Welding

Welders operate welding equipment to weld ferrous and non-ferrous metals. This unit group also includes machine operators who operate previously set up production welding, brazing and soldering equipment. They are employed by companies that manufacture structural steel and platework, boilers, heavy machinery, aircraft and ships and other metal products, and by welding contractors and welding shops, or they may be self-employed.

This career is a great entry job that has room for growth. A very large and growing industry with 5,230 existing positions and 740 more job openings in the next three years. The average annual salary of this position is $61,900. Which is a great annual salary considering the education requirements are and high amount of positions in the province.

Employment requirements

Welders

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Completion of a three-year apprenticeship program
  or
  A combination of over three years of work experience in the trade and some college or industry courses in welding is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
• Trade certification is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified welders upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Welding, brazing and soldering machine operators

• Some secondary school education is required.
• Several months of on-the-job training are usually provided.
• Experience as a machine operator helper may be required.
• Experience with robotics may be required.

In-demand soft skills

• Attention to detail
• Team player
• Organized

For more detailed information, please visit the official StatCan listing of this position.
7237 – Welders and related machine operators