Welding

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Pre Employment Welding
The Pre-employment Welding program is 16 weeks in length and is designed to provide theoretical knowledge and practical experience to students who are interested in obtaining employment in the welding field.

The Competency Based Apprenticeship Training (CBAT) system provides students with the opportunity to accelerate their learning by taking into account previously learned skills and knowledge, and allowing them to progress at their own pace. This allows the student to concentrate on skills they require. All students are required to take or demonstrate competency in the core skill based courses, but they are free to choose from optional employability enhancement components. These courses may be taken depending on the individual needs of the student and include training in computers. WHIMS, First-Aid and other courses which may increase a student's skills and marketability. The program also offers a Job Search component to give students the tools needed to find employment.

Apprenticeship Welding
If you're looking for a trade with endless possibilities and opportunities then a welding career is for you.

Graduates can gain employment in the manufacturing, fabrication, construction and repair industries. Here are some examples: Fabrication, Aviation Welding Technician, Electric Arc Welder, Gas Shielded Arc Welder, Welder Apprentice, Spot Welder, Pressure Vessel Welder, Production Welder and many more!

Portage College is an approved test centre for the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB). Check out this link for CWB Welder Testing Dates & Rates at Portage College.

Offered at the Lac La Biche Campus.

Pre-employment Welding
August 30, 2012 - December 21, 2012
Apprenticeship Welding
Period 1: January 7, 2013 - March 1, 2013
Period 1: April 29, 2013- June 21, 2013
Period 2: October 29, 2012 - December 21, 2012
Period 3: March 4, 2013 - April 26, 2013

Admission Requirements
Pre-Employment Welding: Grade 12 recommended by industry.
Period 1: Grade 9 (or equivalent) or successful completion of the Apprenticeship Trades Entrance Exam (2). Must be registered in Alberta as an Apprentice Welder.
Period 2: Successful completion of Period 1.
Period 3: Successful completion of Period 2.

Career Potential
Pre-Employment Welder: Upon successful completion of the Portage College program, students will be given the opportunity to challenge the First Year Apprenticeship Welder exam. This will give the individual an opportunity to work in industry as an apprentice welder, welder's helper or in other jobs related to the welding industry.
Apprenticeship Welder: Employment as an Apprentice Welder. Higher levels of apprenticeship create opportunities such as advancement in the field, enhanced skills and responsibilities, higher pay and increased job opportunities. Each level is another step to fulfilling the requirements to obtain a journeyman ticket.

Transferability
Pre-Employment Welding: Students who complete this program and were successful on the Apprenticeship Exam will be granted credit for the first period technical training when they apply for apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Welding: This program is transferable to other colleges in Alberta offering Welding Apprenticeship training.

Course List Pre-Employment Welding

CONT120 - CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TRAINING SYSTEMS (CSTS)
Course ID: CONT120
Name: CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TRAINING SYSTEMS (CSTS)
Hours: 4
Credits: 0.266
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.
FAID070 - STANDARD FIRST AID/LEVEL A CPR
Course ID: FAID070
Name: STANDARD FIRST AID/LEVEL A CPR
Hours: 6
Credits: 0.4
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.
JBS110 - JOB SEARCH
Course ID: JBS110
Name: JOB SEARCH
Hours: 42
Credits: 3
This module gives the students the hands-on skills needed to find employment. Resume and cover letter writing, and interview preparation. Students will also learn strategies on how to integrate into welding companies and unions.
SAFE070 - TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS
Course ID: SAFE070
Name: TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS
Hours: 4
Credits: 0.266
This half-day course is designed for any individuals who would be required to transport or assist in the transportation of any type of dangerous materials. The course includes classification, documentation, safe handling and labeling, documentation and TDG legislation. Upon successful completion of a written exam, the student is issued a Portage College certificate that is valid for three years.
SAFE071 - WORKPLACE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM
Course ID: SAFE071
Name: WORKPLACE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM
Hours: 4
Credits: 0.266
This half-day course is designed for individuals who are required to be familiar with symbols and the necessary skills for working safely around hazardous materials. The course includes workplace labeling and material safety data sheets (MSDS). Upon successful completion of the course the student is issued a Portage College certificate.
SAFE072 - H2S ALIVE
Course ID: SAFE072
Name: H2S ALIVE
Hours: 8
Credits: 0.533
This course covers the health hazards that workers in the petroleum industry could incur when exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S). The Petroleum Industry Training Service industry standard certificate is issued upon successful completion of the course, and is valid for three years. To receive certification, the student must obtain a mark above 69% in a written exam, as well as prove through demonstration, that they have learned the practical skills required. The course provides information on the health hazards and physical properties of H2S. The student learns how to protect himself/ herself with the use of proper protection equipment and basic rescue techniques. The student is shown how to operate and use a self-contained breathing apparatus and a detector tube device. The students also practice rescue breathing techniques on a mannequin.
SAFE073 - CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
Course ID: SAFE073
Name: CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
Hours: 7
Credits: 0.466
This one-day course covers the information required to prepare workers for working safely in confined spaces. The course prepares the worker or the supervisor for actual hazards of confined spaces. The student will learn the proper preparation and personal protective equipment required for confined space entry, how to work in confined spaces, and post-entry debriefing. The students will be able to practice their skills learned with rescue simulations using a self-contained breathing apparatus and a simulator. Upon satisfactory completion of an exam and a successful demonstration of their practical skills, the students will obtain a certificate.
SAFE074 - POWDER ACTUATED TOOLS
Course ID: SAFE074
Name: POWDER ACTUATED TOOLS
Hours: 6
Credits: 0
This training provides a guideline for explosive actuated tools. It provides contractors and workers practical information relating to the requirements of explosive actuated tools. Workers, who use explosive actuated tools, must receive training in the proper handling and operating procedures before operating the tool. A constant effort must be made regarding the training of explosive actuated tool operators in order to maintain incident prevention.
SAFE084 - RIGGING BASICS
Course ID: SAFE084
Name: RIGGING BASICS
Hours: 7
Credits: 0.466
This half-day course shows you how to identify safe procedures for handling materials. The course covers: weights and center of gravity loads, using slings for lifting and the effect of sling angles, load limits of commonly used wire rope and synthetic material slings, causes and effects of shock loading on rigging, Alberta Occupational Health and Safety regulations and safety factors, hand signals for crane operations, safe procedures for lifting, hoisting or moving loads, proper care and use of wire rope, synthetic rope, chains and plate clamps.
SAFE085 - FALL PROTECTION
Course ID: SAFE085
Name: FALL PROTECTION
Hours: 7
Credits: 0.466
This one-day course will allow the student to obtain a good understanding of fall protection. It provides participants with the legislated requirements of fall protection systems, including identifying potential fall hazards, hazard analysis and risk assessment, selecting and using a personal fall protection system as well as inspection, maintenance and storage of FPS equipment. Students will also review the governing bodies which control fall protection regulations and standards. This course includes both a theory and practical session. This is the Fall Protection Group program and is both ACSA and OSSA approved.
SAFE091 - FIRE SAFETY
Course ID: SAFE091
Name: FIRE SAFETY
Hours: 7
Credits: 0.466
This course is designed for workers who may be required to use a 20 lb. or 30 lb. stored pressure- or cartridge-operated extinguisher to respond to a small fire. Participants will learn the theory of fire, the various types and classifications of fires and the proper use and handling of hand-held fire extinguishers, including monthly inspection procedures. The course includes classroom instruction and practical hands-on exercises for each student, including a least two discharges of fire expellant at a live fire situation.
SAFE092 - ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Course ID: SAFE092
Name: ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Hours: 3
Credits: 0
The electrical safety module discusses the types of electrical hazards typically found on a construction site. Topics include electric shock and its effect on the human body, the identification of electrical hazards, and the prevention and correction of these hazards.
WELD111 - OXYGEN ACETYLENE WELDING
Course ID: WELD111
Name: OXYGEN ACETYLENE WELDING
Hours: 37
Credits: 1
Students develop skills using a variety of welding and cutting techniques using the oxy- acetylene process. They will meet provincial standards in bevel, circle and shape cutting as well as flat butt welding, vertical butt welding and vertical braze welding.
WELD112 - SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING
Course ID: WELD112
Name: SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING
Hours: 100
Credits: 3
Students develop skills using a variety of electrodes on several joint designs. They are tested to provincial standards.
WELD116 - GMAW, FCAW, SAW WELDING
Course ID: WELD116
Name: GMAW, FCAW, SAW WELDING
Hours: 70
Credits: 2
Students develop skills using GMAW and FCAW welding processes on a variety of joint designs.
WELD120 - WELDING TRADE MATH
Course ID: WELD120
Name: WELDING TRADE MATH
Hours: 46
Credits: 2
Students acquire knowledge about the welding industry relating to mathematical calculations.
WELD121 - SAFETY, TOOLS, WELD FAULTS & OXYGEN ACETYLENE WELDING THEORY
Course ID: WELD121
Name: SAFETY, TOOLS, WELD FAULTS & OXYGEN ACETYLENE WELDING THEORY
Hours: 55
Credits: 2
Students acquire knowledge about safety guidelines, welding safety, hand tools, power tools, weld faults, oxy-fuel equipment, brazing, cutting and material handling.
WELD122 - SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING THEORY
Course ID: WELD122
Name: SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING THEORY
Hours: 23
Credits: 1
Students acquire knowledge about SMAW relating to safety, shop equipment, mild steel electrodes, and basic joints and weld types.
WELD124 - GMAW, FCAW, SAW THEORY
Course ID: WELD124
Name: GMAW, FCAW, SAW THEORY
Hours: 36
Credits: 2
Students acquire knowledge about gas metal arc welding, flux cored arc welding, submerged arc welding relating to welding equipment, safety, filler metals, shielding gases and trouble shooting.

Course List Period 1

WELD170 - SAFETY, TOOLS, WELD FAULTS & OAW THEORY
Course ID: WELD170
Name: SAFETY, TOOLS, WELD FAULTS & OAW THEORY
Hours: 47
Credits: 0
Students acquire knowledge about safety guidelines, welding safety, hand tools, power tools, weld faults, oxy-fuel equipment, brazing, cutting and material handling.
WELD171 - OAW LAB
Course ID: WELD171
Name: OAW LAB
Hours: 9
Credits: 0
Students fabricate a variety of projects using their acquired skills. They also have the opportunity to work in industry under the supervision of a journeyman welder.
WELD172 - WELD TRADE MATH
Course ID: WELD172
Name: WELD TRADE MATH
Hours: 30
Credits: 0
Students acquire knowledge about the welding industry relating to mathematical calculations.
WELD175 - SMAW THEORY
Course ID: WELD175
Name: SMAW THEORY
Hours: 16
Credits: 0
Students acquire knowledge about the welding industry relating to safety, shop equipment, and a wide variety of welding.
WELD176 - SMAW LAB
Course ID: WELD176
Name: SMAW LAB
Hours: 65
Credits: 0
Students develop skills using a variety of electrodes on several joint designs. They are tested to provincial standards, using Electrode E6010 or E6011 on a vertical lap, flat lap and flat butt joint.
WELD177 - GMAW, FCAW, SAW THEORY
Course ID: WELD177
Name: GMAW, FCAW, SAW THEORY
Hours: 24
Credits: 0
Students acquire knowledge about gas metal arc welding, flux cored arc welding, submerged arc welding relating to welding equipment, safety, filler metals, shielding gases and trouble shooting.
WELD178 - GMAW, FCAW, SAW LAB
Course ID: WELD178
Name: GMAW, FCAW, SAW LAB
Hours: 49
Credits: 0
Students develop skills using GMAW and FCAW welding processes on a variety of joint designs.

Course List Period 2

WELD270 - SMAW THEORY
Course ID: WELD270
Name: SMAW THEORY
Hours: 24
Credits: 0
Students will acquire knowledge about SMAW as it applies to groove welds on grey cast iron, production of metals, properties of metals, carbon steel, alloy steels, alloy steel filler metals, metal identification, distortion and hard facing.
WELD271 - GTAW THEORY
Course ID: WELD271
Name: GTAW THEORY
Hours: 16
Credits: 0
Students will acquire knowledge about GTAW and FCAW as it applies to electrodes, filler metals, shielding gases, equipment maintenance, trouble shooting, aluminum and stainless steel.
WELD274 - SMAW LAB
Course ID: WELD274
Name: SMAW LAB
Hours: 86
Credits: 0
Students develop skills using a variety of electrodes on several joint designs.
WELD275 - GTAW LAB
Course ID: WELD275
Name: GTAW LAB
Hours: 48
Credits: 0
Students develop skills welding on mild steel, aluminum and stainless steel using a variety of filler metals and joint designs.
WELD278 - PATTERN DEVELOPMENT
Course ID: WELD278
Name: PATTERN DEVELOPMENT
Hours: 66
Credits: 0
Students acquire knowledge and skills as it applies to pattern development, geometric construction, isometric drawings, oblique drawings, basic fabrication layout practice, plate layout, pipe layout, welding symbols and estimating.

Course List Period 3

WELD370 - SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING THEORY
Course ID: WELD370
Name: SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING THEORY
Hours: 8
Credits: 0
Students acquire knowledge as it applies to stainless steel, nickel alloys and clad steels.
WELD373 - TRADE SCIENCE
Course ID: WELD373
Name: TRADE SCIENCE
Hours: 36
Credits: 0
Students acquire knowledge as it applies to non-destructive testing, destructive testing, metallurgy, heat treatment, codes and standards.
WELD374 - SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING LAB
Course ID: WELD374
Name: SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING LAB
Hours: 96
Credits: 0
Students acquire skills using SMAW on mild steel plate and pipe.
WELD375 - GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING THEORY
Course ID: WELD375
Name: GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING THEORY
Hours: 6
Credits: 0
Students acquire knowledge as it applies to GTAW on mild steel plate and pipe.
WELD376 - DRAWING INTERPRETATION
Course ID: WELD376
Name: DRAWING INTERPRETATION
Hours: 58
Credits: 0
Students acquire knowledge as it applies to drawing interpretation, structural drawings, piping drawings and pressure vessel drawings.
WELD377 - OXY-FUEL CUTTING LAB
Course ID: WELD377
Name: OXY-FUEL CUTTING LAB
Hours: 14
Credits: 0
Students acquire skills in oxy-fuel cutting on mild steel.
WELD378 - GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING LAB
Course ID: WELD378
Name: GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING LAB
Hours: 22
Credits: 0
Students acquire skills using GTAW on mild steel plate and pipe.