A student meticulously welding a metal surface, demonstrating skill and focus in a hands-on learning environment.

Fabrication and Welding - Level 2

Summary

Are you a hands-on learner who enjoys building, fixing, and working with tools and metal? Do you want to gain real-world skills that can lead directly into employment or apprenticeships in a high-demand industry? The Level 2 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding is your first step into a skilled trade with strong career prospects in sectors like engineering, construction, manufacturing, automotive and aerospace.

Welding and fabrication are essential skills that form the backbone of many UK industries. As businesses continue to invest in infrastructure, green technologies, and advanced manufacturing, the demand for skilled welders and fabricators continues to grow.

By completing this course, you'll not only gain a recognised qualification but also develop the practical experience and technical knowledge that employers look for. Whether you want to move into employment, pursue an apprenticeship, or progress onto a Level 3 qualification, this course will give you the foundation to succeed.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
02 Sep 2026
Bispham Campus
2 Years

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This course opens doors to a variety of pathways in the engineering and manufacturing industries. Upon successful completion, you’ll be equipped to:

  • Apply for a welding or fabrication apprenticeship
  • Progress onto a Level 3 qualification in welding, fabrication, or engineering
  • Enter employment as a junior fabricator, trainee welder, or engineering operative

Typical employers include:

  • Engineering firms
  • Construction companies
  • Shipbuilding and offshore industries
  • Automotive and aerospace manufacturers
  • Renewable energy and infrastructure projects

With further experience and qualifications, roles such as coded welder, fabrication supervisor, or even welding inspector become accessible.

Next steps at B&FC

Student who successfully complete the Level 2 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding are ideally placed to progress on the Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding.

Alternatively, they may want to look at progressing into a more generalised Engineering pathway in which case one of our Level 3 Engineering programmes is always an option.

Other study options

It may be possible to secure an Intermediate or Advanced Apprenticeship depending on the availability of suitable vacancies in this sector. Current vacancies can be viewed here.

Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities at this level exist in entry-level roles such as:

Junior Fabricator | Trainee Welder | Engineering Operative

Key information

Entry Requirements

GCSE Grade 3 (or equivalent) in English and maths

Plus

  • A successful interview with a tutor
  • The ability to study independently
  • A genuine interest in the subject
  • Good communication skills
  • Hardworking approach towards the industry

Qualification obtained

Certificate in Fabrication and Welding Techniques and Skills

Fees and funding

Courses for learners who are 16-18 years old at the start of their course and resident in the UK are fully funded. You may also be entitled to further financial help to support your studies depending on your personal circumstances. For more details of these, please visit our page on Finance Support for School Leavers. 

If you are not a UK resident, we will confirm whether funding is available when we process your application. If not, you may be liable for course fees.

Extra costs and equipment

You will need to provide your own safety boots, safety goggles and overalls / boiler suit for practical activities. A typical pair of safety boots should cost no more than £12 and a pair of overalls £15. If you have any issues funding these items, please talk to your course tutor.

All other protective equipment will be provided by us.

All tools and equipment are provided for practical sessions and access to computers and all software required for the course is available within the College facilities.

You will be expected to provide your own pen, pencil, calculator and basic drawing equipment and a note pad.

What will I learn?

This qualification provides a solid introduction to the core skills and safety practices in fabrication and welding. You’ll spend time both in the classroom and in a fully equipped workshop, learning through a mix of theory and hands-on practical sessions.

Key areas of study include:

  • Health and Safety in Engineering Workshops
    Understand how to work safely with tools, machinery, and materials in a fabrication and welding environment.
  • Welding Techniques and Processes
    Learn how to use different welding methods such as MIG, TIG, and MMA. You'll develop the ability to read welding symbols and perform basic welds to industry standards.
  • Fabrication Skills
    Gain experience in cutting, bending, and joining metals to create functional structures or components. You'll use tools and machinery to shape and form metal accurately.
  • Technical Drawing and Measurement
    Learn how to interpret engineering drawings and use measuring tools to ensure accuracy in your work.
  • Materials and Their Properties
    Develop an understanding of metals used in fabrication and welding and how they respond to different processes.

Essential skills: English and Maths

All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in either subject, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting these to enhance your paper-based qualifications. This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

There are no work placements or field trips associated with this course.

How will I learn?

The course is full-time and takes two years to complete. With an emphasis on the application of practical fabrication and welding techniques, you will spend a large proportion of your time in the various fabrication and welding workshops learning how to work, machine and manipulate various materials using industry-standard equipment.

There will be some classroom-based learning where you will acquire the underpinning knowledge that will inform your practical sessions. You will be supervised by industry-expert tutors who will guide your practice and provide ongoing feedback to allow you to improve your techniques and finesse your work.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

Apart from the Science and Calculations unit which is assessed by an externally set and assessed multiple choice assessment, the remaining units are all internally assessed via a combination of workbooks, written assignments and practical tasks in which students must demonstrate a certain level of competence.

The overall qualification is graded pass/fail. However, the qualification transcript shows individual unit achievements at pass, merit or distinction.