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Overview
Prepare for a welding apprenticeship with hands-on skills with a Pre-employment Welding certificate. Graduates are ready to challenge the first-year apprenticeship exams.
Welders use welding technology to join, shape and cut metal parts. They make pressure vessels and pipelines, work joining beams or girders in the construction industry and manufacture industrial components and consumer goods.
Many welders in Alberta are employed in the oil and gas-related industry, particularly oil service and pipeline construction.
Is this the right fit for me?
Work conditions for welders vary from one job to another. Welders may work outdoors on construction sites or indoors in production and repair shops.
Travel may also be required on jobs such as oilfield-related welding. A 40-hour workweek is typical, but overtime is occasionally required to meet project deadlines.
Being a welder is a rewarding career if you enjoy working with metal, physical work and working with little direction or supervision.
If you choose a career as a welder you'll need the following characteristics:
- manual dexterity
- patience
- good vision (corrective lenses are acceptable)
- good hand-eye coordination
- the ability to concentrate on detailed work.
Credentials
Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a SAIT certificate and may be eligible to challenge the written and practical exams for first-year welder apprenticeship.
Career opportunities
Graduates can pursue entry-level positions in residential, commercial and industrial construction and are prepared to become indentured welder apprentices.
Potential career progression includes:
- welder journeyperson
- specializing in design and layout work
- estimator
- supervisory positions
Related careers include:
- field heat treatment technician
- wire process operator
$45,760
Tuition and fees per year*
Year 1: $5,640
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change
Full costs
Tuition and financial aid
This program is eligible for Canada-Alberta Job Grant funding.
Requirements
This is a direct entry program. Applicants who meet the admission requirements are offered spots based on first qualified, first acceptance if space is available.
When can you apply?
- Applications are accepted until the program start date.
- Applications for Winter 2021 open March 30, 2020.
Full-time day (12 weeks)
| Term | Program start |
|---|---|
| Winter 2021 | Jan. 11, 2021 |
Admission Requirements
- Applications are accepted until the program start date.
Admission Requirements
Successful completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- Math 10C, Math 10-3, Pure Math 10, or Applied Math 10,
- English Language Arts 10-1 or English Language Arts 10-2
- All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
- A pass mark in the SAIT Admission Examination (level 2) or equivalent is accepted in lieu of the above requirements.
Note: General Educational Development (GED) tests are not accepted in lieu of the admission requirements.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission. If you don't meet the requirements, consider Academic Upgrading.
SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada.
Direct Entry: Four Step Process
Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.
Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above.
Step 3: Apply to Pre-Employment Welding - Full-Time and submit your transcripts and/or anticipated final grades.
- Admission will be extended on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full.
Step 4: Find out how to monitor your application status after you apply.
Communication during selection
Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications.
Program Outline
| Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WELD-250 | Off Campus Tours - Welding | 1.5 |
| WELD-254 | Gas Metal Arc Welding Level 1 Theory | 3.0 |
| WELD-255 | Gas Metal Arc Welding Level 1 Lab | 3.0 |
| WELD-256 | Gas Metal Arc Welding Level 2 Theory | 3.0 |
| WELD-257 | Gas Metal Arc Welding Level 2 Lab | 3.0 |
| WELD-259 | Oxyacetylene Welding | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 15.0 | |
Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue
Progression
Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Transfer Options
The opportunity to advance your education through transfer to, within or from SAIT is available with the following universities and colleges:
- Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
- Rocky Mountain College
To learn more, visit Transfer Options.
Costs
Domestic Tuition and Fees*
| Year | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Health & Dental Plan | 2020/21 total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $ 5,454 | $186 | - | - | $ 5,640 |
Fees
Health Plan: N/A
Dental Plan: N/A
Student Association: N/A
Campus athletic and recreation Fee: $86
Universal transit pass (UPass): N/A
Student support fee: $50
Student technology fee: $50
Cost and Supplies*
- Tuition fees include all course materials and access to appropriate technology.
- The Apprenticeship exam fee is approximately $295 and will be coordinated within the first three weeks of the program.
- Membership to the SAIT wellness centre — including an ice arena, swimming/diving pool, gymnasium, squash and racquetball courts and weight room — is available at a discounted rate.
Find out about tuition and financial aid.
* Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Next steps for incoming students
Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.
Important dates and deadlines
Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.
Winter 2021
Orientation date
Monday, Jan. 4
Delivery
This program will be delivered in a blended format for the Fall 2020 term due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated health and safety guidelines. The majority of courses will take place online, with certain labs and hands-on learning scheduled on campus.
How to register for classes
You'll follow a fixed block registration process to enrol in your classes. Learn how to register on our registration and schedules page.
Computers and laptops
This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Required equipment/tools
Tools will be provided.
Required personal protective equipment (PPE)
You'll need CSA-approved steel-toe boots and safety glasses, welding gloves, earplugs (provided), a good-quality welding helmet and FR coveralls or a welding jacket.
We recommend you hold off purchasing your equipment until after you begin classes. The industry-approved PPE will be discussed during your first few days.
Preparation courses
To support your success, SAIT offers some short courses before classes start, including PREP 100: The SAIT Experience and ETHI 110: SAIT Ethical Practices.
Required textbooks
You will need the Individual Learning Module pack for Pre-employment Welding.
The booklist will be available about two weeks before classes start.
Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck, no textbook purchase required this term.
Contact
Email: ma.info@sait.ca
Academic chair
Robert Hartley, Academic Chair
Email: robert.hartley@sait.ca