Trades & Applied Technology Programs
Welding
- 9–month Welder – Fabricator (Weld Level C and Metal Fabricator Level I) (24 credits)
- Weld Level B and A
- Offered at the Nanaimo and Powell River campuses
- Program Fees: Domestic Students, International Students
- Apply for Welder Fabricator: Forms and Information
- Apply for Welder Level B or A: call (250) 740–6139
The Program
The program is taught in a modular format, with practical and related knowledge modules. Classes are limited to 18 students. Graduates of the welding program have found employment in shipyards, fabrication shops, and construction industries. Level B welders have found jobs in sawmills or areas that requires a welder who is qualified to do pressure procedures. Level A holders are employable in almost any location.
In general, welding is an extremely useful skill, and is used in many of the trades. Often tradespersons find it useful to complete the Welder – Fabricator program to enhance their employment skills.
A free information session is usually held in February/March. Check with the Advising Centre for more details, 250-740-6410, or visit viu.ca/infosessions.
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 or equivalent, or mature student status.
- Mature students without Grade 12 will be required to complete an assessment test.
- Min. 17 years of age.
- See also Trades general admission requirements.
Note on Admission
- Adequate vision, and free from respiratory ailments.
- Physically suited to the trade.
- Applicants who do not possess the minimum educational requirements may have their work experience assessed in lieu of educational requirements.
Start Date and Application Deadline
Welder – Fabricator begins several times throughout the year. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; use the links above to begin the registration process. Welding Levels B and A are self–paced programs; students applying for Welding B and A can contact the Chair of Welding at (250) 740-6139 or email for further information.
Note: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada may assist students in this program; contact your local Employment Centre regarding eligibility for sponsorship.
Program Outline
The Welder – Fabricator program provides the skills needed for employment in the welding industry. The student can, upon successful completion of the program, choose to pursue Industry Training Authority credentials as either a Weld Level C or Metal Fabricator; the area of credential will depend upon the employment situation of the student and how they and their employer choose to register with the ITA. Upon completion of five additional months of work–based experience as a welder apprentice, the student will be granted Level C qualification by the Provincial Ministry. The student also has the choice of pursuing credentials as a Metal Fabricator and complete three additional in–school training components and work–based training. Once a Weld Level C credential has been obtained a student can gain cross credit for Metal Fabricator and a portion of their time in trade is credited to this certification, for more information regarding cross credentials see the ITA website at www.itabc.ca.
| Welder – Fabricator (34 weeks) |
|---|
WELD 102T - (Intro & Program Orientation – Theory) |
WELD 104T - (Oxy-Fuel Cutting – Theory) |
WELD 105T - (Oxy-Fuel Cutting – Practical) |
WELD 106T - (Gas Welding & Braze Welding – Theory) |
WELD 107T - (Gas Welding & Braze Welding – Practical) |
WELD 108T - (Shielded Metal Arc Welding – Theory) |
WELD 109T - (Shielded Metal Arc Welding – Practical) |
WELD 110T - (Air Carbon Arc Gouging – Theory) |
WELD 111T - (Air Carbon Arc Gouging – Practical) |
WELD 112T - (Gas Metal Arc Welding & Flux Cored Arc Welding – Theory) |
WELD 113T - (Gas Metal Arc Welding & Flux Cored Arc Welding – Practical) |
WELD 114T - (Materials Handling) |
WELD 116T - (Blueprint Reading I) |
WELD 118T - (Mathematics) |
WELD 120T - (Welding Metallurgy I) |
| Metal Fabricator Component (6 weeks) |
MFAB 201 - (Metal Fabricator - Level 1) |
Level B
This training is available to holders of Level C. Students must successfully complete four months of training and eight months of work experience as a welder before being granted the Provincial Ministry Level B qualification.
| Level B |
|---|
WELD 152T - (Shielded Metal Arc Welding – Theory) |
WELD 153T - (Shielded Metal Arc Welding – Practical) |
WELD 154T - (Gas Metal Arc Welding – Theory) |
WELD 155T - (Gas Metal Arc Welding – Practical) |
WELD 156T - (Flux Cored Arc Welding – Theory) |
WELD 157T - (Flux Cored Arc Welding – Practical) |
WELD 158T - (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding – Theory) |
WELD 159T - (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding – Practical) |
WELD 166T - (Welding Quality Control & Inspection Procedures) |
WELD 168T - (Welding Codes, Standards & Specifications) |
WELD 170T - (Blueprint Reading II) |
WELD 172T - (Welding Metallurgy II) |
Level A
This training is available to holders of Level B. Students will complete Level A in one or two months, and spend the remainder of the year working as a Welder. After satisfying these requirements, students will earn Level A qualification from the Provincial Ministry.
| Level A |
|---|
WELD 190T - (Shielded Metal Arc Welding – Theory) |
WELD 191T - (Shielded Metal Arc Welding – Practical) |
WELD 192T - (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding – Theory) |
WELD 193T - (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding – Practical) |
WELD 196T - (Welding Metallurgy III) |
WELD 198T - (Blueprint Reading III) |
Related Programs
VIU also offers many specialty welding-related training programs. Training sessions, from one day to several weeks in length, can be designed to cover every aspect of the trade. Contact the Welding department for information 250-740-6139.
VIU also offers a full range of weld testing. To arrange a schedule for testing please contact the Welding department for information at (250) 740–6139.
Updated December 16, 2009