Welder Apprenticeship
Start a career that provides you flexibility to work in multiple industries with the Welder Apprenticeship.
Learn how to join or sever metals, make parts used in construction and manufacturing plants and create fabricate parts, tools, machines and equipment. Instructed by licensed Journeyperson faculty and industry experts, you will gain hands-on skills in the industry while earning your education as a Welder.
This three year program consists of eight weeks each year of classroom instruction, and a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training. You will learn welding processes such as: Electric Arc, Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Tungsten Inert Gas/ Arc Welding (TIG) and Gas Welding (Oxy-Acetylene).
This is a designated trade with restricted activities.
Accreditation: This is a Red Seal trade. Apprentices who have obtained Journeyperson certification are encouraged to write the national standard exam. The Red Seal, when affixed to a provincial or territorial trade certificate, indicates that a tradesperson has demonstrated the knowledge required for the national standard in that trade. The Red Seal endorsement promotes excellence to employers, instills pride in skilled workers, and facilitates labour mobility.
Length of Program: Eight weeks of classroom instruction for each period
Classroom Instruction Intakes:
- Period 1: Oct. 23, 2023 and Jan. 2, 2024
- Period 2: Aug. 28, 2023 and Jan. 2, 2024
- Period 3: Oct. 23, 2023 and Feb. 26, 2024
Classroom Instruction Enrolment:
- 2023-2024 classroom instruction registration dates open on May 18, 2023 through your MyTradesecrets account.
Credentials: Apprenticeship (Journeyperson Certification through AIT) and an education credential
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Please visit Alberta’s Apprenticeship & Industry Training website to Begin an Apprenticeship.
- You will need to meet eligibility and entrance requirements specific to your trade.
- Complete an online apprenticeship application through MyTradesecrets (MTS) online service.
- Find a Sponsor and Employer to earn on-the-job training hours.
- You can register as an apprentice and attend classroom instruction without having a sponsor or employer. However, to earn on-the-job hours toward your apprenticeship, you must have a sponsor and an employer (which may be the same company). You are encouraged to find a sponsor as soon as possible so you can learn from a qualified mentor and practice your skills. Most apprentices come to classroom instruction with on-the-job experience, so without this, you may find the classes challenging.
- Full payment of tuition and fees is required upon registration.
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- Tuition & Fees: $1,389/ Books & Supplies: $320
Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for complete details.
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Alberta Apprenticeship & Industry Training – Welder
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First Period Training Topics include: Workplace safety and tools; oxyacetylene cutting; plasma arc cutting and gouging; welding technology fundamentals and properties of metals; wire feed welding, gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux cored arc welding (FCAW), metal-cored arc welding (MCAW), and submerged arc welding (SAW); and trade math.
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Second Period Training Topics include: Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) I and II; gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW); and pattern development and estimating.
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Third Period Training Topics include: SMAW III; welds on mild steel plate and pipe; drawing interpretation; and trade science (testing, metallurgy, codes).
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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 and can vary greatly with geographic location.
Visit ALIS to find Occupational Profiles with current wages, industry trends and more!
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Program Dates
Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.
Class Registration
You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Technology Recommendation
It is strongly recommended that you come to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology with the following technology:
- A device capable of running Microsoft Office, preferably a laptop
As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:
- Go to portal.office.com
- Enter your Olds College email address and password
- Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"
This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.
Materials & Supplies
The following items are required:
- CSA approved steel toe boots
- CSA approved safety glasses
- Hearing Protection
- Coveralls (two pairs)
Other Important Information
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Safety Regulations: Wearing safety equipment and abiding by industry safety standards is mandatory within our program.
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Apprenticeship ILMs: We use the Apprenticeship ILMs (Individual Learning Modules) as our reference material. These modules take the place of textbooks and are available at the Olds College Campus Store at 1.800.661.6537 or 403.556.4630. They are packaged by classroom instruction period.
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Employment Insurance: Information on applying for Employment Insurance benefits is provided in your MyTradesecrets account
"I was a little apprehensive about attending school to pursue a welding trade. My hesitations were soon erased as I discovered a great mix of all ages, genders, and experiences, in a class shop that promoted a superior learning environment. I am fortunate to have been guided by some of the best instructors I have ever encountered."
George McManus, Class of 2010
Frequently Asked Questions
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Olds College Continuing Education offers Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Weld Testing (CSA 47.1) for Journeyperson Welders.
Journeyperson Welders who are interested in pursuing pressure certification or examiner certification are encouraged to contact the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) for training and testing opportunities.
