Welder — NQF Level 4 | Phambili Village Campus
Welder at work with bright welding arc
NQF Level 4 ID 94100 373 Credits

Welder

Master all major welding processes for structural, fabrication, and maintenance applications. Qualified welders are in constant demand across construction, mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure throughout South Africa.

3–4 yrs
Duration
373
Credits
NQF 4
Level
QCTO
Accreditation
🏛️
Qualification Type
Occupational Certificate
📋
Accreditation
QCTO · 07-QCTO/SDP190625142451
📚
Delivery
Blended Learning + Workplace
🎓
Entry Requirement
Grade 12 or equivalent
📍
Location
Founders Hill, Lethabong, Gauteng
What You’ll Master

Major welding processes

This qualification covers all the key welding processes used across South Africa’s major industries.

🔵
MIG / GMAW
Metal Inert Gas welding — the most widely used process in fabrication, automotive, and manufacturing.
Gas Metal Arc
🟠
TIG / GTAW
Tungsten Inert Gas welding — precision welding of stainless steel, aluminium, and thin materials.
Gas Tungsten Arc
Stick / SMAW
Shielded Metal Arc welding — the go-to process for structural steel, pipe, and heavy fabrication on site.
Shielded Metal Arc
🔥
Flux-Core / FCAW
High-productivity welding for structural applications, shipbuilding, and heavy industry fabrication.
Flux-Cored Arc
About This Qualification

What is the Welder Occupational Certificate?

The Welder Occupational Certificate is a nationally recognised QCTO qualification at NQF Level 4. It qualifies the holder to perform welding operations across all major processes — MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Core — for structural, fabrication, and maintenance applications throughout South Africa’s industrial and construction sectors.

At Phambili Village Campus, this qualification is delivered through our dual system block release model: combining online theoretical learning, facilitated campus sessions, intensive hands-on practice in our welding workshop, and structured workplace rotations with industry host employers.

Welding is one of the most versatile and consistently in-demand trades in South Africa. From steel bridges to mining infrastructure, power stations to petrochemical plants — qualified welders are essential wherever metal joins metal. Skilled welders who can certify to international standards command premium wages and work across borders.

Graduates of this programme leave with the process knowledge, practical hours, and portfolio of evidence needed to achieve welding qualification certificates and pursue careers across South Africa’s most productive industries.

Where This Takes You

Career outcomes

Qualified welders are indispensable across South Africa’s construction, mining, and industrial sectors.

🏗️
Structural Welder
Fabricate and erect structural steel for buildings, bridges, towers, and civil infrastructure projects across South Africa.
⛏️
Mining & Industrial Maintenance
Perform critical repair and maintenance welding on equipment and infrastructure in underground and surface mining operations.
🔩
Fabrication Shop Welder
Produce engineered steel components, frames, vessels, and assemblies to specification in manufacturing and fabrication facilities.
🛢️
Pipe Welder
Weld pressure pipes in petrochemical, water, and process plant environments — one of the highest-paid welding specialisations.
🚂
Rail & Transport Infrastructure
Work on rail track, rolling stock, and transport infrastructure maintenance for Transnet and contractor companies.
🏢
Self-Employed Contractor
Build your own welding contracting business — mobile welders with certified skills command strong day rates across all sectors.
How You’ll Learn

Your journey through the programme

Our dual system block release model moves you through four integrated phases.

💻
Phase 01
Digital Foundation
Build theoretical knowledge through our online platform — metallurgy, welding processes, joint design, distortion control, destructive and non-destructive testing, and welding safety standards.
Self-pacedMetallurgyProcess theoryMobile accessible
🎓
Phase 02
Applied Learning on Campus
Facilitated sessions cover welding symbols, blueprint reading, Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), and quality inspection techniques. Prepare for trade tests and practical assessments.
Blueprint readingWPS interpretationQuality inspection
🔥
Phase 03
Workshop Practice
Our welding workshop has dedicated bays for MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Core processes — plus cutting and grinding equipment, fit-up fixtures, and inspection tools. Build the hours and consistency needed to pass trade tests in any position.
MIG baysTIG baysStick weldingAll positions
🏢
Phase 04
Workplace Integration
Block release placements with fabrication shops, construction companies, and industrial maintenance contractors. Accumulate logbook hours under qualified welding supervisors and build a track record that gets you hired.
Host employer placementsLogbook hoursSupervisor sign-off
Curriculum

What you’ll learn

Core knowledge and practical skills covered across the qualification.

🔬
Metallurgy & Material Science
Metal properties, heat treatment, weldability of carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminium alloys.
📐
Welding Symbols & Blueprint Reading
Interpreting ISO and AWS welding symbols, joint detail drawings, and fabrication blueprints.
🔥
Welding Process Parameters
Voltage, amperage, travel speed, wire feed rate, and shielding gas selection for each welding process.
📏
Joint Preparation & Fit-Up
Bevel preparation, root gap setting, tacking sequences, and distortion control for quality welds.
🔍
Weld Inspection & Testing
Visual inspection, dye penetrant testing, radiographic interpretation, and destructive test procedures.
📋
Welding Procedure Specifications
Reading and working to WPS documents, understanding essential variables, and PQR requirements.
✂️
Cutting & Grinding Techniques
Oxy-acetylene cutting, plasma cutting, angle grinding, and surface preparation for weld quality.
🦺
Welding Safety & Health
Fume extraction, PPE requirements, fire prevention, electrical safety, and confined space welding protocols.
Who Can Apply

Entry requirements

  • Grade 12 (Matric) or recognised equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification
  • Mathematics (Pure or Technical) at Grade 9 level or higher is recommended
  • Physical Science at Grade 9 level or higher is an advantage
  • South African ID or valid work permit
  • Ability to read, write, and communicate in English
  • Good hand-eye coordination and willingness to work in a practical environment
  • Willingness to participate in workplace rotations at host employers
Don’t meet all requirements? Contact us — we offer bridging options and can advise on the best pathway into this qualification based on your current level.
Welder trainee practising in workshop
Ready to get qualified?

Start your journey as a qualified Welder

Contact our team to find out about intake dates, fees, and how to apply for the Welder Occupational Certificate.

🛡️ QCTO Accredited
📞 011 970 1151
Respond within 24 hours