Welder-Apprenticeship

Admission Requirements Tuition and Fees Program Structure

We offer a three-year Welder - Apprenticeship program for those looking to work in the welding industry. The program offers both on-the-job training, and skills and technical training to prepare you for the workforce.

After graduating the program, you will be able to:

  • Fuse metals safely and properly using prescribed welding applications
  • Know and understand the welding equipment involved in various procedures
  • Understand drawings and develop layout patterns
  • Calculate quantities of materials
  • Know and understand metals, arc electrodes, welding gases and gas welding filler roads
  • Recognize defective welds, and know the cause and repair procedure for the defective area
  • Know the mathematic calculations related to the welding trade
  • Know and understand the related work of other tradespeople in the industry
  • Perform tasks in accordance with industry quality and production standards

Career opportunities

As a welder, you may be employed in various industries, including:

  • Vessel or structural steel assembly
  • Pipeline construction
  • Commercial construction
  • Industrial construction
  • Steel fabrication
  • Heavy equipment repair

Experienced welders may become inspectors or supervisors, open their own shops, or work as contractors.

Admission requirements

You can register as an apprentice and attend 1st period classroom instruction without having a sponsor or employer. However, to earn on-the-job hours toward your apprenticeship, you must have a sponsor and an employer (which may be the same company). You are encouraged to find a sponsor as soon as possible so you can learn from a qualified mentor and practice your skills. Most apprentices come to classroom instruction with on-the-job experience, so without this, you may find the classes challenging.

Find out more about the Alberta Apprenticeship Entrance Requirements.

To Apply and Register
Register on My Trade Secrets OR
Submit an Apprenticeship Industry Training Enrollment Form in person or by email to:
Keyano College, Office of the Registrar
8115 Franklin Avenue Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2H7
Phone: 780-791-4801 or 1-800-251-1408 ext. 4801
Fax: 780-791-4952 Email: registrar@keyano.ca

Tuition and fees

Fees - 8 Week Session 2023-2024

Please note the 2023-2024 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the tuition fee regulation.

Fees - 8 week session  Domestic Students
Tuition $1,016.00
Campus Recreation Fee $35.00
Student Association Building Fee $8.96
Student Association Fee $56.00
Technology Fee $95.00
Materials $87.00
Total Fees & Tuition ***$1,297.96
 Fees - 8 Week Session 2024-2025
Please note the 2024-2025 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the tuition fee regulation.
Fees - 8 week session  Domestic Students
Tuition $1040.00
Campus Recreation Fee $38.00
Student Association Building Fee $8.96
Student Association Fee $56.00
Technology Fee $100.00
Materials $89.00
Total Fees & Tuition ***$1,331.96

***Refund policy
• $250 admission deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• If an Apprentice withdraws 10 business days prior to the first day of class a 50% refund of tuition, minus the $250 admission deposit.
• If the college cancels a program a full refund will be granted.

For more information view the Keyano College Credit Calendar

Program structure

The Welder - Apprenticeship program is a three-year program that includes a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training each year.

Course outline for all years

How apprenticeships work

An apprenticeship is a work experience based post-secondary education. As an apprentice, you will find a matching employer to help tutor you as you become a carpenter through an Apprenticeship Agreement.

Your time is divided by on-the-job training under a certified journeyperson (about 80%) and attending technical training courses at a training provider, such as Keyano College (about 20%).