Welding - Apprenticeship Level 1 to 3

Program at a Glance
Length
Level 1 - 8 weeks, Level 2 - 8 weeks, Level 3 - 10 weeks
School
Industry & Trades Training
Delivery Method
On Campus
Campus
Silver King
Intake Dates
Fall
Winter
Spring
Contacts
Overview

Graduates of the Welder Foundation program earn advance credit for Levels 1 and 2 of the Technical Training component of the Welder Apprenticeship. Additionally, they earn 300 hours credit towards the Workplace-Based Training component of their apprenticeship. After completion of the program, it’s recommended that students gain another 2,700 hours of hands-on field experience before returning to school for Level 3 Technical Training.

Levels 1 (8 weeks) and Level 2 (8 weeks) Technical Training in the apprenticeship stream covers similar topics as in the Foundation program. The apprenticeship stream assumes that the apprentice is receiving training on the job so the in-school portion of their training is shorter.

Level 3 Welding is an 10-week program (11-weeks due to Skilled Trades BC Harmonization) for indentured apprentices who have 3,000 hours or more of Workplace-Based Training. Content is similar to Welder B. The apprenticeship stream assumes apprentices are receiving focused training on the job and so the in-school technical training is only 10 weeks long plus one week due to Harmonization (see link above). Upon completion of Level 3 Welding, students write the Inter-Provincial (Red Seal) Welder exam. Those with a passing grade on the Red Seal exam and 4,500 hours of Workplace-Based Training earn the Welder Certificate of Qualification as well as the Inter-Provincial (IP) Red Seal Standard.

Program Outcomes

Welding Apprenticeship Level 1

Upon successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:

  1. Describe safe working practices
  2. Perform basic trade related mathematical calculations
  3. Use and maintain measuring and layout tools
  4. Use and maintain hand tools
  5. Use and maintain power tools (electric and pneumatic)
  6. Describe shop materials
  7. Apply lifting, hoisting and rigging procedures
  8. Describe and use cutting and gouging processes
  9. Describe and perform fusion and braze welding (TB) using the oxy-fuel (OFW) process
  10. Describe and use the shielded metal arc-welding (SMAW) process
  11. Describe and use semi-automatic and automatic welding
  12. Identify common welding symbols and bolted connections

Welding Apprenticeship Level 2

Upon successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:

  1. Apply lifting, hoisting and rigging procedures
  2. Describe and use the shielded metal arc-welding (SMAW) process
  3. Use semi-automatic and automatic welding processes
  4. Use the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process and use it for ferrous metals and stainless steel
  5. Describe production processes for manufacturing metals
  6. Describe mechanical and physical properties of ferrous and non-ferrous metals
  7. Describe common ferrous, non-ferrous, and reactive metals and their weldability
  8. Read and interpret drawings
  9. Perform basic drafting
  10. Perform mathematical calculations
  11. Interpret and apply mechanical drawings and layout components
  12. Fabricate weldments
  13. Perform costing and estimating functions

Welding Apprenticeship Level 3

Upon successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:

  1. Select electrodes for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
  2. Use the SMAW process on low carbon steel plate and pipe
  3. Use the GMAW and GMAW-P process
  4. Use combined GMAW, MCAW and FCAW processes
  5. Use the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process for ferrous metals and aluminum
  6. Describe mechanical and physical properties of ferrous and non-ferrous metals
  7. Describe common ferrous, non-ferrous, and reactive metals and their weldability
  8. Describe the grain structure of metals
  9. Describe aluminum, aluminum alloys and their weldability
  10. Read and interpret drawings
  11. Interpret and apply mechanical drawings and layout components
  12. Fabricate weldments
  13. Perform costing and estimating functions
  14. Describe basic welding quality control and inspection requirements
  15. Describe inspection and testing procedures
  16. Describe the scope of the welding supervisor and inspector responsibilities
  17. Identify applicable standards, codes, specifications and jurisdictional bodies
  18. Describe compliance with weld procedure specifications (WPS) and data sheets

The following admission requirements are specific to the Welding Apprenticeship Program:

  • Indentured in a Welding Apprenticeship
  • Active work apprenticeship sponsor
  • Successful completion of previous level
Additional Requirements
  • Physically fit, (mobility/lifting) good manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, balance, work at heights and in adverse weather.
  • Students must supply some hand tools, safety boots, leather wear and purchase module texts at a cost of approximately $600.
  • A refundable tool deposit of $100 will be required at the start of the program.
Graduation and Promotion

In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum of 70% average.

Domestic
Domestic
2024/25
Welding – Apprenticeship Level 1 - 3, Year 1
Tuition
$1,929
Mandatory Fees
$215
Student Union Fees
$88
Total
$2,232
2025/26
Welding – Apprenticeship Level 1 - 3, Year 1
Tuition
$1,968
Mandatory Fees
$220
Student Union Fees
$88
Total
$2,276

All amounts are estimates and are subject to change. Tuition amounts are based on a full-time course load. Please note that many programs have additional costs beyond those listed here. For more information, please visit Tuition & Fees.

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