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
Domestic 2022/23
- Year 1: $6,269
Final costs are dependent on the number of course credits 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.
When can you apply?
Applications are accepted until the program start date but are subject to change.
- Applications for winter 2023 open March 30, 2023.
| Classes begin | Year start date | Year-end date |
|---|---|---|
| Winter 2023 | Jan. 9, 2023 | June 30, 2023 |
Admission requirements
Application dates
- Winter 2023 start: applications open March 30, 2022 and are accepted until the program start date.
Program requirements
Successful completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- Math 10C, Math 10-3, Pure Math 10, or Applied Math 10, and,
- 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.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the admission process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications.
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.
Transfer Options
The opportunity to advance your education through transfer in, within or on from SAIT is available. Visit transfer options to learn more.
Costs 2021/22
Domestic tuition and fees*
| Year | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Health and dental plan | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5,727 | $793.20 | n/a | n/a | $5,847 |
SAIT fees
- Campus athletic and recreation fee: $183.20
- Universal transit pass (Upass): $310
- Student support fee: $150
- Student technology fee: $150
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding
Health and dental fees
Domestic students
- Health plan: $122
- Dental plan: $130
Students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Please refer to Saitsa's website for information.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 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 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 |
SAIT fees
- Campus athletic and recreation fee: $49
- Universal transit pass (Upass): n/a
- Student support fee: $50
- Student technology fee: $50
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
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.
Next steps for incoming students
Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.
Winter 2022
Your program orientation date will be announced shortly.
Visit our orientation page.
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, you are required to complete two short courses to 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.
You’ll be automatically registered and can access the course through Brightspace (D2L) before the first day of classes.
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.
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