Metal fabricator-welders are in high demand—in the oil patch, mining, manufacturing and construction. It’s a trade that requires a high level of skill and a comprehensive knowledge of industrial welding and joining processes. The payoff is high wages and good career mobility. It's a great way to jump into the workforce … in either the welding or steel fabrication trade.
Start date
SeptemberLength
34 weeksLocations(s)
Regina, SaskatoonFabricator-Welder is a one-year, dual certificate program offered at Regina and Saskatoon campuses. You’ll learn from experienced instructors how to interpret drawings and use different welding processes and metal forming machinery. Working in Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s well-equipped shops, you’ll be trained in:
- benchwork and trade safety
- communications, trade math and print reading
- layout, template development and fitting
- gas metal arc and gas tungsten arc welding
- oxy-fuel processes and plasma arc cutting
- rigging and electric overhead crane operation
- shielded metal arc welding
- shop management
You’ll also fabricate several projects, complete your Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) welder qualification tests and participate in a one-week work experience.
Apprenticeship credit
Trade to degree
Career and salary information
Your career
As a graduate of the Fabricator-Welder program, you can work in the custom fabrication, construction, mass production, maintenance, petroleum, mining, forestry and railway industries. You can work in either welding or steel fabrication. Steel fabricators work in steel fabrication plants and heavy machinery manufacturing companies.
Welders work for companies that manufacture structural steel plate work, boilers, heavy machinery and other metal products, and for welding contractors and welding shops. Once you gain experience and skills, you can also contract yourself out or start your own business.
Potential careers
| Sample job title | NOC classification |
|---|---|
| Production line welder | Welders & related machine operators (72106) |
| Assembler tack welder | Welders & related machine operators (72106) |
| Steel fabricator | Structural metal & platework fabricators & fitters (72104) |
Admissions
Admission requirements
- Grade 12 with Foundations of Math 20 or Workplace and Apprenticeship Math 20 or Pre-Calculus 20*
- English Language Requirement
*Previous Saskatchewan mathematics requirement also accepted
- Math 20
Alternative admission
Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.
ACCUPLACER©
Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.
- 250 Arithmetic
- 243 Reading
Post-secondary
Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.
If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.
Admission method
First Qualified/First AdmittedThe First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.
Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.
Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.
See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.
Tuition and fees
Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.
2024-25 academic year
$9,560
International students
View tuition rates for international students.
Courses
Get credit for what you know
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.
See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.
Transfer credit
Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.
Student awards
Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.