Skills for success (Essential Skills) summary
Skills for Success are needed in a quickly changing world for work, learning and life. They are foundational for building other skills and important for effective social interaction. Everyone benefits from having these skills as they help individuals get a job, progress at their current job and change jobs. They also help individuals become active members of their community and succeed in learning.
Through extensive research and consultations, the Government of Canada launched the new Skills for Success model renewing the previous Essential Skills framework to better reflect the needs of the current and future labour market.
The summary presented here is based on existing Essential Skills profiles and will be updated to align with the new Skills for Success model over time.
Reading
Welders read documents to understand and learn. They read WHMIS material to find out how to handle hazardous products, as welsl as equipment and safety manuals to understand safe operating procedures. They also read and interpret complex information found in drawings, codes and regulations.
Document Use
Welders refer to checklists to follow proper work procedures and to track the progress of projects. They interpret the significance of information found on various documents. They look for safety information on signs and project status on tags. They observe colours on pipes, lines and metals to determine their contents or grade. They refer to markings such as stamps, metal plates, or tags. They complete forms and reports such as invoices, time sheets or daily logs to record information. They interpret symbols and numbers found on drawings to determine material requirements and measurements as well as the welding process to be used and the type, size, location and position of welds. They also review engineering notes found on drawings, or welding procedures specifications (WPS) and welding procedures data sheets (WPDS).
Writing
For the most part, welders write minimal text. They fill in information in invoices, reports, time sheets and daily logs. They may have to complete accident and incident reports or write safety guidelines.
Oral Communication
Welders communicate with co-workers and others daily to give directions, ask for assistance, provide information and guidance, and discuss work assignments. They may give informal presentations or explain welding designs to customers. They may also coach and mentor apprentices by demonstrating and explaining work procedures and expectations.
Welders often work in noisy environments caused by moving metal and machinery such as mobile equipment, grinders, hammers and sandblasters, which affects communication. Therefore, welders use hand signals to communicate whenever necessary, particularly from a distance.
Numeracy
Welders measure degrees of angles, lengths of pipe and elevations. They use various formulas to calculate how to get the maximum number of pieces out of a length of pipe, the dimensions of structural members, the volume, diameter and circumferences of tanks when fabricating pieces for them, and offsets. They may work with the metric and imperial measurement systems and therefore must be able to convert between the two systems. Welders also use numerical estimation to estimate the quantity of consumables required, the weight of a load based on its size and density, and the cost of work based on material and labour requirements.
Thinking
Welders use problem solving skills to identify discrepancies in drawings. They troubleshoot problems with equipment and generate unique solutions depending on the situation.
Welders use decision making skills to decide whether they have enough information to start the task immediately or whether they need to gather more information first. They decide on the most efficient use of materials and how to control the temperature during the welding process to avoid metallurgical problems. They may also decide on the best way to approach a job in consultation with their supervisor and any work partners.
Welders use planning skills to organize and set up their work area, gather materials and equipment, and work on alternative tasks if equipment is not available.
Working with Others
Welders mostly work independently within a team environment, which includes other welders, supervisors and other tradespeople such as steamfitters/pipefitters and metal fabricators (fitters), to plan work, confirm calculations and to schedule the sharing of equipment. They may coach and receive assistance from apprentices. They may also be partnered with someone from another trade, such as a steamfitter/pipefitter or metal fabricator (fitter), to coordinate their tasks on projects so that steps are completed in the correct order.
Digital Technology
Welders may use computers for research, data entry and viewing trade documents. They also use electronic communication software to communicate with customers and suppliers.
Continuous Learning
Welders may attend information and training seminars hosted by suppliers about new products. Employers also provide training specific to their company such as company policies, confined space entry, helicopter safety and H2S Alive. Welders must upgrade their knowledge and skills on an ongoing basis because of new innovations in consumables, and welding applications and processes. They may learn by researching technical information on the Internet, participating in formal training opportunities or informally on the job.
Welders are required by various codes to recertify or upgrade their qualifications within a specific period of time. Study and practice may be required in preparation for these tests.