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Apprenticeship Training on Prince Edward Island

Website of interest: American Welding Society

Welding Fabrication

In September 2005, Holland College in partnership with the Prince Edward Island Department of Education, the Prince Edward Island Apprenticeship Board and Island industry piloted a new trades training/apprenticeship model for the Holland College Welding Fabrication program.

This integrated training model provides students with a coordinated pathway taking them from pre-apprenticeship training through to a Provincial Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal. It includes all aspects of program delivery including 'on campus' training at Holland College and 'in industry' work placements.

For information on apprenticeship/Red Seal, please click here.

Students in the Welding Fabrication program may choose from two profiles/trade designations:

• Welder (minimum of 4,500 hours which includes a combination of three years of in-school and industry training) or
• Metal Fabricator (minimum of 6,000 hours which includes a combination of four years of in-school and industry training)

Welder: The Welder Profile of the Welding Fabrication program prepares students with the comprehensive skills and knowledge they require to gain employment in the welding fabrication industry. Meeting industry's demand for multi-skilled individuals, the program takes a broad approach, providing skills in the layout, fabrication, assembly and erection of metal framework and miscellaneous items by cutting, forming and welding. Students will also be trained in the use of stationary power equipment such as press break, shear and rolls. Students in this area of study will train to the Red Seal standard for the designated trade of Welder and, if they choose, can obtain a second Red Seal in the trade of Metal Fabricator after a fourth year of study/training.

Metal Fabricator: The Metal Fabricator profile prepares trainees with the comprehensive skills and knowledge they require to gain employment in the trade. Instruction covers layout, fabrication, assembly, and erection of metal frameworks and structures. The Metal Fabricator student is also trained in inspection; both non-destructive and destructive methods. Students train on Computer Numeric Controlled equipment such as: Press-Break, Shear, Plasma Cutting Table and Auto-CAD. Students in this area of study will train to the Red Seal standard for the designated trade of Metal Fabricator. The Metal Fabricator Red Seal designation requires a total of 6,000 hours of training, 1,500 of which are obtained during the fourth year of study/training following the three year 4,500 hour Welder profile.

The Welding Fabrication program is located at the Georgetown Centre, the Welding, Fabrication, Plumbing, Pipe-Trades and Commercial Diving training facility of Holland College. The Centre houses state of-the-art equipment and leading industry technology. Full-time and customized training programs for individuals preparing for a career or who are currently involved in the welding, plumbing, steamfitting/pipefitting and/or commercial diving fields are delivered at this Centre.

The Welding and Fabrication shop features an air-in, air-out ventilation and fume extraction system ensuring a practically fume-free environment. The shop is equipped with up-to-date metal forming and welding equipment and features a five-ton rail-mounted indoor crane. Fabrication trainees are provided with a facility in which they can design and construct a wide variety of small and large projects. Complementing the Welding and Fabrication shop are:

• Spacious Study/Resource Centre;
• Computer lab with Pentium computers equipped with 17" monitors, Smartboard technology and multi-media capabilities, Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD) and SigmaNest software;
• Metallurgy lab;
• Canadian Welding Bureau Test Centre;
• Instructional staff with industry experience and certification in their area of expertise; and
• Trained support staff to provide assistance in related areas of study including communications, mathematics, physical science, and computer literacy curriculum that has been developed to national standards and validated by industry.

Program Timelines and Content

On the day that the Welding Fabrication program begins, students will register with the PEI Apprenticeship Board, choosing a designated trade of either Welder or Metal Fabricator. During the program, both workplace training hours and classroom hours are all apprenticeable hours.

Areas of Competency

• Trades Awareness and Safety Orientation
• Hand and Power Tools
• Oxy-Fuel Welding
• Cutting Procedures
• Rigging
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
• Blueprint Reading
• Essential Employability Skills
• Math
• Computer Literacy
• Gas Metal Arc Welding
• Flux Cored Arc Welding
• Metallurgy
• Project Management
• Inspection Material Specification
• Layout
• Quality Control and Materials Identification
• Specialty Welding
• Finishing and Installing
• CNC Plasma Cutting Table
• Computer Aided Design Software

Fourth Year Option
A fourth year of study/training is required for all students who wish to complete the Metal Fabricator profile and obtain their Red Seal certification in the Metal Fabricator trade. During this year, they will complete the number of required weeks of both workplace and classroom training working toward their second Red Seal. Upon completion of the requirements as laid out by the Provincial Apprenticeship Board, students will be eligible to write the Red Seal Examination for the Red Seal in Metal Fabricator.

Workplace Training

All students are required to complete several mandatory training terms related to their field of study. These placements occur at various times throughout the length of the program. The costs of travel and/or accomodations while on workplace training will be covered by the individual students.

Graduate Opportunities

• Construction industries
• Fabrication, assembly and maintenance shops
• Pulp and paper mills
• Shipyards
• Offshore construction and maintenance
• Self-employment

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level;
• Preference will be given to applicants with grade 11 or 12 English; math and physics;
• Related courses and work experience will enhance application;
• Resume including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program to which you are applying

If you have any questions concerning the Welding Fabrication program, contact Phyllis MacPhee- pmacphee@hollandc.pe.ca