NVQ / TVEC Recognised Vocational Training
Welding Course in Sri Lanka
Master MIG, TIG, and arc welding with hands-on training at Ceylon Open Campus, Kattankudy. Earn your NVQ Level 3 Welding certificate — recognised by TVEC and the SLBFE — and open doors to high-paying welder jobs in the Gulf states and South Korea.
Welding as a High-Value Trade Career in Sri Lanka and Beyond
Welding is one of the most in-demand skilled trades globally. Every industry that uses metal — construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, shipbuilding, automotive, agriculture, and infrastructure — requires qualified welders. In Sri Lanka, welders are essential to the construction sector, to small and medium metal fabrication businesses, to the fishing industry (boat fabrication and repair), and to the growing industrial zones in the Eastern Province.
The greatest opportunity, however, lies overseas. The Gulf Cooperation Council countries have ongoing mega-scale construction and industrial projects that require thousands of welders. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 alone encompasses hundreds of billions of dollars of construction activity, including NEOM, Red Sea Project, and Diriyah Gate — all of which need structural and pipeline welders in large numbers. Sri Lankan welders with TVEC-recognised NVQ qualifications consistently secure placements in these markets through the SLBFE overseas worker programme.
South Korea's shipbuilding and manufacturing sectors also actively recruit foreign welders under the Employment Permit System (EPS). Korean employers value welders with verifiable qualifications and proven competency — which is exactly what an NVQ Level 3 certificate provides.
Course Curriculum — What You Will Learn
| Module | Topics Covered | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Fundamentals and Safety | Weld joint types, metallurgy basics, PPE, fire and gas safety, fume control | Month 1 |
| Arc Welding (SMAW) | Electrode selection, arc striking, flat and horizontal welds, structural tacking | Month 2 |
| MIG/MAG Welding | Wire feed settings, shielding gas selection, thin plate to heavy section welding | Month 3 |
| TIG Welding | Tungsten preparation, filler wire technique, stainless steel and aluminium welding | Month 4 |
| Positional Welding and Pipe Work | Vertical, overhead, and pipe welding; weld inspection, visual assessment | Month 5 |
| NVQ Assessment Project | Fabrication project to TVEC standard, competency portfolio, assessment preparation | Month 6 |
Entry Requirements and Duration
Duration: 6 months full-time (five days per week, theory and workshop sessions). Part-time evening and Saturday programmes run over 12 months. Entry: Grade 9 schooling completion, age 16+, normal colour vision, good physical fitness. No O/L or A/L results are mandatory for NVQ vocational qualifications.
Indicative Course Fees (LKR)
| Programme | Duration | Total Fee (LKR) |
|---|---|---|
| NVQ Level 3 Welding (Full-time) | 6 months | LKR 35,000 – 55,000 |
| NVQ Level 3 Welding (Part-time) | 12 months | LKR 35,000 – 55,000 |
Career Outcomes and Salary Guide
| Role / Location | Experience | Monthly Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Welder — Sri Lanka (employed) | 0–3 years | LKR 45,000 – 75,000 |
| Senior / Pipe Welder — Sri Lanka | 3–5 years | LKR 90,000 – 150,000 |
| Self-employed Fabricator — Sri Lanka | 2+ years | LKR 80,000 – 200,000+ |
| Welder — Gulf (UAE, Saudi, Qatar) | NVQ 3 required | LKR 130,000 – 280,000 equiv. |
| Welder — South Korea (EPS) | NVQ 3 required | LKR 200,000 – 380,000 equiv. |
Explore More Trade and Technical Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of welding are taught in the course?
The welding course at Ceylon Open Campus covers three core welding processes: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW/arc welding), which is the most widely used technique in structural and general fabrication work; MIG/MAG Welding (Metal Inert Gas / Metal Active Gas), which is preferred in manufacturing and automotive industries for its speed and clean finish; and TIG Welding (Tungsten Inert Gas), which is used for precision work in stainless steel, aluminium, and pipe welding. Students progress from arc welding fundamentals to MIG and then TIG, building competency in all three before the NVQ assessment.
Is the welding certificate recognised for Gulf and Korean overseas employment?
Yes. The NVQ Level 3 Welding certificate issued under the TVEC framework is the nationally recognised credential that the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) requires for documentation of skilled trade workers going overseas. GCC countries — particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain — have high demand for structural welders, pipeline welders, and fabricators for their oil and gas, infrastructure, and construction sectors. South Korea under the EPS programme also recruits Sri Lankan welders for manufacturing and shipbuilding industries. Having an NVQ certificate significantly strengthens your SLBFE overseas worker application.
How long is the welding course and what are the entry requirements?
The course runs for 6 months full-time. Part-time options are available over 12 months. Entry requirements: Grade 9 schooling completion, minimum age 16, good physical fitness and normal colour vision (essential for weld inspection work). No O/L or A/L results are required. Welding is a physical trade and candidates must be comfortable working in workshop environments. The training rigs at Ceylon Open Campus simulate real industrial welding conditions including positional welding (flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions).
What salary can a qualified welder earn in Sri Lanka?
Domestic salaries for NVQ-qualified welders depend on sector and experience. Entry-level welders working for fabrication workshops, construction companies, or shipyards in Sri Lanka typically earn LKR 45,000–75,000 per month. Experienced welders with 3–5 years of structural or pipe welding experience command LKR 90,000–150,000. Self-employed fabricators running welding workshops — common in the Eastern Province for agricultural equipment, boat building, and construction metalwork — can earn considerably more. The real premium comes with overseas work, where Gulf-based welders typically earn LKR 130,000–280,000 equivalent monthly.
What welding safety standards does the course cover?
Welding safety is integrated throughout the course. Students learn to use and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) including auto-darkening welding helmets, fire-resistant welding jackets, gauntlets, and safety boots. The curriculum covers safe handling of compressed gas cylinders, ventilation requirements to prevent fume inhalation, electrical safety for arc welding equipment, fire prevention in welding environments, and first aid for burns and eye injuries. These safety competencies are formally assessed as part of the NVQ qualification because overseas employers — particularly in the Gulf — place strict requirements on safety awareness.
Can I progress to a higher qualification after NVQ Level 3 Welding?
Yes. After completing NVQ Level 3, students can progress to NVQ Level 4 (Welding Supervisor) and eventually NVQ Level 5 (Welding Inspector/Engineer Technician). Internationally, the American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welder (CW) programme is a globally recognised credential that is available to experienced NVQ-qualified welders. AWS and ASME certified welders are required for pressure vessel and pipeline work in the oil and gas sector and command significantly higher wages. Our trainers will advise you on the pathway that best matches your career goals.
Start Your Welding Career — Enrol Now
Call or email us to confirm availability in the next intake and receive full fee details. Our advisors can also guide you on SLBFE overseas worker registration after you complete the course.
Ceylon Open Campus, Kattankudy, Sri Lanka