Careers: Welder, cutter, solderer or brazer

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Basil Cunningham
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Careers: Welder, cutter, solderer or brazer By Bureau of Labor Statistics, adapted by Newsela staff on 07.10.

1 Careers: Welder, cutter, solderer or brazer By Bureau of Labor Statistics, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 717 Level 830L In this September 14, 2015, photo, welder Gabriel Gonzalez welds a support beam at a local welding shop in Hialeah, Florida. Photo by: Alan Diaz for AP This article is available at 5 reading levels at 1

Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers work with metal. They use equipment to join or cut metal parts. They also fill holes and cracks in metal products. What Do They Do?

2 Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers work with metal. They use equipment to join or cut metal parts. They also fill holes and cracks in metal products. What Do They Do? Welding involves joining metal parts with heat. This process melts and combines the parts to make a single piece of metal. Welding is used in thousands of manufacturing activities. It is also used to join steel beams in the construction of buildings and bridges. Pipes in pipelines, power plants and refineries are welded as well. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 2

3 The work that welders do and the equipment they use depend on what types of products or structures they are creating. There are more than 100 different welding processes that a welder can use. The process used is determined by the types of metals being joined. Cutters also use heat to work with metal. But instead of joining pieces of metal, they cut and trim metal objects. Cutters also take apart large objects. These may include ships, railroad cars, automobiles, buildings and airplanes. Solderers and brazers also use heat to join metal objects together. Soldering and brazing are similar. The temperatures used are lower in soldering, however. Soldering workers usually work with small pieces. Brazing is commonly used to connect cast iron and thinner metals. Work Environment Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers held about 397,900 jobs in Most of them work in manufacturing. Sixty percent of welders, cutters, solderers and brazers work in the manufacturing field. Welding can involve working in uncomfortable conditions. Welders and cutters may work outdoors in bad weather. They may also work indoors, sometimes in a confined area. When working outdoors, they may work on a platform high off the ground. In addition, they may have to lift heavy objects and bend, stoop, or stand to work overhead. Injuries And Illnesses Working with metal can be dangerous. Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers work with very hot materials. They must wear safety shoes, heat-resistant gloves, goggles, masks with protective lenses, and other equipment. These prevent burns and eye injuries. They also protect the welders from falling objects. Welding, cutting, soldering and brazing workers have a high rate of injuries and illnesses. It is important that they follow safety rules. How To Become A Welder, Cutter, Solderer Or Brazer To become a welder, cutter, solderer or brazer, one must be a high school graduate. They must also receive technical and on-the-job training. Welders may take courses in blueprint reading, math, drawing, physics and chemistry. An understanding of electricity and computers is also helpful. Many employers are willing to hire workers without experience and train them on the job. But others prefer to hire workers who are already trained. Even entry-level workers who have gone to school to learn how to weld still receive several months of on-the-job training. Some employers pay the cost of training and testing for employees. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 3

4 Important Qualities Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers perform detailed work. They often have to be very precise. They must be able to see details, which requires good eyesight and close attention. Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers must have a steady hand. They will need to hold their torches in one place. They must be able to stand for long periods. Their jobs require lifting heavy pieces of metal. They also must move welding or cutting equipment and sometimes bend, stoop, or reach while working. For this reason, they should be strong and in good physical shape. Pay The median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers was $39,390 in May This means that half of all welders earned more than this amount. The other half earned less than this. Wages depend mainly upon the worker s experience and skill level. The type of business, and size of the company they work for make a difference as well. Job Outlook Employment of welders, cutters, solderers and brazers is expected to grow 4 percent from 2014 to This rate is slower than the average for all occupations. But welders, cutters, solderers and brazers will be needed in the future. They will be needed to help rebuild bridges, highways, and buildings. They will also be needed when new power plants and oil and gas pipelines are built. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 4

5 Quiz 1 Which sentence from the article BEST supports the idea that welding can be a dangerous job? They must wear safety shoes, heat-resistant gloves, goggles, masks with protective lenses, and other equipment. Welding, cutting, soldering and brazing workers have a high rate of injuries and illnesses. They also must move welding or cutting equipment and sometimes bend, stoop, or reach while working. They will also be needed when new power plants and oil and gas pipelines are built. 2 Read the paragraph from the section "What Do They Do?" The work that welders do and the equipment they use depend on what types of products or structures they are creating. There are more than 100 different welding processes that a welder can use. The process used is determined by the types of metals being joined. Which answer choice accurately explains this paragraph? Many welders only like to work with certain types of metals because the tools are easier for them to work with. Many welders only know a few of the processes that can be used to create different products and structures. A welder has to understand the types of metal he or she is working with to know what tools and processes to use. A welder has to carry many different tools to every job he or she works on so that they can be prepared. 3 The word "manufacturing" is essential to understanding what welders, cutters, solderers and brazers do. Which sentence from the article BEST explains what "manufacturing" means? These may include ships, railroad cars, automobiles, buildings and airplanes. Brazing is commonly used to connect cast iron and thinner metals. Welders and cutters may work outdoors in bad weather. They must be able to see details, which requires good eyesight and close attention. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 5

6 4 Read the selection from the section "How To Become A Welder, Cutter, Solderer Or Brazer." They must also receive technical and on-the-job training. Welders may take courses in blueprint reading, math, drawing, physics and chemistry. An understanding of electricity and computers is also helpful. What is the meaning of the word "technical" as it is used above? plain simple restricted specialized This article is available at 5 reading levels at 6

My Career in Welding Engineering

1 My Career in Welding Engineering 2 With a Certificate in Welding Engineering, graduates may have the possible career options of the following: Furniture Maker Welder & Frame Cutter Sheet-Metal Worker