Welder
A Welder permanently joins pieces of metal or manufactured parts using metal filler and heat and/or pressure; builds structures and repairs broken or cracked parts according to specifications; and carries out special processes, such as welding studs and brazing. Specifically, a Welder:
- lays out, cuts, and forms metals to specifications
- fits sub-assemblies and assemblies together and preparing assemblies for welding
- uses three major types of welding: arc, gas, and resistance
- uses various welding and cutting processes to join structural steel and cut metal in vessels, piping and other components
- fabricates parts, tools, machines and equipment
- joins parts being manufactured, builds structures and repairs damaged or worn parts
- controls for quality before, during and after welding
Red Seal trade
Apprenticeship Resources
Apprenticeship Training Standard (PDF) Levels 1, 2, 3, Effective September 1, 2017 (PDF) Welder Practical Examination Test Record for Apprentices (PDF) Ontario Welder Practical Assessment Advisory (PDF) Ontario Welder Practical Examination (PDF) Ontario Welder Practical Examination Equivalency Chart (PDF) Trade ReportAPPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Welder is 6,000 hours (approximately three years) consisting of 5,280 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s Apprenticeship Training Standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.
As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.
IN-SCHOOL TRAINING
A Welder apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:
- applied safety procedures
- reading of blueprints and welding symbols
- material and process quality
- welding theory
- shielded metal arc welding
- gas metal arc welding
- gas tungsten arc welding
- plasma arc welding
- submerged arc welding
- automatic/semi-automatic processes
- fitting/fabrication
- brazing
- thermal cutting: oxy-fuel-gas, plasma arc, air carbon arc
Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:
- block release (full-time, for a set number of weeks)
- day release (one day per week from September to June)
- part-time (night-school programs)
- alternative delivery (online, correspondence, etc.)
Welder is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021.
This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by Skilled Trades Ontario. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
This trade has a certifying exam. When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade. Because this trade is non-compulsory, this certificate does not have to be renewed, and the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.
Certain tasks which may be performed by a Welder legally require the individual to be certified by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).
In Ontario, the trade is part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program—the national standard for the trade across Canada: www.red-seal.ca.