Welding and Fabrication Technology

Welding and Fabrication Technology

Prepare for a career as a welder through courses that combine theory and hands-on instruction and cover how to work with metals using industry processes and tools. 

Develop into a well-rounded tradesperson with in-demand knowledge, skills and experience in the welding and fabrication industry. In this diploma program, you’ll gain welding and fabrication knowledge to allow you to interpret drawings, standards and specifications as well as an overview of welding codes. You’ll learn about welding fabrication procedures while using current and emerging technologies. 

In addition, you’ll develop your business and entrepreneurship skills such as decision-making skills so you can exercise professional judgment when planning jobs, selecting tools, materials and sequencing operations. You’ll also gain math and communications skills to interact with internal and external stakeholders for estimating materials and resources for projects. 

This program will help you launch a successful career in the welding industry, providing an alternative pathway into apprenticeship. Although it contains all of the content for the 3 periods of the welder apprenticeship trade in Alberta, you will still need to be registered as an apprentice by an employer to collect the required hours of on-the-job training to be eligible to write the journeyperson certification.

Program Overview

Progression

The progression requirement for students taking credit courses is a Term GPA and Total Institutional GPA of 2.0, with the exception of English Language Foundations and Academic Upgrading programs.

Admission Requirements

• English Arts 20-1 OR English Arts 20-2, Minimum 50% 
• Math 20-1 OR Math 20-2 OR Math 20-3, Minimum 50%  
• Science 10: Minimum 50%
• English Language Proficiency (ELP) Required 
• SAIT Admissions Exam: Level 2 or Equivalent 
  
  Students who have graduated from SAIT’s Welding Technician certificate program within the last five years may be given advanced standing into year two of the program, depending on seat availability.

Program Outline

Total Credits (enter number)

60

Program Outcomes

1. Demonstrate leadership in workplace safety. 
2. Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills and familiarity with trade terminology when interacting with internal and external stakeholders. 
3. Exercise professional judgment when planning jobs, selecting tools, materials and sequencing operations to match a project.  
4. Demonstrate knowledge of trade mathematics, pattern development, and estimating materials and resources for projects.  
5. Demonstrate skills in equipment setup, maintenance and troubleshooting, as well as in various welding and fabrication processes. 
6. Demonstrate thorough knowledge of welding tools and trade science, as well as reading and interpreting drawings, standards and specifications, and identifying welding codes. 
7. Demonstrate working knowledge of welding and fabrication procedures to perform welding, identifying the weld faults, their causes and methods of prevention. 
8. Use current and emerging technologies, computer hardware and software, techniques, and materials to support welding projects.