A quality constructed career.
High quality welding of materials and equipment is essential across numerous industries in today’s economy. Welded materials support our daily lives, influence the world around us, and endure through time. Weld quality is thus critical for citizens’ health and safety and is also related to the economic health of a country.
The Welding Engineering Technician acts as a liaison between professional engineers and welding practitioners and ensures that appropriate systems are in place to monitor welding integrity. In fact, it is they who create and manage quality control and quality assurance systems, examine industry standards and codes, and recommend which welding processes and procedures to apply for achievement of compliance. They perform visual and non-destructive testing (NDT) of welded materials, evaluate and record test results and recommend corrective actions.
This work requires attention to detail and great problem-solving skills, as well as the technical knowledge to complete diverse tasks that utilize the latest in welding technology and contribute to creating safe, strong assemblies that last.
CNA’s project-based, immersive Welding Engineering Technician program is designed to meet growing industry demand for these highly trained technicians. In our modern shops and laboratory facilities, you’ll gain skills and knowledges in Welding, Materials Science, Non-destructive Testing, and Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM). With us, you will develop the skills and knowledge to excel in this profession. The work placement is optional – you can stay and avail of additional hands-on training or graduate and get straight to work in the industry.
Upon completing this program, you’ll have qualifications or credentials on provincial, national and international levels and you are automatically eligible for membership in the Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Newfoundland and Labrador (AETTNL), as well as similar associations in Canada.
If a diverse network of work opportunities sparks your interest, apply today!
Program Highlights
- Choose to complete the optional embedded 12-week (minimum) work placement, or complete program courses only – the graduation time is the same
- Diversely certified instructors guide your applied learning
- Our state-of-the-art welding shop is uniquely Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB)-certified, providing you with opportunities to engage with industry professionals throughout the program
- NDT laboratories are fully equipped to demonstrate the most modern flaw detection processes including digital ultrasonic inspection, radiography, magnetic particle inspection, liquid penetrant inspection and x-ray fluorescence
- Advanced metallurgy laboratories provide immersive experiences in evaluating material properties
- Numerous certification opportunities are provided throughput the program
Did You Know?
- The global welding market size was US $20.23 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow to US $28.66 billion in 2028.
- Over 70% of all fabricated products are made with the expertise of welders.
- Major North American energy systems and civil/marine infrastructures are nearing their end of design life and must be refitted and renewed.
- Aging demographics in this field indicate an acute need to refresh the workforce.
- Graduates of the program have opportunities to travel the globe to work on major infrastructure projects.
- Welding failures are a leading cause of industrial and environmental catastrophes, resulting in more stringent weld quality requirements, materials verification and the need for welding inspectors.
ACCREDITATION
This program is accredited by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board under the mandate of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists.
The academic credentials of accredited technology programs are recognized internationally by the signatories of the Dublin Accord.
NOTE: There are specific vision requirements that are required by the Canadian General Standards Board prior to completing final certification in each discipline. Please refer to the following link for the requirements:
http://www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/mms-smm/ndt-end/eli-adm/vis-vis-eng.htm
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Develop, manage, and implement welding-related quality management systems
- Interpret and apply standards and codes for welding and non-destructive testing
- Develop and maintain welding inspection procedures
- Execute welding inspection and non-destructive testing procedures as defined by standards, codes, and related specifications
- Interpret and evaluate quality inspection and test results
- Verify and recommend welding operator qualifications
- Prepare and maintain inspection records and reports
- Set up equipment, lay out work to specifications, and weld to prescribed standards
- Perform project management activities within a welding and fabrication, and quality assurance, context.
CURRICULUM
General education consisting of Communication Skills (oral and written), Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Electrotechnology, Engineering Graphics, Technology Awareness, and Student Success.
Specific education in the theory and application of welding processes, procedures, and weldments.
Practical education employing labs and shops focused on Welding, Materials, Science, Nondestructive Testing and Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM).
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The student, upon graduation, may find employment with contractors, metal fabricators, quality assurance/quality control consultants, welding inspection firms, suppliers, oil & gas exploration/production/processing facilities and any other group that must comply with standards associated with the welding industry.
Graduates completing this program are automatically eligible for membership in the Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Newfoundland and Labrador (AETTNL), as well as any similar association in Canada.
Graduates with two years of progressive work experience may be eligible to receive the designation of Certified Technician (C. Tech) upon completion of a Professional Practice and Ethics Exam.
EXTERNAL CERTIFICATIONS
Students in the Welding Engineering Technician program will be required to complete certifications in the following areas prior to the start of Semester 3 (Note: Fees for these examinations are not included in tuition/supply fees):
- Standard First Aid/Heart Start
- WHMIS
As an option, students will be eligible to write the following external certifications prior to the start of Semester 3 (Note: Fees for these examinations are not included in tuition/supply fees):
- CSA W47.1 Welder/Welder Operator Qualification
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) technique
- Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
- Certified Exposure Device Operator
Additionally, students will be eligible to write the following certification examinations upon graduation (Note: Fees for these examinations are not included in tuition/supply fees):
- CSA W178.2 Welding Inspection Level 1
- CSA W47.1 Welder/Welder Operator Qualification
- CAN/CGSB 48.9712:
- Radiography (RT) Level I
- Ultrasonic Inspection (UT) Level I
- Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT) Level II
- Liquid Penetrant Inspection (PT) Level II
NOTE: There are specific vision requirements that are required by the Canadian General Standards Board prior to completing final certification in each discipline. Please refer to the following link for the requirements:
http://www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/mms-smm/ndt-end/eli-adm/vis-vis-eng.htm
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility for admission to an Engineering Technology program requires the applicant to meet one of the following four academic criteria:
1. High School
High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% overall average in the following (or equivalent):
i. English (2 credits) (minimum 60%) from: 3201
ii. Mathematics (4 credits) chosen from:
Advanced: 2200, 3200 (50% minimum in each course)
Academic: 2201 (50% minimum), 3201 (60% minimum)
Note: Students who received a combined average of 70% in high school Academic Mathematics 2201 and 3201, or a pass in both high school
Advanced Mathematics 2200 and 3200 can be exempted from Math 1700. Students must apply for the exemption.
iii. Science (4 credits) two of which must be selected from:
Biology: 3201
Physics: 3204
Chemistry: 3202
Earth Systems: 3209
Note: The remaining two Science credits to be chosen from the highest Science mark in level 1, 2 or 3.
2. Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition
Comprehensive Arts and Science (Transition) Certificate with the following courses:
i. Math (60% MINIMUM)
MA1040,
MA1041
ii. Two Science courses chosen from one of the following three combinations:
a. Introductory Biology:
BL1020,
BL1021
b. Introductory Chemistry:
CH1030,
CH1031
c. Introductory Physics:
PH1050,
PH1051
Note: It is strongly recommended that CAS students who intend to enroll in Engineering Technology programs complete both of the Chemistry courses and both of the Physics courses.
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with Degree and Technical Profile including the following courses (or equivalent):
i. English (60% minimum) 3101A, 3101B, 3101C or 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
ii. Mathematics (60% minimum) 1101A, 1101B, 1101C, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
iii. Science from one of the following sections:
a. Biology 1101, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
b. Chemistry 1102, 2102A, 2102B, 2102C, 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
c. Physics 1104, 2104A, 2104B, 2104C, 3104A, 3104B, 3104C
Applicants with Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with a different Profile may be eligible for admission to the program provided the appropriate selection of courses including those outlined above have been completed.
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to
Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.
5. International Applicants – English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into regular programs. The College will accept these recognized tests of English language proficiency (TOEFL paper based 550, TOEFL Internet based 79, TOEFL computer based 213 or equivalent, IELTS Academic Test overall band score of 6.0, or Pearson PTE 53 or greater, etc.).
If a language proficiency test other than those referenced above was used, applicants can forward for assessment.
If an international applicant has attended an educational institution (high school or post-secondary) for a period of three years or more where the official language of instruction was English, the English language proficiency test will not be required.
Note: Some programs may require specific English language requirements and proficiency scores that differ from those stated above; therefore international applicants are advised to please refer to the specific program admission requirements as identified in the College Calendar.