College GalleryWelder Apprenticeship
Welding is a desired skill that can be put to use in a variety of industries including vessel or structural steel assembly, pipeline construction, commercial construction, industrial construction, steel fabrication, and heavy equipment repair. Experienced welders may advance to positions such as welding inspector, welding foreman or supervisor, or plant supervisor. Master all the foundational techniques required to succeed in a welding apprenticeship when you write the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training exams. Spark your career at Northern Lakes College!
We offer the following Welding apprenticeships:
- Welder Apprenticeship First Period
- Welder Apprenticeship Second Period
- Welder Apprenticeship Third Period
All face-to-face lab components are completed at the Slave Lake Trades and Technology Centre. Student housing is available.
Not sure where to start in your trades’ career? See the Trade Pathways document to help you determine where to begin.
Program Dates
+Welder Apprenticeship First Period
Onsite: Slave Lake - October 2, 2023 – November 24, 2023
Welder Apprenticeship Second Period
Onsite: Slave Lake - March 11, 2024 – May 3, 2024
Welder Apprenticeship Third Period
Onsite: Slave Lake - May 6, 2024 – June 28, 2024
Applicants qualified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training may apply up to 1 week prior to the program start date.
Areas of Study
+The Welder Apprenticeship First Period program will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in welding. Welding courses include:
- Workplace Safety and Tools
- Welding Technology and Properties of Metals
- Gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
- Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW)
- Metal Cored Arc Welding (MCAW)
- Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)
- Trade Math
- Lab / Shop
Welder Apprenticeship Second Period courses include:
- SMAW 1 and 2 (Shielded Metal Arc Welding)
- GTAW 1 (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding)
- Pattern Development and Estimating
- Lab / Shop
Welder Apprenticeship Third Period courses include:
- SMAW 3 (Shielded Metal Arc Welding)
- Welds on Mild Steel Plate and Pipe
- Drawing Interpretation
- Trade Science
- Lab / Shop
See the welder occupational profile on Alis Alberta.
Career Potential
+Welders are employed in a variety of industries including vessel or structural steel assembly, pipeline construction, commercial construction, industrial construction, steel fabrication, and heavy equipment repair. Employment prospects for welders change with seasonal and economic climates. Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $25 to $40 per hour plus benefits. Experienced welders may advance to positions such as welding inspector, welding foreman or supervisor, or plant supervisor. Some open their own repair shops, or work as portable rig welders who contract out their services.
Further Educational Opportunities
+Once you have your Journeyman Certificate, you can pursue becoming Interprovincial Red Seal Endorsed or an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate. Continuing Education & Corporate Training and Business & Administrative Studies programs offer management courses for Blue Seal. Journeyperson Welders often gain additional expertise. Further training can lead to B-pressure Certification, Canadian Welding Bureau Certification, and endorsements for specialty metals and processes.
