Trades and Technology
ufv.ca/trades

Welding Level C, Level B, and Level A certificates

The welding 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.

Welding Level C

This 34-week program offers basic training for entry-level employment in a broad variety of welding, steel fabrication, and related jobs. The curriculum covered is organized on the modular plan adopted by the provincial welding trades advisory committee. The particular modules taught in this course have been adopted as a result of priorities and recommendations of our local advisory committee.

Concurrent studies option

UFV allows high school students to complete this program through a concurrent studies model during their grade 12 year. For more information, contact your disctrict/school career counsellor. You may also contact the UFV Trades & Technology Centre at 604-847-5448 or email trades@ufv.ca.

Welding Level B and Level A

These programs offer advanced training beyond Level C. Level B programs have August and January intakes. Please contact the Trades & Technology Centre at 604-847-5448 or trades@ufv.ca for details.

Employment opportunities

Upon successful completion of this program you will be prepared for a variety of employment opportunities in metal working industries, such as production welder, maintenance welder, welder-fitter, welder-fabricator, etc.

Entrance requirements

Welding Level C

1. B.C. Secondary school graduation or equivalent.

2. Successful completion of a math and reading comprehension entrance exam.

Note: Contact the department for information on entrance into Welding Level B and Level A.

When to apply

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.

How to apply

1. Submit a UFV application form, along with the $45 application fee, to the Admissions & Records office. You can apply online or download an application form at ufv.ca/ar/admissions/apply. Application forms are also available from any A&R or Student Services office. Applicants currently in Grade 12 may apply during their Grade 12 year. A statement from the school counsellor or principal, indicating that they are likely to meet graduation requirements by June, must be presented at the time of entrance exam appointment.

2. Applicants will be notified of entrance exam dates by the Trades & Technology Centre. There is no fee for writing these exams. Applicants who have not been contacted within two weeks of submission of their applications should call 604-847-5451.

3. Read the program description and information carefully. If you require more information, please contact the Trades & Technology Centre at 604-847-5448 or trades@ufv.ca.

4. Prior to classes starting, applicants will be notified by telephone of the registration procedures. Applicants who cannot be reached by telephone after three attempts will be removed from the wait list.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and other expenses

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Welding students should also budget approximately $250 for basic hand tools, $300 for required textbooks, and $500 for appropriate working apparel.

Note: A deposit (currently $200) must be paid at the time of registration, which typically takes place one or two months before the start of each semester. The balance of fees must be paid by the end of the second week of the semester.

Medical requirement

A medical statement from a qualified physician may be required at any time before or during the program. Students will be notified by a UFV official if/when the statement is required.

Location

Welding is located in the Trades & Technology Centre at the Canada Education Park in Chilliwack. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Classes and shops are in session between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., Monday to Friday, which includes day or evening shifts.

Dates and attendance requirements

For program start and end dates for the welding program offered at the Canada Education Park in Chilliwack, please contact the Trades & Technology Centre at 604-847-5448 or trades@ufv.ca.

The welding programs require continuous attendance throughout to successfully complete all requirements for the program.

Students who fail to meet the attendance requirements as outlined in their individual program guides may be subject to a failing grade or academic warning.

See UFV's Academic Warning policy (79) and Attendance policy (62).

Program requirements

Students must complete all requirements with a minimum of 70% or better to receive a Credit (CR) grade in order to graduate.

Students who do not receive a Credit (CR) grade in all required areas by the program end date, may apply to their instructor for re-entry into the program. Students who reapply may register as upgrading students and must complete all program requirements no later than the program end date of the following year. See upgrading policy for more details.

Graduation

Students must apply for graduation by completing a Request to Graduate form available at the Trades Centre. We recommend this be done at the beginning of your final semester.

Academic warnings

Trades & Technology students who demonstrate unacceptable academic performance will be placed on Academic Warning. See UFV's Academic Warning policy (79).

Unacceptable academic performance may, at the discretion of the instructor, include poor attendance, slow progress in theory and practical tasks, and/or lack of satisfactory participation in class activities. See UFV's Attendance policy (62).

Trades & Technology students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner, and will be held responsible for their actions, whether acting alone or in group. See UFV's Student Academic Misconduct policy (70) and Student Non-Academic Misconduct policy (204).

Withdrawal policy

Student-initiated withdrawal (discontinuing)

If a student wishes not to continue or return for the next semester, the Trades Centre will advise Admissions & Records and initiate a withdrawal from the student’s current Trades program.

Required to withdraw (failed grades)

Failed grades may result in withdrawal from the program.

Required to withdraw (academic warning)

Students may be required to withdraw from a course or program for failing to comply with any of the following UFV policies: Academic Warning policy (79), Attendance policy (62), Student Academic Misconduct policy (70), Student Non-Academic Misconduct policy (204).

Upgrading policy

An upgrading student will be enrolled for no more than 13 weeks. Upgrading students will not displace anyone registered in the next intake.

The upgrading program allows those currently or recently employed in the industry to complete their certificate requirements or to become proficient in specific processes or techniques.

Upgrading students are expected to meet program prerequisites through previous enrolment or proof of industry experience approved by the program instructor.

Re-admission policy

Students who begin a trades program, but withdraw before completing the program, may contact the department to request re-entry to the program provided their absence is less than two years. Re-entry is subject to space availability.

If you are absent more than two years you will be required to apply for re-admission.

• An Application for admission form and Application fee will be required
• Trades & Technology entrance exams will need to be retaken

Sample topics

Level C

• Introduction and Program Orientation
• Oxyfuel Gas Cutting (OFC)
• Gas Welding and Braze Welding
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW #1)
• Air Carbon Arc Gouging (AAG)
• Gas Metal Arc Welding #1 (GMAW #1)
• Flux Cored Arc Welding #1 (FCAW #1)
• Material Handling
• Blue Print Reading #1
• Mathematics
• Welding Metallurgy #1

Level B

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding #2 (SMAW #2)
• Gas Metal Arc Welding #2 (GMAW #2)
• Flux Cored Arc Welding #2 (FCAW #2)
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding #1 (GTAW #1)
• Welding Quality Control and Inspection Standards
• Welding Codes, Standards and Specifications
• Blue Print Reading #2
• Welding Metallurgy #2

Level A

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW #3)
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW #2)
• Welding Metallurgy #3
• Blue Print Reading #3

In addition to the above topics, you will be required to practice layout and fabrication by completing a series of fabrication exercises and projects.