Welder Foundation (Certificate)

Length:	28 weeks
Location:	Interurban Campus
Credential:	Certificate in Welder Foundation
Program Code:	FND.WLDF.CERT
CIP:	48.0508

Overview

A Welder is a person who has training in and is capable of welding ferrous and non-ferrous metals in all positions, on both plate and/or pipe, using SMAW, GTAW, and FCAW processes. Welders use manual or semi-automatic welding equipment. They use flame-cutting, brazing and air-arcing equipment. Additionally, they use machines such as brakes, shears and other metal straightening and bending machines. Welders generally plan work from drawings or by analyzing the job tasks, determine the materials required and welding processes, then use their knowledge of welding to complete the job. They may specialize in certain types of welding such as custom fabrication, ship building and repair, pressure vessel welding, pipeline construction welding, structural construction welding or machinery and equipment repair welding. Workers use blueprint symbols to determine machining operations. They check product specifications using precision measuring instruments, and maintain equipment and replace parts when required.

Career/Academic Advancement Opportunities

This 28-week pre-apprenticeship program provides training for candidates interested in pursuing employment in the welding profession without an employer sponsor. Candidates in the Welder Foundation program will learn how to work safely and effectively in industry and perform a variety of welding processes and procedures. Individuals completing this program will be better prepared to find an employer sponsor and secure an apprenticeship.

Once employed and registered in a Welder Apprenticeship program, the candidate will receive credit for Level 1 and Level 2 technical training and 300 work-based training hours.

Admissions

One of:

And one of:

C+ in Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 10
COM in MATH 038

Note: If a student does not have one of these preferred requirements the College will accept a “C” or higher in Foundations of Math and Pre-calculus 10, or Principles of Math 10, or Applications of Math 11, or MATH 053

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the learner will be able to

Demonstrate occupational skills
Perform oxy-fuel cutting and gouging processes
Perform fusion and braze welding using oxy-fuel process
Perform shielded metal arc welding
Perform semi-automatic welding
Perform gas tungsten arc welding
Describe basic metallurgy properties & processes
Read & interpret welding drawings
Layout and fabricate components

Curriculum

All of:

WELD 110 - Welder Foundation - 840 hours

Program Completion Requirements

Completion of the training with weighted final score of at least 70%.

Upgrading & Testing

Level B

The 16-week competency based Welder B program offers more advanced training on the topics completed in the Foundation program, and also includes training in G.T.A.W. and Pipe Welding. With successful completion of Welder B and 950 work-place hours, welders receive a Certificate of Qualification as a B Welder and the B Stamp in their logbook from SkilledTradesBC, making them eligible to qualify to test for pressure (PWP) testing in British Columbia. Also upon completion of the Welder B program students will write the inter-provincial (Red Seal) welder exam. Upon passing the interprovincial exam and the accumulation of 4,500 work-place hours, welders receive Red Seal, interprovincial certification.

Level A

The 8-week competency based Welder A program continues to build upon the theory and practical learning started in Welder Foundation and Welder Level B. This program teaches more advanced welding skills and related theory. Pipe welding with stainless steel electrodes, low-alloy steel electrodes, more advanced blueprint reading and welding metallurgy are covered. With successful completion of this program and 3,450 work-place hours welders receive the Certificate of Qualification as an A Welder and the A Stamp in their logbook from SkilledTradesBC.

Upgrading

Camosun’s Welding Upgrading program will give you practice and instruction in specific welding procedures that lead to further weld tests and certifications under CWB or ASME. You’ll work in close co-operation with a welding instructor, receiving one-on-one instruction as you refine your professional skills.

You’ll study:

S.M.A.W. - Shielded metal arc welding in all positions on plate and pipe
G.M.A.W. - Gas metal arc welding on pipe and plate of steel and aluminum
F.C.A.W. - Flux core arc welding on plate
G.T.A.W. - Gas tungsten arc welding on pipe and plate of steel, stainless steel and aluminum

The Welding Upgrading program is taught at the Interurban Campus and starts daily (as space permits). The program length varies dependent upon student progress and expectations.

Contact the Welding Program Leader to register and set up an assessment.

Testing

The Camosun welding department is a provincially accredited licensed testing agency and tests welders for:

The Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Certification
Mechanical Contractors Association (Company Procedures)
Safety Engineering Pre-qualified Welding Procedures (PWP)
Company Procedures and practical challenge tests for Interprovincial (Red Seal) Certification

Contact the Welding Program Leader to register.