Program Length
- 7 Months
Credential
- Certificate
Options
- Apprenticeship
Location Offered
- Nanaimo
Make your mark as a welder
Transform raw metal into something beautiful. Build things people will use and enjoy for decades. As a welder you can be part of building the structures that become part of our landscape. And you earn a good wage doing it.
The VIU Welding Foundation program is a bootcamp for welding that includes all the staples of working in a trade. And at VIU you learn fabrication as well. This means you enter the workforce knowing how to read blueprints, create shop drawings and fit things together. These skills are in high demand in BC.
The VIU Welding certificate includes the seven-month foundation program and the three-month fabrication program. We combined these for certification at the request of local industry.
Gain real-world experience
At VIU, you train in a dynamic environment, moving from classroom to workshop where you get hands-on training. Your instructors have experience in many industries, so you finish the program ready to pursue a career anywhere.
The program includes a practicum which gives you real-world experience. It also helps you make industry connections.
Welding careers
Welding is a dynamic industry. With a career in welding you’ll be working on new projects and new technologies all the time. With a Red Seal endorsement you can work anywhere in the world in a variety of careers including:
- ironwork
- boiler making
- pile driving, diving and bridge making
- pipe fitting
- pressure welding
- steam fitting
- boatbuilding and working in shipyards
- fabrication
Once you’re working in the field, you can return to VIU for apprenticeship training that will prepare for Red Seal endorsement.
The Welding Certificate Program
- 7-Month Welder Foundation (21 credits)
- 3-Month Welder Fitter (9 credits)
- Weld Level 1, 2, 3 Apprenticeship and Specialty Metals Endorsement
- Weld Level B
- Accredited Weld Test Facility for CSA (CWB) or ASME
The Welder Foundation program is taught in a modular format, with practical and related knowledge modules. Students in the Foundation program, upon successful completion of the Level 1 and 2 exams, will receive a certificate of completion in the Foundation program. Once employed and registered in the Welder Apprenticeship program, the student will receive credit for Level 1 and 2 technical training and 300 work based training hours. Students are then eligible to register for Level 3 technical training where they can achieve Red Seal certification.
Classes are limited to 18 students. Graduates of the welding program have found employment in shipyards, fabrication shops, and construction industries. Welder Foundation graduates can continue onto the 12 week Welder Fitter program and receive a Welder Fitter Certificate.
Learn more about VIU Trades and Applied Technology Apprenticeships.
| Welder Foundation (28 weeks) | Credits |
|---|---|
| WELD 102T - (Occupational Skills - Theory and Practical) | 2.5 |
| WELD 104T - (Oxy-Fuel Cutting and Gauging Processes (OFC) - Theory and Practical) | 1.5 |
| WELD 106T - (Fusion and Braze Welding Using Oxy-Fuel Process (OFW) - Theory and Practical) | 1.0 |
| WELD 108T - (Shielded Metal Arc Welding - Theory and Practical) | 6.0 |
| WELD 110T - (Electric Arc Cutting, Gouging and Related Processes (AAC) (PAC) (SMAC) - Theory and Practical) | 1.0 |
| WELD 112T - (Semi-Automatic Welding and Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)) | 4.5 |
| WELD 114T - (Layout and Fabricate Components) | 1.5 |
| WELD 116T - (Welding Drawings) | 1.5 |
| WELD 120T - (Basic Metallurgy) | 1.0 |
| WELD 121T - (Gas Tungsten Arc) | 0.5 |
Total Credits | 21 |
| Welder Fitter (12 weeks) | Credits |
|---|---|
| WELD 124T - (Safe Work Practices) | 0.36 |
| WELD 125T - (Trade Math) | 0.36 |
| WELD 126T - (Blueprints) | 0.36 |
| WELD 127T - (Materials Handling) | 0.72 |
| WELD 128T - (Metal Working Equipment) | 0.36 |
| WELD 129T - (Layout Projects - Theory) | 1.8 |
| WELD 130T - (Welder Fitting Skills - Practical) | 5.04 |
Total Credits | 9 |
Apprenticeship Training
| Apprenticeship - Level 1 |
|---|
| WELD 102T - (Occupational Skills - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 104T - (Oxy-Fuel Cutting and Gauging Processes (OFC) - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 106T - (Fusion and Braze Welding Using Oxy-Fuel Process (OFW) - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 108T - (Shielded Metal Arc Welding - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 110T - (Electric Arc Cutting, Gouging and Related Processes (AAC) (PAC) (SMAC) - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 112T - (Semi-Automatic Welding and Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)) |
| Apprenticeship - Level 2 |
|---|
| WELD 102T - (Occupational Skills - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 108T - (Shielded Metal Arc Welding - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 112T - (Semi-Automatic Welding and Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)) |
| WELD 114T - (Layout and Fabricate Components) |
| WELD 116T - (Welding Drawings) |
| WELD 120T - (Basic Metallurgy) |
| Apprenticeship - Level 3 |
|---|
| WELD 152T - (Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 154T - (Semi Automatic Welding) |
| WELD 156T - (Specialized Processes) |
| WELD 158T - (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 166T - (Welding Quality Control and Inspection) |
| WELD 168T - (Standards, Specifications and Welder Qualification) |
| WELD 170T - (Layout and Fabricate Components - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 172T - (Basic Metallurgy Theory) |
| WELD 174T - (Welding Drawings) |
Specialty Metals Endorsement
This training is available to Welders who have completed Level 3 and have Red Seal certification. Students will complete 5 weeks of technical training towards the Specialty Metals Endorsement and spend the remainder of the year working as a Welder.
| Apprenticeship - Specialty Metals Endorsement |
|---|
| WELD 190T - (Shielded Metal Arc Welding - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 192T - (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding - Theory and Practical) |
| WELD 196T - (Basic Metallurgy) |
| WELD 198T - (Layout and Fabricate Components) |
Level B
This program offers advanced training beyond the Foundation level and is designed to bring the welder up to journeyperson status and ultimately their interprovincial Red Seal accreditation. Upon completion of the program the student will write the interprovincial Red Seal exam.
- All students will be required to complete an assessment test.
- See Trades general admission requirements.
Note on Admission
- Adequate vision, and free from respiratory ailments.
- Physically suited to the trade.
- Applicants who do not possess the minimum educational requirements may have their work experience assessed in lieu of educational requirements.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Welder Foundation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (7 months x $509.18 per month) | 3,564.26 |
| Lab fee | 371.19 |
| Student Activity fee (7 months x $20.37 per month) | 142.59 |
| Student Services fee (7 months x $22.49 per month) | 157.43 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (7 months x $28.87 per month) | 202.09 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Textbooks and supplies (approximate costs) | 1,050.00 |
| Total | 5,772.56 |
| Apprenticeship Training Levels 1-3, A-B, and Specialty Metals Endorsement (Cost Per Level, Per Week) |
Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (1 week x $117.53 per week) | 117.53 |
| Student Activity fee (1 months x $20.37 per month) | 20.37 |
| Student Services fee (1 months x $22.49 per month) | 22.49 |
| VIU Students' Union Fee | 7.22 |
| Textbooks and supplies (approximate costs) | 1,050.00 |
| Total | 1,217.61 |
| Welder Foundation & Welder Fitter | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | 6,672.68 |
| Lab fee | 371.19 |
| Supply fee | 371.19 |
| Student Activity fee (10 months x $20.37 per month) | 203.70 |
| Student Services fee (10 months x $22.49 per month) | 224.90 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (10 months x $28.87 per month) | 288.70 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Textbooks and supplies (approximate costs) | 1,050.00 |
| Total | 9,467.36 |
Forklift training is optional and available at an additional cost.
Welder Fitter Program: Contact Registration 250.740.6400 for fee information.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Nanaimo | Sept 2, 2025 (FULL with a long waitlist), Jan 26, 2026 | |
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):
The Welding Foundations program will offer one morning and one afternoon intake for September 2, 2025 (FULL, Waitlist being taken). Next intake is January 26, 2026. The next intakes will be filled from the waitlist.
Application Fee:
$46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
Yes
Testing Required:
Yes
Admissions Officer:
Name: Krista Convey Phone: 250.740.6400 Email: Krista.Convey@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: David Drury Email: David.Drury@viu.ca
Comments:
A welding assessment is required to complete your application. |
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Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
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Natalie Chester
“I enrolled in the Welding and Fabrication program at VIU after working for a year and deciding to go into the trades. I received my Foundations level welding and fabrication endorsements through VIU. As a student new to welding I found the instructors extremely knowledgeable and hands-on. They supported my learning experience and taught me many techniques that will help me to get a job in industry.”