Welder (Pre-Employment)

Program Description

The 34 week Welder (Pre-Employment) Diploma program is a provincially-accredited apprenticeship program that was developed by government and approved by the Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board. The program provides students with a wide range of skills that are needed to work as a first-year apprentice, including those related to safety, blueprint reading, plasma arc cutting/gouging, fuel brazing, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux-cored arc welding and fabrication as well as many others. Most courses are designed in such a way that students spend time divided equally between the classroom and Welding shop. Upon successful completion of academic courses students will also take part in a 2 week work-term before graduating.

Please note that due to the nature of this career, employees are required to tolerate regular physical activity during the course of their work day. If you have any medical concerns, please contact your admissions officer to ensure you are aware of the requirements of the occupation and to determine if you are eligible for accommodations in this program.

Apprenticeship Training

The Welder (Pre-Employment) program is an apprenticeship trades program. Courses completed at Academy Canada meet the requirements to become a first-year apprentice. Once this training is completed and the graduate obtains their first position in the trade, s/he must register as an Apprentice with the Department of Education. Government will then cover the costs associated with regular advanced training as the apprentice gains experience and works towards completing their Journeyperson exam. Passing this examination will result in receiving Red Seal Certification.

Program Courses

A complete list of current courses is available on the Newfoundland and Labrador Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division Plan of Training here.

Employment Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the Welder (Pre-Employment) program, graduates may be eligible for employment (depending on specific hiring practices) in ship yards, paper mills, refineries, and fabrication shops. Opportunities also exist for self-employment. A small sample of Academy Canada’s excellent employers include:

• Mercer's Machine Shop
• Metal World
• Auto Weld
• Beothuck Trailers
• Newfoundland Dockyard
• EMM Hardchrome
• Dawes Welding and Sons
• LaFarge Gypsum
• Western Steel Works
• D.F. Barnes Ltd.
• TA Industrial Ltd, ON
• Metal Specialty
• Iron Workers Hall
• East Coast Marine
• Sealand Enterprise
• Atlantic Millwright
• Department of Transportation and Works
• OSCO Construction Group
• Coady’s Metal Works

On August 5, 2024, Academy Canada's Welder (Pre Employment) program was featured on NTV News First Edition's "Made Right Here" segment with Danielle Butt. Check this out!!!

Work Term Information

Work terms are a required, unpaid, formally arranged on-site training experience completed at the end of the program. The work term provides students with practical, real-world experience that supports skill development, professional confidence, and readiness for employment.

Students are expected to attend according to the host’s schedule and must report any absences to both the host supervisor and the Graduate Employment Coordinator. Missed days are added to the end of the placement. Attendance and performance are monitored through ongoing communication, including check-ins and formal mid-placement and final evaluations. Successful completion of an approved, authorized work term is required for graduation.

Students are responsible for maintaining professional conduct, attending as scheduled, complying with host policies, promptly reporting absences or concerns, and completing all required documentation. The College is responsible for approving placements, providing guidance and support, monitoring progress, and determining successful completion. Work term hosts are responsible for supervision, attendance reporting, providing appropriate learning opportunities, and completing required evaluations. Students who do not who do not meet work term requirements may be removed from their placement and may be required to complete a new placement in order to graduate.