Are you looking for the best welding schools in Ontario? or to start a career in welding in Ontario? The cost of tuition, the requirements to get certified without attending a welding school, and other vital information? Then you are in the right place at the right time.
Welding is an exciting career that attracts a high income, but to master the welding trade, you need to attend a welding school. Or go through training to become a certified welder in Ontario.
Welding is a valuable skill and is always in demand in the labor market. In addition, becoming a welder requires a strong knowledge of mathematics, critical thinking, and precision.
Not to worry if you don’t possess these qualities; you can develop them during your learning. If you’ve got these skills and are interested in applying them to a welding career, continue reading.
In this article, we’ll look at the steps needed to start your journey into a welding career in Ontario, Canada. You’ll know the cost of welding schools, the certifications, the best welding schools, and other similar questions. Alright, let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
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What Requirements are Needed to Become a Welder in Ontario?
To become a welder in Ontario, Canada, you must follow a learning ladder before being certified. So here we’ve got for you a learning ladder to follow to a successful welding career.
You must fulfill three(3) requirements to become a welder in Ontario in 2023.
#1. High School Program
Completing a high school program and getting a certificate to show for it is required. Enrolling as an aspiring welder in one of the best welding schools or apprenticeship programs is necessary.
#2. Popular Apprenticeship Program
To become a certified welder, you must undergo a recognized apprenticeship program.
Skilled Trades Ontario monitors and manages welding training programs for the Ministry of Labour in Ontario. A recent Crown agency has replaced the Ontario College of Trades.
Also, an accredited and experienced supervisor must be the one to log and certify approved on-the-job training hours.
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#3. Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Certification
A final examination is required after completing the apprenticeship program before being certified as a welder. The duration of the exam is six hours. You will finally be certified by Skilled Trades Ontario upon completing the exam.
Now, the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) is a non-profit organization that allocates the Canadian Standard Association (CSA) Code to certify welders and companies. CWB supervises the certification and examination procedures for welders on behalf of CSA.
The Canadian Welding Bureau also manages the certificates of supervisors, inspectors, and welding engineers.
The Canadian Standard Association (CSA) establishes the criteria for welding standards. Including Standard W47.1, the popular welders certification, and the Fusion Welding of Steel standard.
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#4. Other General Welding Program Requirements
To become a welder in Ontario, some general welding program requirements exist. That will help you start your certificate program and welding diploma. Take a close look at the educational requirements you must have:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, with a grade 12 English and grade 12 mathematics credit. Supplementary mathematics courses may be needed.
- Furthermore, students must enroll with Colleges, Universities, and the Ministry of Training before beginning the apprenticeship program.
- For graduates with work experience who want to become Certified Engineering technicians and Technologies. They can also apply for welding certification with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists.
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What Are The Welding Courses Offered In Ontario Welding Schools?
Welding courses in Ontario colleges are commonly offered in two welding programs:
#1. Certificate Programs
The certificate program, such as welding fitter and welding techniques, is a one-year program. Aimed at speeding up aspiring welders into their apprenticeship programs.
The program offers an overview of welding equipment operation, skating, and blueprint reading. Also, welding techniques(such as shielded metal arc welding and gas metal arc welding).
#2. Diploma Programs:
The diploma program runs for two years consisting of inspection programs and welding technicians.
This program gives the students a more profound knowledge of the welding field before they start their apprenticeship training. They will focus on job planning skills and trade to help them progress in the industry.
Is Becoming a Welder a Profitable Career Choice in Ontario?
In Ontario’s industrial workforce today, welding is a high-demand skill among a few careers that you can earn six figures, with or without a university degree.
Welders that are highly skilled, movable, and can work under challenging situations to produce results can earn over $100,000.00 a year.
For instance, touring industrial pipe welders can earn between $50,000 and $185,000 a year anywhere in the world.
In addition, welding jobs in Ontario, Canada, offer good pay and give workers great job satisfaction and dignity.
As the nation’s white-collar workforce retires, the need for skilled trades like welders increases, putting good welders in competitive demand.
And with growing vacancies in the mining, gas, and oil industries. A welding career can provide a stable income if you are ready to relocate.
How Long Can it Take to Become a Welder in Ontario?
Becoming a certified welder in Ontario depends on the type of certification and welding training program you want.
General welding programs take between 7 months and three years of hands-on training. Which also depends on the program you enrolled in.
And if we are to measure it in hours, how long will it take to become an employable welder? The duration is 6,000 hours (approximately three (3) years). Comprising 720 hours of in-school training and 5,280 hours of on-the-job work experience.
Generally, accepted by the industry as being vital to practice the trade of welding.
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What Types of Welding Certifications Can I Earn in Ontario Welding Schools?
You can acquire various welding certificates and get a job as a certified welder in Ontario.
- Fusion Welding of Steel Company Certification CSA W47.1-The most popular
- Fusion Welding of Aluminum Company Certification CSA W47.2
- Welding Inspection Organizations Company Certification CSA W178.1
- Resistance Welding Company Certification CSA W55.3
- Welding of Reinforcing Bars Company Certification CSA W186
- Welding Inspector Certification CSA W178.2.
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List of the Top 10 Best Welding Schools in Ontario, CanadaÂ
Without further ado, let’s take you through the best welding schools, colleges, and universities in Ontario, Canada:
#1. General Welding School Ltd
- Location: North York, ON, Canada.
The General Welding School is Canada’s oldest operating welding school, established in 1935. GWS is a private career college established in 2005 under the Private Career College Act.
They specialize in training students in the required skills to fit correctly in the construction, fabrication, and manufacturing industries, and they produce the best results.
#2. Canadian Welding Skills
- Location: Ennismore, ON, Canada.
Registered under the Private Career Colleges Act of 2005, Canadian Welding Skills offers tutors for entry-level welders and experienced welders who want to promote their skills.
They have trained and experienced educators in their institute who deliver excellent hands-on work experience.
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#3. LPJ Skills Training
Location: Guelph, Ontario.
LJP Skills Training is a welding college in Guelph, Ontario. They tutor their students at their Lightspeed Welding Training & Test Center. New students begin each Monday on a continual access basis (space permitting).
Individuals searching for welding training can select from a wide list of courses on the LPJ Skills Training list.
LPJ welding institute also offers a pre-apprenticeship program in these two skilled areas: Pipe Welding and General Welding Skills.
#4. Institute Of Technical Trades
- Location: Scarborough, ON, Canada.
Institute Of Technical Trades organizes CNC and Welding classes in Toronto. They Provide training to students who wish to become skilled and successful welders.
Also, to individuals who want to improve their skills, such as experienced welders or non-experts. They also offer TSSA & CWB Testing.
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#5. WeldTech Training
- Location: Mississauga, Ontario.
WeldTech Training was founded in 1986. They have been devoted to providing Canadian students with high-quality customized welding training.
They are among the best welding schools, not just in Ontario but also in Canada at large. Also, they are good with product upgrades, testing, and consulting. They help students complete and succeed in their careers, training, and education as welders.
WeldTech also provides “quality, not quantity,” training to students. By keeping their classes portable with a ratio of 1 instructor for every six students.
#6. School Of Welders
- Location: Toronto, Canada.
The School of Welders is a well-known and experienced welding school specializing in consulting and training services. Their clients range from small businesses to large companies. School Of Welders also provides welding lessons for individual customers and holds group classes.
Over the years, the School of Welders has delivered customized courses and consulting services to help each student and client fulfill their needs. Just as each client has various needs relevant to their field of work, the school of welders provides solutions to the company or any specific individual requirements.
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#7. APR Welding Academy
- Location: Sault Ste. Maria Ontario, Canada.
APR Welding Academy is a private academy enrolled under the Private Career Colleges Act 2005.
They are committed to training and producing quality and competent welders with the welding skills to become skilled tradespersons. Also, they train their students to meet the welding industry standards, hence why it is one of the best schools in Ontario.
#8. CAN-WELD Training and Testing Center
- Location: Sarnia Ontario.
Can-Weld’s welding programs tutor individuals on different types of pipe and plate welding skills for the industrial fabricating division. The maximum training period is 32 weeks, with weekly start dates year-round. They also teach different basic blueprint reading techniques and basic theory. Safety and health training, along with over 90% hands-on practical training.
College graduates may enroll in Can-Weld training to master their welding skills. Also, they can decide to continue their training as an apprentice to join the welding industry or become a steamfitter. They can also become fabricators, millwrights, boilermakers, ironworkers, electricians, pipe welders, or machinists.
Individuals who complete the Can Weld’s training will have a wide base of transferable skills that can be applied to a related trade.
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#9. North American Trade School London
- Location: London, ON, Canada.
North America Trade School London offers students a program with theoretical learning and thorough practical work in the welding space. The program was created in coexistence with the CWBi ACORN training program. It has been organized to educate workers ready to work for the present and future necessities of the joining and welding industry.
#10. Canadian Plasma Arc
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario.
Canada Plasma Arc is passionate about teaching individuals and the welding industry that it’s not necessary to contaminate the atmosphere when they are working.
They train young people to use welding technology properly and motivate their interest in welding that won’t disrupt the atmosphere.Â
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What are the Jobs and Salary expectations of welders in Ontario?
Individuals who are certified, competent, and professionals in welding with experience in laser welding, tig welding, arc welding, and MIG welding, are in high demand and employable in quite a several areas, which include but are not limited to:
- Construction and manufacturing
- Steel fabrication
- Mines
- Mills and refineries
While entry-level graduates can get jobs with salaries in the low- to mid-$30,000 range, over time, experience and certifications can lead to salaries of $45,000 to $75,000 per year.Â
Welders belonging to trade unions could make even more.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Welding Schools In Ontario
How much do Welders make in Ontario?
Welding as a high-demand skill pays welders in Ontario an income between $18.00/hour and $41.10/hour in Canada.
What type of welding is most in demand in Ontario?
The welding types in most demand in Ontario are oil, water, gas, and pipelines. Various pipe welders help in refineries and oil rigs.Â
These structures constitute a majority of the oil and gas industry. As long as the demand for fuel is high, pipe welders will always be in high demand.
How many hours are hands-on training in a welding booth vs. classroom time?
How long does a welding school take to complete in Ontario? This is one of the important questions most people ask when looking for the best schools to enroll in.
Practical training for welding schools is over 90% of the programs.
Blueprint Reading classroom and theory time is less than 10% of the entire program hours. It includes safety and health for welders.
Conclusion
Welding is a high-demand skilled job in Ontario, and it plays a vital role in keeping the community safe from dangerous metals.
It is skilled work that can generate lots of income over time. Getting into a welding career is not a bad fate for a young one.
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