Christmas Closure Information

Our campuses close on Friday 20th December and re-open on Thursday 2nd January 2025 for the Christmas Break.

Students will return to timetabled lessons on Monday 6th January 2025.

For information on term dates and enquiries please visit our information page using the button below.

City & Guilds Awards in Welding Skills

The L1 / L2 / L3 City & Guilds welding awards are designed for a range of abilities: from beginners who need basic welding training, to experienced welders who want to develop specialist skills.

Level 1 Welding Awards are ideal for anyone who wants to become a welder and is new to welding, metal fabrication, thermal cutting and/or brazing and soldering.
Level 2 Welding Awards are aimed at anyone already working in the industry who wants to develop their welding skills further and advance their career.
Level 3 Welding Awards are for experienced welders who need a qualification to progress to complex welding work and quality control.

I have now completed the course and it was exactly what I was hoping it would be, giving me the skills to get started at home. Would like to say all the tutors were great and very helpful with answering any questions along with plenty of advice on how to improve my skills. Wayne B
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the tutors so much for your patience and understanding whilst I was attending your course. An amazing course with a relaxed atmosphere – can’t wait to return in September to do my M.M.A Level 1.  Top-marks and keep up the good work – I highly recommend. See you in September! Andrew S
**Due to high numbers of applications for level 1 and 2 welding skills courses, all applicants are added to a waiting list and notified when there are spaces on the next available cohorts.

The Waiting List is now temporarily closed due to high demand. We will be reviewing this regularly so please check this webpage often for when the waiting list will re-open.**

 

Level 1 City & Guilds Introductory Awards in Welding Skills

The Level 1 City & Guilds Introductory Welding Skills Awards are designed to teach those who are new to welding and help those who have welded but wish to become qualified. The Level 1 Awards will give you the basic skills required to set up a welding machine and complete a series of exercises required to gain the Award. In addition to the welding, students will gain technical knowledge in regards to welding terminology when talking about equipment and the welds they produce.

What will I learn?

The L1 Welding City & Guilds Awards are ideal if you are new to the welding, metal fabrication, thermal cutting and brazing & soldering and want to gain knowledge and practical experience. The Awards 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.

We offer three Award size qualifications available to study individually at Level 1.

Certificates Awarded
  • City & Guilds (3268-12) Level 1 Award In Introductory Welding Skills – Tungsten Inert Gas ( TIG ) Welding
  • City & Guilds (3268-13) Level 1 Award In Introductory Welding Skills – Metal Inert Gas ( MIG ) Welding
  • City & Guilds (3268-10) Level 1 Award In Introductory Welding Skills – Manual Metal Arc ( MMA ) Welding –  Colchester Campus Only
Pre-requisite Knowledge/Qualifications

None.

Level 2 City & Guilds Award in Welding Skills

The City & Guilds level 2 Award in Welding Skills is a noticeable step up from the level 1 in technical skills. The Level 2 awards are aimed at people who are working in a Welding and Fabrication environment or those who have some experiences in these roles. There are more path ways available to choose with regards to material type, which allows for the individual learning needs to be catered for. At this level the theory side to welding becomes more apparent and learners discover new welding techniques and the underpinning knowledge behind them. Learners will be required to complete a set of practical exercises as well as an oral assessment.

What will I learn?

The Level 2 Awards 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. It is suitable for those who work doing repairs or in a manufacturing industry.

We offer three Award size qualifications available to study individually at Level 2.

Certificates Awarded

  • City & Guilds (3268-02) Level 2 Award In Welding Skills – Tungsten Inert Gas Welding
  • City & Guilds (3268-02) Level 2 Award In Welding Skills – Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding
  • City & Guilds (3268-02) Level 2 Award In Welding Skills – Manual Metal Arc (MMA) Welding – Colchester Campus Only
Pre-requisite Knowledge/Qualifications

Prior knowledge at Level 1 is preferred – may be subject to trade test.

Level 3 City & Guilds Advanced Award in Welding Skills

The Advanced Level 3 is the learner’s opportunity to specialise in one or more welding processes, which will vary depending on the process picked, material type and composition they choose. At this level it is a combination of skills previously acquired and new skills gained which will be used to complete the practical exercises set.  At this level in addition to the practical assessments, an online exam will need to be passed to gain the Level 3. The Level 3 course is only offered as a progression from a Level 2 course.

What will I learn?

The Level 3 Awards 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.

We offer five Award size qualifications available to study individually at Level 3.

Certificates Awarded

City & Guilds (3268-03) Level 3 Award In Advanced Welding Skills – Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding – Plate

City & Guilds (3268-03) Level 3 Award In Advanced Welding Skills – Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding – Aluminium

City & Guilds (3268-03) Level 3 Award In Advanced Welding Skills – Manual Metal Arc (MMA) Welding – Plate – Colchester Campus Only

City & Guilds (3268-03) Level 3 Award In Advanced Welding Skills – Flux Cored Arc Welding

City & Guilds (3268-03) Level 3 Award In Advanced Welding Skills – (MMA) Welding – Pipe or (MIG) Welding – Pipe – Colchester Campus Only

What Can I Do Next?

An advanced Award 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.

City & Guilds Awards in Welding Skills
LevelLevel 1
Level 2
Level 3
LocationColchester
Braintree
DurationLevel 1: 10 Weeks
Level 2: 10 Weeks
Level 3: MIG/MMA 15 Weeks
Level 3 TIG: 10 Weeks
Campus / Adult Skills CentreColchester Campus
Braintree Campus
Start DateTBC
ApplicationsApplications for course waiting lists are open now
AttendanceOne evening per week
5:30pm - 8:30pm
PriceLevel 1: £495*
Level 2: £495*
Level 3: £1,450*
*subject to eligibility clause

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2024-25 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.