Description
This program develops the skills and knowledge you need to safely and effectively perform the oxyacetylene, arc, tungsten inert gas (TIG), and metal inert gas (MIG) welding processes and related operations.
You will spend the majority of class time on practical shop work, with your remaining time spent on instruction in welding, mathematics, science, industrial communications, and blueprint reading.
Theory tests in each welding component and grading of practical work assignments to government and industry standards.
Upon graduation you will receive a certificate from Red River College.
Students will be tested for Canadian Welding Bureau certification in SMAW and GMAW for an additional fee, and on passing will receive a student ticket from Canadian Welding Bureau.
Prior to starting the program, you will be invited to participate in a math and reading skills diagnostic testing session that will advise you of your program readiness.
This is a not an apprenticeship program, but may provide credit transfer opportunities towards apprenticeship. The Government of Manitoba, Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade offers apprenticeship training that combines on-the-job practical skills development with levels of technical training. If you are interested in applying to an apprenticeship program, please visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/wd/apprenticeship.
DOCUMENT SUBMISSION
Upload Through Your Future Student Account
If you do not have a Future Student Account or require assistance, please contact our Student Service Centre at 204-632-2327.
Internationally Educated Applicants - visit www.rrc.ca/credentials for credential assessment information.
However, if you apply within 6 weeks of the program start date, admission requirements are due within 5 days of applying.
Regular Admission Requirements
Mature Student Admission Requirements
If you are 19 years of age or older and have been out of high school for a minimum of one year at time of application, and you do not meet the regular admission requirements, you may apply under the Mature Student admission requirements.
| English Language Assessment | Minimum Required Levels | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L - Listening, S - Speaking, R - Reading, W - Writing | L | S | R | W |
| AEPUCE
(Academic English Program of University and College Entrance )
Requirement: Submission of a parchment (certificate) indicating successful completion of the AEPUCE program, including language levels achieved if available. | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| CAEL and CAEL Online (Canadian Academic English Language) | 60 | 50 | 60 | 50 |
| CLB (LINC)
(Canadian Language Benchmark - Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada)
Canadian Citizens: LINC programs are not available. | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Duolingo
(Duolingo English Test)
* MINIMUM OVERAL SCORE OF 115 REQUIRED. There are no minimum required levels for L,S,R,W. Only Duolingo English Test scores that have been verified through the Duolingo English Test Portal will be accepted. | 0* | 0* | 0* | 0* |
| IELTS - Academic
(International English Language Testing System)
Please Note: 3 year expiry date for Nursing Program Applicants | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 5.5 |
| PTE - Academic Online Assessment (Pearson Test of English) | 58 | 50 | 58 | 42 |
| Password Skills
(An in person English Language Assessment hosted by RRC Polytech)
This in-person, computer-based test is composed of four test modules: reading, writing, listening and speaking. The test takes 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete and is conducted in two parts. The first part assesses reading, listening, and writing, and the second part assesses speaking in a separate room.
Password Skills costs $139 to take through RRC Polytech.
Password Skills is hosted by the RRC Polytech Testing and Assessment Centre: E440, Manitou a bi Bii Daziigae building, on the fourth floor.
If you wish to do Password Skills remotely (not in-person), Password Skills Plus can be taken online. RRC Polytech does not offer Password Skills Plus, but we do accept the results for entry into program.
| 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 5.5 |
| Password Skills Plus (Password Skills Plus is an online assessment that can be taken instead of Password Skills. ) | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 5.5 |
| TOEFL-iBT
(Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet Based Test)
To meet the needs of students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT® test at a test center due to public health concerns, ETS is temporarily offering the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test in selected areas. | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
You should be in good physical health with good eyesight for depth perception and colour recognition. You will need steady nerves and hands, good concentration and patience, mechanical aptitude, and manual dexterity.
You should have no respiratory difficulties, and no physical handicaps that would prevent you from lifting 50 pounds on a regular basis and 100 pounds occasionally. Since work is often outdoors, you should be prepared to face some unpleasant weather conditions.
| Location | Start Date | Apply Link |
|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame Campus | Aug 31, 2026 | Apply Now |
Students may apply for financial assistance through the Manitoba Student Aid program. For general information on applying please call 204-945-6321 or 1-800-204-1685, or visit their website at www.manitobastudentaid.ca, which also includes an online application. For detailed information, please visit one of the RRC Polytech Student Service Centres or call 204-632-2327. Applicants requiring financial assistance should complete their student loan applications well in advance of the class start date.
Red River College Polytechnic is a participating institution in the HigherEdPoints program. Through this program, students are able to convert Aeroplan® Miles and TD Points into funds to help cover their tuition. Family members and friends can also contribute to a student’s education by converting their loyalty points - anyone can donate their points to an individual student.
Visit the HigherEdPoints website for more information about the program and/or to set up an account to convert your points.
Oxyacetylene welding and cutting is the first welding component studied. This is followed by the arc welding component. The last eight weeks are divided among metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding components and specialty welding applications. MIG is used in shipbuilding and machinery, and TIG is used in the pipeline and brewery industries and in the demanding area of aircraft maintenance.
You will perform calculations, interpret blueprints and sketches, layout work, cut to layouts, assemble and weld in all positions as required in the completion of work assignments. The identification, application, care, and use of welding equipment, hand and power tools, layout tools, and general shop equipment will be demonstrated continuously. Safety to self and equipment will be stressed.
Regular and prompt attendance, interest, and proper work habits are essential to your success. Theory tests in each welding component and grading of practical work assignments to government and industrial standards will constitute approximately 80 percent of the program grading. A final comprehensive theory examination will account for the remaining 20 percent.
Everyone communicates, but are they doing it well? Communicative competence takes practice and self-awareness. By developing their communication skills, the student will improve their interpersonal ability, intercultural competence, and digital fluency to prepare the student for success in the workplace. In Communication Strategies, the student will learn through discovery and project-based activities to practice approaching situations critically and collaboratively. The strategies the student will gain in this course will be useful throughout their program and in their chosen industry.
In this course, students will be provided with an understanding of trade-related print reading skills and will learn to correctly calculate and interpret information from production drawings. Conventional drafting and sketching techniques, object representation, and symbol applications as they relate to the interpretation and understanding of working drawings and specifications will be covered.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) involves a number of inspection techniques designed to detect discontinuities or defects, such as cracks, in different types of materials. NDT is used in many fields including the aircraft industry, pipelines, manufacturing, automotive servicing, and many others. The NDT course is designed to familiarize students with different NDT methods.
Algebra, geometry, and trigonometry will be introduced to prepare students to solve mathematical problems at a technician level. Students will learn and employ mathematical strategies such as models, geometric representations, formulas, algebraic equations, and mathematical reasoning.
Students will learn the basic science of pure metal alloys and heat treatment methods and their effect on metals. In addition, students will learn physical science principals including force, stress, horsepower, and efficiency.
This General Safety Training (GST) teaches basic general safety content to arm students with the core information necessary for them to protect themselves in workplaces on all descriptions. Although some examples may consider Manitoba legislation, this course has been developed by occupational safety and health professionals using generic information that is not provincially specific.
When a student successfully completes the Welding
Pre-Employment program and meets the requirements outlined by Apprenticeship
Manitoba, they can apply to receive credit towards the Level 1 Welding
Apprenticeship. More information about this process can be received from
instructors and Apprenticeship Manitoba.
This course will cover how to safely set up and operate a Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Machine and it’s principles. They will be able to describe and differentiate welding consumables according to the American Welding Society (AWS) classification system. Students will be proficient in using a variety of welding consumables and will be able to weld multiple positions, preparing them to weld various joints such as Lap, Tee and Corner. This course builds on the skills learned in Oxy Fuel Welding and Cutting.
In this course, students will learn to safely set up and operate a Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Machine and it’s principles. They will also be able to describe and differentiate welding electrodes according to the American Welding Society (AWS) classification system. Students will be proficient in using a variety of welding rods and will be able to weld multiple positions, preparing them to weld various joints, such as Lap, Tee, Corner. This course builds on the skills learned in Oxy Fuel Welding and Cutting.
This course equips students with safety theory in performing welding and cutting operations. Students will learn the appropriate selection, use, and care of personal safety equipment, in addition to proper procedures and safe practices to follow during welding. Students will learn about the potential hazards associated with welding—welding fumes and toxins generated from metals, electrodes and fluxes, arc burn, and eye flash—and how to prevent them. In addition, students will learn about working in confined spaces and about rigging and hoisting procedures (i.e., setting up, using, dismantling, and maintenance). Students will also learn the correct use, maintenance, safe operation of hand tools, fasteners, and power metalworking equipment used in welding.
In this course, students will learn the principles of oxy-fuel welding, cutting, and brazing. Students will identify and set up oxy-fuel equipment, reproduce welding, brazing, and cutting coupons, and perform oxy-fuel cutting. This course builds on the skills learned in Safety, Hand and Power Tools.
This course will build upon the knowledge received in the Introduction Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) course. Students will be provided with direct experience in performing Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) test in flat and horizontal position using solid filler wire, and metal cored filler wire. Upon completing the course work, students will have the opportunity to test for a CWB ticket with an independent inspector.
This course will build upon the knowledge received in Introduction Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and introduce students to performing Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) tests in all positions (Flat, Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead). Upon completing the course work, students will have the opportunity to test for the CWB all position ticket.
This course will introduce and equip students with basic theoretical knowledge of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). Students will learn different machine types and related equipment, as well as the gases used in GTAW, and how to identify electrodes. They will also learn how GTAW is used with different metals. Students will learn how to weld various joints (tee, lap, corner, and butt joints) in flat, horizontal, and vertical positions with applicable electrodes on mild steel.
This course will introduce students to basic metal fabrication procedures. They will perform layout applications, set up and operate appropriate equipment and tools to fabricate and assemble a series of projects. These projects are designed to allow students to practice safety and work independently while integrating theoretical knowledge with practical skills.
This course will build upon the knowledge learned in the Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). In this “hands-on” course, students will learn how to weld various joints (tee, lap, corner and butt joints) in flat, horizontal and vertical positions with applicable electrodes on stainless steel and aluminum.
This course will help students make the transition from school to work through collaborative partnerships between the business community and Red River College, plus promote work-integrated learning opportunities. With the guidance of an industrial partner, students will learn about the business, production, fabrication, and quality assurance in the welding industry. Students will also explore the purpose of a part, the design process, the decisions used to make the part, the part drawings, and finally, students will fabricate the part.
This course will provide students with “hands-on” welding work experience in an industry environment and equip them with the requisite experience, knowledge, and appreciation of the elements that factor into being a responsible worker. Each student will observe and participate in work practices under the direction of shop supervision. A report on the student’s attendance, ability, general attitude and employment potential will be provided by the workplace supervisor upon completion of the assignment. The student will receive credit for this work experience.
Online learning is a critical component of course delivery in all Red River College Polytechnic programs. To ensure each student has the tools they need to achieve their academic goals, all Red River College Polytechnic students require, at minimum:
1. Off-campus access to a current computer with a webcam
2. A high speed internet connection
• Recommended minimum speed: 10 mbps for download, 3 mbps for upload
• Slower internet connection speeds may result in audio and video issues. Please keep in mind that if others in your home are using the same internet connection at the same time as you are, you may also experience audio and video issues.
• Please refer to https://www.rrc.ca/future-students/computer-requirements/ for further information on Computer Requirements for Students.
Please note that any anticipated costs are not included in Books and Supplies estimates.
After successfully completing the program, you will be able to:
After working four and a half years or 8100 hours in industry as a welder, you can challenge the Industrial Welder Interprovincial examination through Apprenticeship Manitoba. Upon completion you will receive an inter-provincial (Red Seal) certificate.
For more information about the apprenticeship program, contact:
Apprenticeship Manitoba
Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade
1010 - 401 York Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3C 0P8
Phone 204-945-3337
Fax 204-948-2346
Toll-Free: 1-877-978-7233 (1-877-97-TRADE)
Email: apprenticeship@gov.mb.ca
https://www.gov.mb.ca/wd/apprenticeship/discover/mbtrades/welder.html
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which documents and compares an individual's prior learning gained from prior education, work and life experiences and personal study to the learning outcomes in College courses/programs. For more information, please visit www.rrc.ca/rpl.
For students registered in the Welding Certificate program, with a 2021-2022 Catalogue year, the requirements to graduate are as follows:
• A minimum grade of C in each of the Core/Compulsory courses in the program content
• A minimum program GPA of 2.00
In order to receive Accreditation in Level 1 Apprenticeship, the requirements are as follows:
• A minimum grade of C in each of the Core/Compulsory courses in the program content
• A minimum program GPA of 3.00