If you enjoy building and have the patience to concentrate on detailed work, fuse your interests together and train for an in-demand career in the Welder – Wire Process Operator Apprenticeship program. You won’t be stuck behind a desk when you get involved in a Welder – Wire Process Operator Apprenticeship.
From outdoor construction sites to indoor jobs in production and repair shops, the Welder – Wire Process Operator Apprenticeship prepares you for it all, splitting your time between the job and the classroom. On the job, you’ll learn from a qualified welder, honing your craft on actual projects. In the classroom, you’ll develop essential theory and knowledge and use the latest industry equipment in our state-of-the-art shops.
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
Tradesecrets
Welder: https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/012/
Welder - Wire Process Operator: https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/0121/
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
60 welding booths
in the Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility
5
different welding processes that students learn
80%
the amount of time in your apprenticeship you’ll spend on the job learning from qualified welders
At-a-Glance
Credential / Accreditation
Certified 'Journeyman' Papers
Duration
3 years
Application Deadlines
Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.
Program Availability
View the program availability for the upcoming intakes.
Academic Centre
Admissions
Academic requirements
- Successful completion of English 10-2 and Math 10-3, or a pass mark in all Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests, or entrance exam.
- English 30-2, Math 30-3, Physics 20 or Chemistry 20 or Science 20 and related career and technology studies recommended.
Please note: You must be a registered apprentice to apply for this program. Information on how to become a registered apprentice is available on the Alberta Government's website.
Additional information on apprenticeship and industry training is available on Alberta's Tradesecrets website.
Admission
You can apply for apprenticeship and industry training through MyTradesecrets.
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board
Provincial Building, Room 280
200 - 5th Avenue South
Lethbridge AB T1J 4C7
Telephone: 1-800-248-4823
Outside of North America: 1-403-476-9757
Fax: 403-381-5795
Ask about the Alberta Apprenticeship Scholarship Program. You might discover you’re eligible for a financial award!
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Delivery Formats
The Welder – Wire Process Operator Apprenticeship program is an apprenticeship program delivered face-to-face on campus but may have some blended and hyflex components.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship programs require eight to 12 weeks of classroom training each year in addition to on-the-job training. You’ll work with an employer and our experienced instructors to gain the best of both worlds as you work and earn money while training.
Blended
This program includes both face-to-face/on-campus and online delivery in both synchronous (learning occurs in real-time on a set schedule) and asynchronous (learning does not occur at the same time or same place) formats.
Hyflex
This program is offered both on-campus and online; lectures and hands-on training opportunities are delivered through video conference, allowing students the option to attend classes in-person or remotely.
Courses
Apprenticeship programs require 8 to 12 weeks of classroom training each year in addition to on-the-job training.
Courses include:
- Trade mathematics
- Safety and tools
- Pattern development and drawing interpretation
- Trade science
- GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding), FCAW (Flux-Cored Arc Welding), MCAW (Metal Cored Arc Welding), SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding).
- Oxy-acetylene cutting and plasma cutting
View the full course outline for the Welder Apprenticeship.
Tuition and Fees
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
|
$899.00
|
$151.25
|
$197.65
|
| Year 2
|
$899.00
|
$151.25
|
$66.00
|
| Year 3
|
$899.00
|
$151.25
|
$72.80
|
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!
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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.”