Welding Techniques
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Program Overview
The welder is respected on any job site or shop floor as a person who works with their hands and understands the foundational theory needed to get the project finished. If you want to be ready to write your welding ticket test in less than a year, Fanshawe’s Welding Techniques program will get you there.
Program Details
Program Code
WTQ1J
Credential:
Ontario College Certificate
Duration
30 weeks
Canadian Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2026 January
Simcoe
Open
2026 May
St. Thomas
Open
2026 September
Kincardine
Open
2026 September
Simcoe
Open
2026 September
St. Thomas
Open
2027 January
Simcoe
Open
2027 May
St. Thomas
Open
2025 September
Kincardine
Closed
2025 September
Simcoe
Closed
2025 September
St. Thomas
Closed
International Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2026 May
St. Thomas
Open
2026 September
Kincardine
Open
2026 September
Simcoe
Open
2026 September
St. Thomas
Open
2027 January
Simcoe
Open
2027 May
St. Thomas
Open
2025 September
Kincardine
Closed
2025 September
Simcoe
Closed
2025 September
St. Thomas
Closed
2026 January
Simcoe
Closed
Your Learning Experience
Welding Techniques is a one-year Ontario College Certificate program with two academic levels, including a mandatory work placement. At the completion of the program, students will be eligible to test for welding tickets based on their level of expertise. It is expected that most of the graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce as a Welder following the completion of this program.
What You'll Learn in the Welding Techniques Program
You’ll spend two semesters learning a wide range of skills needed in today’s fast-paced workplaces, including health and safety, blueprint readings and sketching, applied math, communication, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, introduction to computers and all-position pipe welding.
Hands-On Welding Training and Real-World Experience
Learning welding theory is vital, but so is the practical training needed to perform the most basic welding techniques. With Fanshawe's welding program, you'll:
- complete a 120-hour unpaid work placement that will help you make connections in the field and earn experience;
- develop hands-on skills and confidence using real-world industry equipment;
- be qualified to work as a welder, welder fitter trainee or as an apprentice in a wide range of trades including boilermaker, construction millwright, industrial mechanic/millwright, ironworker or pipefitter.
Physical Requirements for Welding Students
Students must be able to:
- Lift a bulk mass of 18 kg (40 lbs)
- Dismantle and assemble larges peices of equipment
- Work with small and delicate instruments
- Demonstrate a high degree of fine and gross motor control
Flexible Study Options with Multiple Locations and Start Dates
This program is offered at more than one campus for your convenience including St. Thomas/Elgin Regional Campus, Simcoe/Norfolk Regional Campus and Huron/Bruce Regional Site (via the Tiverton Site) in September, January and May. Not all locations offer three intakes. Please refer to the Program Details above for program availability by location.
Note: Students entering level one of the program in January will proceed to level two of the program during the summer term.
Career Information
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Welding Technique Certificate program have in-demand skills supporting the architecture, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, steel fabrication, and mining industries. There are many career options to pursue, including welder, welder fitter trainee, or as an apprentice in a wide range of trades including boilermaker, construction millwright, industrial mechanic/millwright, ironworker or pipefitter. Students will be granted their Level 1 apprenticeship training.
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Welding Techniques program:
Welder
Fabricate and/or repair products using a variety of welding equipment according to layouts, technical drawings or work orders.
Welding Systems Technologist
Use your problem-solving skills to resolve welding, tooling and stamping issues and to review destruct testing results to make recommendations for improvements.
I've always had a passion for creating something that will spark someone's vision. I signed up for a welding techniques program knowing that this would be a great start towards a career.
Matthew Yarek
Former Student
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
1. Health & Safety: Perform work responsibly and safely in compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
2. Mathematics: Perform trade-related mathematical calculations and technical measurements using appropriate tools and devices.
3. Engineering Drawings: Interpret engineering drawings.
4. Welding Theory: Describe the fundamentals of common welding processes.
5. Welding Applications: Demonstrate common weld applications and post-weld operations.
6. Thermal Cutting and Gouging Theory: Describe the fundamentals of common thermal cutting and gouging processes.
7. Thermal Cutting Applications: Demonstrate common thermal cutting and gouging processes.
8. Process Quality: Describe the various elements of weld quality.
9. Pattern and Template Development: Create patterns and templates for a variety of shapes.
10. Fabrication and Machine Operation: Fabricate shop projects using engineering drawings.
Academic School
Contacts:
Simcoe/Norfolk Regional Campus Program Coordinator:
Lukus Runge
St. Thomas/Elgin Regional Campus Program Coordinator:
Mike Ashby
Kincardine Site Program Manager:
Heather MacKenzie-Card
Admission Requirements
OSSD (with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (M), or Open (O) stream), or equivalent, or mature applicant.
Students who do not have a high school diploma may wish to consider taking the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) grade 12 Equivalency Certificate.
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the following methods:
- A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 79 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test with an overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years. SDS Program Requirements.
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 53, with test results within the last two years
- A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 169 with no language skill less than 162, with test results within the last two years
- Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 8, 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9, or 70% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
- It is recommended that students in the Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE) program take a Technical or Apprenticeship Mathematics course within the ACE program.
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
- Admission to the Fanshawe College Pre-Technology program does not guarantee admission in a subsequent year to the Welding Techniques program. Successful completion of the Fanshawe College Pre-Technology program, however, does enable the student to be given additional consideration when applying to the Welding Techniques program. The Pre-Technology program is the preferred designated preparatory program for admission to the Welding Techniques program.
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| MGMT-1261 | Workplace Professionalism | 3 | ||
This course introduces students to professionalism including communications strategics, negotiation & conflict resolution, teamwork and other employment related behaviours. Students will also learn to create a professional resume and develop job search skills. | ||||
| MATH-1058 | Applied Math | 4 | ||
This introductory technical mathematics course focuses on arithmetic, basic algebra, trigonometry, geometry and their applications to workplace functions. | ||||
| SFTY-1008 | Health & Safety | 2 | ||
The learner will be able to practice safe workplace procedures, apply the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, identify causes of accidents and develop preventive measures, and comply with health and safety legislation. In addition, the student will learn lockout procedures. | ||||
| WELD-1020 | Blueprint Reading/Sketching for Welders | 3 | ||
The learner will be able to read drawing types, arrangements of views, alphabet of lines, sectional views, auxilary views, threaded fasteners, tolerance, drawing sets, and bill of material related to the metal working field. | ||||
| WELD-1045 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding-Basic | 3.5 | ||
This course is designed to train the students at the basic level in the use of the shielded metal arc welding SMAW (stick) process. Students will be expected to weld ferrous metals using the SMAW process by selecting the appropriate machine, power source, appropriate welding accessories, selecting electrodes, preparing materials for welding, surfacing and cleaning welds. The oxyacetelyne cutting process will also be included. | ||||
| WELD-1022 | Gas Metal Arc Welding Basic | 3 | ||
This course is designed to train the students in the use of gas arc metal welding GMAW, MIG process at the basic level. Students will be expected to weld ferrous metal using the GMAW process at the basic level by selecting the appropriate machine, power source, appropriate welding accessories, preparing material for welding, performing preparatory grinding accessories, preparing material for welding, performing preparatory grinding and cleaning operations. The oxyacetelyne cutting process will also be included. | ||||
| WELD-1044 | Gas Tungsten Arc Welding-Basic | 2 | ||
This course is designed to train the students in the use of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW, TIG) process at the basic level. Students will be expected to weld ferrous and non-ferrous metals using the GTAW process at the basic level by selecting the appropriate machine, power source, appropriate welding accessories, preparing material for welding, performing preparatory grinding and cleaning operations. | ||||
Tuition Summary
Simcoe
St. Thomas
Kincardine
[1] Total program costs are approximate and subject to change. They do not include additional fees such as the health and dental plan, bus pass, or general expenses. Learn more about ancillary and additional fees.