Join and fabricate metal for construction, grillwork, shipping, and industrial plants. HEART/NSTA Trust offers accredited welding up to Level 3, and certified welders are in demand locally and for overseas contracts.
Salary Breakdown
Junior welder doing grills, gates, and general fabrication in a workshop. Floored at the statutory minimum: The national minimum wage is $17,000 per 40-hour week ($425 per hour) from 1 July 2026, so a full-time employee cannot legally be paid less than $884,000 a year. Pay above the floor is an indicative market estimate.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
Based on the midpoint of the Entry salary range ($1,092,000 JMD), after NIS, NHT, Education Tax, and PAYE.
Show deduction breakdown
- Gross (annual)
- $1,092,000 JMD
- NIS (3%)
- −$32,760 JMD
- NHT (2%)
- −$21,840 JMD
- Education Tax
- −$23,832 JMD
- PAYE Income Tax
- −$0 JMD
- Net (annual)
- $1,013,567 JMD
Estimate only — illustrative rates and thresholds, not tax advice. Confirm current figures with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Career Path Roadmap
- 1
Secondary School
Complete secondary school. CSEC Mathematics and a technical subject (Mechanical Engineering Technology, Technical Drawing) are helpful.
Forms 1-5 - 2
HEART Welding Certification
Complete Welding Level 2 then Level 3 at a HEART/NSTA Trust centre - covers SMAW (stick), MIG, and safety.
1 - 2 years - 3
Workshop Experience
Work with fabrication shops on gates, grills, trailers, and structural steel. Build precision and speed.
1 - 3 years - 4
Advanced Processes & Codes
Add TIG, pipe welding, and code certifications (AWS-aligned testing via CMU/industry). Industrial plants and marine work pay significantly more.
1 - 3 years - 5
Specialise, Contract, or Own a Shop
Pursue overseas contracts, plant maintenance roles (bauxite, cement, port), or open your own fabrication business.
Ongoing
Required Education
- Secondary school (Math and technical subjects helpful)
- HEART/NSTA - NVQ-J Level 1 in Welding (the level listed on the Qualifications Registry of Jamaica)
- Code certifications for industrial/pipe work
Common Local Certifications
- HEART/NSTA - NVQ-J Level 1 in Welding (the level listed on the Qualifications Registry of Jamaica)
- Caribbean Maritime University welding programmes
- AWS-aligned coded welder testing (industry)
- OSH & confined space safety training
Where to Train
Local Institutions Offering Programs
- HEART/NSTA Trust (welding centres islandwide)
- Caribbean Maritime University (marine welding)
- HEART College of Construction Services, St Catherine (formerly Portmore HEART Academy)
- Employer route: private fabrication workshops (apprenticeship)