Why study welding?
Why take welding at UFV?
I'm not yet working in the welding trade. Will this program get me there?
What about me? I'm still in high school but know this is the career I want.
What type of career can I expect?
Program Outline
Anything else I need to know?
Sounds good. What do I need to get in?
When should I apply?
How much will it cost?
I'm interested. What do I do next?
Is there an upgrading policy?
Can I speak with someone about my options?
Why study welding?
You want your welding logbook and you want it fast to get that job you’ve got your eye on. Now is the time to invest in your future, earn your Welding Level C/Welder Fitting certificates, and get ready for some positive changes in your career.
Why take welding at UFV?
At UFV, we can help you start your welding career, or help you upgrade your skills if you’re already working as a welder. You will get a thorough introduction to the trade, and develop skills expected by employers. Our program is organized to accept both advanced and entry-level students within the same class. Most of your training will be individualized and is based on a modular program. Our Level C program integrates both the Welding Level C certification along with Welder Fitting certification.
I’m not yet working in the welding trade. Will this program get me there?
Absolutely. UFV offers the best basic training for entry-level employment in a broad variety of welding, steel fabrication, and related jobs. Our curriculum is organized on the modular plan, which has been adopted by the provincial industry training authority. The particular modules you’ll study in this course have been adopted as a result of priorities and recommendations of our local advisory committee. Our program will give you a thorough introduction to the trade and, through hands-on experience with a wide variety of equipment, you’ll develop the skills expected by today’s employers.
What about me? I’m still in high school but know this is the career I want.
We have options for you, too! UFV and School District 34 (Abbotsford) operate a jointly sponsored Career Technical Centre. As a welding student, you can enter at the Grade 11 level and complete high school and a one-year UFV Level C Welding certificate over two years. In addition to being listed and signed off in the Welding Logbook, you will earn a UFV Welder Fitting certificate. For more information on this program, please call 604-850-8672 or fax 604-850-0667.
What type of career can I expect?
That’s up to you and what you’re looking for. Once you’ve successfully completed the program, you will be fully prepared for a variety of job opportunities in metal-working industries including jobs such as production welder, maintenance welder, welder-fitter, welder-fabricator, etc.
Program outline
Level C-Course Title
C-P-1 Introduction and Program Orientation
C-P-2 Oxyfuel Gas Cutting (OFC)
C-P-3 Gas Welding and Braze Welding
C-P-4 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW #1)
C-P-5 Air Carbon Arc Gouging (AAG)
C-P-6 Gas Metal Arc Welding #1 (GMAW #1)
Flux Cored Arc Welding #1 (FCAW #1)
C-RK-1 Material Handling
C-RK-2A Blueprint Reading #1
C-RK-2B Mathematics
C-RK-3 Welding Metallurgy #1
Welder Fitting
Course Title
WF-A Use Safe Work Practice
WF-B Use Trade Math
WF-C Read Blue Prints
WF-D Handle Materials
WF-E Use Metal Working Equipment
WF-F Layout Projects
Advanced Programs
Level B Course Title
B-P-7 Shielded Metal Arc Welding #2 (SMAW #2)
B-P-8 Gas Metal Arc Welding #2 (GMAW #2)
B-P-9 Flux Cored Arc Welding #2 (FCAW #2)
B-P-10 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding #1 (GTAW #1)
B-RK-4 Welding Quality Control and
Inspection Standards
B-RK-5 Welding Codes, Standards,
and Specifications
B-RK-6 Blueprint Reading #2
B-RK-7 Welding Metallurgy #2
Level A
Course Title
A-P-11 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW #3)
A-P-12 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW #2)
A-RK-8 Welding Metallurgy #3
A-RK-9 Blueprint Reading #3
In addition to these topics, you will be required to practise layout and fabrication by completing a series of exercises and projects. If you study hard, you should be able to complete the entry-level training, including the fabrication exercises and projects, in about seven to nine months.
Anything else I need to know?
Welding can be a physically demanding job and that’s why a medical statement from a qualified physician may be required at any time before or during the program. You will be notified by a UFV official if or when that statement is required. UFV’s Welding program is delivered at the Trades & Technology Centre at the Canada Education Park in Chilliwack, which is open 8 am to 3:30 pm weekdays. Classes and shops are in session 8:00 am to 11 pm; this includes day and evening shifts.
The program runs from September to May. As a welding student, you will be required to have continuous attendance throughout all three semesters before you can successfully complete the requirements for your program. If you fail to meet the attendance requirements as outlined in your individual program guide, you might be subject to a failing grade or academic warning. See UFV Policy 340.03 (Academic Warning) and UFV Policy 310.03 (Attendance). As a welding student, you must complete all requirements with a minimum of 70 per cent to receive a Credit (CR) grade in order to graduate.
Sounds good. What do I need to get in?
You’ll need your B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent and must pass a math and reading comprehension entrance exam.
When should I apply?
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space.
How much will it cost? Can I afford to take this program?
Expect to pay program fees of about $112.75 per week; this covers tuition plus 10 per cent of the tuition for ancillary fees. As a welding student, you should also budget about $250 for basic hand tools, $300 for the required textbooks, and $500 for your working gear. We require a deposit (currently $200) to be paid when you register, which typically takes place one or two months before the start of each semester.
The balance of your fees must be paid by the second week of the semester. In addition, each semester (fall, winter, and summer) you will be required to pay a $30 Student Union Society membership fee, a $35 SUS Capital fee, $4.50 Cascade student newspaper fee, a $3 per semester radio station fee and a $40 U-Pass fee. A health and dental fee is charged annually each fall semester to students with nine or more credits to provide extended medical and dental insurance. You can check with the Student Union Society or at www.IHaveAPlan.ca for details.
It’s also worth a visit to the UFV Financial Aid and Awards office, which facilitates the disbursement each year of about $12 million in federal and provincial student loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, and awards to UFV students. A helpful budget planning worksheet is available online at
www.ufv.ca/fineaid/budget.
I’m interested. What do I do next?
Check out UFV’s online calendar at www.ufv.ca/calendar. Read the welding section and program description carefully.
Next, you can download an application form and submit it, along with the $45 application fee to any UFV Admissions and Records office or centre. You can also transmit it through the internet at www.pas.bc.ca.
If you’re currently in Grade 12, you can apply now, but we require a statement from your school counsellor or principal indicating that you are likely to meet graduation requirements by June, and this must be presented at the time of your entrance exam appointment. You will be notified of your entrance exam date by the Trades & Technology Centre and there is no fee for writing this exam. If you have not been contacted within two weeks of submitting your application, please call us at 604-847-5451 . Before classes start, you’ll be called and given all the registration procedures. If we can’t reach you after three attempts, you’ll be removed from the waitlist.
Is there an upgrading policy?
You have a busy life and we realize that. That’s where our upgrading program comes in. Our upgrading program allows you, if you’re currently or recently employed in the industry, to complete your certificate requirements or to become proficient in a specific process or technique. As an upgrading student, you are expected to meet program prerequisites through previous enrolment or proof of industry experience that must be approved by the program instructor. And while we’ll welcome you as an upgrading student, you cannot be enrolled for more than 13 weeks. Upgrading students cannot displace anyone registered in the next intake.
I’m not sure that this program is for me. Can I speak with someone about my options?
Yes! We want to hear from you! If you’re unsure of your direction, contact Student Services at 1-888-504-7441 to arrange a tour, attend a Becoming a Student info session, connect with an educational advisor, or arrange for career counselling. You can also contact the Trades & Technology centre directly at 604-847-5448 or email trades@ufv.ca to get more details.
