Pressure Welder
Information you need to know to work as a Pressure Welder
Information you need to know if you wish to practice as a Pressure Welder
Who is the certification body responsible for Pressure Welders in Alberta?
Certification and the authority over pressure welding practices are with the Alberta Boiler Safety Association (ABSA).
What are the certification requirements for Pressure Welders?
Internationally trained Pressure Welders must meet the same requirements as Canadian Pressure Welders:
- Attain a Journeyman Welder or Red Seal Journeyman Welder Certificate in the province of Alberta. In Alberta, you can get your trade certification in Welding through the Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Go to Tradesecrets, click on Trades and Occupations List, Welder. For all offices in Alberta, click on Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office. If you have a sufficient number of months and hours of experience, you can apply through the Qualification Certificate Work Experience application. The Trades Qualifier Program - Work Experience provides experienced tradespeople with an opportunity to have their work experience, skills and knowledge assessed against the standards for certification in an Alberta-designated trade. NOTE: For more information on attaining Journeyman Welder or Red Seal Journeyman Welder certification, visit the Trades page.
- Apply for Grade B Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency from the Alberta Boiler Safety Association. Take the initial test in Alberta (See Syllabus AB-61) and submit an application to ABSA (Form AB-68), with copies of your Journeyman Welder or Interprovincial Red Seal, driver’s license and the current test fee. NOTE: Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training oversees the Journeyperson and Red Seal program.
What are the training requirements to work as a Pressure Welder in Alberta?
To work in Alberta, a welder or a wire process operator must be ONE of the following:
- a registered apprentice
- an Alberta-certified journeyperson
- someone who holds a recognized related trade certificate
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must:
- have an Alberta high school transcript with at least English Language Arts 10-2 and Math 10-3, or equivalent, or a pass mark in all 5 GED tests, or pass an entrance exam.
- find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates. The term of apprenticeship for welders is 3 years (three 12 month periods) that include a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:
- Grande Prairie Regional College in Grande Prairie and Fairview
- Keyano College in Fort McMurray
- Lakeland College in Vermilion
- Lethbridge College in Lethbridge
- Medicine Hat College in Medicine Hat
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton
- Northern Lakes College in Slave Lake
- Olds College in Olds
- Portage College in Lac La Biche
- Red Deer College in Red Deer
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary
NAIT and SAIT also offer technical training by distance delivery.
What are the accepted English language proficiency tests and where can I be tested?
There are no formal English requirements for Pressure Welders; however, Pressure Welders must have a high level of English in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in order to be successful in the profession. To learn more about where to take an English language proficiency test in Alberta, visit English Language Proficiency Tests and Locations.
What resources and supports are available for internationally educated Pressure Welders?
Directions for Immigrants offers workplace communication groups to help you integrate into the Canadian work environment. The Clear Communication for Business workplace communication group is designed to help internationally educated professional fine-tune their communication skills with colleagues, supervisors, and clients. In one week, you will learn through role-play and scenarios the nuances and expectations of the Canadian business culture. Topics include active listening, assertiveness, conflict resolution, problem solving, and teamwork. Visit Clear Communication for Business for more information.
What information resources are available for Pressure Welders?
- Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
- Alberta Boiler Safety Association (ABSA)
- BuildForce Canada
- Calgary Construction Association
Additional Occupational Information
