Pressure Welder Program

THE FILLING THE GAP- ADVANCED PRESSURE WELDER TRAINING PROGRAM

This program is developed jointly by the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers/Boilermaker’s National Training Trust Fund, CWB Group and CWB Welding Foundation and is funded through the Employment and Social Development Canada- Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP).

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About The Program

The Filling the Gap- Advanced Pressure Welder Training Program is funded by the Government of Canada to upskill apprentices and journeypersons across Canada. This project supports the Government of Canada's commitment to strengthening union-based apprenticeship training, innovation and enhanced partnerships. The objective of this project is to improve the quality of training in the trades to better support a skilled, inclusive, certified, and productive trades workforce which also aims to address barriers that prevent key groups, such as women and Indigenous people, from succeeding in the trades.

The Filling the Gap- Advanced Pressure Welder Training Program is a five-year project which comprises of series of eight-week training programs to upgrade apprentices and welders across Canada with the key intentions of addressing some of the challenges limiting the apprenticeship outcome, improving the quality of pressure welding trainings and most importantly, increase the supply of skilled Pressure Welders to fill the current skills gap and mismatch across the country. This comprehensive 8-week training program is delivered through a combination of in-person (both theoretical and practical hands-on training) and online training. Participants in this program learn in-demand pressure welding processes and techniques, achieve a series of practical competencies and receive multiple pressure welding qualifications that enable them to be job-ready to meet current and future industry needs. Those who complete this training program will have worked with highly skilled instructors to gain valuable and relevant skills that increase their employment opportunities.

*Financial Assistance is also provided to eligible participants for the duration of the program, check with your local Training Coordinator upon registration for more info.

Benefits of the program

1.

Opportunities for advancement

Upgrading welding skills to be a pressure welder and improving your employability.

2.

Meet you where you are at

Tailored training provided by use of innovative approaches and best practices through a personalized learning model to get you additional certifications to become a highly skilled welder

3.

Daily hands-on training

With highly qualified instructors.

4.

Earn up to six weld qualifications

Initial Pressure Welding Provincial Qualification; CWB four position qualification (CSA W47.1); Carbon 2” sch. 160-6G Stick or TIG; Stainless - TIG root, Stick (fill and cap) - 2” sch. 160-6G; Inconel - 2” sch. 160 TIG root, Stick fill and cap - 6G; 9Chrome - 2” or 4” TIG all out 6G

5.

Obtain Industry required Safety Certifications

Including Fall Protection, Confined Space, Quantitative Fit Testing & Audiometric Testing.

Eligibility

If your answer is yes to the following questions, then you are qualified to join the program.

Are you a welder or an apprentice?
Are you currently eligible to perform the Initial Pressure Test in your province?

Register early to guarantee your spot. Check with your training Coordinator for more information.

Become a Boilermaker Apprentice

Are you interested in becoming an apprentice Boilermaker or apprentice Welder?

You’ll get paid while you learn on the job. Once you graduate, you’ll be a journeyperson earning top wages (up to $55 per hour) and benefits, including Canada’s best health and welfare plan and an industry-leading pension plan.

During your apprenticeship training, you’ll follow a national core curriculum, learning the standards of our trade that will let you move from province to province when you earn your journeyperson’s Red Seal certificate.

From the early days of steamships and locomotives, our union has been a leader in apprenticeship training and skills upgrading for journeypersons. Once you’ve graduated, you can attend ongoing skills-upgrading courses at one of our local training centres. Our training courses cover all aspects of safety and many trade-related subjects, such as welding, rigging and supervision just to name a few. If you wish to learn more about a Boilermaker apprenticeship in your province, please fill out the application form.

Our Gallery

View the latest images and videos from the
Advanced Pressure Welder Training Program.

Testimonials

“… after passing the Pressure Welding test, I celebrated, even my whole family were in awe… I will admit, on my drive back, I broke down in tears, I was so happy, I couldn’t believe I did it… A good feeling, that’s for sure.”

Testimonials

“… after passing the Pressure Welding test, I celebrated, even my whole family were in awe… I will admit, on my drive back, I broke down in tears, I was so happy, I couldn’t believe I did it… A good feeling, that’s for sure.”

“[the training] is amazing! Honestly, the teachers are really dedicated to helping us, they are always checking up on us in the booths, and if you ever have any questions, you can ask them… I am a visual, hands-on person, and they (the instructors) are there to show you physically how it’s got to be done and it helps me to visualize it an ask the questions I have.”

“I have recommended a lot of my friends to take the course, it’s pretty helpful! It was a lot of work, but it paid off. I wouldn’t be able to do it without this program.”

“I would 100% recommend this training to everyone, especially to the apprentices who just don’t have a lot of weld time… this [training] is a godsend to have this much shop time… you have the instructors to help you out, it is worth it for sure.”

“There is a moment with each student; when theory, concept and hours of repetition in their welding booth all come together. I call it the “ ah ha” moment. The lights come on; it all makes sense. It is that look of acknowledgement from the student and the smile they give me, that makes it all worth while. This is the point when I know we were successful.”

“… has a passion for the job and has shown great determination and is always on time, ready for work. Great apprentice who always listens to instruction.”

“The UTIP pressure welding pilot course was extremely successful, as it provided highly skilled tradespeople into our industry. It was a privilege to be apart of this project. We are very proud of the accomplishments the welders and apprentices achieved from the course.”

“(this training) 100% gave me the tools to find employment… if you do the welding, you can take that anywhere…You learn the tools to become better at the trade and then the skills that you learn here they’re transferable. With a program like this, it's designed for you to focus on the task, and it all comes down to how fast you want to excel through it. If you focus and you buckle down and get it done, then you just succeed that much faster.”

“I highly recommend this training, especially to someone in my position, the welding is very different. With this training, I was able to get so many more tickets which will give me better opportunity to provide for my family.”

“I love to weld and I love to learn. If my weld is not okay, I always say ‘show me how to do it’ and I will start again until I get it right. I would like to work not only here, but across Canada. Once I get my qualified from this training, then I will be able to travel for work. Nothing can stop me now.”

“This training is great because you get experience, you get practice time and on top of that you get welding tickets. If I was on the other end, I would sign up for this training 100%. Anybody who wants to have a career in welding, and wants to get better, this is the way to do it. This is about getting better everyday…The sky is the limit with this training, no matter how experienced you are when you enter the training.”

“… seems passionate about his chosen career of being a Boilermaker. His determination and willingness to be better is huge and is eager to learn both general and specific industry skills. While employed with us he has worked on pressure vessels, drums, towers, and exchangers. He is my go-to apprentice and will become an exceptional journeyman welder.”

“She is a very good worker taking all the knowledge given to her. She will make a great welder and member for our local. I support her for any awards she may be eligible for and look forward to working with her again in the future.”

“Great worker, team player and eager to contribute. He is a great asset to our crew.”

Frequently asked questions

Jobs that are available from us and looking for their own people! Browse our vacancies and find the one that is right for you!

What is the purpose of this program?

The ultimate purpose of this project is to upgrade apprentices and welders across Canada with the key intentions of addressing some of the challenges limiting the apprentice’s outcome, improving the quality of pressure welding trainings and most importantly, increase the supply of skilled pressure welders to fill the current skills gap and mismatch across the country.

Do I have to pay for this training?

No, there is no cost to the participants for attending this eight-week training

What is the purpose of this Funding?

This project aims to improve the quality of training in the trades to better support a skilled, inclusive, certified, and productive trades workforce.

What level of experience do I need to qualify?

If you are a welder and/or an apprentice and you are currently eligible to perform the Initial Pressure Test in your province, you are qualified to join the program.

Past Trainings

Alberta

Edmonton (Nov 2021): 8 students completed the trainings
Calgary (Jan 2022): 7 students completed the trainings
Edmonton (Jan 2022): 10 students completed the trainings

Ontario

Burlington (Jan 2022): 8 students completed the trainings
Sarnia (Jan 2022): 4 students completed the trainings

New Brunswick

St. John (Jan 2022): 10 students completed the trainings

British Columbia

Victoria (May 2022): 4 students completed the trainings

Future Trainings

Additional information about Future Trainings will be provided as it becomes available.

New Brunswick & Nova Scotia

May-July 2023 (Bathurst, NB)
October-December 2023 (Truro, NS)
January-March 2024 (Saint John, NB)

British Columbia

July-August 2023: Okanagan College (Kelowna, BC)

Ontario

July-August 2023 (Burlington & Sudbury, ON)
October-December 2023 (Burlington & Sudbury, ON)

Manitoba & Saskatchewan

October-December 2023 (Regina, SK)
January-March 2024 (Winnipeg, MB)

Alberta

October-December 2023 (Edmonton, AB)
October-December 2023 (Calgary, AB)
January-March 2024 (Edmonton, AB)
January-March 2024 (Calgary, AB)

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