positions in fabrication or construction;
• Log your tasks and prepare for the trade test
  Keep records of the processes, materials, and positions you’ve welded – it’ll be crucial for trade test admission and RPL;
  and
• Write and pass the trade test
  Once you achieve your Red Seal, you can market yourself as a qualified welder country-wide and pursue more specialised coding tests.

Welding jobs in South Africa sit at the intersection of hands-on craft and national development. The country needs more properly trained welders to build and maintain everything from power plants and mines, to water infrastructure and vehicles. For you, that means:

• real, long-term demand for your skills;
• space to grow into a better-paid specialist or supervisory role;
  and
• a career where you can literally see the results of your work in steel and concrete developments.

If you’re prepared to invest in proper training, take safety seriously, and keep honing your craft, welding can be a solid and rewarding career path in South Africa.