Career Pathway Canada

Welder training

Welder Apprenticeship Technical Training (Levels 1–3)

Part of the route toWelder·Certificate

Apprenticeship technical training covering multi-process arc welding, torch cutting, metallurgy, and blueprint interpretation.

How long
3 Years (Levels 1–3)
Cost
Not published
Schools
6 in BC

THE ROUTE

How this program works, step by step

Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.

The route (8 steps)

BC Route
1Grade 11 Preparation
2Grade 12 Graduation
3Admissions & Prerequisites
4Application Process
5Program Curriculum
6Where to Take It
7Licensing & Certification
8Career Destination

For the best view, open the map full screen.

STEP BY STEP

Step by step

The same route as the map, as a list.

1

Step 1 of 8

Grade 11

1 School Year
  • Recommended: Grade 12 or equivalent with Workplace Math 11
2

Step 2 of 8

Grade 12

1 School Year
  • Recommended: Grade 12 or equivalent with Workplace Math 11
3

Step 3 of 8

What you need to get in

  • Registered apprentice with SkilledTradesBC and employer sponsor (or Welder Foundation certificate)
  • Registered apprentice with SkilledTradesBC or Welder Foundation certificate
  • SkilledTradesBC apprentice registration number
  • Registered apprentice with SkilledTradesBC or Welding Foundation certificate
  • Active employer sponsor
4

Step 4 of 8

How to apply

  • Enrol with an accredited trade school such as BCIT or regional college
  • Submit SkilledTradesBC apprentice ID number and employer verification
  • Book annual 8-week technical training blocks
5

Step 5 of 8

Welder training

3 Years (Levels 1–3)
  • 3 levels of technical training (8 weeks per level, 24 weeks total over 3 years)
  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
  • Blueprint reading, welding symbols, joint design, and metallurgy
  • Pipe welding, pressure vessel fabrication, and non-destructive testing procedures
  • Safe operation of plasma cutting, oxy-fuel cutting, and metal fabrication machinery
6

Step 6 of 8

Where to take it

6 schools in BC
  • British Columbia Institute of Technology — 8 weeks (Not published)
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University — 3 years (Not published)
  • Okanagan College — 3 years (Not published)
  • Thompson Rivers University — 3 years (Not published)
  • Vancouver Island University — 3 years (Not published)
  • Piping Industry College of BC (UA Local 170) — 3 years (Not published)
7

Step 7 of 8

Exams and registration after

  • Interprovincial Red Seal Examination
  • SkilledTradesBC Certificate of Qualification (Welder)
  • Optional Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) positional performance tickets
8

Step 8 of 8

Leads to: Welder

  • Explore Welder wages, job outlook, and career pathways

SCHOOLS

Where you can take this(6 schools)

Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.

🔬
Public College

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Burnaby / Vancouver

Duration8 weeks
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW multi-process welding on pipe and plate, metallurgy, blueprint reading, and CWB test coupon qualification.
🌱
Public College

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Langley / Surrey / Richmond

Duration3 years
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
SkilledTradesBC designated Welder technical training levels at KPU Tech in Cloverdale.
🏔️
Public College

Okanagan College

Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon & Salmon Arm

Duration3 years
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
SkilledTradesBC technical training for registered apprentice welders at Okanagan College Kelowna and Penticton.
🐾
University

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops & Distance

Duration3 years
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
SkilledTradesBC technical training levels leading to Red Seal welder certification at TRU Kamloops.
🐾
Duration3 years
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
SkilledTradesBC technical training covering SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and pressure welding at VIU Nanaimo.
Duration3 years
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
Union welding apprenticeship training specialized in piping and pressure vessel welding at UA Local 170 Delta.

Official Sources

Last verified · September 2026