Welding

Sparks, molten metal and a steady hand: welding is a trade you learn by doing. RRC Polytech’s Welding certificate is a one-year, three-term programme taught at the Notre Dame Campus in northwest Winnipeg, and also at the South Winnipeg Campus, combining practical shop work with theory in oxyacetylene, arc, tungsten inert gas (TIG) and metal inert gas (MIG) welding.

Term 1 begins with Safety, Hand and Power Tools, Oxy Fuel Welding and Cutting, Introduction Shielded Metal Arc Welding and Introduction Gas Metal Arc Welding, plus Interpreting Engineering Drawings, Mathematics for Manufacturing, Communication Strategies, WHMIS and General Safety Training. Term 2 builds on this with Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Advanced Gas Metal Arc Welding, Introduction Gas Tungsten Metal Arc Welding, Introduction to Fabrication Processes and Science for Manufacturing, along with Work to Learn as a Welder. Electives let you add Introduction to Non-Destructive Testing or Advanced Gas Tungsten Metal Arc Welding.

Assessment mirrors the trade: every welding component has theory tests, and your practical assignments are graded to government and industry standards. You can also be tested for Canadian Welding Bureau certification in SMAW and GMAW, receiving a student ticket if you pass. Term 3 brings a Work Experience placement and AC-129 Accreditation Level 1, and although this is not an apprenticeship programme, it can provide credit towards Level 1 of the apprenticeship with Apprenticeship Manitoba. Before classes start, you sit diagnostic math and reading skills tests.

Welding graduates find work as production welders, metal fabricators, maintenance welders, structural steel fabricators, apprentice welders and welder-fitters in manufacturing plants, fabrication shops and construction. The Notre Dame programme suits practical people with good hand-eye coordination who are comfortable in a noisy shop and want a skilled trade they can build on.