Level 2 Apprenticeship
Welder
Develop the skills to join metals across aerospace, construction, defence, mining, marine, and structural engineering, working in fabrication shops, assembly yards, construction sites, and factories.
Overview
Welders join metals in a wide range of industries, such as aerospace, construction, defence, mining, marine, and structural engineering. Welding contributes to the UK economy through the creation and repair of engineered goods and assets.
Welders may be employed in any size of business, from small companies to large multi-nationals, and work in settings including fabrication shops, assembly yards, construction and building sites, factories, and operational facilities requiring maintenance and upgrade.
End Point Assessment Components
The EPA for Welder consists of three assessment methods, which can be delivered in any order, designed to test knowledge, skills, and behaviours:
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Location: Controlled/invigilated venue, remote testing permitted
- Grading: Pass (21-30 marks) / Fail (0-20 marks)
- Duration: 6 hours (may extend up to 10%), completed within 1 working day
- Location: Simulated environment agreed with employer
- Grading: Pass/Distinction/Fail
- Duration: 45 minutes (may extend up to 10%)
- Location: EPAO or employer's premises, or remote
- Grading: Pass/Fail
To achieve an overall Pass, the apprentice must pass all three methods. To achieve a Distinction, the apprentice must achieve Distinction in the practical test and Pass in the other two. A fail in any one method results in an overall Fail.
What's Assessed in the EPA
The End Point Assessment evaluates apprentices across Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours as defined by the occupational standard:
Knowledge (selected)
- Health and safety regulations, CoSHH, fire safety, PPE, safe systems of work
- Material properties (carbon steels, stainless steels, aluminium, titanium, copper alloys)
- Welding power sources, ancillary equipment, and gases
- Manual and mechanised welding processes, positions, and joint types
- Technical documentation, material preparation, and weld settings
- Weld inspection, dimensional tolerances, and defect causes/prevention
Skills (selected)
- Apply health and safety procedures, including PPE
- Prepare materials, work area, and welding equipment
- Set, modify, and monitor welding controls
- Weld using two different processes and materials, in different joint configurations and positions
- Apply visual, dimensional, and alignment checks; restore the work area
Behaviours
- Puts health and safety first
- Takes ownership of given work
- Considers the impact on the environment when using resources
- Adapts to changing requests
Also Assessed (Interview)
- Teamwork and communication
- Equity, diversity and inclusion
- Environment and sustainability
- Faults, issues and escalation procedures
Full KSB codes (K1-K22, S1-S20, B1-B4) and grading descriptors are set out in the ST0349 assessment plan — this is a summary for the webpage, not the complete mapping.
Good2Go EPA Support
At Good2Go Awards, we provide comprehensive support throughout the EPA journey:
EPA Roadmap to Success
A clear visual guide showing the complete journey from on-programme learning through to EPA results:
On-Programme Learning
Full-time apprentices typically spend 18 months on-programme, with a minimum of 12 months on-programme required and off-the-job training in line with current funding rules.
Gateway
The employer must be content the apprentice is occupationally competent. To enter gateway, the apprentice must:
- Complete training to develop the KSBs outlined in the standard
- Achieve English and Maths qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
- Compile a portfolio of evidence (typically 8 discrete pieces, mapped to the interview KSBs)
- Achieve two current welder approval certificates (completed or revalidated within the 6 months prior to EPA) matching the two welding processes to be assessed, from: AWS D1.1, AWS D1.2, ASME Section IX, ISO 9606, ISO 14732, or BS4872
- Confirm they are ready to take the EPA
EPA period typically lasts 3 months, starting once the EPAO confirms gateway requirements are met
Multiple-Choice Test
30 questions in 60 minutes, closed book, in a controlled and invigilated environment (in person or verified remote). Minimum 2 weeks' notice given.
Pass: 21-30 marks | Fail: 0-20 marks
Practical Test with Questions
The apprentice completes two of three welding activities (manual butt joint, manual T fillet, or mechanised welding) over 6 hours within a single working day, with a minimum of 4 questions asked during or after. Minimum 2 weeks' notice given.
Pass/Distinction/Fail grading
Interview Underpinned by Portfolio of Evidence
A 45-minute interview with a minimum of 6 questions, drawing on the apprentice's portfolio of evidence. Can be conducted remotely with identity verification in place. Minimum 2 weeks' notice given.
Pass/Fail grading
Overall EPA Grading & Results Released
The three assessment method grades are combined. A fail in any one method results in an overall Fail. To achieve a Pass, all three methods must be passed. To achieve a Distinction, the practical test must be graded Distinction with the other two methods passed.
Results are released on ACE360 to the training provider within 5-7 working days of completing all assessment components.
Re-sits typically within 2 months, re-takes typically within 3 months of the outcome notification
Gateway Requirements
Before entering EPA, apprentices must have:
- Completed training to develop the KSBs outlined in the standard, for a minimum of 12 months on-programme
- Achieved English and Maths qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
- Compiled a portfolio of evidence for the interview (typically 8 discrete pieces, mapped to the KSBs)
- Achieved two current welder approval certificates (within 6 months of EPA) matching the two welding processes to be assessed, from: AWS D1.1, AWS D1.2, ASME Section IX, ISO 9606, ISO 14732, or BS4872
- Confirmed they are ready to take the EPA, with employer sign-off
- Proof of English & Maths qualifications or exemptions where required
- Portfolio of evidence
- Signed Gateway agreement
- Two current welder approval certificates