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.

Fabricator-Welder is a one-year, dual certificate program offered at Regina and Saskatoon campuses. Students will 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, students will 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

Students will also fabricate several projects, complete their Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) welder qualification tests and participate in a one-week work experience.

As a graduate of the Fabricator-Welder program, students can work in the custom fabrication, construction, mass production, maintenance, petroleum, mining, forestry and railway industries. Students 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 students gain experience and skills, they can also contract themselves out or start their own business.