Certificate in Welding Foundation
A challenging, well-paid, and in-demand career is waiting for you. Our Welding Foundation program will help you develop the skills employers are looking for. At KPU, we provide you with the hands-on training and practical knowledge you need so you can succeed in whatever industry you go into.
Why Become a Welder?
You'll never be bored as a welder, as you're constantly learning and advancing your skills. Welding allows you to apply your creative mind to a variety of industries with skilled welders able to change job sectors without having to change careers. Also, welder have the opportunity to travel and work overseas, as welding process are similar from country to country and skilled welders are in high demand.
At KPU, our Red Seal-certified instructors teach you what you need to know to turn your ambition into a lifelong career. And with our small class sizes you'll get the individual support you need to be successful. Coursework is developed in line with the Industry Training Authority so you can be sure you'll have the latest in-school technical training needed to work anywhere in BC or Canada.
Who Studies Welding?
If you're interested in becoming a welder you'll need to have a keen eye for detail and have strong math skills. You should also have a creative spark inside that drives you to build, turning and idea into something tangible.
Beyond needing exceptional hand-eye coordination, this work can be physically demand with a considerable amount of standing, bending, and lifting.
Foundation Program
Our Certificate in Welding Foundation program prepares you for entry-level employment in a variety of job sectors. Through various practical projects, in a shop environment, you'll develop the hands-on experience and technical knowledge to work safely and effectively using a variety of welding processes and procedures.
Applying for the Welding Foundation program requires an interview with a KPU welding instructor. Your interview results will be shared with the Dean’s office and Admissions.
You can arrange your interview at the Welding shop, Monday to Friday between 7:30 AM and 9:30 PM, on the KPU Tech (Cloverdale) Campus.
Students enrolling in this Foundation program are responsible for providing their own tools, safety gear and other equipment.
At the end of the Foundation program you'll write the Welder Certificate of Completion exam. Completing the Foundation program and exam makes you eligible for ITA credit in Welder Level 1 and Level 2 apprenticeship and 300 work-based hours.
Program Overview Admission Requirements
Youth Train in Trades
Youth Train in Trades is a 24-week Foundation level program that helps high school students get a head start on their technical trades training. To find out if this program is available in your school district, please contact your school counsellor or visit The Learning Centre.
Apprenticeship
Becoming a certified welder generally takes 4 years to complete the in-school technical training and 4500 work-based training hours.
There are two pathways for progression beyond the Certificate in Welding Foundation program (Level C):
- Students with an employer sponsor
- You'll progress to Welder Apprentice Level 3, followed by the Specialty Metals Endorsement.
- Students without an employer sponsor
- You'll progress to Citation in Welder Level B followed by Citation in Welder Level A.
Please visit Apprentice Services for more information on registration procedures and the responsibilities of the apprentice.
After completing your in-school technical training and work-based hour requirements you're eligible to write the Red Seal inter-provincial exam. Visit Red Seal for additional information on red-seal trades.
Students with an Employer Sponsor
KPU offers Apprenticeship in Welding in-school technical training for levels 1, 2, 3 and 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 exam. Level 3 includes the Red Seal exam. The Specialty Metals Endorsement program is for apprentices that have a Red Seal and is 5 weeks in duration.
Graduates from KPU's 28-week Welding Foundation program get ITA credit in Welder Level 1 and Level 2 apprenticeship and 300 work-based hours.
Students without an Employer Sponsor
Citation in Welding Level B
Citation in Welding Level B is a 16 week program that provides you with advanced training in a variety of processes and applications with an emphasis on pipe welding, inspection and standards.
Registration at the 'B' level requires a combination of in-school technical training and work-based field experience. At the end of this program, you'll write the Interprovincial Red Seal exam for this trade.
Citation in Welding Level A
Citation in Welding Level A is an 8 week program that provides you with advanced training in low alloy and stainless steel welding.
Registration at the 'A' level requires a combination of technical training and work based field experience.
Welding Interview
Applying for Citation in Welding Level B or Citation in Welding Level A requires an interview with a KPU welding instructor. Your interview results will be shared with the Dean’s office and Admissions.
You can arrange your interview at the Welding shop, Monday to Friday between 7:30 AM and 9:30 PM, on the KPU Tech (Cloverdale) Campus.
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Tuition
Tuition will vary by course and program. Our tuition estimator will give you an approximate cost of the tuition for your favoured program.
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Fees
There are mandatory student fees that you are subject to. In addition to tuition and fees, there maybe other fees and program costs to consider.
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Student Awards and Financial Assistance
Student Awards and Financial Assistance provides information about student loans, grants, and other forms of financial aid offered by KPU and our external partners.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the programs are prepared for employment by companies that manufacture structural steel and plate work, boilers, heavy machinery, aircraft and ships and other metal products, and by welding contractors and welding shops. Others have used their welding skill and experience to become fabricators, millwrights, boiler makers and pipe fitters.
KPU welding graduates can choose careers such as welding inspector, supervisors and quality assurance personnel. After gaining some experience as a welder some graduates have started and maintained successful businesses or have moved into management.
Welders may find themselves working in many different industrial fields involving both shop and field applications, using a variety of welding processes, procedures and related skills. As a welder, you'll be required to work unsupervised to high standards, as well as work well as part of a larger team.
As a welder, you must maintain a reasonable level of fitness as your work is physically demanding and may involve confined space heavy lifting, kneeling and climbing. Travelling and long hours are very common, and Working conditions can vary widely from job to job. This trade is not recommended for individuals with respiratory, sight or other serious health concerns.
Welder Testing
KPU offers welder testing at our Welder Test Center on the KPU Tech (Cloverdale) Campus.
Every Friday is scheduled for tests. Testing starts at 7:30 a.m.
Testers are required to bring all personal protective equipment and tools with them to the test.
To book your welding test:
- Phone: 604-598-6129/604-598-6148
- Fax: 604-598-6111
- Email: weldertesting@kpu.ca
Booth Rental/Upgrading for ASME or CWB Test:
| One day booth rental - Carbon | $ 85.00 |
|---|---|
| One day booth rental - Aluminum | $ 120.00 |