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Alberta Supports Contact Centre

Toll Free 1-877-644-9992

Apprenticeship / Trades

Welder

Welders use a variety of welding processes to join and sever metals for construction and manufacturing purposes. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.

Contact

Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on “Contact Us” on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you must have a certificate that is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training or be a registered apprentice, if you use oxy-fuel, soldering, shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux core arc, submerged arc and gas tungsten arc, electric arc, plasma arc or resistance welding processes in Alberta.

What You Need

The term of apprenticeship for:

  • Welders is 3 years (three 12-month periods) with 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction in each year.
  • Wire process operators is 2 years (two 12-month periods) with 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction in the first year and 1,800 hours of on-the-job training in the second year.

Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices.

Working in Alberta

Welders from other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by Alberta. For more information, see the Recognized Trade Certificates page of the Tradesecrets website.

The certification information in this profile may change at any time and without notice. Before making any career decisions, we advise you to contact the regulatory organization or visit their website for the most updated information.

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