Welding and Fabrication Technician

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Which welding program is right for you?

Conestoga College has the most comprehensive program offering in the high-demand field of welding, metal fabrication, and welding engineering technology in Ontario. The number of programs can make it difficult to determine which one is right for you. This guide will assist you in understanding the key differences between programs.

Program details	Key features	Career & pathways
Production GMAW Welder #1337 Certificate \| 12 weeks \| Brantford	Acquire GMAW practical skills and theory	Production welder in a manufacturing environment May be eligible to take the CWB welder tests Certificate + Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) credential upon successful completion of the CWB weld skills test
Welding Techniques #1193 Certificate \| 30 weeks \| Cambridge	Pre-apprenticeship program covering the in-school training of the Welder and Metal Fabricator (Fitter) trades Great starting point to gain skills in all aspects of welding No welding skills necessary to apply Develop welding skills such as Shielded Metal Arc welding, Gas Metal Arc welding, Flux Cored Arc welding, and Gas Tungsten Arc welding	Follows the curriculum of the provincial trades Welder (456A) and Metal Fabricator Fitter (437A) Opportunity to apply for an exemption from the Level 1 apprenticeship in-school component Common first year with Welding and Fabrication Technician #0046 May be eligible to take the CWB welder tests Ladders into Welding Engineering Technician - Robotics (Optional Co-op) #1502, Welding Engineering Technology - Inspection #0043 and Manufacturing Engineering Technology - Welding and Robotics #1079
Welding and Fabrication Technician #0046 Diploma \| 2 years \| Cambridge	Pre-apprenticeship program covering the in-school training of the Welder and Metal Fabricator (Fitter) trades Develop the knowledge and skills required for the layout, preparation, forming, fitting, joining and inspection of welded fabrications Develop welding skills such as Shielded Metal Arc welding, Gas Metal Arc welding, Flux Cored Arc welding, and Gas Tungsten Arc welding	First year courses are common to the Welding Engineering Technician – Robotics program #1502 allowing movement between the two programs after year one Opportunity to apply for an exemption from the Level 1 & 2 apprenticeship in-school component May be eligible to take the CWB welder tests Ladders into Welding Eng. Technology – Inspection #0043 and Manufacturing Eng. Technology – Welding & Robotics #1079
Welding Engineering Technician – Robotics (Optional Co-op) #1502 Diploma \| 2 years \| Cambridge	Learn to operate and troubleshoot robotic welding systems while having maintenance, welding, and robotic programming knowledge Create and read blueprints and gain an understanding of metals and their characteristics, complemented by solid welding automation knowledge and welding robot programming Optional paid co-op work term	First year courses are common to the Welding and Fabrication Technician program #0046 allowing movement between the two programs after year one May be eligible to take the CWB welder tests Ladders into Welding Eng. Technology – Inspection #0043 and Manufacturing Eng. Technology – Welding & Robotics #1079
Manufacturing Engineering Technology - Welding and Robotics (Optional Co-op) #1079 Advanced Diploma \| 3 years \| Cambridge	Benefit from extensive hands-on work with welding automation and robotics systems including: GMAW (MIG) and spot-welding applications, CAD/CAM applications with CNC thermal cutting, and off-line robotic simulation programming applications Optional co-op stream includes four consecutive 4-month paid work terms	Laddering opportunity from Welding Techniques #1193 The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) conditionally recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) category
Welding Engineering Technology – Inspection (Optional Co-op) #0043 Advanced Diploma \| 3 years \| Cambridge	Prepares you to work in the demanding and rewarding field of welding inspection and quality assurance through metallurgical analysis, destructive testing of welds and non-destructive evaluation methods for quality control and assurance Optional co-op stream includes four consecutive 4-month paid work terms	Laddering opportunity from Welding Techniques #1193 The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) conditionally recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) category Opportunity to challenge CWB Level 1 Visual Weld Inspection exam

Programs with a welding component

Program	Key features	Career & pathways
Electro Mechanical and Automation Maintenance (Optional Co-op) #1318 Diploma \| 2 years \| Cambridge	Focuses on the field of Mechatronics from an industrial maintenance perspective and includes two courses in welding Develop welding skills such as Shielded Metal Arc welding, Gas Metal Arc welding and Gas Tungsten Arc welding Optional paid co-op work term	Covers the learning outcomes for Levels 1 and 2 of the Electrician and Millwright apprenticeship programs in Ontario. If you pursue an apprenticeship in either trade, you may be exempt from these levels of in-school training.
Construction Techniques (Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC and Welding) #07161 Certificate \| 30 weeks \| Waterloo	Introduction to a variety of skills in the construction trade including carpentry, electrical, HVAC and welding allowing you to narrow your field of interest	Pursue an entry-level position in the construction trades that may lead to an apprenticeship
Construction Techniques (Welding, HVAC, Plumbing, and Masonry) #07163 Certificate \| 30 weeks \| Waterloo	Introduction to a variety of skills in the construction trade including HVAC, welding, plumbing and masonry allowing you to narrow your field of interest	Pursue an entry-level position in the construction trades that may lead to an apprenticeship
Applied Manufacturing Management – Welding Stream #1553 Graduate Certificate \| 2 years \| Guelph	Must have a 3-year Advanced Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field for admission into the program Focuses on the development of leadership skills and the ability to manage complex manufacturing processes and teams. Welding courses are included as a component of the program Gain practical skills as you learn to weld with Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GTAW) machines	Graduates will be able to look for employment in small to large manufacturing and support industries including automation, metal machining, welding, automotive manufacturing suppliers, food and beverage processing and packaging, pharmaceutical, textiles, or general manufacturing as managers, supervisors or team leads with an enhanced applied perspective.

Traditional apprenticeship

These programs require an employer sponsor and a number of hours on the job before an offer of classroom training is sent.

Program	Key features
Welder Apprenticeship #1163 Certificate \| 3 years	In-class component of apprenticeship training that complements the apprentice’s on-the-job training provided by an employer Acquire theoretical knowledge of all aspects of the regulated and non-regulated welding trade An employer sponsor is required prior to registration
Welding Techniques – Metal Fabrication Apprenticeship #1173 Certificate \| 3 years	In-class component of apprenticeship training that complements the apprentice’s on-the-job training provided by an employer Acquire theoretical knowledge of all aspects of metal fabrication. Metal fabricators produce, assemble, fit and install steel or other metal components for building, bridges, tanks, towers, boilers, pressure vessels and other similar structures and products. An employer sponsor is required prior to registration

Program

Key features

Welder Apprenticeship #1163
Certificate | 3 years

In-class component of apprenticeship training that complements the apprentice’s on-the-job training provided by an employer
Acquire theoretical knowledge of all aspects of the regulated and non-regulated welding trade
An employer sponsor is required prior to registration

Welding Techniques – Metal Fabrication Apprenticeship #1173
Certificate | 3 years

In-class component of apprenticeship training that complements the apprentice’s on-the-job training provided by an employer
Acquire theoretical knowledge of all aspects of metal fabrication. Metal fabricators produce, assemble, fit and install steel or other metal components for building, bridges, tanks, towers, boilers, pressure vessels and other similar structures and products.
An employer sponsor is required prior to registration