Designed for those who are not yet employed or apprenticed within the trades.
Not an apprentice? Not a problem. Kick-start your career in the trades in the Pre-Employment Welder program. Designed for those who are not yet employed or apprenticed within the welding trade, the Pre-Employment Welder program provides the first-year Alberta Apprenticeship Welding curriculum.
Trades employers are reluctant to hire employees with no experience, but you can enhance your chances in the Pre-Employment Welder program. In this pre-employment program, you’ll prepare to write the first-year Alberta Apprenticeship theory and practical exams. Upon successful completion, you’ll be ready to write the first-year apprenticeship exam.
Apply Now Grab and Go InformationCareer Opportunities
As a welder, you’ll find yourself in demand in a variety of capacities. When you complete your apprenticeship, you’ll be ready to work in:
- Vessel or Structural Steel Assembly
- Commercial Construction
- Steel Fabrication
- Heavy Equipment Repair
- Pipeline Construction
- Industrial Construction
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
Watch alumni profile video
60 welding booths
in the Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility
1st
upon successful completion of the Pre-Employment Welder program you’ll be ready to write the First Period Welder Apprenticeship exam
Transfer
The Pre-Employment Welder program is designed to lead into the full Welder Apprenticeship program
At-a-Glance
Starts-in
September and January
Duration
13 weeks
Application Deadlines
Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.
Program Availability
View the program availability for the upcoming intakes.
Academic Centre
Admissions
This program is not available for International Students.
Admission requirements
- Successful completion of English 10-2 and Math 10-3, pass Apprenticeship Entrance Exam, or pass mark in all 5 Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests.
Take a Viewbook
Need more information about Lethbridge College? Browse our viewbook for more details about programs, awards and scholarships, student life and more!
Download viewbook
Delivery Formats
The Pre-Employment Welder program is delivered on campus through an apprenticeship-style training but may have some blended and hyflex components.
On Campus
This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge College campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.
Courses
Welder
Upon successful completion of the Pre-Employment Welding program, you will:
- be prepared to write the First Year Welding Apprenticeship theory and practical examinations.
- be prepared to be employed within the welding industry in Alberta.
- obtain a Letter of Recognition.
Tuition and Fees
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
|
$4,995.00
|
$295.00
|
$125.00
|
Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.
Our Budget Wizard is a free self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. Give it a try!
Featured Graduates
Darrell Bohle
“It’s every business owner’s responsibility to give back, to try to work in and with the community. We want to contribute to that transformation by enhancing the training of welders.”
Dominique Tousignant
“I enjoy the feeling of knowing that my work will be seen and admired for years to come. And I like knowing that one day my daughter and perhaps grandchildren may walk through the doors that I welded in place.”
Wanda LeClair
“I came from working in the human service industry, and I just came to a place in my life where my kids were older and I wanted to do something where I could make a bit better money. I’d been taking various courses at the college for 30 years, so I knew I wanted to come here and I decided I wanted to try a trade but didn’t know which one. The advisor asked about welding, and I like to build things so I thought “ya!” So she sent me off on a job shadow at Charlton and Hill and I did the job shadow and thought “I think I might like this,” and that’s where it started.”