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.
Get more information about this and similar programs
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
Tuition and fees
Estimated cost per year:
Domestic total 2023/24
- Year 1: $6,742
Final costs are dependent on the number of courses a student takes per semester.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
Requirements
You will be offered admission to this program through direct entry if you meet the admission requirements and space is available.
Admission requirements
Program requirements
Successful completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- Math 10C, Math 10-3, and,
- English Language Arts 10-1 or English Language Arts 10-2
All applicants to SAIT must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
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. SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
When should you apply?
Visit our Apply page to see when applications open and close for upcoming semesters.
To see which semesters this program has intakes for, look at the Available Intakes information at the top of this page.
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 the program and submit your transcripts.
Admission will be extended on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full.
Step 4: Continue to monitor your application status through the application portal.
You must submit final transcripts/grades to show you have completed the courses and met the minimum admission requirements by the transcript deadline or your seat will be rescinded.
Communication during admission
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. We recommend you add the ma.info@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
When do classes start?
Classes for this program adhere to the following year start and end dates based on the semester the student begins their program.
| Classes begin | Year start date | Year-end date |
|---|---|---|
| Winter 2023 | Jan. 9, 2023 | June 30, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | Sept. 11, 2023 | June 6, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | Sept. 5, 2023 | Nov. 24, 2023 |
| Winter 2024 | Jan. 8, 2024 | March 28, 2024 |
Courses
Program Outline
Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue
| 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 | |
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.
Review our grading and progression procedure >
Transfer options
The opportunity to advance your education by transferring in, within or on from SAIT is available.
Learn more about program and institution partnership agreements.
Costs 2022/23
Domestic tuition and fees
Cost per credit: $408
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees* | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $6,120 | $149 | n/a | $6,269 |
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
SAIT fees
- Campus athletic and recreation fee: $49
- Universal transit pass (Upass): n/a
- Student support fee: $50
- Student technology fee: $50
Saitsa fees
Student Association fees
Students registered in pre-employment programs do not pay student association fees.
Health and dental fees
Students registered in pre-employment programs are not eligible for health and dental plans.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 per full-time year.
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
Learn more about tuition and financial aid.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Costs 2023/24
Tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023. They are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per year. *
Domestic students
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.5** | $6,585 | $157 | n/a | $6,742 |
*For a detailed breakdown of tuition costs per course, visit the domestic and international fee tables.
**Less than a full semester of 16 weeks.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
Fees
Your fees are calculated based on the number of course credits you take per semester (approximately 16 weeks of study). In most cases, your fee is determined based on whether you're taking more or less than nine (9) course credits (more than nine credits in a semester are considered full-time studies.)
Fees are adjusted for programs with start dates outside of the typical 15-week program.
Learn more about what your fees are for
Fees are subject to change without notice.
| Fees | < 9 credits per semester | > 9 credits per semester |
| SAIT fees | ||
| Campus athletic and recreation | $51.50 | $103 |
| Student support fee | $52.75 | $105.50 |
| Student technology fee | $52.75 | $105.50 |
| UPass* | N/A | $160 |
| Total | $157 | $474 |
| Saitsa fees | ||
| Student association fee** | $16.23/credit | $146 |
| Health plan*** | N/A | $86 ($172 annually) |
| Dental plan*** | N/A | $79 ($158 annually) |
| Total | $311 maximum | $476 |
*Additional eligibility requirements apply for students to obtain a UPass. To check your eligibility, visit our Upass page.
**Saitsa fees are paid per credit to a maximum amount of $146 per semester.
***Health and dental fees are charged per semester to an annual maximum amount of $172 for health and $158 for dental. In most cases, program fees quoted are based on students paying for a full year of health and dental coverage. International students are charged these fees regardless of course load. Domestic students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Learn more at saitsa.com/benefits.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 per full-time year.
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
Learn more about your tuition and financial aid options
*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.
Orientation
Program orientation (ORNT 118) for students starting in Fall 2023 will take place on the first day of class. Check your schedule in mySAIT for the time and location details.
Learn more about campus orientation.
How to register for classes
You'll need to register for your classes ahead of each semester.
You’ll receive an email from us indicating what registration process you’ll use to enroll in your classes.
Learn how to register for your classes and find important registration deadlines.
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, short courses are available to you to help prepare you for the academic year:
PERS 050: Student Rights and Responsibilities
This course is designed to introduce you to student rights and responsibilities at SAIT. You will learn about SAIT's rich and diverse community, become familiar with guidelines and procedures that create a safe, respectful learning experience for you, and gain practical tips for how you can engage in the SAIT community in a positive and responsible way. PRES-050 must be completed within 30 days from the start of the semester.
PREP 145: Orientation for Apprentices
PREP 145 is a free study skills course for apprentices and pre-employment students. Discover your learning style, develop memory techniques, learn effective ways to conquer your modules, get tips on how to write multiple-choice tests, and prepare for your apprenticeship exam. Course completion is recommended at the beginning of your first semester.
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
Next steps for all students
Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!
Next steps for accepted students
Important dates and deadlines
Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.
Your journey starts here
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