Welding Techniques Program

Welding is a high-demand trade, driving the success of major development projects across the country.

The Welding Techniques one-year certificate program applies the technical theory and elements of the welding field through hands-on learning, transforming you into a welding pro.

With our state-of-the-art welding lab featuring 26 stations and virtual welding simulations, you'll hone your skills in a controlled setting. Our Smart Welding Lab also comes with an infrared camera and monitor that lets instructors demonstrate and digitally document welding techniques.

Full Description

In our one-year Welding Techniques program, you'll create an e-portolio for potential employers, demonstrating the skills you've developed.

Employment opportunities in the welding trade span several industries, including transportation, petrochemical, oil and gas, aerospace, fabrication, manufacturing, pipelines, mining, and construction.

This experiential program will help you master five of the most common types of welding processes:

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW): This process uses a consumable electrode covered with flux. It is the primary type of welding used in the maintenance and repair industry. Arc welding is usually used to weld iron and steel, although it can also be used for alloys (aluminum, nickel, etc.).
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW): This welding process uses electricity to melt and join pieces of metal together. It is generally regarded as one of the easiest types of welding to learn. It is also called Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). It can be used to weld a variety of metals such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium, copper, bronze, etc.
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW): The process uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode that delivers the current to the welding arc. The tungsten and weld puddle are protected and cooled with inert gas, typically argon or helium. It is most commonly used for welding stainless steel and non-ferrous metals like aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys.
• Plasma Arc and Oxyfuel Cutting: This process uses an electrode and compressed gas, forced at high speeds through a nozzle, usually copper, to cut metal, primarily mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Oxyfuel cutting uses fuel gases combined with oxygen to cut metals, usually steel.
• Fabrication: Metal fabrication is the building of metal structures by cutting, bending, and assembling processes. It is a value-added process that involves the construction of machines and structures from various raw materials.

At the end of this intense, two-semester program, you'll have the opportunity to challenge the shielded metal arc weld test, in accordance with CSA W47.1/W59 standards, in a position(s) of your choosing through the Canadian Welders Bureau. (This test will be voluntary and at an extra cost to you.)

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Graduates of the program bring a wide range of welding skills to future employers.

This program increases your marketability and knowledge of the welding trade and provides a good understanding of the safety practices relevant to the work performed.

Welders are always going to be in demand in the manufacturing industry of Ontario because of how important they are to the manufacturing process.

Most of the basic welding skills are the same across all industries, so welders can shift from one industry to the next––meaning that there is always a constant supply of work.

Industry

Welding is a high demand trade, and critical for the success of many major development projects across the country. Employment opportunities span several industries, including:

• transportation
• petrochemical
• oil and gas
• aerospace
• fabrication
• manufacturing
• pipelines
• mining
• construction

The Bureau of Labour Statistics paints a bright future for welding careers in Ontario. Between 2010 and 2025, the industry is expected to see around 15 per cent growth, which is higher than the rate of growth for most other occupations.

Welding positions are going to be incredibly important to both the provincial and national economy over the course of the next decade.