A welding fitter is someone who can interpret blueprint drawings and then use these blueprint drawings to cut, fit, assemble and weld metal components in a manner that meets code requirements.

This two semester practical skills program is offered in a block format. Upon completion of this program, students will gain both practical and theoretical experience using many of the common welding and cutting processes used by industry. Students develop an ability to interpret blueprint drawings and construct structural layouts for fabrication.

Welding processes include:

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
• Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
• Oxyfuel Welding (OFW)
• Submergerd Arc Welding (SAW)

Cutting processes include:

• Oxyacetylene Cutting (OAC)
• Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC)
• Air Carbon Arc Cutting (CAC-A)

At the end of the program, graduating students are given the opportunity to test for their all position Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) welding tickets for SMAW, GMAW and FCAW at a significantly discounted rate.

Other value-added training may be available at an additional cost from Northern College’s Contract Training & Workforce Development, such as:

• Fall Arrest
• Confined Space Awareness
• Rigging
• WHMIS
• Contractor General Orientation
• Contractor Underground Orientation
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods
• Forklift Training
• Aerial Platform Training
• Overhead Crane Training

Employment Opportunities

The welding fitter assembles structural forms, such as machinery frames, pressure vessels, tanks, and buildings by fitting and welding them together. Employment opportunities exist in the areas of welding and fabrication in the forest products and mining industries, as well as the manufacturing and repair industry.

Welding fitters may find employment as a welder or fitter in the following areas, among others:

• Process piping fabrication
• Repair welding (resource, manufacturing)
• Structural welding (buildings/bridges)
• Manufacturing industry (Steel and Aluminum)
• Supervisory

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Grade 12 English (C, M, U)
Grade 10 Math (C, M, U) (MFM2P or equivalent)

Or equivalent.

Or mature student status (an applicant who does not have a high school diploma or equivalent, and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program). Mature students must undergo academic testing prior to admission into a program. Call the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 for more details.

Note: Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading. Refer to the Post-Secondary Preparation section in this calendar for more details.

Program of Studies

Semester I (Fall) Block A (10 weeks)
WA1003 Blueprint Reading – Block A
WA1010 Welding and Cutting – Block A
WA1002 Welding Quality – Block A
WA1013 Welding Theory – Block A
WA1012 Trade Practices – Block A
WA1023 Trade Mathematics

Semester II (Fall) Block B (6 weeks)
MF2012 Trade Practices – Block B
MF2002 Materials and Process Quality – Block B
MF2005 Layout and Fabrication – Block B
MF2022 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding – Block B
MF2021 Trade Mathematics – Block B

Semester III (Winter) Block C (6 weeks)
WA3003 Blueprint Reading & Fitting – Block C
WA3013 Shielded Metal Arc Welding – Block C
WA3002 Welding Theory – Block C
WA3023 Semi-Automatic Welding – Block C
WA3012 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding – Block C
WA3021 Trade Mathematics – Block C

Semester IV (Winter) Block D (8 weeks)
MF4003 Pattern and Template Development – Block D
MF4013 Project Planning and Shipping – Block D
MF4002 Installation – Block D
MF4006 Fabrication – Block D
CM1233 Trade Communications – Block D
MF4021 Trade Mathematics – Block D

Semester V (Winter) Block E (8 weeks)
WA5003 Weld Quality – Block E
WA5006 Fitting – Block E
WA5013 Shielded Metal Arc Welding – Block E
WA5002 Automatic & Semiautomatic Welding Processes – Block E
WA5023 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding and Plasma Arc Welding – Block E
WA5021 Trade Mathematics – Block E

For program information:
Joshua Fuller
Program Coordinator
705-567-9291 ext. 750
fullerj@northern.on.ca