Welders are in high demand on Vancouver Island. When you take welder training at VIU you learn from dedicated instructors who have a vast range of industry experience.
Welder Level B
Welder Level B (16-weeks) provides more advanced welding skills, related theory and builds upon the training and skills developed in the Welder Foundation program providing graduates with a broader base of skills and more employment opportunities. Welder Level B students are also eligible to qualify to test for Portable Pressure Welding Procedure (PWP) testing in British Columbia. Students must complete approximately four months of technical training and eight months of work experience as a welder before being granted the Provincial Ministry Level B certification.
Practical modules
(one mandatory plus one optional):
- P-7 Shielded Metal Arc Welding II (SMAW-II) - Mandatory
- P-8 Gas Metal Arc Welding II (GMAW-II) - Optional
- P-9 Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW-II) – Optional
- P-10 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I (GTAW-I) - Optional
Theory modules
- RK-4 Welding Quality Control and Inspection Procedures
- RK-5 Welding Code Standards and Specifications
- RK-6 Blueprint Reading II
- RK-7 Welding Metallurgy II
Students who successfully complete Welder Level B are eligible to write the Inter-Provincial (Red Seal) exam toward certification, or progress to Welder Level A training.
Welder Level A
(Not currently offered)
Welder Level A (8-weeks) continues building upon the theory and practical learning started in Welder Foundation and Welder Level B. Pipe welding with stainless steel electrodes, low-alloy steel electrodes, more advanced blueprint reading and welding metallurgy, etc., are covered. Completion of this program along with the required work experience component should provide the graduate with the broadest base of skills and employment opportunities in the diverse metal joining industries.
Theory and practical modules include:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Welding Metallurgy III
- Blueprint Reading III
Students who successfully complete Welder Level A are eligible to write the Inter-Provincial (Red Seal) exam toward certification if not previously completed in Welder Level B.
Admission information
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees include supply fees, student activity fee, student services fee and VIU Students’ Union fee.
Costs are for budgeting purposes only and will be confirmed when you register for the course.
| Level | Tuition | Additional mandatory student fees | Domestic Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level B | 1,996.80 | 326.92 | 2,323.72 |
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Start dates for all apprenticeship training in BC can be found on Trades Training BC. Apprenticeship training classes at Vancouver Island University fill on a first-come, first-registered basis. There are waiting lists for many trades and apprenticeship levels.
Please contact the Apprenticeship Admissions and Registration Assistant for seat availability and waitlist information:
Email: apprentice@viu.ca
Phone: 250.740.6227
An Apprenticeship Admissions and Registration Assistant can help with your questions:
- email apprentice@viu.ca
- call us at 250-740-6227.
- visit the Trades and Applied Technology office in Building 180, Room 110
- open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm
Financial help for apprentices
There is WorkBC, Employment Insurance, Canada Apprentice Loans and tax credits to help
Financial Aid & Awards
The Financial Aid & Awards office can direct you to grants, student loans and more
