Pre-Apprenticeship Welding

This program starts you off with academic upgrading, then welding trades training – both theory and practical, and concludes with on-the-job technical training. All students will receive support in job placements which may be used for apprenticeship hours. Students will each participate in an 8-week, 200-hour, trade-appropriate work placement. Upon completion, you will graduate with a certificate which will allow credits towards apprenticeship training in the future.

Please visit the College Preparation website for the full list of courses available to take through our academic upgrading and the Pre-employment welding page for a full listing of welding courses.

Unfortunately, at this point in time, this program is not available to international students. Please click the link to view all of our international students programs.

Career Potential
Pre-Apprenticeship Welding prepares students for direct entry into employment and/or further studies.

Admission Requirements

  • Completion of English Language Arts 10-2 and Math 10-3, OR
  • The completion of Portage College’s COMM 300 and Math 300 courses
  • A Coordinator interview will be set up for those applicants that meet the academic requirements.

Students who do not meet the admission requirements contact Student Services regarding opportunities for placement testing. Students will need to submit an application to the program to start this process.

Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide.

Program Start/End Dates
August 29, 2024 - June 20, 2025

Fall Term: Upgrading
Winter Term: Trades Training
Spring Term: Placement

Application Deadline
August 15, 2024

Location
Lac La Biche Campus


Delivery
Blended

Tuition $10,700.00
Student Association Fee $233.40
Technology Fee $165.42
Recreation Fee $109.14
Total $11,207.96


Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Rental Books, Supplies and Materials Fees
$708.36

Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.

Pre-Apprenticeship Welding

  • CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TRAINING SYSTEMS (CSTS)

    Course ID: CONT120

    Name: CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TRAINING SYSTEMS (CSTS)

    Hours: 4.5

    Credits: 0

    This program is offered through a Multimedia Interactive Video CD-ROM Computer system designed to give students some basic training for working in a large construction site, with the emphasis being on safety, students are tested on what they have been taught. The training is done individually and takes an average of 4.5 hours to complete. This Alberta Construction Safety Association program is divided into 12 lessons of various health and safety topics.

  • CUTTING LAB

    Course ID: PWELD161

    Name: CUTTING LAB

    Hours: 39

    Credits: 0

    This course involves 39 hours of Lab Training at Portage College, Lac La Biche Campus.  Practical training includes performing welds using GMAW, FCAW and MCAW welding processes.

  • DIVERSITY AWARENESS

    Course ID: DIAW101

    Name: DIVERSITY AWARENESS

    Hours: 3

    Credits: 0

    This introductory course is designed to allow the learner to develop an appreciation of the value of diversity within our culture. A unique combination of video and animation sets the path of exploration through a fictitious company. The interactive learning environment is designed for learner engagement and participation.

  • FCAW LAB

    Course ID: PWELD162

    Name: FCAW LAB

    Hours: 50

    Credits: 0

    This course involves 50 hours of practical training, where students perform welds using FCAW and MCAW processes.

  • GMAW, FCAW, MCAW, & SAW THEORY

    Course ID: PWELD177

    Name: GMAW, FCAW, MCAW, & SAW THEORY

    Hours: 95

    Credits: 0

    This course will focus on welding equipment and consumables and shielding gases used for the welding process.

  • GMAW LAB

    Course ID: PWELD178

    Name: GMAW LAB

    Hours: 82

    Credits: 0

    This practical course will allow students to perform fillet and groove welds using the GMAW process.

  • STANDARD FIRST AID/LEVEL A CPR

    Course ID: FAID070

    Name: STANDARD FIRST AID/LEVEL A CPR

    Hours: 16

    Credits: 0

    This course provides comprehensive First Aid & CPR techniques for those who want more knowledge to respond to emergencies in the home or workplace until medical aid arrives. A variety of topics are covered from basic first aid such as cardiovascular and breathing emergencies, CPR Level A, prevention of disease transmission, artificial respiration, how to help someone whom is choking, how to deal with shock and unconsciousness, severe bleeding, head and spinal injuries, fractures of the upper and lower limbs and CPR for adult and youth casualties.

  • TRADES MATH

    Course ID: WELD172

    Name: TRADES MATH

    Hours: 61

    Credits: 0

    This course will focus on mathematical concepts such as decimals, fractions, ratios and percentages, formulas and metric and imperial measures.

  • WELDING TECHNOLOGY AND PROPERTIES OF METAL

    Course ID: PWELD160

    Name: WELDING TECHNOLOGY AND PROPERTIES OF METAL

    Hours: 82

    Credits: 0

    This course will provide information welding technology and the properties of metals. It will focus on drawing interpretations and joint and weld types.

  • WORKPLACE SAFETY AND TOOLS

    Course ID: PWELD170

    Name: WORKPLACE SAFETY AND TOOLS

    Hours: 44

    Credits: 0

    This course will provide information on legislation, regulation and practices of safety procedures used in the workplace. As well as information on the correct use of tools commonly used in the Welding trade.

We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.
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