Welder Apprenticeship
About the Welder Apprenticeship
This high-demand field is full of opportunity. As a welder, you will provide necessary services to various industries, including manufacturing, transportation and infrastructure.
In this program you will learn to join or sever metals. You will also make metal parts used in construction and manufacturing plants, and weld parts, tools, machines and equipment.
You will spend a lot of your technical training in shops to support and apply the theory you learn in class. Welding skills are developed through practical experience and theory education. Your skill development will be enhanced through hands-on use of up-to-date modern equipment.
Welders are employed in a variety of industries which may include manufacturing, metal fabrication, pipeline construction, oilfield/petrochemical plant construction or maintenance, equipment repair or pipe/vessel fabrication to name a few.
Employment prospects for welders may include operating their own portable/shop welding business or holding positions such as Welding Examiner/Inspector, Welding Foreman/Supervisor, Welding Instructor, Welding Engineering Technician or Quality Control.
Take the skills you learn and challenge yourself. This trade has the opportunity for you to compete in the Provincial Skills Canada Competition, Skills Canada National Competition and WorldSkills Competition.
When you graduate, you’ll receive both a:
Journeyperson Certificate: This certificate not only acknowledges your expertise in your chosen trade but also grants you the legal authority to work in that trade.
Education Credential: This is a formal testament to your dedication and hard work. It confirms that you've successfully finished a certificate in a -post-secondary study program and highlights the time and effort you've invested in mastering your trade or profession.
Work-integrated Learning
Apprenticeship is a unique form of post-secondary education that blends hands-on work experience with classroom learning. On average, you will spend 80 per cent of your apprenticeship on the job, practicing your trade or profession, and 20 per cent in the classroom or lab through structured learning at RDP.
Further Study
At the end of the final year of the program, you will also be eligible to earn a Red Seal Endorsement on your Journeyperson certificate upon successful completion of the Red Seal Exam. The Red Seal Endorsement allows Journeypersons to work anywhere in Canada without additional training.
If you have a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, you are eligible to receive a Blue Seal Achievement in business competencies after completing the necessary requirements.
Program Content
During this program you will spend eight weeks on campus every year, and a minimum of 1,560 hours on-the-job training annually.
Completion of Classroom Training
Students must achieve a weighted average of 65% with no section under 50% in both the theory and practical components of the course as well as achieving a passing grade of 70% on the AIT Provincial Exam, both the theory exam and practical exams.
Completion of a Journeyperson Certificate
The term of apprenticeship for a welder is 3 years (three 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction each year.
"Having attended RDP for all 3 years of my technical training and now training here for worlds I can say without a doubt RDP has the best welding instructors around! I've been taught by 6 different instructors and every single one brought a unique teaching style that helped me develop and redefine my skillset and knowledge in welding and life. They all bring a positive attitude into the classroom that keeps students focused and on task. I'm honoured to have been taught by the best and look forward to my future training at RDP."
Related Careers
Welder
Journeyperson
Red Seal endorsement available
B-Pressure Certification
Pipeline Construction
Structural Fabrication
Agricultural Manufacturing
Portable Welding Rig Opportunities
Career Prospects may include: Welding Inspection, Quality Control, Instructor
Meet the Faculty
At Red Deer Polytechnic we are proud of our faculty members and staff who are experts in their disciplines and subject areas.
Welder Testing
Certification testing for Welders is available on campus at Red Deer Polytechnic or on-location at your welding site. RDP offers both CWB testing and B Pressure re-testing services.
Admission Requirements
How to become an Apprentice:
Ensure you meet Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) eligibility and entrance requirements for your desired skilled trade.
Apply for an Apprenticeship Education Program.
Register for classroom instruction.
Academic Requirements
Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) Entrance Requirements Recommended Path:
ELA 30-2
Math 30-3
Physics 20 or Chem 20 or Science 20
Related CTS courses
OR
Minimum Requirements:
ELA 10-2
Math 10-3
OR
A pass on all five Canadian GED tests
OR
Successful completion of AIT’s entrance exam
Intake Details
Registration opens May 23, 2024
1st Period
September 3, 2024 – October 25, 2024
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
October 28, 2024 – December 20, 2024
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
January 6, 2025 – February 28, 2025
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
February 3, 2025 – March 28, 2025
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
March 3, 2025 – April 25, 2025
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
April 22, 2025 – June 27, 2025
- Blended Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- May 5 - 9 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- May 12 - 16 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 2 - 6 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 9 - 13 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 27 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
2nd Period
September 3, 2024 – October 25, 2024
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
October 28, 2024 – December 20, 2024
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
January 6, 2025 – February 28, 2025
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
March 3, 2025 – April 25, 2025
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
April 22, 2025 – June 27, 2025
- Blended Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- May 5 - 9 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- May 12 - 16 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- May 20 - 23 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 5 - 6 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 9 - 13 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 16 - 20 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 27 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
3rd Period
September 3, 2024 – October 25, 2024
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
October 28, 2024 – December 20, 2024
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
January 6, 2025 – February 28, 2025
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
March 3, 2025 – April 25, 2025
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
April 22, 2025 – June 27, 2025
- Blended Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- May 7 - 9 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- May 12 - 16 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- May 20 - 23 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 2 - 6 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 9 - 13 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 16 - 20 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 26 - 27 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
Program Cost
These costs are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per training period.
NOTE: Additional fees may apply.
For full fee information, view our Program Cost Estimates.
Financial Aid Options
Student life can be very expensive, and few individuals have enough money to pay up-front for their post-secondary education.