A VIU student welding

Welding

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. You’ll build strong skills in welding and welder fitting, preparing you for jobs at both small local companies and large industry.

Welder training options at VIU

A student is wearing their welding helmet while welding. There are blue and yellow sparks flying from the scene as they work.

Welder Foundation
A female welding student has pushed her welding helmet up and is smiling at the camera. She is wearing black work dungarees, and safety glasses and is surrounded by welding equipment.

Welder Level B
A welding student is wearing full protective gear, including helmet, gloves and overalls while welding. It looks dramatic and exciting as lines of orange sparks fly from their work.

Welder Testing

How to become a welder 

There are two ways to become a journeyperson or Red Seal welder in BC:

  1. you can get more of your training in school in the foundation pathway
  2. or you can do most of your training on the job in the apprenticeship pathway

For both pathways you must complete:

  • Welder Level 1
  • Welder Level 2
  • Welder Level 3
  • Red Seal endorsement

VIU offers the foundation pathway to becoming a welder.

Foundation pathway

The foundation pathway is popular on Vancouver Island because local employers want employees with a solid foundation of skills. With this option you take:

  • 40 week Welder Foundation program (formerly Level C) which is equivalent to Levels 1 and 2
  • 16 week Welder Level B program which is equivalent to Level 3
  • 8 week Multi-Process Alloy Welder or MPAW (formerly Welder Level A) which isn't currently offered at VIU

When you’ve completed Level B, you will be eligible to write the Red Seal exam. After completing 4620 work based training hours you will receive your Red Seal endorsement.