Program Description
Welding is a competency-based program, with extensive focus on the hands-on practical skills used in the workplace. The Welding program contains sets of industry-defined skills against which students are assessed. Welders use manual or semi-automatic welding, flame-cutting, brazing and soldering equipment to fuse metal.
If a student currently works as a Welder and has an employer who will provide on-the-job training, s/he is eligible to enrol in Apprenticeship training. An Apprenticeship is a three-party agreement between the Apprentice, the employer, and the Industry Training Authority.
Students receive training according to the provincial Apprenticeship curriculum, as established by the Industry Training Authority of British Columbia, pertinent to the Apprenticeship level in which the student is enrolled. Upon successful completion of all four levels and appropriate time in the trade, the student may be eligible to write the Inter-Provincial exam in Welder.
Career Prospects
Welders may specialize in certain types of welding such as custom fabrication, ship building and repair, pressure vessel welding, pipeline construction welding, structural construction welding or machinery and equipment repair welding.
Details
Location: Dawson Creek Campus
Length: Levels 1-3, eight weeks per level; Level 4, five weeks
Start: Current Apprenticeship level program schedule
Fees: Current Fee Schedule
Admission Prerequisites
- Registered B.C. Welding Apprentice.
- Must be employed with an employer sponsor.
Important Notes
- The program is not eligible for Canada Student Loans.
- Students who complete Level 3 are eligible to write their Interprovincial Red Seal.
- Students who complete up to Level 4 earn a Special Metals Endorsement to accompany their Red Seal.
- Students requiring additional time to complete must make arrangements with their instructor and pay for additional weeks.
- Students must provide the following tools:
- Metal tool pail (max 10-inch diameter) or small toolbox with tote tray
- Clear CSA approved safety glasses
- High top steel-toe CSA approved leather work boots
- Padlock for locker
- 12-foot metric/imperial tape measure
- Arc welding helmet
- Two pairs of welder gloves
- One-piece oxy-acetylene goggles
- Tri-flint spark lighter
- Tip cleaners
- Small metal protractor
- Welder’s leather jacket or cape sleeves
- 100 per cent cotton overalls (bib or full)
- #10R straight jaw vice grip
- 10-inch crescent wrench
- 1.5 pound, 24-ounce fibreglass handle ball peen hammer
- 12-inch STT metric/imperial combination square
- Centre punch
- Cold chisel 1/2 inch
- 10-inch slip joint pliers
- Mig pliers
- 1/2 RD Pipeliner NCH 14-inch file with handle
- 45/90-degree magnet
- Hacksaw
- Welding brush
- The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. Download a PDF of the Program Completion Guide.
APPLY NOW for the Welding Apprenticeship program
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Program Chair: Mark Heartt
Program Instructor: William Smith
Apprenticeship Contact: Department
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