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. The VIU Welding certificate includes the seven-month foundation program and the three-month fabrication program.
With fabrication skills you qualify for more jobs on Vancouver Island where businesses need workers who can do welding and fabrication. You enter the workforce build strong skills in welding and welder fitting. And you’ll know how to read blueprints, create shop drawings and fit things together. These skills are in high demand in BC. You leave the program prepared you for jobs with small local companies and in large industrial workplaces.
Sign up to learn more
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.
What can I do with a welding certificate?
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.
- ironwork
- boiler making
- pile driving, diving and bridge making
- pipe fitting
- pressure welding
- steam fitting
- boatbuilding and working in shipyards
- fabrication
- construction
About the Welding Certificate program
The Welding Certificate is taught in a modular format, with practical and related knowledge modules. The program includes seven months of welder training and three months of welder fitter training.
Classes are limited to 18 students. Graduates of the welding program have found employment in shipyards, fabrication shops, and construction industries.
As part of the program you get a reduced rate for Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) testing, which you need if you want to work for CWB-certified companies. A CWB weld test is a practical qualification test for welders. Administered by the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB), these tests assess your ability to produce sound welds and to use established standards.
Once you are employed, you will receive credit for 300 work based training hours toward your Red Seal certification. And you will receive a VIU certificate of completion.
Courses and Concentrations
| 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.
Admission Information
- 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 $38.87 per month) | 272.09 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Textbooks and supplies (approximate costs) | 1,050.00 |
| Total | 5,842.56 |
| 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 | 9.72 |
| Textbooks and supplies (approximate costs) | 1,050.00 |
| Total | 1,220.11 |
| 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 $38.87 per month) | 388.70 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Textbooks and supplies (approximate costs) | 1,050.00 |
| Total | 9,567.36 |
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 | September 8, 2026 (FULL), January 25, 2027 (anticipated to be FULL) | |
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):
The Welding Foundations program will offer one morning and one afternoon intake. The intakes are filled from the waitlist. With the current size of the waitlist it is anticipated that the September 8, 2026 intakes will be full.
Application Fee:
$46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Yuka Takai Phone: 250.740.6400 Email: Yuka.Takai@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: David Drury Email: David.Drury@viu.ca |
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Take your welding career further
Once you’re working in the field, you can return to VIU for Welder Level B. Welder Level B will prepare you for Red Seal endorsement.
Try out a welding class
Wondering what it’s really like to be in a VIU classroom? Shadow a welding class. You'll meet instructors and current students, and you can get a feel for the program before you apply.
Email the program chair to sign up for a class shadow.