Purpose Statement
ABC Level 2 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding Practice (QCF) (600/5190/5)
OVERVIEW
This qualification is part of a suite of Level 1 to Level 3 Fabrication and Welding vocational
qualifications which have been developed to raise a learner’s skill level and enhance their
underpinning knowledge and in doing so promote progression from basic welding and
fabrication skills to a more highly developed understanding of equipment functions and how
materials behave when subjected to the welding process. In addition the learner will be
educated in the correct and safe procedures that are paramount in the welding and
fabrication industry.
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is designed for a wide range of learners (16+) such as

the self-employed

adults wishing to specialise by pursuing single units

young people who are new entrants to the industry

young people who are following an apprenticeship programme.
There are no formal pre-requisites for entry for this qualification. The selection of learners is
within the discretion of the centre, in consultation with industry and/or other interested
parties. However, to fully benefit from this qualification at Level 2, learners may find it
advisable to have some prior knowledge and understanding of Fabrication and Welding e.g.
ABC Level 1 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding Practice or an equivalent QCF Level 1
qualification, but this is not essential.
What does the qualification cover?
The ABC Level 2 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding Practice aims to
 provide potential entrants (school leavers) to the industry with an opportunity to acquire
appropriate practical skills and knowledge required for access to employment
 provide an opportunity for existing employees to obtain relevant and up to date practical
skills and knowledge
 provide an opportunity for retraining of adults who wish to access employment within the
engineering sector
 provide an opportunity for progression onto further/higher levels of study.
Learners will complete two mandatory units:
 Health and safety in fabrication and welding
 Science and calculations for fabrication and welding practice
Plus optional units, subject to Rules of Combination, from:
 Manual metal-arc welding
 Fabrication processes – plate
 Metal-arc gas shielded welding
 Fabrication processes – sheet metal
 Tungsten-arc gas shielded welding
 Engineering drawing using manual
and CAD techniques.
 Oxy-acetylene welding
 Welding inspection
WHAT COULD THIS QUALIFICATION LEAD TO?
Will the qualification lead to employment, and if so, in which job role and at what
level?
June 2014
Successful completion of the ABC Level 2 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding is not
intended to lead directly into employment as it provides a sound preparation for further
vocational training. However as the qualification is part of the Engineering Manufacture
(Operator and Semi-Skilled) current Apprenticeship, it is possible to gain employment in the
following roles and complete the competence element of the Apprenticeship to be qualified
at Level 2 (Semi-Skilled).
Apprenticeship
Level 2
Engineering
Manufacture
Pathway
Marine
Fabrication & Welding
Improving
Operational
Performance
Performing Engineering
Operations
Job role








Marine Fabricator/Welder (Semi-Skilled)
Marine Installation Engineer (Semi-Skilled)
Fitter Welder
Pipe fitter
Semi-Skilled Sheet Metal Worker
Welder/Fabricator (thick plate – semi skilled)
Maintenance Welding Operative
Metal working and Machine Operatives
Will the qualification lead to further learning?
Learners who successfully complete the ABC Level 2 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding
Practice have the opportunity to progress onto a variety of vocational qualifications:




ABC Level 3 Award / Certificate or Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Practice
Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering Technology
Level 3 Diploma in Engineering, or any other Level 3 QCF equivalent.
Intermediate Apprenticeship:
o Engineering Manufacture
o Improving Operational Performance
Learners could in addition continue their development by covering critical welds or by
seeking to achieve approval under European Standards.
If the Level 2 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding Practice was completed as part of an
Apprenticeship progression could be onto: Advanced Apprenticeship – e.g. aerospace,
automotive, marine, electrical / electronics
If there are larger and/or smaller versions of this qualification or it is available at
different skills levels, why should a student take this particular one?
There are two Level 2 Fabrication and Welding qualifications; the Certificate gives the
learner a broader perspective than offered by the smaller Award sized qualification.
WHO SUPPORTS THE QUALIFICATION?
Industry
 The Welding Institute
Further and Higher Education
 South Essex College
 Chesterfield College
 Bridgend College
FURTHER INFORMATION
June 2014
Further information on the qualification can be found at http://www.abcawards.co.uk/archivequalifications/1524/
June 2014