What Does a Welding Supervisor Do?

Within various industries, it is common to cut or join metal various welding tools. Some larger projects will require numerous welders to work at the same time to create a structure or product. A welding supervisor must be on hand during such projects to coordinate each welder on the project, monitor the progress of the operations, and ensure the safety of all workers. He or she must also inspect the finished product to ensure it is built properly and safely. The welding supervisor is a senior member of a team who will report directly to management.

A combination of training and experience is necessary for a candidate to become a welding supervisor. He or she must complete specific supervisory training that will certify him or her to serve in this capacity. It is likely that the welding supervisor will have worked as a welder for many years before being promoted to a supervisor position; a welding apprenticeship usually takes anywhere from one to five years, and many companies require a supervisor to have at least another five years of experience beyond that before he or she can be promoted.

This means, of course, that the candidate must first become a welder. This process involves taking part in an apprenticeship, during which the candidate will learn the skills necessary to be a welder. He or she will work under the guidance and supervision of a more experienced welder, and once the apprenticeship is complete, the apprentice will take any relevant examinations to become licensed as a welder. After a few years of experience have passed, he or she may be considered for a position as a welding supervisor. When such a position becomes available, the candidate will need to apply for the position and begin taking any training courses required by the company. In some cases, the company will pay for such training after it has been agreed that this candidate is to be promoted.

It helps to develop other managerial skills as well, such as communicating with coworkers effectively, writing employee schedules, and dealing with conflicts that may arise on a welding team. The welding supervisor will need to be organized and efficient to ensure all regulations are adhered to and all relevant paperwork is filled out properly and accounted for. Some minor budgeting duties may fall to the welding supervisor as well, especially regarding equipment purchases and repair.