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 technical training, 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 compulsory certification trade.
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 technical training for each period
Technical Training Intakes:
- Period 1: October 24, 2022 and January 3, 2023
- Period 2: August 29, 2022 and January 3, 2023
- Period 3: October 24, 2022 and February 27, 2023
Technical Training Enrolment:
- 2022-23 Technical Training Registration Dates: Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. for AET, HET, and Landscape Horticulturist.
Credentials: Apprenticeship (Journeyperson Certification through AIT)
- "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
Admission Requirements
Alberta Apprenticeship & Industry Training - ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice (*please refer to MyTradesecrets for more details)
Application Procedure: Create/Access your MyTradesecrets (MTS) account and follow the Alberta Apprenticeship & Industry Training Application Procedure.
You are now able to register online for your next training period through your MyTradesecrets account.
OR Complete an Enrolment Form for Apprenticeship Technical Training.
Submit your online registration or your Enrolment Form and full payment of $1,224.67 to Olds College.
Tuition & Fees
- Tuition & Fees: $1,224 / Books & Supplies: $300
Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for complete details.
Course Details
Alberta Apprenticeship & Industry Training – Welder
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.
Second Period Training Topics include: shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) I and II; gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW); and pattern development and estimating.
Third Period Training Topics include: SMAW III; welds on mild steel plate and pipe; drawing interpretation; and trade science (testing, metallurgy, codes).
Career Opportunities
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!
Admitted Student Information
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 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:
Safety Regulations: Wearing safety equipment and abiding by industry safety standards is mandatory within our program.
Apprenticeship ILM: 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 technical training period.
Employment Insurance: Information on applying for Employment Insurance benefits is provided in your MyTradesecrets account
For More Information
Our Admissions office can help navigate you through the admissions process and answer any questions you have about your program of study.
