Engineering and manufacturing apprenticeship

Level 3 Plate Welder Apprenticeship

The Plate Welder Level 3 Apprenticeship prepares learners to manually weld plate and structural components to high standards of quality, safety, and compliance. This apprenticeship develops skilled welders capable of working across a range of materials, joint types, and welding positions, meeting internationally recognised standards used throughout engineering and manufacturing industries.

Learner Enquiries

Employer Enquiries

Level

Level 3

Duration

36 months to gateway; typically 3 months for end-point assessment

Delivery

In Person – Stockport

Occupational Profile Duties Gateway & Assessment Requirements End-Point Assessment Portfolio Evidence What’s Included

Occupational Summary

Occupational Profile

A Plate Welder is responsible for producing high-quality welds on plate and structural components using approved manual welding processes. Working to Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), apprentices will learn to prepare materials, set up and operate welding equipment, and carry out welding in a range of positions and joint configurations.

Throughout the apprenticeship, learners develop a strong understanding of welding metallurgy, material properties, welding defects, inspection techniques, and quality assurance processes. Equal emphasis is placed on health, safety, environmental responsibility, and compliance with statutory and organisational requirements.

Apprentices are trained to work with multiple welding processes and materials, apply international quality standards, interpret technical documentation and drawings, and contribute to continuous improvement within their organisation. Professional behaviours such as accountability, teamwork, problem-solving, and ongoing development are embedded throughout the programme.

This programme combines practical, hands-on experience in the workplace with structured off-the-job training, supporting apprentices to become competent, reliable, and safety-conscious welding professionals.

Who Is This Course For?

The Plate Welder Level 3 Apprenticeship is designed to help employers develop a highly skilled, safety-conscious welding workforce aligned to current industry standards. The programme supports businesses by building in-house capability across a range of welding processes, materials, and positional welds, reducing reliance on external recruitment and improving productivity and quality.

Details of standard

Apprentices are trained to work to approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), comply with statutory and organisational requirements, and meet internationally recognised quality and inspection standards. The apprenticeship also embeds professional behaviours such as accountability, continuous improvement, and effective communication, ensuring apprentices contribute positively to workplace performance.

This standard is well suited to employers operating in:

Fabrication and manufacturing
Structural steelwork
Heavy engineering
Energy, transport, and infrastructure sectors

With up to £27,000 of eligible government funding available to support training and assessment costs, subject to funding rules and the agreed price, this apprenticeship provides a cost-effective way to upskill new or existing employees while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and compliance.

Overview of the Role

Typical job roles include:

Plate Welder

Structural Welder

Class B Welder

Coded Multi-Positional Plate Welder

Skills England Standard

Plate welder ST0852 v1.1

Apprenticeship Standard

ST0852

Current Version

Version 1.1

Maximum Funding

£27,000

For the current occupational standard and end-point assessment information, visit Skills England.

View Skills England Standard

Occupational Duties

Duties

Duty 1: Plan and prepare the plate or structural welding work before starting.

Duty 2: Check material grade, dimensions and thickness against the specification.

Duty 3: Inspect joint preparations, surfaces and cleanliness before welding.

Duty 4: Assemble and position plate and structural components with appropriate alignment and backing aids.

Duty 5: Assemble welding and ancillary equipment, checking its condition and performance.

Duty 6: Adjust and maintain the equipment used during plate and structural welding.

Duty 7: Interpret drawings and technical specifications to establish welding controls, consumables and distortion limits.

Duty 8: Make the specified joints accurately using suitable welding techniques.

Duty 9: Monitor performance and identify ways to improve the production process.

Duty 10: Monitor welding parameters such as preheat, interpass temperature and heat input.

Duty 11: Remove material and welding defects using appropriate powered and non-powered tools.

Duty 12: Inspect component alignment and distortion, making corrections to meet the specification.

Duty 13: Visually inspect completed welds and the geometry of the component.

Duty 14: Remove and dress temporary supports and aids, and finish external weld surfaces.

Duty 15: Restore the work area and equipment safely, including appropriate reuse or recycling of temporary aids.

Duty 16: Monitor welding consumables, adjust quantities and return unused materials for appropriate reconditioning, reuse or disposal.

Duty 17: Complete production documentation and reporting at the required stages of work.

Entry Requirements

This apprenticeship is suitable for individuals who are looking to develop a career in welding within the engineering and manufacturing sector.

Typically, learners should:

Be employed in a relevant engineering or manufacturing role with welding activities
Have a good standard of English and Maths (or be willing to work towards Functional Skills where required)
Demonstrate an interest in welding, fabrication, or structural engineering
Be able to work safely and follow instructions within an industrial environment
Show commitment to learning, developing technical skills, and working to quality standards

Previous welding experience is beneficial but not essential, as full training and support will be provided throughout the apprenticeship.

Outcome of the Course

On successful completion of the Plate Welder Level 3 Apprenticeship, apprentices will be able to:

Produce high-quality welds in plate and structural components using at least two welding processes, such as TIG, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW or PAW
Weld using at least two different materials, including carbon steels, alloy steels, stainless steels, aluminium alloys, nickel alloys or other specialist materials
Weld confidently in multiple positions, including vertical and overhead
Work to internationally recognised welding and inspection standards (e.g. ISO, ASME, AWS)
Inspect welds, identify defects, and take corrective action where required
Work safely and compliantly within industrial environments
Follow approved procedures, quality systems, and documentation
Take responsibility for their work, contribute to productivity, and support continuous improvement

Successful apprentices will be fully competent, industry-ready Plate Welders, equipped with the technical knowledge, practical skills, and professional behaviours required to progress within the engineering and manufacturing sector.

Gateway

Gateway & Assessment Requirements

The employer confirms that the apprentice is consistently working at the level of the standard before they enter the independent end-point assessment (EPA). The following requirements apply to ST0852 Version 1.1.

Employer confirmation of occupational competence and completion of the required on-programme training.

English and maths requirements completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules applicable to the apprentice.

A completed portfolio of evidence submitted to support the professional discussion.

For the practical skills test, the employer supplies the agreed material groups, welding processes and suitable Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) for the independent assessor’s selection.

End-Point Assessment

ST0852, Plate welder Level 3

The independent end-point assessment for ST0852 Version 1.1 normally takes place over three months after gateway. It tests the apprentice’s occupational knowledge, practical welding skills and professional competence through three methods.

Multiple-choice knowledge test: Fail, Pass or Distinction.
Professional discussion supported by a portfolio: Fail, Pass or Distinction.
Practical skills test: Fail, Pass or Distinction.

End-Point Assessment

The three independent assessment methods are:

Multiple-choice knowledge test covering occupational knowledge.
Professional discussion supported by the apprentice’s portfolio of evidence.
Practical skills test assessing welding against the required procedures and specifications.

The apprentice must meet the requirements of the independent EPA to complete the Level 3 apprenticeship. The overall grade is Fail, Pass or Distinction.

Portfolio of Evidence Requirement

Portfolio of evidence

Under the ST0852 Version 1.1 EPA plan, apprentices compile and submit a portfolio during their programme to support the independent professional discussion. The portfolio itself is not separately graded.

The portfolio typically contains 10 discrete pieces of evidence mapped to the knowledge, skills and behaviours assessed through the professional discussion. The format is agreed with the employer, apprentice and assessment organisation.

Evidence may include

Production welding records, with the relevant Welding Procedure Specifications and quality documentation.
Welder approval certificates and recorded third-party validation where applicable.
Inspection and acceptance records authenticated by an appropriate workplace representative.
Photographs, work products and written accounts of relevant welding activities.
Witness statements and feedback showing observed competence, rather than unsupported opinions.

What’s Included