Welding Skills (3268)

Last Updated: 14 Dec 2023
City & Guilds welding courses are designed for a range of abilities: from beginners who need basic welding training, to experienced welders who want to develop specialist skills.
Our Level 1 welding courses are ideal for anyone who wants to become a welder and is new to welding, metal fabrication, thermal cutting and/or brazing and soldering.

Our Level 2 welding courses are aimed at anyone already working in the industry who wants to develop their welding skills further and advance their career.

Our Level 3 welding courses are for experienced welders who need a qualification to progress to complex welding work and quality control.

People preparing for industrial accreditation or NVQ Levels 2 or 3 may also be interested in these welding qualifications.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
  • International

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

Depending on which level and qualification you choose, you will be able to:

  • produce welds in either flat/horizontal or vertical or overhead positions
  • work with specified materials, thicknesses and tolerances
  • produce flat plate or folded components and cylindrical or jointed fabrications 
  • produce profile plate or an angle bracket and a manifold bracket or flanged pipe. 
For the qualifications at  Levels 1 and 2 you will complete a number of practical assignments and oral knowledge tests. At Level 3 you will also do practical assignments but an on-line knowledge test. 

Which level is right for me?

Level 1

You are new to welding and fabrication industries and want to gain knowledge and experience in either welding, metal fabrication, thermal cutting or brazing & soldering work.

Level 2

You are already working in welding and fabrication industries and are looking to develop your skills further, to increase your responsibilities and knowledge.

Level 3

You've worked in welding for some time - you have plenty of experience. You want to develop your skills further so you can undertake complex welding work and quality control.

What Careers Can This Lead To?
The Awards and Certificates within this suite of qualifications could help you develop a career in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering sector. They could lead to a number of job roles including:
  • Fitter Welder
  • Pipe Fitter
  • Maintenance Welding Operative
  • Sheet Metal Worker
  • Plater Fabricator
  • Welder.
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To deliver these qualifications you will need suitably qualified staff to carry out training and assessment.

You will also need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards. 

To find all the resource requirements, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

There are no formal entry requirements for candidates undertaking these qualifications.

Level 1

The Level 1 Awards and Certificates are ideal if you are new to the welding, metal fabrication, thermal cutting and brazing & soldering  and want to gain knowledge and practical experience.

There are seven single unit Award size qualifications available at this Level, plus two Certificate size qualifications. To gain a qualification you must successfully complete a number of practical assignments and an oral knowledge test.

For full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?
The Awards and Certificates could help you develop your welding and fabrication career and take on jobs that require basic skills. After taking a Level 1 qualification, you could move on to a Level 2 Award or Certificate.
Level 1 Award In Introductory Welding Skills - Manual Metal Arc (MMA) Welding (3268-10)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 1 Award In Introductory Welding Skills - Manual Metal Arc (MMA) Welding

  • Accreditation No: 600/3748/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 7 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 70 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £109.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 1 Award In Introductory Welding Skills - Oxy Acetylene Welding (3268-11)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 1 Award In Introductory Welding Skills - Oxy Acetylene Welding

  • Accreditation No: 600/3753/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 7 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 70 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £112.40 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 1 Award In Introductory Welding Skills - Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding (3268-12)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 1 Award In Introductory Welding Skills - Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding

  • Accreditation No: 600/3754/4 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 7 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 70 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £109.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 1 Award In Introductory Welding Skills - Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding (3268-13)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2027

Level 1 Award In Introductory Welding Skills - Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding

  • Accreditation No: 600/3749/0 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 7 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 70 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £109.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 1 Certificate in introductory welding skills (3268-17)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 1 Certificate in Introductory Welding Skills

  • Accreditation No: 601/4170/0 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 14 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 120 - 120 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 140 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £129.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 1 Certificate in Introductory Welding, Fabrication and Cutting Skills (3268-18)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 1 Certificate in Welding, Fabrication and Cutting Skills

  • Accreditation No: 601/4168/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 21 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 145 - 145 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 210 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £129.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2

The Level 2 Awards and Certificates are ideal if you are already working in welding and fabrication industries and are looking to develop your skills further, to increase your responsibilities and knowledge.

There are two sizes of qualification available at this Level:

  • Eight single unit (7 credits) Award size qualifications.
  • Two Certificate size qualifications

To gain a qualification you must successfully complete a number of practical assignments and an oral knowledge test for each unit.

For full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?
The Awards and Certificates could help you develop your welding and fabrication career further and take on jobs that require more specialist skills.  After successful completion of this qualification you can progress on to a Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering or a Level 3 Award in Advanced Welding.
Level 2 Award in Welding Skills (3268-02)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2027

Level 2 Award in Manual Metal Arc (MMA) Welding

  • Accreditation No: 500/4746/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 7 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 70 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £124.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2 Award in Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding

  • Accreditation No: 500/4746/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 7 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 70 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £124.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2 Award in Oxy-Acetylene Welding

  • Accreditation No: 500/4746/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 7 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 70 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £124.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2 Award in Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding - Aluminium

  • Accreditation No: 500/4746/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 7 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 70 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £124.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2 Award in Tungsten Inert Gas Welding

  • Accreditation No: 500/4746/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 7 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 70 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £124.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Certificate in Welding Skills (3268-20)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 2 Certificate in Welding Skills

  • Accreditation No: 600/4884/0 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 14 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 120 - 120 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 140 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £210.60 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

The Level 3 Awards in Advanced Welding Skills are ideal if you've worked in welding for some time - you have plenty of experience. You want to develop your skills further so that you can undertake complex welding work and quality control.

The are nine single unit qualifications available at this Level. To gain one of these qualifications, you must successfully complete five practical assignments and an on-line knowledge test.

For full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?
An Award in Advanced Welding Skills could help you develop your welding career and take on jobs that require specialist welding skills.  On completion of one of these Level 3 Awards, you could also move on to a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering.
Level 3 Award in Advanced Welding Skills (3268-03)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 3 Award in Flux Cored Arc Welding

  • Accreditation No: 500/4739/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £196.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Award in Manual Metal Arc (MMA) Welding - Pipe

  • Accreditation No: 500/4739/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £196.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Award in Manual Metal Arc (MMA) Welding - Plate

  • Accreditation No: 500/4739/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £196.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Award in Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding - Pipe

  • Accreditation No: 500/4739/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £196.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Award in Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding - Plate

  • Accreditation No: 500/4739/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £196.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Award in Oxy Acetylene Welding

  • Accreditation No: 500/4739/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £196.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Award in Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding - Aluminium

  • Accreditation No: 500/4739/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £196.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Award in Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding - Pipe

  • Accreditation No: 500/4739/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £196.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Award in Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding - Sheet

  • Accreditation No: 500/4739/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £196.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

3268 Level 1

Additional documents

Purpose and Recognition

Assessment materials

Centre documents

3268 Level 2

Assessment materials

Centre documents

3268 Level 3

Assessment materials

Centre documents

Additional documents

Purpose and Recognition

19 Plus

Purpose

Recognition

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