Welder
Welders join and sever metals in beams, girders, vessels, piping and other metal components, make metal parts used in construction and manufacturing plants, and/or weld parts, tools, machines and equipment.
Welding usually involves applying heat to metal pieces to melt and fuse them together. In electric arc welding, heat is created as an electric current flows through an arc between the tip of the welding electrode and the metal. In gas welding such as oxy-acetylene welding, the flame from the combustion of burning gases melts the metal. In both arc and gas welding, filler materials are melted and added to fill the joint and make it stronger. In resistance welding, the metal piece itself is melted as current flows through it, and no filler is added.
Welders use different welding processes and fillers depending upon the type of metal, its size and shape and requirements for finished product strength. For a typical welding project, they:
- develop patterns for projects or follow directions given in layouts, drawings and work orders
- clean, check for defects and shape component parts, sometimes using a cutting torch
- weld parts together
Welders may also build up worn parts by welding layers of high-strength hard-metal alloys onto them.
Welders work in a wide variety of work environments. They may work outdoors on construction sites, or indoors in production and repair shops. Travel may be required on jobs such as oilfield-related welding. A 40-hour work week is normal, but overtime is sometimes required.
There is some risk of injury involved working with torches and hot metals and the resulting sparks and toxic gases.
Qualifications
To be successful in the trade, Welders need:
- manual dexterity
- good vision (glasses are acceptable)
- eye-hand co-ordination
- the ability to concentrate on detailed work
- patience
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy building things and working with little direction or supervision.
In Alberta, the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act requires that anyone working in this trade must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyman or hold a recognized trade certificate. To enter the Welding apprenticeship program, the applicant must have Grade 9 education, or equivalent (or pass an entrance exam), and find an appropriate employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates, and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
To register, the apprentice and the employer complete an application form together and submit it to the closest Apprenticeship and Industry Training office located at most Alberta Career Development Centres and Canada Alberta Service Centres. Once the application is approved, a contract is drawn up and signed by the apprentice and the employer.
The term of apprenticeship is three years (three 12-month periods with a minimum of 1560 hours of employment each year). In addition to on-the-job training, the term also requires eight weeks of classroom training in each year. An applicant who previously completed courses of study or work experience related to the Welder trade or holds a related journeyman certificate and has the employer's recommendation, may qualify for credit that could reduce the term of apprenticeship.
The classroom training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is offered at Red Deer College. When apprentices attend training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies. Human Resources Development Canada may provide income support for apprentices attending classroom training. For more detailed information, contact your local Canada Employment Centre.
After successfully completing the required examinations and hours of employment, apprentices are awarded a Journeyman Certificate.
Those who pass an approved Interprovincial exam qualify for the Interprovincial Red Seal which means their trade qualifications are recognized throughout most of Canada.
Employment and Advancement
Welders are employed in a variety of industries, including vessel or structural steel assembly, pipeline construction, commercial construction, industrial construction, steel fabrication and heavy equipment repair. Employment prospects for welders change with seasonal and economic climates.
Experienced welders may advance to positions such as welding inspector, welding foreman or supervisor, or plant supervisor. Some open their own repair shops, or work as portable rig welders who contract out their services.
For more information about the Parts Technician Apprenticeship program, please contact Trades and Manufacturing at Red Deer College 403.342.3100 or Apprenticeship and Industry Training 403.340.5151.
You can also find more information at www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca.