About Northern's Welding Engineering Technology program:

The first two years (4 semesters) of the two year welding engineering technician program is identical to that of the three year welding engineering technology program. However, students specializing in welding technology continue their studies for one more year and receive greater depth of training and knowledge in welding processes, welding metallurgy, welding physics, failure analysis and welding circuits.

Welding Engineering Technologists have the same skill set as welding engineering technicians however, with their greater knowledge of metallurgy, processes and engineering principles; they are best suited for the development of welding procedures. In the development of welding procedures, technologist will often select appropriate materials and welding processes in conjunction with selection of welding variable to ensure a cost effective weld with adequate structural integrity and adherence to applicable code requirements.

Employment Opportunities

Welding engineering technologists because of the broad knowledge of welding processes, nondestructive examination, welding metallurgy, welding procedure design and failure analysis affords them many opportunities in the welding industry including manufacturing, resource sector, education and retail.

Graduates of this program may fill positions similar to those of the welding engineering technician but also welding metallurgist, designers, analysts (cost/failure) and consultants.

After two years of relevant work experience, technologists can apply to the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) to become a Certified Engineering Technologist that allows the use of the suffix “CET” following the individual’s name.

Northern College has recently been approved as North America’s first Authorized Training Body (ATB) of the International Institute of Welding (IIW) by the Canadian Authorized National Body (ANB). Being the ATB permits us to deliver the curriculum of the International Welding Technologist (IWT) which will provide the opportunity for graduates of the three year Welding Engineering Technology program to write an examination with the ANB. Candidates who successfully complete the exam will be awarded the credentials of International Welding Technologist. These credentials are recognizable in 38 IIW member countries worldwide, giving graduates global employment opportunities.

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

Semester VII (Fall)
Co-op Option Only
WE7010 Workterm III

Semester VIII (Winter)
WE5014 Welding Processes III
WE5024 Welding Metallurgy II
WE5043 Technical Project I
WE5044 Strength of Materials II
WE5064 Welding Physics
WE5102 Statistical Process Control
WE5122 Robotic Welding and Automation

Semester IX (Summer)
MA5204 Calculus II
WE6022 International Welding Technologist Option
WE6024 Welding Metallurgy III
WE6034 Technical Project II
WE6074 Welding Processes IV
WE6084 Fracture and Fatigue
WE6094 Welding Circuits

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