Before you can become a welding supervisor, you will need to become a licensed welder who has undergone the appropriate training and licensing. This means you will probably need to complete at least a high school education, and in some cases you may need to complete a post-secondary certificate program in order to become a welding supervisor or a welder. You will then likely need to take part in a welding apprenticeship program, which can last anywhere from one to five years. During this time, you will learn all the skills necessary to be an effective welder.
Once your apprenticeship is over, you will spend some time as a full-time welder before you can be considered to become a welding supervisor. You will need to maintain your licensing and certification, and you will very likely need to take part in additional training offered by your company to prepare you for a supervisory position. In order to become a welding supervisor, you will need to get a specific supervisory license from a governing body that operates in your area; do some research to find out which governing body offers such certification and what the requirements are for a supervisory training program.
You will earn your license to become a welding supervisor before you are promoted to the position. The management at your company will usually make the determination as to whether or not to promote you; you can improve your chances by working hard and exhibiting an exemplary work ethic. You can also develop excellent communication skills, as well as an ability to manage various complex tasks or lead a team. The management will take note of your behavior and skills, and the company may invest the time and money necessary to get you licensed as a supervisor.
One of the primary responsibilities you will have once you become a welding supervisor is the inspection of various welds on a project. You will need to be able to identify and distinguish a good weld from a bad one that might fail, and you need to be able to create plans for effectively dealing with bad welds. You may also be responsible for taking on apprentices, instructing other welders, or otherwise providing guidance on a project. While some of these skills will be learned when you take the supervisor training course, you can begin to develop these skills as you work as a welder. Expect to spend several years in the industry before you are considered for a supervisory position.