About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 2 Year Diploma
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0761 P0761
  • Delivery Length: 2 Years
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Overview

Do you want to make a solid contribution to the structural development of industry facing a shortage of qualified skilled trade workers?

As a Welding Technician, you work closely with engineers, are skilled at determining the cutting, fitting and welding sequence, and have a thorough understanding of manufacturing codes and standards across a wide variety of industries.

Highlights
  • Hands-on experiential learning in a state-of-the-art, full-size weld shop and fabrication lab, which is an accredited Canadian Welding Bureau and Technical Standards & Safety Authority test centre facility.

  • Gain practical experience taking metal fabrication projects from engineering drawings through cutting and forming stages to welding processes.

  • Gain an understanding of industry-standard inspection procedures.

  • Shares a common first year with NC's Welding Techniques program.

Career Opportunities
  • Aviation welding technician
  • Brazing machine operator
  • Construction, electric arc, gas shielded arc, maintenance, manufacturing, pipe, pressure vessel, production, shipbuilding welder
  • Fabrication estimator
  • Metal fabricator apprentice
  • Quality control inspector
  • Welder and welder trainee
  • Welder fitter or fabricator-fitter
  • Welding product sales associate
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Courses

Term one (2024 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
MATH1018 Applied Trade Calculations 3
DRFT1119 Engineering Drawings 3
TECH1150 Health and Safety 3
WELD1001 Introduction to Welding and Cutting Processes 4
WELD1002 Layout and Fabrication 4
WELD1003 Shielded Metal Arc Welding - Flat Applications 6
Term two (2025 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
CAPL1199 Computer Applications 3
COMM1125 Essentials of Workplace Communication 3
MECH1011 Mechanical Repair Technologies 4
WELD1004 Introduction to Semi Automatic Welding Processes 6
WELD1006 Weld Applications - Horizontal and Vertical 6
WELD1007 Weld Quality 3
Term three (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
MECH1109 Mechanical Engineering Drawings II 3
WELD1101 Welding Inspection, Codes and Standards 3
WELD1102 Layout and Fabrication II 3
WELD1104 Distortion and Metallurgy 3
WELD1108 Rigging and Construction 3
WELD1103 Shielded Metal Arc Welding III 4
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Term four (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
WELD1109 Destructive and Non-Destructive Examination 3
WELD1110 Pipe and Pressure Vessel Welding 6
WELD1111 Semi Automatic Welding Processes II 4
WELD1105 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding 6
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective(s) 2 courses required

Program Outcomes Term: 1244
  1. Perform safe work practices in the welding shop in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Regulations for Industrial Establishments

  2. Interpret drawings that would typically be used in a manufacturing and/or fabricating environment.

  3. Perform trade related mathematical calculations including volume, area, estimation, geometry, ratio, measurement, weights, loads, and centering of various lifts.

  4. Use the main cutting, gouging and welding processes of the fabrication industry to complete practical projects.

  5. Perform hands on all position shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux core arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding utilizing mild steel and structural shapes with various consumables.

  6. Perform open root welding on plate and pipe in all positions using the shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process.

  7. Describe and identify the common weld defects and faults using destructive and non destructive examination and testing methods.

  8. Identify and troubleshoot mechanical problems; recommend solutions for repairing and maintaining equipment to industry standard.

  9. Identify the applicable code(s) or standards to be used in conjunction with each specific fabrication activity.

  10. Describe and perform distortion control and correction techniques as they apply to expansion and contraction forces.

  11. Identify appropriate lifting devices and equipment according to weight calculations.

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Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
  • Mathematics – Grade 11 (C), (U), or (M), or equivalent
Recommended Courses and/or Skills:

These courses and skills may help you succeed academically in this program, but they are not required for admission.

  • Mathematics – any Grade 12 (C) or (U)
  • Technological Design – Grade 11 (M) or Grade 12 (M)
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Computer/Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory.
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.

Niagara College will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: There is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products for this program. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Welding Technician program below.

  • NC Pathway
    This program grants Advanced Standing to qualified graduates of:
    Niagara College Welding Techniques
Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

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