Welding Levels C, B & A

Why Choose North Island College?

• Great facilities, great people. NIC's welding programs have some of the most modern, well-equipped shops in BC and very experienced, highly qualified instructors. Graduates have a very high success rate and are working as welders, across Canada and around the world.
• Advance your career. If you want to learn more, NIC’s Metal Fabrication Foundation program is an excellent complement to the skills gained in Welding Level C, B or A, allowing you to increase your skills and your employability.

Program Highlights

As baby boomers retire, taking with them a lifetime of experience and knowledge, an unprecedented opportunity for skilled journeymen and journeywomen is predicted. In the near future, the welding industry will be challenged to find enough talented, knowledgeable people to fill the void.

NIC offers three levels of welding training: Levels C, B, and A.

Level C prepares students for entry-level employment in industrial manufacturing, welding and fabrication shops. Completion of Level C requires 28 weeks of in-school training and 1000 hours of documented workplace training.

Level B introduces pressure welding and preparation for Interprovincial (Red Seal) certification. Level B will involve 16 weeks of training at the college, followed by eight months of work experience in industry.

In Level A, students learn advanced alloy and stainless steel pressure welding. Level A involves eight weeks of training and 10 months of work experience.

In addition to Levels C, B and A, NIC also offers certification in metal fabrication.

Note: Program content is subject to periodic changes as determined by the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Career Opportunities

The welding trade is found in a wide variety of industries, which results in many potential career paths and opportunities. Welding is essential to the forest, fishing, aquaculture, agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, construction and maintenance industries in every part of the country. There is tremendous potential for career advancement for bright, motivated and talented trades persons.

ASME Welder Performance Qualification Testing

North Island College's welding centres are authorized testing stations for the Boiler Branch. Qualified welders may challenge Welder Performance Qualification tests in accordance with the Power Engineers and Boiler and Pressure Vessels Safety Act regulations and directives. Subject to available space.

Welding Performance tests are incorporated in the following courses: WPW 007 and WPW 010.

Supply List

NIC is pleased to make tools available to students in exchange for a $100 refundable tool deposit, which is not included in your tuition. It will be returned at the end of the term if all tools and tags are returned in an acceptable condition. Tools will not be distributed without proof of payment from the Registration office.

Students are also responsible for having the following basic supplies:

• Cutting goggles, with flip up lens
• Clear safety glasses (regular style frame)
• CSA-approved full safety face shield with head gear, clear (see instructor)
• Hearing protection (form fitted or disposable earplugs)
• Tip cleaners (long sets)
• Striker (3-flint style)
• Cotton work clothes
• Steel-toed boots
• Leather jacket and apron (see instructor before purchasing)
• Welding gloves (finger style)
• Welding hat
• Welding helmet (see instructor before purchasing)
• Adjustable wrench (Crescent 10”)
• Vice grips (regular style, 10”),
• C clamp 10”
• Slip joint pliers (10”)
• Diagonal cutters (9”)
• Wire feed pliers (optional – replaces slip joint pliers and diagonal cutters)
• Wire brush
• Chipping hammer
• Tape measure 16’ x 1” (imperial/metric graduations or separate imperial and metric tapes)
• 4 ½” grinder 

Admission Requirements

Level C

1. Successful completion of North Island College Welding Assessment.  For more information, check the Welding Assessment Study Information. 

Level B

1. Must have successfully completed Welding Level C

Level A

1. Must have successfully completed Welding Level B

To Be Successful

• Students are encouraged to contact the instructor for an in-person or telephone interview. The purpose of the interview is to provide advice, answer questions about the program and discuss various career fields and choices.
• Many employers require Grade 12 completion as an employment standard. If you do not meet this requirement we encourage you to contact a Student Advisor to discuss upgrading or Grade 12 completion options offered at NIC. In addition to the stated prerequisites secondary school equivalent courses in math, science, physics, and drafting are considered an asset.
• The most important key to success is the desire to become a quality trades person. The traditional values of hard work, reliability, positive attitude and the desire to do quality work are essential to succeed in the program.
• Prospective students should be aware that trades programs require good hand-eye coordination, good binocular vision, strong abilities in spatial and mechanical reasoning along with good math and communication skills.
• There is also an expectation of physical activities such as lifting, working on ladders and scaffolding or in confined spaces and under various weather conditions. Prospective students should also have the ability to stay focused for prolonged periods.

Challenge Testing

Experienced welders meeting the ministry's criteria may attempt the Level B or A - Challenge Tests:

• WBT 010: the "B" Level Challenge Test
• WAT 010: the "A" Level Challenge Test

and, if successful, become registered at the level they successfully challenged.

Other Welding Training

NIC offers Welding Skills Development courses to qualified welders. Contact Welding Admissions at the Campbell River or Port Alberni campuses for scheduling and fees.

• WSR 010 Welding Skills Development - 1 Day
• WSR 050 Welding Skills Development - 3 Days
• WSR 060 Welding Skills Development - 1 Week
• WSR 065 Welding Skills Development - Stainless Steel and/or Aluminum - 1 Week
• WSR 070 Welding Skills Development - 4 Weeks
• WSR 080 Welding Skills Development - Theory - 4 Weeks

Program Requirements

Level C

The Provincial C Level Welding program is open entry/open exit.  Completion time for a person attending full-time is maximum 28 weeks.

After successful completion of C Level Welding, the student requires 1000 hours of documented work experience before receiving registration as a C Level Welder.  As currently defined by the ITA, to qualify for this registration, a student must (a) graduate as a C Level Welder, and (b) get approved work experience.

The College will endorse a trainee's or a welder's logbook on completion of the minimum technical training required for the C certificate consisting of the following Modules or courses:

• WPR-101 Introduction to Welding (P1)
• WPR-102 Oxy-Fuel Cutting (P2)
• WPR-103 Gas Welding & Braze Welding (P3)
• WPR-104 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (P4)
• WPR-105 Air Carbon Arc Cutting & Plasma Arc Cutting (P5)
• WPR-106 Basic Gas Metal & Flux Core Arc Welding (P6)
• WRK-101 Rigging & Material Handling (RK1)
• WRK-102 Blueprint Interpretations (RK2)
• WRK-103 Metallurgy I (RK3)

Level B

The Level B program will involve approximately 16 weeks of full-time training at the College, followed by eight months of work experience in the industry.  The four practical and four welding-related courses in Level B are listed below.

• WPR-107 Shielded Metal Arc Welding II (P7)
• WPR-108 Gas-Metal Arc Welding II (P8)
• WPR-109 Flux-Cored Arc Welding II (P9)
• WPR-110 Gas-Tungsten Arc Welding I (P10)
• WRK-104 Welding Quality & Control (RK4)
• WRK-105 Welding Codes, Standards & Specifications (RK5)
• WRK-106 Blueprint Reading II (RK6)
• WRK-107 Metallurgy II (RK7)

Level A

The Level A program will involve approximately 8 weeks of training and 10 months of work experience.

• WPR-111 Shielded Metal Arc Welding III (P11)
• WPR-112 Gas-Tungsten Arc Welding II (P12)
• WRK-108 Metallurgy III (RK8)
• WRK-109 Blueprint Reading III (RK9) 

Completion Requirements

• Students must attain competency in each module.

Note: Curriculum, certificatation and completion requirements may be subject to change as mandated by the ITA. Refer to current bulletins on the ITA website www.itabc.ca.