Welding and Fabrication
Career Pathway FAQ
What is an entry level role within the Welding and Fabrication trade?
Level 1 Fabricator or Welder (Trainee)
What qualifications/experience would you need for an entry level role?
Manufacturing or Construction experience i.e. GKN, Vestas, Building trades
What are the most rewarding aspects of your trade?
Seeing an empty space develop into a full boat and that moment when you see it out working for the first time and the sense of pride that you were part of building it.
What do you like about working for Wight Shipyard/in the shipbuilding industry?
The family atmosphere within the workforce. The opportunity of working alongside highly skilled tradespeople. Opportunity to collaborate with different professions i.e. design team, engineers, outfitters, electricians.
It’s a financially rewarding job especially on the Isle of Wight. Every day brings a different challenge. The diversity of what we are working. Working of cutting-edge technology such as hybrid and fully electric vessels.
What kind of attributes do you need to have to progress in the trade?
Positive can-do attitude, good people skills, resilience, hard-working, keen, problems solving skills, initiative, collaborative with a good understanding of the interdependencies of the shipbuilding processes.
What would be the next step up?
Level 2 skilled welder/fabricator
Where can you get to within your trade? Is there a clear pathway?
There is a clear pathway from apprentice/trainee to Levels 1-4 and then onto Supervisor there are also opportunities beyond this into management roles.
What qualifications/training can you do to progress a career within your Trade?
Lloyds accredited welding codes, non-destructive dye-penetrant inspection certification, crane training, health and safety, first aid, forklift training, scissor lift, cherry picker training, confined space training, bespoke machinery training, mental health awareness training.
Bio: Alan Ball (Bobby)
Role: Head of Department
What qualification did you do?
In 2003 I did a Level 3 Apprenticeship over 4 years at Aluminium Shipbuilders Ltd in Fishbourne.
What did you do after this?
I developed my experience/skills at various shipyards along the south coast working on a wide range of projects from workboats to super yachts.
When did you join Wight Shipyard?
I joined Wight Shipyard in 2017 and quickly became an integral part of the team by tackling the difficult jobs others struggled would shy away from, thriving on working to tight timelines.
How did you progress in the company?
I was made Supervisor in 2019 and was given my first boat to oversee where I was responsible for approximately 15 guys. Progressively, I took on more responsibility deputising to the Head of Department and then in 2023, when he left I was asked to step-up.
Why do you think you were chosen to step-up?
I think a bit part of it is that I care about the company and am willing to go the extra mile. I think I am good at facing problems head on and coming up with solutions. I believe I have the ability to see the bigger picture.
You have to have thick skin, be creatively minded and show you care.