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Overview

Prepare for a career as a welder through courses that combine theory and hands-on instruction and cover how to work with metals using industry processes and tools. 

Develop into a well-rounded tradesperson with in-demand knowledge, skills and experience in the welding and fabrication industry. In this diploma program, you’ll gain welding and fabrication understanding to allow you to interpret drawings, standards and specifications as well as an overview of welding codes. You’ll learn about welding fabrication procedures while using current and emerging technologies. 

In addition, you’ll develop your business and entrepreneurship skills, such as decision-making so you can exercise professional judgment when planning jobs, selecting tools and materials and sequencing operations. You’ll also gain math and communications skills to interact with internal and external stakeholders for estimating materials and resources for projects.

This program will help you launch a successful career in the welding industry, providing an alternative pathway into an apprenticeship.

Although it contains all of the content for the three periods of the welder apprenticeship trade in Alberta, you will still need to be registered as an apprentice by an employer to collect the required hours of on-the-job training to be eligible to write the journeyperson certification.

Learn more about program and institution transfer options.

The optional cooperative work term between years one and two allows you to apply your classroom learning in a practical workplace setting and gain valuable industry experience. 

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be awarded a SAIT Welding and Fabrication Technology diploma.

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Careers and opportunities

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

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Career counselling and support

Unsure which career path is for you? SAIT offers career planning services to help you decide your future.

You can also get started by taking our online career finder quiz, which can help you narrow down your search based on your current skills and interests.

Finally, you can also head to Alberta alis for various tools and resources, including additional quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a career path.

Services and workshops

Courses

The Welding and Fabrication diploma requires 60 credits (21 courses) to complete.

The program spans two years, with two to three semesters in the first year (depending on if you choose to complete the optional work term), and two semesters in the second year.

View classes by semester

Course Credits

This course introduces you to the fundamentals of reading blueprints. You’ll learn to interpret structural drawing, pressure vessel drawings and piping drawings.

Pre-requisites:
  • WLDG 232
3

Learners will gain an understanding of the strategies and skills required for effective communication in a professional environment. Topics include active listening, conflict resolution, writing industry specific reports and documents, developing interview skills, and giving and receiving feedback.

1.5

This course introduces you to non-destructive and destructive testing methods. You will also learn about metallurgical properties of steel, welding codes, standards and specifications.

1.5

In this course students will gain understanding of how to create, finance, manage and evaluate a start-up.

1.5

This course introduces you to the fundamental mathematical principles that you will need to meet the requirements for a welder. You’ll explore the trade applications of fractions and decimals, as well as metric and imperial conversion and geometric problems. You’ll learn to solve problems using percentage and ratios. You’ll also learn to do trigonometry calculations and offsets for piping systems. 

3

This course provides students with the opportunity to develop practical welding skills while adhering to shop safety procedures. Students will perform gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) and metal-cored arc welding (MCAW) in multiple positions on mild steel. They will gain hands-on experience with welding processes for various joint configurations and structural shapes. Through practice, students will use inspection tools to measure weld coupons.

3

This course introduces students to the fundamental theory required to work safely and effectively as a welder. Students begin by examining important procedures for working with hazardous materials, as well as safety regulations and standard practices for climbing, lifting, rigging, and hoisting. Students will explore hand tools and power tools, electrical concepts related to welding, how to perform equipment setup, maintenance, troubleshooting, and oxyfuel cutting with specialized equipment, as well as the theory of GMAW, FCAW, and MCAW welds on mild steel.

3

This course equips students with the foundation for analyzing basic joints and weld types and identifying weld faults and distortion. Through practice, students will demonstrate safe material handling procedures. Students will establish an overview understanding of metallurgy, hardfacing process and heat treatment process. Through activities, students will develop skills to identify welds and welding symbols and interpret drawings. Additionally, this course will introduce students to oxyfuel, plasma arc and carbon arc cutting and gouging, submerged arc welding processes as well as GMAW, FCAW and MCAW on Mild Steel Pipe. Finally, students will distinguish the characteristics of aluminum and how it affects the welding process.

3

This course provides opportunities to develop and practice welding skills. Learners develop practical skills in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW).  

3

This course provides opportunities to practice intermediate welding skills. Students develop practical skills in oxyfuel cutting, as well as cutting and gouging using the plasma arc and carbon arc processes. Students also perform gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) and metal-cored arc welding (MCAW) on aluminum and mild steel. In addition, students observe and explain the submerged arc welding (SAW) process.

3

This course introduces you to the fundamentals of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), beginning with safe work practices and procedures. You will examine the correct use of GTAW electrodes, filler metals and gases, as well as explore troubleshooting and maintenance procedures for GTAW equipment. You’ll also examine the GTAW procedures and parameters for welding mild steel plate and pipe, stainless steel and aluminum.

1.5

This course provides opportunities to develop and practice welding skills. Learners develop practical skills in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW).

3

This is a course on Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) theory. Learners are introduced to the SMAW process and equipment, electrode selection, production of metals, carbon and alloy steels and alloy steel filler metals.

3

This is a course on pattern development and estimating. Learners develop and apply pattern development, layout, and project estimating skills. 

Pre-requisites:
  • MATH 252
3

This course is designed to help you develop your hand skills in performing fillet/groove welds on mild steel plate using the FCAW & SMAW process and to prepare you to challenge the CWB practical tests in these weld positions (1GF,2GF,)

Pre-requisites:
  • WLDG 225
  • WLDG 220
1.5

This course provides opportunities to develop and practice welding skills. Learners develop practical skills in GTAW/SMAW in different positions on mild steel plate and pipe.

Pre-requisites:
  • WLDG 220
  • WLDG 228
6

This course you will learn about welding theory, different welding processes, GTAW on Mild Steel Plate and Pipe, SMAW and Oxyfuel Cutting on Mild Steel. Also, stainless steels and welding procedures, nickel alloys and clad steels and their welding procedures.

Pre-requisites:
  • WLDG 227
  • WLDG 229
3

This course is designed to help you develop your hand skills in performing fillet/groove welds on mild steel plate using the FCAW & SMAW process and to prepare you to challenge the CWB practical tests in these weld positions (1GF,2GF,3GF,4GF,)

Pre-requisites:
  • WLDG 303
3

This course will prepare the students to be confident in working to industry standards.

6

In this course, you will explore basic mechanized and automated welding and cutting processes and how the technology is used in Industry. (Students will be given an opportunity to connect with industry and tour their facility to see how it works.)

1.5

First aid, Confined Space, Fall arrest, Forklift, H2S, WHIMIS, SDS & Workplace safety.

3

Course Credits

This cooperative work term course provides the opportunity to apply your classroom learning in a practical workplace setting, as well as gain valuable industry experience. This course is optional.

Pre-requisites:

One of:

  • BLPR 229, MACH 203, MACH 201, MATH 266, MNFG 201, MNFG 202, EMTL 204, BLPR 235, MACH 211, MACH 252, MATH 267, MNFG 212, and MNFG 256
  • COMM 267, HDMC 254, HDMC 262, HDMC 251, HDMC 252, and HDMC 250
  • WLDG 217, WLDG 225, WLDG 228, WLDG 220, and WLDG 266
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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 >

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet the following requirements or equivalents.

  • at least 50% in English Arts 20-1 OR English Arts 20-2,
  • at least 50% Math 20-1 OR Math 20-2 OR Math 20-3,
  • at least 50% Science 10.

Students who have graduated from SAIT’s Welding Technician certificate program within the last five years may be given advanced standing into year two, depending on seat availability.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English Language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find out what educational documents are accepted and assessment options.

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

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Academic Upgrading

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English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

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Available intakes

Winter 2024

Start dates:

Domestic students: Waitlisted
  • Application deadline: Oct. 26, 2023
International students: Closed
  • Application deadline: Sept. 28, 2023

Fall 2024

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: June 28, 2024
International students: Closed
  • Application deadline: May 29, 2024

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 Additional fees Total per year
1 2 $10,500 $1,570 $12,070
2 2 $10,500 $1,570 $12,070
Total cost:
$24,140

Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2 $19,572 $1,570 $21,142
2 2 $19,572 $1,570 $21,142
Total cost:
$42,284

Books and supplies are approximately $2,000 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date. 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 is required this term.

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Financial aid

Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.

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Application process

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Ready to apply?

Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

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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.

Information sessions

Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.

Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:

  • What sets SAIT apart
  • An introduction to the program and area of study
  • Admission requirements
  • Future career paths
  • Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.

Contact us

Prepare for a strong start and get the details you need to make a decision about your future. Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions, and provide information about:

School of Manufacturing and Automation Advising

Phone
403.284.8641
Email
ma.info@sait.ca

International Student Advising

Phone
403.284.8852
Email
international@sait.ca