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Welder Apprenticeship

Welders are trained and capable of welding ferrous and non-ferrous metals in all positions, on both plate and/or pipe, using various welding processes.

Note: this program is for welders who are sponsored by their employer and are registered with SkilledTradesBC. Welders who are not "active" registered with SkilledTradesBC and track their hours in a Welder Logbook should review the modular option for apprenticeship training.

Level 1: 8 weeks
Level 2: 8 weeks
Level 3: 10 weeks

Welder apprentices will be eligible to write the Red Seal examination on the last day of the Level 3 program.

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Welding student works on a project with sparks flying
Program details
Admission requirements
Financial incentives
Contact
Apply to OC

Campus

  • Kelowna
View training schedule
Legend:
  • Full program offered
  • Partial program offered

Credential

Apprenticeship

Delivery options

Full-Time

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees depend on the level of apprenticeship study.

Program details

Level 1 Program Outline
  • occupational skills
  • oxy-fuel cutting and gouging processes
  • fusion and braze welding using the oxy-fuel process
  • shielded metal arc welding
  • electric arc cutting, gouging and related processes
  • semi-automatic welding
Level 1 Textbooks
  • Welding Foundation Modules
  • Metal Trades and Welding Handbook (optional)
Required Supplies
  • clear lens face shield for grinding
  • leather welding gloves
  • CSA-approved steel toed leather work boots
  • safety glasses
  • tinted face shield for oxy-fuel welding and cutting
  • welding helmet
  • leather protective gear (overalls and jacket)
  • long sleeved non-synthetic (cotton) shirt and non-synthetic long pants (jeans)
  • binder
  • pencils, pens, erasers
  • calculator to write the IP exam, preferably one of: Sharp EL-520W, EL-520X, EL-531X

Note: all safety equipment and clothing is required for the first day of class.

Government-issued picture ID is required to write the provincial and national exams: driver's licence, photo ID or valid passport. Student ID cards are not acceptable.

Tools
  • tool box 21” approximately (metal) combo square
  • Awl 10R vise grip
  • ¾ flat chisel 2x11R vise clamps
  • tip cleaner wire brush
  • ball peen hammer 2-10” crescent wrench
  • chipping hammer
  • tape measure
  • soapstone holder with soapstone 14” half round bastard with handle
  • slip joint pliers hack saw and blade
  • center punch side cutters or mig pliers
  • striker

You can supply the above tools yourself or you can purchase a set from the Welding Department (approximately $350). If you want to purchase your tools from the Welding Department, this can be done the first day of class. Should you decide to supply your own tools, the list provided is the minimum requirement. All tools on this list must be present for you to proceed with this program.

Level 2 Program Outline
  • occupational skills
  • shielded metal arc welding
  • semi-automatic welding
  • basic metallurgy
  • welding drawings
  • layout and fabricate components
  • submerged arc welding
Level 2 Textbooks
  • Welding Foundation Modules (if not already purchased)
  • Welding Level B package
Required Supplies
  • clear lens face shield for grinding
  • leather welding gloves
  • CSA-approved steel toed leather work boots
  • safety glasses
  • tinted face shield for oxy-fuel welding and cutting
  • welding helmet
  • leather protective gear (overalls and jacket)
  • long sleeved non-synthetic (cotton) shirt and non-synthetic long pants (jeans)
  • binder
  • pencils, pens, erasers
  • calculator to write the IP exam, preferably one of: Sharp EL-520W, EL-520X, EL-531X

Note: all safety equipment and clothing is required fir the first day of class.

Government-issued picture ID is required to write the provincial and national exams: driver's licence, photo ID or valid passport. Student ID cards are not acceptable.

Tools
  • tool box 21” approximately (metal) combo square
  • Awl 10R vise grip
  • ¾ flat chisel 2x11R vise clamps
  • tip cleaner wire brush
  • ball peen hammer 2-10” crescent wrench
  • chipping hammer
  • tape measure
  • soapstone holder with soapstone 14” half round bastard with handle
  • slip joint pliers hack saw and blade
  • center punch side cutters or mig pliers
  • striker

You can supply the above tools yourself or you can purchase a set from the Welding Department (approximately $350). If you want to purchase your tools from the Welding Department, this can be done the first day of class. Should you decide to supply your own tools, the list provided is the minimum requirement. All tools on this list must be present for you to proceed with this program.

Level 3 Program Outline
  • shielded metal arc welding
  • semi-automatic welding
  • basic metallurgy
  • welding drawings
  • layout and fabricate components
  • quality control and inspection
  • standards, codes, specifications and welder qualifications
  • gas tungsten arc welding
  • specialized processes
Level 3 Textbooks
  • Welding Foundation Modules (if not already purchased)
  • Welding Level B package
Required Supplies
  • clear lens face shield for grinding
  • leather welding gloves
  • CSA-approved steel toed leather work boots
  • safety glasses
  • tinted face shield for oxy-fuel welding and cutting
  • welding helmet
  • leather protective gear (overalls and jacket)
  • long sleeved non-synthetic (cotton) shirt and non-synthetic long pants (jeans)
  • binder
  • pencils, pens, erasers
  • calculator to write the IP exam, preferably one of: Sharp EL-520W, EL-520X, EL-531X

Note: all safety equipment and clothing is required fir the first day of class.

Government-issued picture ID is required to write the provincial and national exams: driver's licence, photo ID or valid passport. Student ID cards are not acceptable.

Tools
  • tool box 21” approximately (metal) combo square
  • Awl 10R vise grip
  • ¾ flat chisel 2x11R vise clamps
  • tip cleaner wire brush
  • ball peen hammer 2-10” crescent wrench
  • chipping hammer
  • tape measure
  • soapstone holder with soapstone 14” half round bastard with handle
  • slip joint pliers hack saw and blade
  • center punch side cutters or mig pliers
  • striker

You can supply the above tools yourself or you can purchase a set from the Welding Department (approximately $350). If you want to purchase your tools from the Welding Department, this can be done the first day of class. Should you decide to supply your own tools, the list provided is the minimum requirement. All tools on this list must be present for you to proceed with this program.

The Welder Foundation program prepares students to enter the Welder Apprenticeship program. Students who successfully complete the foundation program can go into Level 3 of the Welder Apprenticeship program and then write the inter-provincial exam for Red Seal certification.

Apprentices can also investigate Welder B Level for a modular training option.

The textbook list above was current at the time it was posted and may be used for initial planning purposes. Please check back with the bookstore 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

Textbooks available online only at . If you have any questions, call 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

WelderApprenticeship

Admission requirements

  • Registered as an apprentice with SkilledTradesBC.
  • Must be working for an employer with at least one qualified journeyperson. 
  • Not registered as an apprentice? Ask your employer to register you as an apprentice with SkilledTradesBC. It’s free, simple, and can be completed within a few minutes online. More details can be found at

Financial Incentives

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant provides direct support to apprentices in the first two years of an approved apprenticeship training program (Red Seal trades). The taxable grant is $1,000 for Level 1 and $1,000 for Level 2. This grant is only available after you have completed the specified level of technical training and have a specific number of work-based hours on your SkilledTradesBC transcript.

Please note this benefit will end March 31, 2025 – all students who complete their technical training and work-based hours before this date may still apply until March 31, even without receipt of their Confirmation of Progression letter from STBC.

The Apprenticeship Completion Grant is a $2,000 taxable cash grant for apprentices who complete their apprenticeship training and obtain Red Seal endorsement or a provincial/territorial certificate of qualification in a designated Red Seal trade.

Please note this benefit will end March 31, 2025 – all students who complete their technical training and work-based hours before this date may still apply until March 31, even without receipt of their Confirmation of Progression letter from STBC.

WorkBC Apprenticeship Supports

Apprentice financial supports are available to eligible apprentices while they’re completing their classroom apprenticeship training. Apprentices may be able for supports which cover costs such as child card, transportation, disability, and more. Once an apprentice , a 16-digit reference code will be emailed to them. Use the 16-digit reference code for the Service Canada EI application. 

Service Canada EI Application

Apprentices attending full-time technical training (sometimes referred to as block-release training), they may be eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while unemployed and attending your course. Refer to the .

Apprentices registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program who meet the eligibility requirements may receive up to $4,000 in loans per period of technical training. The purpose of the CAL is to provide apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with loans to assist with the costs to attend technical training.

The LNG Canada Trades Training Fund supports small and medium employers that employ, sponsor and train apprentices in Northwest BC.  To be eligible to apply for funding support, the employer and student need to be a resident of Northwest BC (Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, and surrounding areas of Highway 16 to Houston, BC).  Applications to the Trades Training Fund can be made by employers with business operations in Northwest BC on behalf of their apprentices and must be received one month prior to the class start.

The federal government will now provide tax recognition for the costs that many employed tradespeople incur to provide their own tools in their employment duties. A deduction (up to a maximum of $500/year) will be allowed for the total cost of new tools acquired by an employed tradesperson in a tax year in excess of $1000. Employer will need to certify that the employee is required to obtain those tools for use in employment activities.

Apprentices who complete their third and four year of any apprenticeship program may be eligible for a tax credit. The apprentice will receive the tax credit when they file their annual income taxes. Apprentices will be eligible for a tax credit of $2,000 for completing Level 3 and a credit for $2,500 for completing Level 4 of any apprenticeship. For more information visit www.sbr.gov.bc.ca. 

Your T2202A tax form is available online via myOkanagan on the last day of February.
To access your tax form:

  1. Login to
  2. Username: firstname.lastname@myokanagan.bc.ca
  3. Password: birthdate (mmddyyyy) (you will be asked to update your password the first time you login)
  4. Click the "T2202A Tax Form" link under Online Services

If you have any problems accessing your myOkanagan account, please call IT Services at 1-866-839-4032 or complete an online myOkanagan .

Additional information

View the official Calendar details and policies
Learn more about the department
View the Tuition and fees page

Ask

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Register with SkilledTradesBC prior to applying to an apprenticeship program.

Apply

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Apply to OC
Trades and Apprenticeship
Address

T115 - 1000 KLO Rd.
Kelowna BC V1Y 4X8
Canada

Phone
(1250) 862-5457
(1800) 621-3038
Email
trades@okanagan.bc.ca
Office Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday - Friday: 7:30-4:00
Saturday: Closed