Co-op program details

Manufacturing%20Engineering%20Technology%20-%20Welding%20and%20Robotics%20(Optional%20Co-op)

Program details

Credential: 3-Year Ontario College Advanced Diploma

This four-year advanced diploma program prepares students for employment in the field of modern manufacturing technology.

Students combine theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a variety of operational areas such as selection and application of metal fabrication and welding materials and processes, troubleshooting welding processes and equipment, weldment design, analysis of metallurgical problems, quality assurance technology through destructive and basic non-destructive testing techniques, welding procedure development and computer aided design and applications.  Particular emphasis is placed on maximizing welding quality and productivity through application and programming of welding automation and robotics.  All theoretical training is supported by extensive hands-on experience in well-equipped welding and metal-testing laboratories.

Graduates of this program are prepared for employment in the areas of industrial engineering, welding robotics/automation, light and heavy fabrication, automotive parts manufacturing, welding inspection/quality assurance, welding products sales/service, and welding research and training.

Student availability & wage data

Conestoga College facilitates recruitment on an ongoing basis - there are no hard deadlines. Typical time frames for work terms are listed below.

Postings are accepted beginning four months before the start of a term until all students have secured employment provided the minimum 12 consecutive weeks of full-time work is met.

Work/Study Sequence

Year Fall (Sept - Dec) Winter (Jan - Apr) Spring (May - Aug)
Year 1 Classes Classes
Year 2 Classes Classes Work Term 1: $17-23
Year 3 Work Term 2: $17-23 Work Term 3: $18-24 Work Term 4: $18-26
Year 4 Classes Classes

Conestoga College collects data on hourly wages of co-operative education students and offers suggested ranges as a service to employers for the purpose of establishing fair and competitive compensation.

Our experience has been that employers increase wages as skills increase, particularly when employing students for more advanced work terms. The Co-operative Education Office can provide assistance to employers in establishing appropriate wage rates.

Work term capabilities

It is expected that due to the longer period of time with the employer, students will be given progressive responsibility and/or exposure to new challenges as their skills develop.

Work terms 1 - 4

  • Communicate information effectively to individuals and groups by applying communication principles in written, graphic and oral forms
  • Prepare formal and informal reports
  • Use a variety of welding processes and metal fabrication equipment
  • Research, evaluate, test, and recommend welding and metal fabrication processes, equipment, and consumables
  • Interpret welding codes, standards, and specifications, develop conforming welding procedure specifications, and work instructions
  • Program, maintain, and troubleshoot welding and related equipment, and processes
  • Evaluate, select, program, and use positioning, automation, and robotic devices as applied to common welding processes and applications
  • Select, assess, and test (using analytical, destructive, and non-destructive inspection techniques) materials, structures, and weld joints to assure compliance with physical and metallurgical requirements
  • Integrate the science and best practices associated with welding inspection, to assess product compliance and make recommendations

Sample job titles

  • Welding Technologist
  • Welding Robotics Technologist
  • Welding Technical Sales Specialist
  • Welding QA/QC Technologist

Post a co-op job now

Setup an account or login to Conestoga's MyCareer to post a job.

Contact information

Do you need help developing a recruitment plan or job posting, accessing wage information, or connecting with a talented co-op student? Contact:

Melissa Deneault
Employer Relations Consultant
Mdeneault@conestogac.on.ca
519-748-5220 ext. 2817