Pre-Employment First Period Welder
This 12-week Alberta Apprentice & Industry Training-accredited program is designed for those with little to no welding experience who are looking to become a first year welding apprentice. Successful students will complete their first year of technical training prior to stepping on the jobsite, making a more productive and employable first-year apprentice.
Program Highlights
Certification
Successful students will receive a certificate of completion from CLAC Career Development College, and the opportunity to challenge AIT’s First-Period Theory and Practical Exams. Students who pass their AIT Exams will be credited for their first-year apprenticeship once their on-the-job-hours are complete.
Skills Development
Access to highly skilled instructors with active involvement in the welding industry ensures our students receive quality training that meets current industry standards.
Employment
All students have access to CLAC’s network of employers and are supported with resume and job-search training built into the program.
Duration: 360 hours (12 weeks)
Program Fee: $5,975
Program costs include first-period welding curriculum, first-period theory and practical exams, and job-ready certifications. Taxes are included. Students are required to pay a $500 deposit to confirm their registration. Full tuition fees are due the first day of class.
Additional Program Benefits
The following basic jobsite certifications are included with this program at no additional cost.
In-Class Safety Training
- Confined Space
- Overhead Crane and Rigging
CWB Structural Welding Certification
- CWB SMAW or FCAW – Flat and Horizontal Positions
Online Safety Courses
- Behaviour Based Safety
- WHMIS 2015 GHS
- CSTS-2020
- Common Safety Orientation (CSO)
Entrance Requirements
English 10-2 and Math 10-3 or a pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) or Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) tests.
Students who attended high school outside of Canada or who do not meet the entrance requirements listed above have the option of taking CCDC’s Entrance Exam for admission.
Funding Support Options
Eligible applicants will be assessed for both loans and grants to assist in both tuition and cost of living needs.
Parents can utilize existing plans to fund their child’s training.
Eligible students can apply for a low-interest line of credit at their personal banking institution.
Students registered in CCDC's Pre-Employment Welding Program are not eligible to apply for Employment Insurance (EI) while they are in the program.
How to Apply
- Complete the Pre-Employment First-Period Program application online.
- Verify that you meet the program admission requirements listed above by submitting your transcripts to CCDC via MyPass OR write the CCDC entrance exam to be granted admission.
- Wait for your admission decision. You will be contacted within 2 business days once you have submitted your transcripts or completed an entrance exam.
- Contact CCDC to pay your registration deposit to secure your spot in an upcoming program.
- Wait for a final program confirmation from CCDC to confirm your registration.
Upcoming Dates
January 6 - March 28, 2025 - WAITLIST
March 31 - June 20, 2025
July 7 - September 26, 2025
September 29 - December 19, 2025
APPLY NOW