Welder Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship training is for people who are currently working in industry and who are sponsored by an employer and registered with SkilledTradesBC. Apprenticeship programs combine work-based training (typically 80-85%) and technical training (15-20%) taken in a classroom and shop setting.
The length of an apprenticeship can range from one to five years, but most require four years to complete.
College of the Rockies offers all levels of Welder technical training, including Modular A, Modular B, and MPAW. Start dates for these programs vary. For program information please contact the Trades Program Admission Coordinator.
Welder Level 1 Harmonized
Length of program:
- 8 Weeks
This program offers technical and practical training related to:
Oxy fuel cutting and gouging (OFC), carbon arc cutting and gouging (CAC-A), plasma arc cutting and gouging (PAC), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and flux core arc welding (FCAW).
For a complete program description, including prerequisite details and technical training content about each level of training, see: Welder Apprenticeship Level 1
Tuition and Fees:
Tuition: | $897.92 |
Application Fee: | $30.00 |
Student Association Fee: | $18.40 |
Total | $946.32 |
*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
Additional Student Costs:
- Steel-toed leather work boots
- Safety glasses
- Welding gloves
- Flame retardant work clothes (cotton or wool)
- Leather welding jacket
- Welding helmet (#11 lens)
- Welding goggles (#5 lens)
- Reference Manuals
- Personal half mask respirator
- P100 particulate filters (3 or 4 sets)
Welder Level 2 Harmonized
Length of Program:
- 8 weeks
This program offers technical and practical training related to:
Shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and flux core arc welding as well as gas metal arc welding (PULSED) GMAW-P metal core arc welding (MCAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).
For a complete program description, including prerequisite details and technical training content about each level of training, see: Welder Apprenticeship Level 2
Tuition and Fees:
Tuition: | $897.92 |
Application Fee: | $30.00 |
Student Association Fee: | $18.40 |
Total | $946.32 |
*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
Additional Student Costs:
- Steel-toed leather work boots
- Safety glasses
- Welding gloves
- Flame retardant work clothes (cotton or wool)
- Leather welding jacket
- Welding helmet (#11 lens)
- Welding goggles (#5 lens)
- Reference Manuals
- Personal half mask respirator
- P100 particulate filters (3 or 4 sets)
Welder Level 3 Harmonized
Length of program:
- 10 weeks
This program offers technical and practical training related to:
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) on low carbon steel plate and pipe, Semi Automatic and Automatic Welding (GMAW, GMAW-P), using combined GMAW, MCAW, and FCAW processes, and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) for ferrous metals and aluminum. Students also cover basic metallurgy related to ferrous, non-ferrous, and reactive metals, and aluminum and aluminum alloys and will learn how to interpret welding drawings and fabricate weldments. Quality control and inspection requirements and welding standards, codes, specifications, and welder jurisdictional bodies are also covered within the program. Safe work practices related to the welder trade are reinforced throughout the program.
Additional Student Costs:
For a complete program description, including prerequisite details and technical training content about each level of training, see: Welder Apprenticeship Level 3
Tuition and Fees:
Tuition: | $1,122.40 |
Application Fee: | $30.00 |
Student Association Fee: | $23.00 |
Total | $1,175.40 |
- Steel-toed leather work boots
- Safety glasses
- Welding gloves
- Flame retardant work clothes (cotton or wool)
- Leather welding jacket
- Welding helmet (#11 lens)
- Welding goggles (#5 lens)
- Reference Manuals
*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
MPAW (Multi-Process Alloy Welding)
Length of program:
- 5 weeks
This program offers technical and practical training related to:
Multi-process allow welding techniques. This program is an optional endorsement over and above completion of Welder Level 3 with Red Seal Endorsement.
For a complete program description, including prerequisite details and technical training content about each level of training, see: MPAW Program Outline
Tuition and Fees:
Tuition: | $561.20 |
Application Fee: | $30.00 |
Student Association Fee: | $11.50 |
Total | $602.70 |
*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
Additional Student Costs:
- Steel-toed leather work boots
- Safety glasses
- Welding gloves
- Flame retardant work clothes (cotton or wool)
- Leather welding jacket
- Welding helmet (#11 lens)
- Welding goggles (#5 lens)
- Reference Manuals
Welder Modular B
Length of program:
- 16 weeks
This program offers technical and practical training related to:
Welding (GMAW, GMAW-P), using combined GMAW, MCAW, and FCAW processes, and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) on ferrous metals and aluminum. Students also cover basic metallurgy related to ferrous, non-ferrous, and reactive metals, and aluminum and aluminum alloys and will learn how to interpret welding drawings and fabricate weldments. Quality control and inspection requirements and welding standards, codes, specifications, and welder jurisdictional bodies are also covered within the program. Safe work practices related to the welder trade are reinforced throughout the program.
For a complete program description, including prerequisite details and technical training content about each level of training, see: Welder Modular B Program Outline
Tuition and Fees:
Tuition: | $1,795.84 |
Application Fee: | $30.00 |
Toolbox Fee: | $250.00 |
Student Association Fee: | $36.80 |
Bus Pass Fee: | $44.40 |
Total | $2,157.04 |
*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
Additional Student Costs:
- Steel-toed leather work boots
- Safety glasses
- Welding gloves
- Flame retardant work clothes (cotton or wool)
- Leather welding jacket
- Welding helmet (#11 lens)
- Welding goggles (#5 lens)
- Reference manuals
Welder Modular A
Length of program:
- 8 weeks
This program offers technical and practical training related to:
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) on stainless steel and low carbon steel plate and pipe, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) for stainless steel, specialized processes, basic metallurgy, and how to interpret welding drawings and fabricate weldments. Quality control and inspection requirements and welding standards, codes, specifications,
and welder jurisdictional bodies are also covered within the program. Safe work practices related to the welder trade are reinforced throughout the program.
For a complete program description, including prerequisite details and technical training content about each level of training, see: Welder Modular A Program Outline
Tuition and Fees:
Tuition: | $897.92 |
Application Fee: | $30.00 |
Toolbox Fee: | $250.00 |
Student Association Fee: | $18.40 |
Total | $1,196.32 |
*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
Additional Student Costs:
- Steel-toed leather work boots
- Safety glasses
- Welding gloves
- Flame retardant work clothes (cotton or wool)
- Leather welding jacket
- Welding helmet (#11 lens)
- Welding goggles (#5 lens)
- Reference Manuals
Additional Info
Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)
When you complete your Red Seal program, you can apply for the one-time taxable cash Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) of $2,000.00 after you have been certified in your trade. See: Grants for Apprentices registered in Red Seal Trades.
Career Options
According to WorkBC, journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $15.00 to $39.83 an hour plus benefits.
After graduating from the Welder program, you can explore a career in a wide variety of industries:
- Contractors
- Welding Fabrication Shops
- Machines Shops
- Aircraft Manufacturers
- Ship Manufacturers
- Oil and Gas Pipelines
Experienced welders may choose to seek management positions or even open their own business.
Welder Apprenticeship/Modular Training Schedule
Program | Level | Starts | Ends | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
*Welder | 1 | April 3, 2023 | May 26, 2023 | 8 Weeks |
*Welder | 1 | April 8, 2024 | May 31, 2024 | 8 Weeks |
*Welder | 2 | April 3, 2023 | May 26, 2023 | 8 Weeks |
*Welder | 2 | April 8, 2024 | May 31, 2024 | 8 Weeks |
*Welder | 3 | October 10, 2023 | December 15, 2023 | 10 Weeks |
*Welder | 3 | October 7, 2024 | December 13, 2024 | 10 Weeks |
*Welder | MPAW | October 10, 2023 | November 10, 2023 | 5 Weeks |
*Welder | MPAW | October 7, 2024 | November 8, 2024 | 5 Weeks |
Welder Modular A | Mod A | October 10, 2023 | December 1, 2023 | 8 Weeks |
Welder Modular A | Mod A | October 7, 2024 | November 29, 2024 | 8 Weeks |
Welder Modular B | Mod B | October 10 ,2023 | February 9, 2024 | 16 Weeks |
Welder Modular B | Mod B | October 7, 2024 | February 7, 2025 | 16 Weeks |
*Projected | All dates subject to change |
Program Details
Credential:
Apprenticeship
Categories:
Industry & Trades Training, Red Seal
Interests:
Not Have a Desk Job, Start or Run Your Own Business, Upgrading, Work Outdoors, Work With My Hands
Contact Details
Cranbrook
2700 College Way,
Box 8500, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 5L7
Phone: 250-489-2751
Toll-free: 1-877-489-2687
Email: info@cotr.bc.ca