Welding: Apprenticeship

Description

Get the skills that pay the bills!

In BC, an individual can become certified Welder by completing the Welder apprentice program. Apprenticeship programs are designed to provide students the full scope of knowledge and applied skills necessary to perform the occupation. Apprentices have an employer to sponsor them and are registered with the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

KPU delivers in-school technical training for Welder apprenticeship levels 1, 2, 3 and Specialty Metals Endorsement program. The in-school technical training for level 1, 2, and 3 are 8 weeks in duration. Levels 1 and 2 include an end of level Certificate of Completion examination; level 3 includes the Red Seal examination. The Specialty Metals Endorsement program is for apprentices that have a Red Seal and is 5 weeks in duration. Additional information is available at: kpu.ca/trades/welding.

The pathway to becoming a certified Welder generally takes 4 years to complete the in-school technical training and 4500 work-based training hours. Apprentices will be eligible to write the Red Seal Inter-provincial Examination upon successful completion of Level 3 in-school technical training and work-based hour requirements. The Red Seal endorsement is recognized in all jurisdictions across Canada; additional information is at: red-seal.ca.

Apprenticeship and Modular Pathways

There are two pathways for progression beyond the Welding Foundation/Welder C level. Students with an employer sponsor will progress to Welder Apprentice Level 3, followed by the Specialty Metals Endorsement.  Students without an employer sponsor will progress to Welder Level B followed by Welder Level A.

Training Schedules

KPU apprentice training schedules and waitlists are published on Kwantlen Course Search.  Additional apprenticeship training opportunities are listed on Trades Training BC; this is the hub for BC's Public Trades Training Programs & Services.

Financial Supports for Apprentices

Apprentices may be eligible for financial support for the in-class portion of their training through the EPBC Apprentice Program Financial Supports. Application to this program must be made four to six weeks prior to the start of technical training. Information is available through WorkBC.

Apprentices must apply separately for Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits no later than the last week of work, or during the first week of training, or they will not be eligible to receive EPBC Apprentice Program Financial Supports. EI information can be obtained by visiting Service Canada.

The Canada Apprentice Loan is an initiative of the Government of Canada. As of January 2015, apprentices can apply for up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of in-school technical training. Information is available at the Canada Apprentice Loan Service Centre.

General Prerequisites

The following requirements apply:

• Completed KPU Apprentice Registration
• Active apprentice registration in the BC Apprenticeship system.
• Valid Trade Worker Identification number from the Industry Training Authority (ITA-ID). If you do not have an ITA-ID, you will need to complete an apprenticeship registration form through the ITA (www.itabc.ca) prior to enrolling (Level 1 through to 4). To determine your eligibility please consult with the Industry Training Authority.

Note: International student enrolment requires approval of the Dean.

Curricular Requirements

Note: KPU Tech does not permit students to register in Apprenticeship Levels out of sequence.

Welding Level 1 (AWLD 1010)

• Occupational Skills
• Oxy-Fuel Cutting and Gouging Processes (OFC and OFG)
• Fusion and Braze Welding (TB) Using the Oxy-Fuel (OFW) Process
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
• Electric Arc Cutting, Gouging and Related Processes
• Semi-Automatic Welding

Welding Level 2 (AWLD 1020)

• Occupational Skills
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
• Semi-Automatic Welding
• Basic Metallurgy
• Welding Drawings
• Layout and Fabricate Components
• Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)

Welding Level 3 (AWLD 1030)

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
• Semi-Automatic Welding
• Basic Metallurgy
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
• Welding Drawings
• Layout and Fabricate Components
• Quality Control and Inspection
• Standards, Codes, Specifications and Welder Qualifications
• Specialized Processes

Specialty Metals Endorsement

Details on the Special Metals Endorsement are currently under development.  For up-to-date information, please see the Welding information page (kpu.ca/trades/welding).

Credential Awarded

KPU will report your in-school technical training completion information to the Industry Training Authority (ITA) in order for the ITA to determine credit towards your designated apprenticeship.