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Program description
The Welding Techniques - Apprenticeship program is delivered at Conestoga's Cambridge campus and provides the theoretical knowledge of all aspects of the regulated and non-regulated welding trade together with the practical training necessary to complement the apprentice's on-the-job training with an employer using highly flexible delivery modes. Upon completion, this program, confers the graduate an Ontario College Certificate titled Welding Techniques - Apprenticeship.For more information contact the Program Coordinator at metalfab@conestogac.on.ca.
Program details
Fees & payment
- Fees are set by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development as per the Offer of Classroom Training.
- Books, safety equipment, tools, and parking fees are additional. For details, visit Orientation & support.
- Applicants are registered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Awards & scholarships
Many program-specific awards are administered by individual programs. Students should speak to their faculty or program coordinators about additional awards available in their program specific areas.
Courses
Level 1
Course details
Engineering Drawings I
DRWG1702
The apprentice will be introduced to engineering drawing interpretation, common drawing views, and the commonly available structural shapes. Basic drafting and sketching operations will be practiced with drafting tools and freehand sketching. Additional topics include welded joint design and welding symbols.
- Hours: 48
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Semi-Automatic Welding Processes I
WELD1270
This course will develop basic welding skills with the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) (commonly referred to as MIG welding) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) (commonly referred to as flux cored welding) processes. Techniques will be developed for producing fillet and groove welds in the flat and horizontal positions with both processes.
- Hours: 54
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Shielded Metal Arc Welding I
WELD1280
This course will develop basic welding skills with the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process, commonly referred to as stick welding. Techniques will be developed for producing fillet welds in all welding positions while groove welds will be produced in the flat, horizontal and vertical positions with a variety of electrode types.
- Hours: 69
- Credits: 5
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Thermal Cutting
WELD1292
This applied course will introduce the apprentice to the safe setup and application of oxy-fuel gas cutting (OFC), plasma arc cutting (PAC), and air-carbon arc gouging (CAC-A) processes.
- Hours: 18
- Credits: 1
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Trade Practices
WELD1305
This course introduces the apprentice to the theory of welding and thermal cutting processs and equipment. Topics include power sources and equipment, shielding metal arc welding (SMAW), gas-metal arc welding (GMAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), and thermal cutting and gouging.
- Hours: 45
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Welding & Fabrication Quality I
WELD1310
Welding quality will be studied from a perspective of defect identification and reviewing cause, effect and corrective actions for various defects. In addition, causes and control methods for warpage and distortion in welded fabrication will also be reviewed.
- Hours: 27
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Welding Theory I
WELD1320
The major welding processes will be studied in this course with emphasis on learning the effect, set-up and control of the main welding variables. This knowledge will then be used to assist in developing welding skills in accompanying practical courses. Processes to be studied include Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), and Metal Cored Arc Welding (MCAW).
- Hours: 39
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level 2
Course details
Engineering Drawings II
DRWG2125
This course will further develop interpretation and drawing skills from Engineering Drawings I with detail drawings for structural steel, platework, pressure vessels, and piping. Additional practice will be gained from producing Bill of Materials from fabrication drawings that specify piece part dimensions and processing methods.
- Hours: 27
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I
WELD2270
The apprentice will develop welding skills with the Gas Tungten Arc Welding (GTAW) process on mild-steel applications. Techniques for producing fillet and groove welds in the flat and horizontal positions will be learned.
- Hours: 30
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Semi-Automatic Welding II
WELD2285
This course will further develop Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) skills with additional practice making fillet and groove welds in flat, horizontal and vertical positions. Welding qualification tests will be practiced on groove weld assemblies with backing bars, followed by guided bend testing to assess quality.
- Hours: 39
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Shielded Metal Arc Welding II
WELD2295
This course will further develop Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) skills with additional practice making fillet and groove welds in all positions. Welding qualification tests will be practiced on groove weld assemblies with backing bars, followed by guided bend testing to assess quality.
- Hours: 51
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Welding Theory II
WELD2305
This course continues from Welding Theory I with topics including torch brazing (TB), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), an introduction to welding metallurgy, and weld testing including destructive and non-destructive methods.
- Hours: 21
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Metal Fabrication Applications I
WELD2560
The apprentice will be introduced to metal fabrication and fitting by interpreting engineering drawings and using fabrication shop machinery to cut and prepare piece parts, and fit and tack weld the parts according to engineering drawing specifications.
- Hours: 12
- Credits: 1
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level 3
Course details
Welding Theory III
WELD3005
This course continues from Welding Theory II with topics including Submerged Arc Welding (SAW), Stud Welding (SW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), and Plasma Arc Welding (PAW).
- Hours: 18
- Credits: 1
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Metal Fabrication Applications II
WELD3015
In this applications course, the apprentice will set-up and operate fabrication machine tools for cutting and forming metal components. The students will apply layout and pattern making skills, and cut, form, fabricate, and fit metal projects.
- Hours: 39
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Automatic and Semi-Automatic Welding
WELD3112
In this applications course, the apprentice will set-up and operate mechanized Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) equipment, the Stud Welding (SW) process, and advance skills with the semi-automatic processes Metal Cored Arc Welding (MCAW) and pulsed-Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW-P).
- Hours: 21
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II
WELD3127
This course will further develop Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) skills with additional practice making fillet and groove welds in all positions on steel plate and pipe assemblies. Additional skills will be developed using the GTAW process and aluminum fillet and groove welds as well as an introduction to the similar Plasma Arc Welding (PAW) process.
- Hours: 30
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Metal Fabrication Theory
WELD3137
This course extends the fundamentals of part layout to include the flat pattern and template development. The radial line, parallel line, and triangulation methods will be applied to creating templates for fabricated shapes. Additionally, the theory of operation of standard metal fabrication machinery for cutting and shaping metal components such as the plate shear, press brake, and plate rolls will be covered.
- Hours: 48
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Shielded Metal Arc Welding III
WELD3145
The apprentice will advance Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) skills for both plate and pipe applications in all positions with both mild and stainless steel electrodes. Welding qualification tests will be practiced on groove weld assemblies with open root design, followed by guided bend testing to assess quality.
- Hours: 48
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Welding & Fabrication Quality II
WELD3150
This theoretical course continues the topics of welding metallurgy to included low-alloy steel, stainless steel, cast-iron, and non-ferrous alloys. Other topics include welding distortion and residual stress control, and welding codes and standards for the qualification of welding procedures and personnel.
- Hours: 36
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Program outcomes
- Perform work responsibly and in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
- Interpret engineering drawings to select, cut and form metal shapes for fabrication and to perform welding joint preparation and procedures as required by welding symbols.
- Use layout and fabrication processes typical to the industry to determine correct form with. accuracy
- Select appropriate tools and devices to perform mathematical calculations and technical measurements for successful completion of a project
- Perform welding to meet the quality requirements of the CSA Structural Welding Standard W59.03 using the Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding processes.
- Create high quality welds on various types of materials and create joints in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions
- Identify defect in welds, demonstrate how to prevent them and define procedures for correction of defective weld quality
- Select appropriate Thermal Cutting processes in terms of Oxy-Fuel Cutting, Plasma Arc Cutting and Air Carbon Arc Gouging processes in accordance with government safety regulations, manufacturers’ recommendations and approved industry standards
Program handbook
Program handbookGraduate opportunities
Occupational Areas Welders (NOC 7237) operate welding equipment to weld ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Graduates are employed in construction, manufacturing and repair welding sectors as MIG, stick or TIG process welders. Some graduates will also perform basic metal fabrication operations.
For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home

Program device & software requirements
This program requires you to have a device that meets certain specifications. For most students, this cost is in addition to the tuition & fees listed above.
view device requirementsWhich welding program is right for you?
Conestoga College has the most comprehensive program offering in the high-demand field of welding, metal fabrication, and welding engineering technology in Ontario. The number of programs can make it difficult to determine which one is right for you. This guide will assist you in understanding the key differences between programs.
Program details | Key features | Career & pathways |
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Production GMAW Welder #1337 Certificate | 12 weeks | Brantford |
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Welding Techniques #1193 Certificate | 30 weeks | Cambridge |
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Welding and Fabrication Technician #0046 Diploma | 2 years | Cambridge |
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Welding Engineering Technician – Robotics (Optional Co-op) #1502 Diploma | 2 years | Cambridge |
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Manufacturing Engineering Technology - Welding and Robotics (Optional Co-op) #1079 Advanced Diploma | 3 years | Cambridge |
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Welding Engineering Technology – Inspection (Optional Co-op) #0043 Advanced Diploma | 3 years | Cambridge |
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Programs with a welding component
Program | Key features | Career & pathways |
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Electro Mechanical and Automation Maintenance (Optional Co-op) #1318 Diploma | 2 years | Cambridge |
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Construction Techniques (Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC and Welding) #07161 Certificate | 30 weeks | Waterloo |
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Construction Techniques (Welding, HVAC, Plumbing, and Masonry) #07163 Certificate | 30 weeks | Waterloo |
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Applied Manufacturing Management – Welding Stream #1553 Graduate Certificate | 2 years | Guelph |
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Traditional apprenticeship
These programs require an employer sponsor and a number of hours on the job before an offer of classroom training is sent.
Program | Key features |
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Welder Apprenticeship #1163 Certificate | 3 years |
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Welding Techniques – Metal Fabrication Apprenticeship #1173 Certificate | 3 years |
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