Pipe Welder Apprentice
PIPEFLEX SYSTEMS LIMITED
BEDLINGTON, Washington
Closes in 7 days (Monday 15 June 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 8 June 2026
Contents
Summary
Pipeflex offers hands-on training in TIG, MIG and MMA welding, real UK-wide engineering projects, and the chance to learn from experienced professionals. This Level 3 apprenticeship builds practical skills, industry knowledge, and career opportunities in a respected company known for quality and safety.
- Wage
-
£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Pipe welder (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday - 8am - 4pm
Friday - 8am - 12:30pm
Please note, these hours are during your first year with Seta. They may change once you move into the workplace.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 14 September 2026
- Duration
-
4 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Duties will include, but are not limited to:
- Perform welding activities using TIG, MIG, and MMA processes to a high standard of quality and accuracy
- Fabricate, assemble, and install pipework systems in line with engineering specifications
- Read and interpret engineering drawings and technical plans to ensure precise execution of work
- Work with carbon steel and stainless-steel pipework materials across fabrication and installation projects
- Safely operate and maintain tools, equipment, and machinery required for welding and pipe-fitting tasks
- Carry out on-site installation, inspection, and maintenance of pipe systems as required
- Adhere to all health, safety, and quality standards to ensure compliance with company and industry regulations
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- GOOCH AVENUE, BARRINGTON INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, BEDLINGTON, NE22 7DQ
- 17 Sedling Road, Wear Industrial Estate, Washington, NE38 9BZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SUNDERLAND ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Training course
Pipe welder (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements
- Obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation)
- Plan all preparatory tasks and interfaces and pipe welding activity, before commencing work
- Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for each activity
- Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding
- Inspect the assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected
- Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables
- Set, test, and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification and adjust as necessary to accommodate changing orientation as the weld progresses around the pipe joint.
- Set-up purge protection within the pipe bore and associate monitoring methods
- Set-up bore side protection controls to avoid foreign material ingress into the pipe bore
- Remove materials using manual processes, including powered and non-powered equipment
- Achieve a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO 5817, ISO 9606, ASME IX, ASME B31.3 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection, including Time of Flight and Phased Array methods).
- Monitor weld quality and dimensions throughout welding activity and on completion of welding and report any issues through organisational production / quality control process prior to release for formal examination by others
- Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location
- Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques
- Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity
- Produce pipe welds using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW
- Produce pipe welds using four material groups from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys
- Produce pipe welds covering ALL defined pipe welding positions. These are Flat - Rotated Pipe; Horizontal - Fixed Vertical Pipe; Vertical Weld - Fixed Horizontal Pipe (either upward or downward progression); Inclined - Fixed 45 degree Pipe Overhead (either upward or downward progression)
- Produce pipe welds in 3 main joint configurations from Single Sided Butt, Socket, Flange and Set-on Branch.
- Produce pipe welds in by continually adjusting the orientation of the welder, welding torch, and welding consumable filler, including restricted access conditions
- Produce pipe welds in restricted access conditions by welding with both left and right hands (e.g. boiler tube bundles, proximity of other plant and equipment, limited access locations, welds located with limited visibility of the weld joint)
- Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements
- Obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation)
- Plan all preparatory tasks and interfaces and pipe welding activity, before commencing work
- Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for each activity
- Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding
- Inspect the assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected
- Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables
- Set, test, and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification and adjust as necessary to accommodate changing orientation as the weld progresses around the pipe joint.
- Set-up purge protection within the pipe bore and associate monitoring methods
- Set-up bore side protection controls to avoid foreign material ingress into the pipe bore
- Remove materials using manual processes, including powered and non-powered equipment
- Achieve a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO 5817, ISO 9606, ASME IX, ASME B31.3 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection, including Time of Flight and Phased Array methods).
- Monitor weld quality and dimensions throughout welding activity and on completion of welding and report any issues through organisational production / quality control process prior to release for formal examination by others
- Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location
- Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques
- Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity
- Produce pipe welds using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW
- Produce pipe welds using four material groups from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys
- Produce pipe welds covering ALL defined pipe welding positions. These are Flat - Rotated Pipe; Horizontal - Fixed Vertical Pipe; Vertical Weld - Fixed Horizontal Pipe (either upward or downward progression); Inclined - Fixed 45 degree Pipe Overhead (either upward or downward progression)
- Produce pipe welds in 3 main joint configurations from Single Sided Butt, Socket, Flange and Set-on Branch.
- Produce pipe welds in by continually adjusting the orientation of the welder, welding torch, and welding consumable filler, including restricted access conditions
- Produce pipe welds in restricted access conditions by welding with both left and right hands (e.g. boiler tube bundles, proximity of other plant and equipment, limited access locations, welds located with limited visibility of the weld joint)
Training schedule
Your first year will be spent at Seta in Washington. Please be prepared/able to travel to Washington from Monday - Friday for the first year of the apprenticeship.
Your second year will be spent 4 days in the workplace with Pipeflex and 1 day with Seta on day release.
Your final 2 years will be spent full time with the employer, with regular reviews with a Seta apprenticeship manager and your employer.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Practical skills
- Hands on abilities
Other requirements
Applicants must be:
- Curious and keen to understand how things work
- Hardworking and reliable
- Willing to learn and take on new challenges
- Comfortable working both in a workshop and on site
- Happy to travel and work away during the week once qualified
- A strong team player with a positive attitude
Please note - this role will require UK-wide travel after training so you must be comfortable with working away from home
About this employer
Pipeflex is a specialist mechanical and pipework contractor delivering high-quality fabrication, installation, and maintenance services across a wide range of industries throughout the UK. Working on diverse and exciting projects, from industrial facilities to large-scale infrastructure, Pipeflex has built a strong reputation for quality, safety, and reliability.
After this apprenticeship
It is expected that the successful applicant will progress into a fully qualified Pipe Welder position following completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SUNDERLAND ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Gabriella Smith
gabriella.smith@seta.co.uk
0191 416 2860
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000032234.
Apply now
Closes in 7 days (Monday 15 June 2026 at 11:59pm)