The School of Welding Engineering Technology provides a very unique blend of practical skills and theoretical knowledge which permit graduates to perform exceptionally well as active members of the engineering team. Their background in science and technology related to welding allows them to interact with engineers and scientists while maintaining the practical skills necessary to supervise trade personnel. Technicians often select components, create or interpret drawings and supervise welding personnel.

Welding professionals are concerned with all activities related to the design, production, performance and maintenance of welded products. To adequately design a weldment, the welding professional must not only understand the material being joined, but also the effect of welding variables of many welding processes on the final product. To achieve this, lab time is intertwined with a curriculum of metallurgical science and engineering theory. In developing the skills required in becoming a welding inspector, students complement their knowledge of nondestructive examination with a working knowledge of codes, standards and stress analysis.

Nondestructive examination (NDE) is an essential component of the welding engineering technician/technology programs. Students will learn the principles and acquire some practical experience with visual, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic and radiographic testing methods. Emphasis is placed on the evaluation of weldments with reference to applicable codes and standards.

Students who obtain 70% or greater in liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonics, or radiography will receive a certificate representing classroom training to CGSB standards for each of those methods. To obtain certification, graduates must obtain the required work experience before completing government examinations. Graduates are also eligible to qualify to CSA W178.2 as visual welding inspectors.

Employment Opportunities

Welding engineering technicians may be employed in a variety of industries including manufacturing, resource sector, education and retail. Graduates of this program fill positions such as NDE operators, weld inspectors, quality control and quality assurance technicians, welding supervisors, technical sales representatives, welding robot programmers and welding educators.

Two years after graduation, individuals may apply to the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technician and Technologists (OACETT) to become a Certified Engineering Technician that allows the use of the suffix “C. Tech.” following an individual’s name.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Grade 12 English (C, M, U)
Grade 12 Math (C, M, U) (MCT4C preferred; MAP4C is accepted with a minimum GPA of 60%)
Grade 12 Physics (C, M, U) strongly recommended

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)
CM1903-A Communications I
GN1082 College Success
GN2013 Co-op Studies
IN1013 Computer Applications I
MA1100 Mathematics I
WE1064 Welding Drafting
WE1082 Welding Electrical Fundamentals
WE1404 Materials Joining

Semester II (Winter)
BU2003 Human Resources Management
CM2903-A Communications II
MA2104 Mathematics II
WE2084 Mechanic/Statics
WE2164 CAD and Fixture Design
WE3014 Materials Preparation
WE2024 Engineering Materials I

Semester III (Summer)
Co-op Option Only
WE3010 Work Term I

Semester IV (Fall)
BU1133 Introduction to Business Management and Organizational Behaviour
WE3044 Strength of Materials I
MA3064 Mathematics III
WE3009 Nondestructive Examination I
WE3104 Engineering Materials II
WE3204 Welding Processes I

Semester V (Winter)
Co-op Option Only
WE5010 Work Term II

Semester VI (Summer)
MA4204 Calculus I
WE4004 Welding Processes II
WE4024 Welding Metallurgy I
WE4074 Nondestructive Examination II
WE4093 Codes and Standards

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