Welder CV: how to write one (with a South African example)

If you’re applying as a welder, your CV must answer one thing fast: what welding can you do, to what standard, and on what materials. A good welder cv puts your processes (MIG, TIG, stick/arc), positions (1G–6G), metals (mild steel, stainless, aluminium), and proof (trade test, coded tickets, training) right where the recruiter can’t miss it.

Below is a simple 9-section structure you can copy, plus a complete welder CV example South Africa for an experienced welder and an entry-level candidate.

Why welders get rejected even when they can weld

Many welding CVs are too general. They say “hardworking welder” but don’t say MIG on mild steel, or TIG on stainless pipe, or what position they can pass.

Employers also look for safety and quality proof: ability to read drawings, measure properly, prep joints, and work to procedure (even if they don’t call it a WPS in the advert).

If you need to rebuild your CV from scratch, start with your profile on CV Hub and update your CV profile section-by-section before you choose a layout.

What to include in a welder CV (9 sections that work in South Africa)

This layout works for engineering shops, construction sites, shutdowns, and plant maintenance. It also reads well on phones and scans cleanly if the employer uses automated screening.

1) Name + contact details

Put your name, cell number, email, city/town, and licence (if relevant). Don’t add your full home address.

• Include: “Based in: Germiston, Gauteng” or “Willing to relocate: yes/no”.
• If you have it: Code 10/14, PrDP (only if the job needs it).

2) Short personal statement (3–4 lines)

Make it specific: process + industry + quality/safety. Avoid long paragraphs. If you want examples, see CV Personal Statement Examples (South Africa).

3) Welding summary (your “skills snapshot”)

This is where you list the exact technical items recruiters search for:

• Processes: MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), SMAW/stick, flux core (FCAW) if applicable
• Positions: 1G–6G (only list what you can genuinely test/pass)
• Metals: mild steel, stainless, aluminium, galvanised (only if you’ve welded it properly)
• Thickness range (example): 3mm–20mm plate / pipe schedule if you know it
• Drawings: read fabrication drawings, isometric drawings, symbols
• Equipment: grinders, plasma cutter, oxy-acetylene cutting (if used)
• Quality: visual inspection, measuring, basic fit-up, housekeeping

4) Tickets, trade test, and training

If you have a trade test, coded welder tickets, or SAIW courses, don’t hide them. Put them near the top so the reader sees your proof early.

• Trade test: Welder trade test (where and year if known)
• Coded tests: Process + position + material (example: “TIG stainless pipe 6G”) and last test date if recent
• Training centres: Practical modules completed (especially for entry-level candidates)

If you’re building for ATS too, keep this section clean and keyword-based. This pairs well with ATS Friendly CV: How to Pass Automated Screening in South Africa.

5) Work experience

For each role, give your title, employer, location, dates, then bullet points that prove scope and quality.

Strong bullets usually include process + material + what you built/repaired + drawings/measurements + safety/quality.

6) Key projects (optional but powerful)

If you’ve done shutdowns, big fabrications, or repeat contract work, list 2–4 projects with clear details. This helps even if your employment history is short.

7) Education

List your highest grade (matric or highest grade passed), plus any engineering/welding coursework. If you’re unsure how to format school history, use how to list education on a CV in South Africa.

8) Safety & site readiness

Only list what you really have (and can show proof for): working at heights, medicals, induction types, PPE compliance, toolbox talks, basic fire safety.

9) References

South African employers often want real references for trades. Use 2 references (supervisor/foreman) and state relationship. If you prefer, you can write “References available on request”, but named references are stronger.

More guidance here: References on a CV: Who to List and How (South Africa).

Copy-and-edit welder CV example (experienced)

Use this as your base. Replace the bracketed parts with your own details.

Entry-level welder CV template (no full-time experience yet)

If you’ve only done practical training, piece jobs, or worked as a welder assistant, you can still build a credible CV. The trick is to show what you practised, what you can set up, and what you produced (even if it was at a training centre).

How to describe welding properly (so the employer trusts your CV)

Use the “process + material + position + outcome” pattern

• Better: “MIG welded mild steel frames (3–10mm), checked measurements, and finished with neat grinding for paint.”
• Better: “Stick welded structural brackets on-site, maintained PPE and housekeeping, and reduced rework by checking fit-up before final weld.”

If you’re a coded welder, say what you’re coded on

“Coded welder” alone is vague. If you have the info, add the process and position (and material if relevant). If you don’t remember the exact code details, rather state “Welding tests completed (details available on request)” than guess.

Show you can work from drawings

You don’t need to be an engineer. Just be clear that you can interpret basic drawings, measure, and mark-off.

Common welder CV mistakes (quick fixes)

• No proof near the top: Move trade test/tickets/training above work experience.
• Too many duties, not enough detail: Replace “welding and grinding” with materials, thickness, and what you made.
• Unsafe signals: Never mention working without PPE or “used to pressure, no safety issues” style lines. Just state your safe routines plainly.
• Messy formatting: Keep it scannable. If you’re unsure about layout, follow CV format: the correct CV layout for South Africa.
• Wrong file name: Save as PDF and name it like: Name_Surname_Welder_CV.pdf. More tips: How to Email Your CV (Subject Line, File Name and Template).

Final checklist before you send your welder CV

• Your first half page shows: processes + positions + metals + trade test/tickets (if any).
• Work bullets include process/material and what you built or repaired.
• Dates make sense and gaps are explainable (even briefly).
• References are real people who will answer their phone.
• Saved as PDF with a clean file name.

Build your welder CV in CV Hub (free), then keep improving it

Your CV doesn’t have to be perfect before you apply, but it must be clear. If you want a clean layout fast, you can create a free CV and then choose a CV design that suits trade roles.

If you want more examples for other entry-level jobs while you job hunt, browse more CV and job search advice. A related guide many candidates find useful is: Boilermaker CV: Example and template you can copy.

If anything on the platform is confusing (downloads, edits, or formatting), read the CV Hub FAQ or contact CV Hub.