Overview

Welding is the process for joining metals using in a large variety of applications. Welding is the joining of metals at a molecular level. A weld is a homogeneous bond between two or more pieces of metal, where the strength of the welded joint exceeds the strength of the base pieces of metal.

This competition is designed to test your skills in the three main Welding processes: Manual Metal Arc (MMA) Metal Active Gas (MAG) Tungston Inert Gas (TIG).

The competition has 3 stages; each stage gradually builds up to challenge you to develop your welding skills, At each stage you will be required to complete a number of welding test pieces in carbon steel Aluminium and Stainless steel in a variety of welding position.

This competition is aimed at Trainee/Apprentice welders working and/or training in the welding industry at level 2-3 or higher level. The test pieces are marked to a set criterion based on BS EN ISO 5817.

The skills you need to demonstrate

  • Health and Safety

  • Attention to detail

  • Ability to work on your own

  • Numerical skills

  • Manual dexterity

  • Quality assuring

  • Accuracy

  • Knowledge of national and international welding standards

  • Multi process welding techniques

Useful resources

Prepare for competition success

Enhance learner preparation for competition with pressure tests (part of our benchmarking resources) to help master their technical skills, and mindset masterclasses to build personal skills.

access on the learning lab

Contact details

stephen.haymes@engineeringskillscomp.org

Entry criteria

  • This is an individual competition; there is no limit to the number of entries per organisation.
  • Competitors must be familiar with the core competencies (these can be found in the documents within the ‘Useful resources’ section) and have achieved or working towards a Level 3 in the last 12 months
  • Any welder who is currently undergoing training may enter the competition.
  • Entrants must be proficient in MMA and TIG and MIG/MAG.
  • There is no age limit for the National Welding Competition but for those competitors wishing to participate at the international competition level, competitors must not be older than 22 in the year of that event.

How it works

Registrations open 09:00am Monday 3rd of March and will close midnight Friday 28th of March.

Entry Stage will be released between Monday 3rd of March with a final deadline of 2nd of May 2025 (Exact dates will vary by competition).

Qualifiers will take place between 5th of May 2025 to 27th of June 2025 (Exact dates will vary by competition).

To help finalists prepare ahead of the UK Final, we will provide relevant technical training and share mindset development techniques, to support them to remain focused on achieving success.

Prepare students and apprentices by engaging with our benchmarking resources to master their skills and mindset masterclasses to build confidence and resilience on the WorldSkills UK Learning Lab.

The National Finals are scheduled to take place in Wales during the week beginning 24th November 2025.

Competitors who are age eligible and have achieved the benchmark score will be invited to opt into Squad UK during December 2025 for the WorldSkills 2028 Cycle, subject to the skill progressing to the international competition cycle.

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