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Welder Produced FEBRUARY 2006
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Welders use a variety of welding processes to join and sever metals. Wire process operators use wire feed welding processes and work primarily in production environments.
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: I7 k: r7 E( v( Z7 YNOC Number(s): 7265.1, 7265.2
6 \# }* u2 R2 l/ v+ P: S& k9 h5 AMinimum Education: Apprenticeship Trade - Grade 9
+ y; i& s0 I0 E4 m2 h; s. MEmployment Outlook: Employment turnover in addition to above average occupational growth in Alberta 6 ^4 Y% c% q4 X5 G) ~# l+ P" i
Interests: O M I ; O M i 6 L5 K# E" K) j" a- I' T+ n" ^
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Duties | Working Conditions | Personal Characteristics | Education | Employment | Salary | Other Information | Related Occupations | Related School Subjects | Related Field of Study: W0 j# R7 C+ u+ p. R
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2 e; z: P0 E' i% ]5 D1 p7 JDuties section revised JANUARY 2007 3 H2 B8 x9 m8 D1 w
There are two branches of the welding trade in Alberta: welder and wire process operator.) a! B$ {+ f" r$ G# `6 \
3 B) d' j9 B% h4 x N- LWelders join and sever metals in beams, girders, vessels, piping and other metal components, make metal parts used in construction and manufacturing plants, and weld parts, tools, machines and equipment. Depending on the type of metal, its size and shape, and requirements for finished product strength, welders may use any of the following welding processes and fillers: ?6 R8 w, P4 K8 {! M- A8 \
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electric arc welding - heat is created as an electric current flows through an arc between the tip of the welding electrode and the metal
n& z! l/ _7 M; i# E9 `9 H; Ggas welding (oxy-acetylene welding) - the flame from the combustion of burning gases melts the metal
+ a5 q9 I) y6 G0 }* j; P T5 T6 {arc and gas welding - filler materials are melted and added to fill the joint and make it stronger
) _( b$ z4 k+ n# k$ L2 o6 Q0 |; Xresistance welding - the metal piece itself is melted as current flows through it and no filler is added.% G$ H: O1 A2 L) A. L: ~/ r
Duties vary from one position to another but, in general, welders:
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, B+ C' R; I$ {# u; n' g: ldevelop patterns for projects or follow directions given in layouts, blueprints and work orders
6 Y: ^; a1 ^ f a& Hclean, check for defects and shape component parts, sometimes using a cutting torch * b0 Y7 ]5 d' H7 N' |/ [( f8 Q1 z2 F9 X
weld parts together.
* [# y: Y- ]4 H `& {7 O6 J! f' TWire process operators fabricate products ranging from metal chairs to heavy equipment. They use gas metal arc welding, flux cored arc welding, submerged arc welding and other semiautomatic wire feed welding processes to join components and sub-assemblies. 6 n3 ~9 B% k2 G/ F
0 A" k- c( @; B8 `$ Q4 A r' uIn general, wire process operators:
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follow directions in layouts, blueprints and work orders
$ g2 @, ~0 R$ p4 Iposition, align, fit and weld parts together
' b: @( Z7 u4 `! K( }clean welds and check for defects 0 G" E3 w9 V0 \+ B z
ensure completed work conforms to specifications.
3 T# D4 z8 F2 Y1 I! p) l8 y# SWelders and wire process operators also may use cutting torches to separate metals or build up worn parts by welding layers of high-strength hard-metal alloys onto them.
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/ w1 r* y- p# I0 s }Working Conditions 3 P' k9 g4 V+ v, Y. e* \& L7 |' {
A 40 hour work week is typical in this occupation but overtime is sometimes required to meet project deadlines. There is some risk of injury involved in working with torches and hot metals, and the resulting sparks and fumes., w8 h' p+ {2 p- v( h
6 o& S8 ]& E: [1 m' x$ m! A: cWelders may work outdoors on construction sites or indoors in production and repair shops. In some cases, they have to travel to job sites (for example, oilfields). They may be required to lift and move objects that weigh over 20 kg.' e2 P4 G4 `8 V8 @* h7 Y! }& r
0 U+ }) ~" a7 N5 M4 N( @% C' lWire process operators usually work in production plant and metal fabrication shop environments. They spend most of their working hours on their feet and routinely handle loads weighing up to 10 kg.
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Personal Characteristics section revised JANUARY 2007
2 { X. k9 X" e. s7 \0 `9 FWelders and wire process operators need the following characteristics:. u. q. P9 O& {, Z( }
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manual dexterity
" L6 ?; i/ [9 X9 b1 S/ zgood vision (glasses are acceptable) 4 u4 _! {, B: H3 \- e7 M+ d! {
good eye-hand coordination 7 I8 [& z8 `1 a$ f3 B2 `
the ability to concentrate on detailed work
, ~$ j, V1 d/ l1 `* ?2 F1 Npatience.
8 ?+ U( A; T2 u# gThey should enjoy building things and working with little direction or supervision.
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c9 L, z7 s5 e8 ?8 c) m# j+ y+ G5 VEducational Requirements section revised JUNE 2007 % J3 r9 `' h$ e4 ]
To work in Alberta, a welder or a wire process operator must be ONE of the following: ( l; c% e& ]) ]+ t) ?: |6 v
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a registered apprentice
; N. i3 L( R" }# \% K x; U: V) E* Ka certified journeyperson
! ]( ]) K# a$ Z% s4 g# jsomeone who holds a recognized trade certificate.7 L9 F! b! q8 i/ i
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentice welders and wire process operators must:% c8 s4 t o6 x/ }; Y4 b: \
2 t& |5 T. w# q: ]" T/ V$ T) M+ vhave at least Alberta Grade 9 education or equivalent, or pass an entrance exam . S# H3 ^. C* l: P# K8 L1 P3 l0 n
find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Employers may prefer to hire high school graduates and select apprentices from among their current employees. % m7 P: v4 p+ @1 z5 S
The term of apprenticeship for: / u0 q+ a' P6 R. y
3 j: c0 K( t0 M$ E" fwelders is three years (three 12 month periods) that include a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training each year.
' M6 @8 O- |: @wire process operators is two years (two 12 month periods) including a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training in the first year and 1800 hours of on-the-job training in the second year.
9 o$ M/ ]) ~& G: wHigh school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
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Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for credit or certification.
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5 n$ O5 P' G' u% |. M: ~- ZWelder apprentices may take an interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada). / C9 i+ b' n4 J; e
$ C# t- p x' m& X. q: {8 YTechnical training for welders is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:
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Keyano College in Fort McMurray ) E0 p6 u- p6 q; }# ` i* V
Lakeland College in Vermilion
1 l: ?+ a. f3 N( Y) ILethbridge College
: V" h) T$ G; y& | K. ]Medicine Hat College
2 F( v6 S* k+ ~) [$ Zthe Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton, Fairview and Grande Prairie 9 F# F% n$ V) F( l
Northern Lakes College in Slave Lake
2 n' n$ U- W! M+ T0 QOlds College * q- X+ `4 g# Q
Portage College in Lac La Biche 6 V" y3 y, \. p
Red Deer College $ E" s/ n/ E1 T
the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary.
! D2 b) H$ z+ y- T6 DNAIT also offers technical training by distance delivery. 0 p0 `5 v3 K$ f1 G" R# Q9 A
- p: y) T. A: x' CTechnical training for wire process operators is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at Red Deer College.
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Outside the apprenticeship program, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary offers a two year Welding Engineering Technology diploma by distance and non-distance. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 and Pure Math 30. This program is accredited by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists.
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& j$ y7 O3 B0 b( y7 kPre-employment programs for prospective apprentices and continuing education programs for journeypersons may be offered on an as needed basis by the institution(s) listed above or other schools.
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For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.
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; a2 \' Q( k8 ]: b5 jEmployment and Advancement section revised APRIL 2007
9 L0 X+ r3 m: W) [* i, _Welders are employed by companies involved in:
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; p7 v4 U) T) w/ n. T/ Zvessel or structural steel assembly 6 y1 H9 |7 u) X$ Z K& y7 e
pipeline construction ' l7 Z& B' S. w5 e! t
commercial construction 0 }8 b- Q( r9 k8 N, p n+ z; ~
industrial construction ! O$ S4 I2 l, `. K
steel fabrication ; f2 w; b/ b8 k, W* H1 r
heavy equipment repair.
1 x$ Z' O, R8 e+ lSome welders work as portable rig welders who contract out their services. " w9 A* j# p0 w7 E* B
* J( E& w* R/ W9 J0 aWire process operators are employed by companies involved in: ; q5 T" V5 w& `' U3 q
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manufacturing vessels $ y' x \+ F, Q; q e& L
structural steel fabrication * o' r: t. e. ~4 M' D
general steel fabrication
7 V* O% h# q7 L I, {) m: ^truck body fabrication . c: H: ~6 j' g/ h6 l
heavy equipment repair.
, Q S0 l/ C* n$ GExperienced welders and wire process operators may move to inspector or supervisor positions, or open their own shops. Alberta certified journeyperson welders who have the supervisory or management skills required by industry may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training." K- ]5 w) ~ R0 M' k
$ E# ^ D4 ~, g- `Welders and wire process operators are part of a larger National Occupational Classification 7265: Welders and Related Machine Operators. In Alberta, over 75 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
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4 f. c) F; f6 K3 [, W7 g# V6 ?# LMetal Fabrication and Machinery Manufacturing ; j6 o( K. q0 e% l0 z
Personal, Repair, Religious and Other Services
, Q5 M9 f& O; D; E: lConstruction
0 ~6 H Z+ L$ P8 l% @' ^3 ~Oil and Gas Extraction and Mining Support Activities 8 R2 h' E& n7 i- H( W% I: ?8 G
Wholesale Trade.
d- g! b- n- l* A# _- {. d3 V1 u' VThe employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:* ]7 L. c1 Z" `# F+ l: b$ o
! `+ k$ B* A2 v) S! ytime of year (for seasonal jobs)
9 y+ f/ p! K; O5 h$ a/ B% P0 Dtrends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above) & R2 Y1 h1 h* a" N
location in Alberta ' h3 s" _% @( M3 b" f
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
3 N3 V2 E& |$ V! _) W) ~occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before) # F* e M9 R5 `) N) y0 }' _% G0 K
size of the occupation." e) r! ^" F" F. R4 }4 i& Y; R- k1 v
Over 11,750 Albertans are employed in the Welders and Related Machine Operators occupational group which is expected to grow 3.0 to 4.0 per cent each year from 2006 to 2011 in Alberta. It is forecasted that 350 to 470 new positions will be created each year in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. (Note: Since welders form only a part of the larger occupational group on which this forecast is based, only a portion of the new positions created will be for welders.)# u3 a1 M6 ^' A/ k. R, c. w/ {
; Y& |% L$ R4 G% KEmployment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next five to ten years.6 X7 J6 b) B9 c0 l- Q. x/ T+ F
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0 s& Q4 Z3 M5 S$ l8 e9 ^Salary section revised JULY 2007 ( I" N0 ? x& K
According to the 2005 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Welders and Related Machine Operators occupational group working part-time or full-time earned from $20,400 to $170,300 a year. The average salary was $58,200 a year.: m+ c$ }4 j; S
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Apprentice welders earn at least 60 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 75 per cent in the second and 90 per cent in the third. " {/ _: R4 ?8 e
4 c, m2 W9 `+ c3 w1 G/ Q+ RApprentice wire process operators earn at least 60 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year and 75 per cent in the second.
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2 Z: ?2 i y; \' Z4 \6 mFor information about typical wage ranges for journeypersons, see the Trades and Occupations section of the tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca website.
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3 B( Z; {. ]* X% T6 A3 |Other Sources of Information section revised MARCH 2006
: H. L" `3 Q' }# ?- a% U; @* u& N6 HAlberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca1 M1 ~( }. h7 M! [ H
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Alberta Construction Industry "Trade Up!" website: www.careersconstruction.com
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! y) e( e3 o" [Calgary Construction Association website: www.cca.cc
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Construction Sector Council website: www.csc-ca.org
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EDinfo website: www.alis.gov.ab.ca/edinfo
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Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)# p* x/ M$ k/ c# d
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+ w5 v9 [: l. r8 D. p, R' KRelated Occupational Profiles
+ S2 h& V( ]' c( o0 J0 q& ?# tBoilermaker
& Q) {& s$ @6 j5 m1 @8 ?( nCareer and Technology Studies Teacher
( t: l; {: H8 j) J8 `% DCommercial Diver
# f9 o" t3 C: D$ b& UHeavy Equipment Technician 8 r2 h' x+ X. G4 t, n" S1 `" J8 u* I
Ironworker
6 O$ f' W: E' s3 Y o, TMachinist
8 n, N5 L }# r" P7 c/ L. KMillwright
9 Q4 A, c; J# c! y5 ^& Q, IStructural Steel and Plate Fitter $ ~# A q5 f }8 g) O# B
2 d# e: Q/ Q! y7 ~Related High School Subjects
* E8 ~- ]4 h0 c5 L* T$ HFabrication Studies; and Physical Education
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8 Z8 z- Y; {' e! {9 y# a* BRelated Post-Secondary Field of Study
5 s- E' B* j! ^3 a1 P4 N9 {Trades, Industrial and Related Training - I7 k7 o2 d7 X2 u6 _2 s
0 ^% h' x( q, |* L Top of Profile
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For more information on career planning, occupations and educational programs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website at www.alis.gov.ab.ca, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 422-4266 in Edmonton (deaf and hard of hearing individuals can call 1-800-232-7215 toll-free for message relay or 422-5283 in Edmonton), or visit an Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry service centre near you.
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The information contained in this profile was current as of the dates shown. Salaries, employment outlook and educational programs may change. Please check the information before making any career decisions.
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Government of Alberta, Employment, Immigration and Industry |
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