Skills Needed for Operating Tungsten Inert Gas Welding in Small and Medium Scale Welding Shops in Kaduna State

Abstract

This study investigated and identified skills needed for operating tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding in small and medium scale welding shops in Kaduna state. The main objective was to determine the TIG welding technical skills needed for operating small and medium scale welding shop. A survey research design was adopted. The population for the study was 35. The population was made up of 12 welding teachers and 23 TIG welding operator. Sampling was not necessary due to relative smallness of the population. The findings revealed 47 TIG welding skills as the needed skills for successful operation of small scale TIG welding shop. amongst these identified skills, Cleaning of base metals, edge preparation and Precise control of welding torch are critical in the production of strong, clean and dependable welds. The study concludes that TIG welding operators have to acquire these skills through strategies like apprenticeship and certification programmes. Recommendations were made among which it was recommended that, small scale TIG welding shop operator must strive to acquire TIG welding technical skills so that they can effectively produce strong and reliable weld while they remain safe from hazards of TIG welding process. Key words: TIG-welding, Skills, welding-shop