Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
Welder Foundation
Program Description
This program is a 22-week program designed to prepare Indigenous people who are interested in a career path as a Welder. There will be 21 weeks of training and 1 week of direct industry experience, achieved through either work placement or special projects. The program prepares students to join, fabricate, and repair metal components using current industry welding principles and practices. Students will learn to interpret blueprints, operate welding equipment, and apply industry safety standards across various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and repair industries. This program includes all required learning outcomes to meet Saskatchewan Welder Apprenticeship Technical Training, Level One.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Math Credit at the indicated Grade 10
- Foundations of Mathematics 10, Pre-Calculus 10, Workplace and Apprenticeship Mathematics 10
- Science Credit at the indicated Grade 10
- Applicants with a lower level may be considered depending on their experience.
Non-Academic Requirements
- Include good eyesight, hearing, manual dexterity, and physical agility
Acceptance Policy
Strong preference is given to applicants who are Status First Nations, but SIIT programs are open to anyone.
English Language Benchmark
SIIT is not currently legislated to accept International Students. You must be a Canadian/ Permanent Resident to apply.
To be admitted into this program you must be able to understand and communicate in English (Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment of six – CLB6).
Courses
| Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| WLDR 100 | Lifeskills |
| WLDR 101 | Welding Mathematics |
| WLDR 110 | Welding Safety |
| WLDR 111 | Metallurgy and Metal Heat Treatment of Metals |
| WLDR 112 | Blueprint Interpretation |
| WLDR 113 | Fabrication Equipment |
| WLDR 114 | Oxy-Fuel/Plasma Arc Cutting |
| WLDR 115 | Wire Feed Welding Processes Theory |
| WLDR 116 | Wire Feed Welding Processes Shop 1 |
| WLDR 117 | Wire Feed Welding Processes Shop 2 |
| WLDR 118 | Oxy-Fuel Process Theory |
| WLDR 119 | Oxy-Fuel Process Shop |
| WLDR 120 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding Processes Theory |
| WLDR 130 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding Processes Shop 1 |
| WLDR 131 | Shielded Metal Arc Welding Processes Shop 2 |
| WLDR 132 | CWB |
| WLDR 133 | Safety Tickets |
| WLDR 134 | Work Experience |
Winter 2026 - Welding Foundation - Regina
Program Length: 5 months
Start Date: 01/12/2026
Division: Trades and Industrial
Campus: Regina
Location: Regina - Welding Foundation
Apply Now
For more information on the Welding Foundation program, please contact SIIT Admissions at (306) 477-9325 or by email at advisor@siit.ca.
Winter 2026 - Welding Foundation - Saskatoon
Program Length: 5 Months
Start Date: 01/12/2026
Division: Trades and Industrial
Campus: Saskatoon
Location: Saskatoon - Welding Foundation
Apply Now
For more information on the Welding Foundation program, please contact SIIT Admissions at (306) 477-9325 or by email at advisor@siit.ca.
Tuition, Fees, and Funding
Tuition and Fees
| Tuition | Textbooks | Laptop | Compulsory Fees* |
Total* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,396.00 | $875.00 | $0.00 | $3,100.00 | $7,371.00 |
| Please note: All tuition and fees are subject to change. *Compulsory fees may include: student fees, field trip and/or practicum fees, laboratory fees, apprenticeship fees, PPE & other equipment, exam fees, online fees, consumables, safety and first aid training, and tools. *Total amount does not include the required UPass Transit Bus Pass for Saskatoon & Regina students. |
||||
Additional Fees: U-Pass for Saskatoon and Regina Transit Bus Passes
| U-PASS | |
|---|---|
|
$286.00 per year - Saskatoon $246.00 per year - Regina |
The U-Pass is a City Transit bus pass for students that allow you to save on transportation costs. The U-Pass fee is provided at a reduced cost compared to a standard monthly City Transit pass and is mandatory for most SIIT students in Saskatoon and Regina. You may use the U-Pass as many times as you would like during the academic term. Students who meet certain requirements can opt-out of the U-Pass. Please contact the Admissions department for more information. |
| Please note: U-Pass fees are subject to change. | |
Funding
Depending on your status, different forms of financial assistance are available to you. Please click here to explore options for funding. If you require assistance finding funding, please contact supportservices@siit.ca.
What to Expect
Length of Program
The length of the Welding Foundations program is 22 weeks.
Delivery Method
This program will consist of instructor-led classes which will encompass the theory of each course, and will include lectures, discussions, assignments, in-class review topics, and hands-on shop experience. Students will have access to materials which will be distributed to each student as well as in digital format on Brightspace.
Academic Policy
Students attending must adhere to SIIT Academic & Student policies, which are available on the mySIIT dashboard on the SIIT website.
Attendance Policy
- Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Each program has specific attendance requirements that must be adhered to in order to graduate. In order to graduate from this program, an attendance rate of 90% or better is required.
- If you have been approved for funding, you must maintain the attendance required by your sponsoring agency to remain eligible to receive payment.
Evaluation
This program is based on a pass/fail assessment model and a 70% assessment model. Pass/fail courses are evaluated based on successful completion of curricular outcomes. Marks-based courses are evaluated on successful completion of tests, with a passing course mark of 60%. A passing overall program mark is 70%, and a “Pass” designation for each pass/fail course.
Graduation Requirements and Credential
Successful students will receive an Applied Certificate from SIIT.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities & Salaries
To be certified as a welder, students will need to complete a three-year apprenticeship program. Once students successfully complete the required on-the-job training, technical training and exams, students are awarded a Red Seal Certification or order to be a welder.
Apprentices must be employed, registered, and in good standing with the apprenticeship commission. All apprentices must also maintain employment in their designated trade for the duration of their apprenticeship and are expected to submit their trade time hours every 6 months to SATCC in order to remain active and in good standing.
Support for apprentices is available through SIIT’s Joint Training Committee.
Further Education
To graduate from each level of the apprenticeship program, an apprentice Welder must successfully complete the required technical training and compile enough on-the-job experience to total at least 1800 hours each year. The total time required is 5400 hours and at least 3 years in the trade. Students may receive 650 trade hours after they complete their registration with SATCC and become indentured as an apprentice.
There are three levels of training delivered in Saskatchewan:
- Level One: 7 weeks
- Level Two: 7 weeks
- Level Three: 8 weeks
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
Head Office
Suite 100-103A Packham Avenue
Asimakaniseekan Askiy Reserve
Saskatoon, SK S7N 4K4
306-244-4444