Welder General Information
The Welder trade is an important vocational training program offered under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) by the Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. The course is designed to prepare trainees with the knowledge and practical skills required to perform welding operations in different industrial sectors. Welding is a fundamental manufacturing process used in the construction of machinery, metal structures, pipelines, vehicles, and many other industrial products. Therefore, trained welders are in high demand across multiple industries.
The Welder trade is categorized under the engineering group and is aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). The course focuses on developing competency in various welding techniques such as gas welding, arc welding, MIG welding, TIG welding, and plasma cutting. The training program is designed in such a way that trainees gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to work efficiently in industrial environments.
Trade Details
The official name of the trade is Welder, and it is identified with the trade code DGT/1004. The training program falls under the National Occupational Classification (NCO) codes that represent various welding job roles in the industry. These job roles include gas welder, electric arc welder, resistance welder, gas cutter, brazer, TIG welder, MIG welder, repair welder, and plasma cutter operator.
The course follows the National Skills Qualification Framework Level 3, which ensures that the training meets national standards for vocational education and skill development. The NSQF framework helps standardize training programs across the country and ensures that trainees gain competencies required by industries.
Course Duration
The total duration of the Welder trade training is one year. During this period, trainees undergo approximately 1200 hours of classroom learning and workshop training. In addition to this, trainees must complete around 150 hours of On-the-Job Training (OJT) or group project work. This industrial exposure provides practical experience and allows trainees to observe real industrial welding operations.
The one-year training period is structured to gradually develop the trainee’s skills from basic workshop practices to advanced welding techniques. Initially, trainees learn fundamental operations such as measuring, marking, cutting, and preparing metal surfaces. Later, they progress to performing different welding processes and inspection techniques.
Entry Qualification and Eligibility
To enroll in the Welder trade course, candidates must have passed at least the 8th standard examination from a recognized educational board. The minimum age required for admission is 14 years on the first day of the academic session. These eligibility criteria ensure that candidates have basic educational knowledge and are capable of understanding technical training.
The course is also designed to be inclusive and accessible to persons with certain types of disabilities. Candidates with specific physical conditions such as locomotor disability, hearing impairment, or other approved categories may be eligible to enroll in the program, depending on the training institute’s facilities and guidelines.
Unit Strength and Infrastructure Requirements
The Welder trade training program is conducted in batches with a unit strength of 20 trainees. This limited batch size ensures that each trainee receives adequate practical exposure and individual attention from instructors during workshop training.
Training institutes offering the Welder trade must maintain proper infrastructure and facilities to conduct practical training effectively. The minimum space required for the workshop is approximately 100 square meters. This space is necessary to install welding machines, cutting equipment, workbenches, and other tools required for training activities.
In addition to physical space, training institutes must provide sufficient electrical power for operating welding machines and other workshop equipment. The recommended power requirement for the Welder trade workshop is around 16 kilowatts. This ensures smooth operation of machines and allows trainees to perform practical tasks without interruption.
Instructor Qualifications
Qualified instructors play a crucial role in delivering effective training in the Welder trade. Instructors responsible for teaching the welding trade must possess relevant technical qualifications and industry experience. Typically, instructors may hold a Bachelor of Vocational degree, engineering degree, or diploma in mechanical, metallurgy, production engineering, or related fields.
Alternatively, individuals who have completed National Trade Certificate (NTC) or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) in the Welder trade and have several years of industrial experience can also serve as instructors. However, instructors must also possess the National Craft Instructor Certificate (NCIC) issued by the Directorate General of Training, which certifies their teaching competency.
For each training unit, two instructors are generally required. One instructor must have a degree or diploma qualification, while the other may hold an NTC or NAC certification with relevant work experience. This combination ensures that trainees receive both theoretical knowledge and practical industrial insights during training.
Supporting Subjects and Faculty
Apart from welding trade instructors, other faculty members are required to teach supporting subjects such as Workshop Calculation and Science, Engineering Drawing, and Employability Skills. These subjects help trainees develop additional competencies that are necessary for success in industrial careers.
Workshop Calculation and Science instructors are typically required to have an engineering degree or diploma along with relevant teaching experience. Engineering Drawing instructors must also have technical qualifications and expertise in interpreting and preparing technical drawings.
Employability Skills instructors may hold qualifications such as MBA, BBA, or any graduate degree with additional training in employability skills. These instructors help trainees develop communication skills, teamwork abilities, and basic computer knowledge.
Tools and Equipment
Training institutes must provide a complete set of tools and equipment necessary for conducting welding training. These include welding machines, gas cutting equipment, electrode holders, welding torches, clamps, measuring instruments, safety equipment, and various hand tools. The availability of proper tools ensures that trainees can practice different welding techniques safely and effectively.
Personal protective equipment such as welding helmets, gloves, safety shoes, and protective clothing must also be provided to trainees. These safety measures help prevent accidents and ensure a safe learning environment in the workshop.
Conclusion
The General Information section of the Welder trade curriculum provides essential details about the structure and requirements of the training program. It outlines the course duration, eligibility criteria, infrastructure requirements, and instructor qualifications needed to deliver high-quality vocational training. By following these guidelines, training institutes can ensure that trainees receive comprehensive education and practical experience. The Welder trade program plays a significant role in developing skilled workers who contribute to industrial growth and economic development.