Steel and steel alloys are all around us in our world. Welders are a key component of cutting assembling and fabricating of many steel structures such as pipelines to agriculture/power/transport equipment to building piles to specialty ornate and artistic pieces.

Here at NAIT, we pride ourselves on delivering the training necessary to safely develop the skills to properly function and advance in the trade of welding. These skills will range from learning the technology involved behind the various welding processes used today, reading and interpreting drawings, following welding procedures and studying the science of metals in the form of basic metallurgy.

Through the completion of introductory courses to apprenticeship training or advancing skills like a journeyman upgrade to b pressure course. NAIT students will have the skills required to enter into a long and vibrant career.

Quick Facts

Credential: Journeyman Certificate

Hands-on and expert-led apprenticeship and industry training for skilled trades and technology professionals.

Campus: Souch

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Souch Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

  • Both On-Campus and Virtual - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on campus and some will be done online.

Periods: 3

Apprenticeship is a method of gaining the expertise needed to become a skilled tradesperson. This is done through a combination of on-the-job experience and classroom training.

Most apprenticeship programs are 3-4 periods in length, with an average of 8 weeks for each training period. In addition, there are specific allotments of on-the-job training hours associated with each period, so most apprentices complete 1 period per calendar year.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training 

If you enjoy building things, working with your hands and work best with little direction or supervision, then you will enjoy working as a welder.

Welders work in a wide variety of work environments, both indoors and outdoors, depending on the job requirements. You will often work on construction sites or at production, fabrication and repair shops. Travel can be required, especially when doing oilfield-related welding projects.

Training at NAIT

The Welder apprenticeship term is

  • 3 years (three 12-month periods)
  • minimum 1500 hours on-the-job training each year
  • 8 weeks of technical training each year
Welder instructor and students

Did You Know

Welding instructors also teach knife-making courses through NAIT Continuing Education

Enter the workforce with confidence 

As a welder, you will often find yourself working closely with other tradespeople, especially on construction jobs or tasks that involve heavy metal, manufacturing and fabrication. Work for a welder can fluctuate with seasonal and economic changes.

Welders are employed in a wide variety of industries, including commercial construction, heavy equipment repair, industrial or pipeline construction, steel fabrication and vessel or structural steel assembly.

Once you have obtained enough on-the-job experience, some welders may advance to become a welding inspector, welding supervisor or plant supervisor.

You could also open your own repair shop or work as a portable rig welder by contracting out your services.

For more information on roles, duties, career paths, salaries and more, visit:

Welder

Periods

Tuition & Fees

The tuition and fee amounts below are estimates based on current academic year’s rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Students who take all of their courses online are exempt from U-Pass, Health & Dental, and Recreation & Athletics fees. All fees are subject to change. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

View the technical equipment requirements (PDF)

Scholarships & Awards

How to Apply

Complete an apprenticeship application & contract form

Effective November 1, 2014, you must fillout the application located on the MyTradesecrets website for Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board staff to determine if you are eligible for status as an indentured apprentice.

Dates & Deadlines

Once you are an indentured apprentice, you can review the availability and start and end dates of the program you are interested in. Log into your MyTradesecrets profile and do a search under the Class Registration section. Then you can determine the schedule that best fits your needs.

We recommend submitting your program application at least 90 days before the application deadline.

Apply to Program

Apply to the program with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application process. Please note, processing time may vary for applicants, so we recommend starting early.

Apply nowHow to apply checklist

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal



The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

Apply for Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Begin the application process through MyTradesecrets.

Apply Now How to Apply

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