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Welder - Wire Process Operator |
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Welder - Wire Process Operators work primarily in production and manufacturing plants, joining components and sub-assemblies to make various items using a variety of construction materials.
Welding in this branch of the welder trade is restricted to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Submerged Arc Welding ( SAW) and other semiautomatic wire feed welding processes.
The Welder - Wire Process Operator uses different welding processes and filler metals depending upon the type of metal, its size and shape, and requirements for finished mechanical properties.
For a typical welding project, they:
Welder - Wire Process Operators may work in a wide variety of work environments, but mostly in a production plant setting. A 40-hour work week is normal, but overtime is sometimes required.
There is some risk of injury involved working with torches and hot metals and the resulting sparks and fumes.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy building things and working with little direction and supervision.
To be successful in the trade, Welder - Wire Process Operators need to have:
Welder - Wire Process Operators are employed in a variety of industries including manufacturing vessel or structural steel fabrication, general steel fabrication, truck body fabrication and heavy equipment repair. Employment prospects for Welder - Wire Process Operators change with seasonal and economic climates.
Wage rates vary, but generally range from $15 to $25 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced Welder - Wire Process Operators may advance to positions such as journeyperson welder, welding inspector, welding foreman or supervisor, or plant supervisor. Some open their own manufacturing plants or production shops.
To work as a Welder - Wire Process Operator in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice, an Alberta-certified journeyperson, or hold a valid recognized credential. (see Recognized Trade Certificates)
Welder - Wire Process Operators learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training. Upon successful completion, they are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A Welder - Wire Process Operator who holds a valid recognized credential that does not have a Red Seal may apply for:
Welder - Wire Process Operators who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Qualification Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a valid recognized credential are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a Welder - Wire Process Operator is 2 years (two 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training in the first year and 1800 hours of on-the-job training in the second year.
To learn the skills required of a Welder - Wire Process Operator in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice welders earn at least 60 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year and 75 percent in the second year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for Welder - Wire Process Operator apprentices, and a time to attend training
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
The Welder - Wire Process Operator trade does not participate in the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program.
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who holds a valid recognized credential, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require Alberta documentation as proof that the holder is allowed to work in the trade or that the holder's credential is recognized.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on a recognized credential, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the review of the application, the assessment and confirmation of the applicant's work experience hours/months, the administration of the applicant’s demonstration of competency, and one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
