Be ready to light the spark of your career.
You’ll learn how to join, sever and create with metal, skills in demand in industry, construction and repair shops of all kinds. About 80 per cent of your three-year apprenticeship will happen on the job working with a qualified welder; the remaining time is spent in our classroom and our well-equipped welding lab.
Not working in the industry yet? Start with our Pre-Welder certificate.
Grab and Go Information
Why should you study Welding Apprenticeship at Lethbridge Polytechnic?
In our welding lab, you’ll practise five types of welding: gas metal arc; flux-cored arc; metal-cored arc; shielded metal arc; and gas tungsten arc welding. You’ll also have access to oxy-acetylene and plasma cutters. You’ll learn safety and the math and science skills this trade demands, along with pattern development and drawing interpretation, from experienced instructors.
60 welding booths
in the Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility
5
different welding processes that students learn
80%
the amount of time in your apprenticeship you’ll spend on the job learning from qualified welders
Career Opportunities
As a welder, you’ll find yourself in demand in a variety of capacities. When you complete your apprenticeship, you’ll be ready to work in:
- Commercial construction
- Heavy equipment repair
- Industrial construction
- Pipeline construction
- Steel fabrication
- Vessel or structural steel assembly
$79,452
the average annual salary of a welder working in Alberta
404
the number of new welder positions forecasted to be created each year in Alberta
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
At-a-Glance
Credential / Accreditation
Certified 'Journeyman' Papers
Duration
3 years
International Eligibility
This program is not available for International Students.
Academic Centre
Admissions
Apply through MyTradesecretsAcademic Requirements
- English 10-1 or 10-2 or equivalent
- Math 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 or equivalent
- OR a passing mark in all five GED/CAEC tests
- OR successful completion of the Apprenticeship Entrance exam
* English 30-2, Math 30-3, Physics 20 or Chemistry 20 or Science 20 and related Career and Technology Studies (CTS) are recommended.
Admission
You can apply for apprenticeship and industry training through MyTradesecrets.
To arrange a tour, call 403.320.3366 or toll-free 1.800.572.0103.
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board
Provincial Building, Room 280
200 - 5th Avenue South
Lethbridge AB T1J 4C7
Telephone: 1-800-248-4823
Outside of North America: 1-403-476-9757
Fax: 403-381-5795
Ask about the Alberta Apprenticeship Scholarship Program. You might discover you’re eligible for a financial award!
Apprenticeship programs require 8 to 12 weeks of classroom training each year in addition to on-the-job training.
Courses include:
- GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding), FCAW (Flux-Cored Arc Welding), MCAW (Metal Cored Arc Welding), SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding).
- Oxy-acetylene cutting and plasma cutting
- Pattern development and drawing interpretation
- Safety and tools
- Trade mathematics
- Trade science
Tuition costs are estimates for the 2025/2026 year.
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
|
$1,024.00
|
$233.00
|
$950.00
|
| Year 2
|
$1,024.00
|
$233.00
|
$950.00
|
| Year 3
|
$1,024.00
|
$233.00
|
$950.00
|
View detailed program cost estimates
Notes
Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.
Budget Wizard
Our Budget Wizard is a free self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. Give it a try!
The Welder Apprenticeship program is an apprenticeship program delivered face-to-face on campus but may have some blended and hyflex components.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship programs require eight to 12 weeks of classroom training each year in addition to on-the-job training. You’ll work with an employer and our experienced instructors to gain the best of both worlds as you work and earn money while training.
Featured Graduates
Darrell Bohle
“It’s every business owner’s responsibility to give back, to try to work in and with the community. We want to contribute to that transformation by enhancing the training of welders.”
Dominique Tousignant
“I enjoy the feeling of knowing that my work will be seen and admired for years to come. And I like knowing that one day my daughter and perhaps grandchildren may walk through the doors that I welded in place.”
Wanda LeClair
“I came from working in the human service industry, and I just came to a place in my life where my kids were older and I wanted to do something where I could make a bit better money. I’d been taking various courses at the college for 30 years, so I knew I wanted to come here and I decided I wanted to try a trade but didn’t know which one. The advisor asked about welding, and I like to build things so I thought “ya!” So she sent me off on a job shadow at Charlton and Hill and I did the job shadow and thought “I think I might like this,” and that’s where it started.”