welder

Regulated Occupation: YES
National Occupation Classification Code: 7265
Employment Outlook: Average occupational growth in Alberta.
Minimum General Educational Requirement: Grade 9
Length of Apprenticeship Training: 3 years of training while you work
Trades Certification: YES (Compulsory Certification Trade)

OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Can I practice in my trade right away?
• What are the duties for this trade?
• What other titles are used for this trade?
• What educational institutions offer training for this trade in Alberta?
• What salary can I expect?
• What is the employment outlook in Calgary?
• What do employers expect beyond technical skills?
   

OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Can I practice in my trade right away?

No, even if you have a foreign trade certificate or diploma, and experience you need to contact the Alberta Government - Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Depending on your training and work experience you will receive all the information about how you can qualify for certification in your trade in Alberta. See the address of all offices of Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

READ MORE...See more detailed information for people who have work experience in trades but do not have the registered apprentice title or journeyman certification - Alberta Qualification Certificate

What educational institutions offer training for this trade in Alberta?

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training is responsible for organizing trades training and certification in Alberta. At this time, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), in Edmonton, provides technical training. Inquire with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training if you are interested in pre-employment programs and training in this trade, these programs may be offered by other institutions.

Find other educational institutions offering training for trades and other occupations in Alberta: search � EDinfo

What salary can I expect?

Journeyman Welders in Alberta have a general rate of $20 to $30/hour plus benefits such as: health insurance, pension contributions, paid vacation days, paid sick days, etc� Overtime pay is usually higher than the regular hourly rate, and as agreed with your employer is considered for additional work over the 40 hours of regular work each week.

Apprentice Welders during their three years of training earn more and more, getting closer to the journeyman hourly wage:
. first year of apprenticeship: 60% of the journeyman hourly rate
. second year of apprenticeship: 75% of the journeyman hourly rate
. third year of apprenticeship: 90% of the journeyman hourly rate

READ MORE�See updated salary information at the website �WAGEinfo

What is the employment outlook in Calgary?

In Alberta, over 75% of Welders are employed in three major industry sectors: construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas/energy. In addition, welders are working in other areas such as heavy equipment repair and welding shops serving different local companies. Welding work for the energy sector (oil and gas, pipelines) is done throughout Alberta.

READ MORE...Is Calgary�s economy growing? - Construction Industry

The construction industry is one of the most important employers in Calgary. Several institutional construction projects (schools, hospitals) are taking place over the next three years. Calgary�s economy is growing, creating favorable conditions for major renovations and new industrial and commercial buildings. Your success depends on understanding how your experience and skills upgrading respond to industry needs.

What do employers expect beyond trade technical skills?

Every employer has a set of basic rules that apply to all employees. Employers expect everybody to know and follow these rules that range from being punctual in the morning at the start of the workday, to more complex rules, such as the health and safety program in your unit.

Employers expect good workplace communication skills and a combination of basic mathematics and document skills as required by increasingly complex instructions to operate tools and understand how to use computerized equipment.

READ MORE...Employer Expectations in the Construction

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

Start Your Application for Journeyman Certification

Contact the Government of Alberta � Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and obtain information about the number of apprenticeship hours you are required to complete and what courses you need to take. If you have a foreign trades certificate or diploma you will be advised how obtain your journeyman certification and start practice your trade in the province of Alberta. Earning an Alberta trade certificates qualify you to practice anywhere else in Canada. 

READ MORE...Red Seal Program

Find More Career Options in Trades and Stay Connected

Use the following links to find more information about work in your trade, employment programs and financial help to study. These organizations help you connect with employers and people working in the industry:

. Construction Industry Employer Associations:
  . Alberta Home Builders' Association
  . Merit Contractors Associations

. Energy Industry Associations (Oil and Gas/Pipelines)
  . Canadian Energy Pipelines Associations (CEPA)
  . Petroleum Services Association of Canada

. Your Trade Association: Welder

. Understand Related Opportunities in Trades : Search Alberta Learning Information Service: ALIS Occupation Profiles and think of opportunities in related occupations and areas of practice.