Career
Published on Mar 18, 2016
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Tools you need
What tools should one own as an apprentice fabricator welder?
I work with medium/heavy steel and rarely with thin steel (never less than 2mm) I have ball peen, lump hammers
Various burning nozzles,
Scribes
Centre punches
A trammel
Steel rule
16ft tape…
How to be a welder
The program offers students both a small, nurturing environment and all the benefits of a major academic research institution. Our small graduate student-to-faculty ratio provides students with frequent access to some of the leading authorities in welding engineering.
Photo by sf.tinkeringschool
The courses you will need
Looking for a challenging career with plenty of employment options? Like working with tools and creating things? Becoming a welder could be for you. Here’s how to get started.
Finish high school
While not all welding jobs require you to have a high school diploma, many do. If you can, take as many math and science courses as possible. Welders make calculations, prepare estimates, modify various materials, and work with fuels and chemicals — so a solid understanding of these subjects will help you succeed in applying for welding programs and/or apprenticeships. (Some high schools even offer programs that allow you to apply certain credits to your trade apprenticeship.)
If achieving a diploma isn’t possible, make sure you have at least a grade 9 or 10 education.
Research the industry
Think about what kind of places you’d want to work for and what things you’d like to help create. Learning about the industry and talking to practising welders will give you a much better idea of what the work is like and help direct your choice of training program.
“Find out what skills you need to increase your eligibility to enter the workforce,” says welder Alex French. “I was surprised by how much there was to learn on the job once I had left school, and all the different skills that work in conjunction with welding.”
Learn the trade
The best way to learn how to weld is by starting an apprenticeship, which is similar to finding any other position except your employer must agree not only to hire you, but also provide training and pay the standard rates. Once you’re hired, register as an apprentice with your provincial/territorial apprenticeship authority.
Most of your time will be spent working with an experienced welder, but you’ll also have to take a few courses. Requirements vary across Canada, so check with your provincial/territorial authority to find out how many hours and which classes you need to complete. (You’ll find a handy search tool for these organizations at Careers in Construction.) Welding apprentices usually have to complete at least 4,680 hours of work, which takes about three years. You’re certified as a welder once you’ve completed all work hours, technical training, and passed your certification exam. For more information on apprenticeships, visit the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum.
You can also enroll in various college welding programs that offer industry-specific education as well as apprenticeships.
Get certified
Certification is available in all provinces and territories but is mandatory only in Alberta. To be eligible for more and better jobs, get certified even if you’re working in a non-mandatory province/territory.
Want to move around? Take the Red Seal exam. Passing it allows you to work anywhere in Canada without having to take additional tests or courses.
Photo by Official U.S. Navy Imagery
