- Part of the Trades, Manufacturing & Transportation (TMT) cluster
Overview
Students in all levels fabrication (welding) will study metal technologies and learn the fundamentals of metal fabrication and design. Students will learn knowledge and skills in oxy-fuel welding and cutting, gas metal arc welding, flux core arc welding and shielded metal arc welding. Students who excel at the advanced level and are interested in a career in welding may apply to take pre-apprenticeship courses that will prepare them to challenge the 1st period welding apprenticeship theory and practical exams.
The welding shop is a leading edge facility and the equipment is compatible with post secondary institutions in Alberta.
Students enter the program with varying levels of experience. The program is delivered by industry experienced Journeyman Welders who are Alberta Education certificated teachers. The coursework required for the first period Welder apprenticeship technical and practical training, recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT), is a combination of classroom, shop, and online learning.
This "Credential Pathway" positions students competitively to pursue careers in the welding trade and gain skills and experience useful in various related fields; Sheet Metal, Autobody, Welding Engineering Technology and Engineering. Upon completion of the welder apprentice courses, students are eligible to challenge the first year technical and practical exams of the Welder apprenticeship administered by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
For more information, please contact the Welding & Fabrication teacher.
Course Information
Fabrication courses are offered at various levels based on prerequisites.
- Introductory (5 credits available) single block only
- Intermediate (6 credits available) single block only
- Advanced (5 credits available) single block only
- Credentialed (15 credits available) double block only - Credentialed Welding Application
Program Delivery
Fabrication (Welding) is a combination of shop, classroom instruction, and online learning theory. Students develop core skills in metal handling that enable and expand their personal and career interests while completing a series of single credit courses.
Students from home schools that do not currently offer Fabrication courses will begin at an introductory level and proceed to advanced courses when they are ready. Students with previous high school welding experience\credits have the opportunity to enter at a higher level.
Students can typically expect to attend the CTC half-days for a semester in Grade 11 and Grade 12, earning on average 5 credits in each of two exploratory programs, or 10 credits in a credentialed level program. Classroom and shop expectations are closely aligned with those current in industry.
Student Profile And Expectations
Typically students with the following interests tend to be successful in a shop environment:
- Welcomes the challenge of building and learning in a dynamic noisy environment
- Intrigued by tools and equipment
- Team player
- Innovative
- Creative and artistic
- Patient and precise
- Self-motivated
Some basic expectations include the following:
- positive attitudes towards peers, instructors, and the program of study
- strict adherence to safe working practices and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the shop environment (e.g., steel toe safety boots, face shields as required, safety glasses at all times)
- regular punctual attendance
Supplies
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- CSA safety glasses (provided by CTC)
- Coveralls (provided by CTC)
- Welder's leather "gauntlet" style gloves (provided by CTC)
- Hearing protection (provided by CTC)
- Welding helmet (provided by CTC)
- CSA approved steel toe safety boots (must be purchased independently by credentialing students)
There is a consumable and PPE fee for this class. Please see our fee schedule for details.