The manufacturing industry in Canada is huge and as such, there will always be a high demand for welders in Canada. This is most likely due to their great impact on the manufacturing process. In the coming years, the demand for welders in Canada is expected to increase even more.
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Therefore, now is the best time if you want to immigrate to Canada as a welder. Several provinces and sectors in Canada are experiencing a shortage of welders due to the significant part of the aging Canadian population. As well as a lack of young people being attracted to the skilled trades and the reduced focus on skilled trades training in secondary and tertiary institutions.
Due to the above reasons, there will always be a high demand for welders in Canada. Meanwhile, if this shortage is not addressed swiftly, it may lead to its ability to not be globally competitive in the future. With the labor market surveys, there will likely be strong growth in the welding industry in Canada over the next few years.
And the high demand for welders in Canada will present opportunities for skilled foreign workers who want to immigrate under economic programs. Working as a welder in Canada, you will earn excellent salaries, have numerous opportunities to grow, and have great job satisfaction.
In addition, welder jobs are one of the only few careers that allow you to earn a lucrative salary without attending a university. This also makes it an excellent option for newcomers looking to start an entirely new career in Canada. In this article, we will discuss extensively the high demand for welders in Canada. Let’s get started!
What Is Welding?
Welding is the ability to join metals and other solid materials, by applying heat to the surfaces and melting them together. Welders carry out their job tasks with the use of a torch or other specialized tools and machines. Meanwhile, this job is not at risk of being replaced by automation anytime soon due to the necessary human judgment and skills involved.
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As long as we make use of metals, there will always be a high demand for welders in Canada. In addition, welding is a Red Seal occupation, which means that the occupation is standardized all across Canada. Once you qualify as a Red Seal welder, you will have the opportunity to work in any province.
Average Welding Salary In Canada
The average salary of a welder in Canada is $45,540 per year. However, just like most other professions, the more skilled a welder becomes, the higher the salary will become. Therefore, the average annual salary for a highly skilled welder in Canada is $58,500.
As an entry-level welder, you will earn an average salary of $39,000 per year. Though it’s a good salary for an individual who is just starting and does not have adequate experience. In addition, the median pay is about $23.35 per hour for welder jobs in Canada. While this might seem small, there are other things you should consider such as location, experience, and lots more.
You should note that the salaries for welders in big cities are generally lower than those in rural areas. So, if you’re okay living in rural areas and would like to earn a bigger income as a welder, you should consider exploring jobs outside the big cities.
Become A Welder In Canada
Do you wish to become a certified welder in Canada? If so, we urge you to consider doing your apprenticeship in Canada. The time frame to complete the Red Seal welding apprenticeship is around three years. Meanwhile, you will run about 1560 hours of practical work with 8-week blocks of technical training/year for three years before you sit for your interprovincial final examination.
Luckily, if you have your examinations, then you will be awarded a Red Seal certificate. However, if you’re already certified in another journeyman occupation, you can receive credit for hours and modules that you’ve already completed. It will depend on the institution you want to apply to.
During this time, you will get paid around 60% of the earnings of a qualified welder. It will continue to increase year by year until you attain the certified Red Seal welder level. Meanwhile, there is a high demand for welders in Canada and lots of opportunities for advancement as they gain experience in the profession.
Some roles in this profession such as welding inspectors, foremen, and supervisors are in charge of entire welding teams and earn an average of $98,000/year. In addition, you can also become a permanent resident after qualifying from a Canadian institution. Keep reading as we take you through the various types of welders in Canada!
Types Of Welders In Canada And Their Earnings Per Hour
There are many types of welders and most of them are good-paying. Scroll down to learn more!
1. Structural Welder
Structural welders are in charge of welding metal structures used in construction. Meanwhile, these structures may include buildings, bridges, and other large structures. As a structural welder in Canada, you can earn $29.90 per hour.
2. Production Welder
A production welder is trained to work in a production environment and can work in any industry, such as construction and manufacturing plants. Additionally, their major job role is to weld pieces together using extreme heat and at an efficient rate. Production welders can earn $24.30 every hour.
3. Underwater Welder
They are specialized welders that work underwater and often weld at elevated pressures. These types of welders in Canada can earn an average of $40.30 per hour.
4. Welding Inspector
Welding inspectors are responsible for inspecting welding work. Meanwhile, this is to ensure that it meets the set standards and requirements. They also check out the bonds and connections between metals. Welding Inspectors can earn up to $41.65 per hour.
5. TIG Welder
These types of welders make use of non-consumable tungsten electrodes to form the electric arc. Also, they use arc welders with an inert gas to carry out the GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) process. You can earn $25.00 per hour working as a TIG welder in Canada.
6. Oil Rig Welder
Oil rig welders are usually positioned to work in the oil industry. They are in charge of assembling and repairing equipment used in oil drilling from the earth. In addition, they also work on pipelines and refineries. As an oil rig welder, you can earn an average hourly pay of $31.50.
7. Welding Engineer
These professionals help to design, oversee, and manage welding processes, as well as train welders. Welding engineers ensure that all safety regulations and quality standards are met. A welding engineer in Canada can earn an average of $37.30 per hour.
Eligibility To Immigrate To Canada As A Welder
The first step to moving to Canada as a welder is to determine your eligibility for a suitable Immigration pathway. To immigrate as a welder, check out the following pathways!
1. Express Entry
This is the fastest and most popular way to immigrate to Canada as a welder. It’s often based on points and evaluates applicants according to factors like age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and adaptability. Furthermore, the Express Entry system manages applications for the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. So, if you want to apply through Express Entry, you will have to create an online profile and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
2. Provincial Nominee Programs
Each Canadian province has its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and as such, provinces can nominate welders who meet their specific labor market needs. However, some PNPs have streams that are specifically designed for skilled workers in trades, like the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program’s Skilled Trades and Saskatchewan Experience streams.
If you want to apply through a PNP, you’ll need to first be nominated by a province. Then apply for permanent residence through the federal government.
3. Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
This program was created to address labor market shortages for Welders (and other skilled trades) in the Atlantic provinces. These Atlantic provinces include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Furthermore, it’s available to skilled workers in various occupations, including welders.
If you want to apply through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, you must obtain a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the participating provinces. Also, if you want to qualify for any Canada Immigration program as a Welder, you must meet the following requirements below. Scroll down!
- Education: You must have a minimum of a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification.
- Work Experience: You must have at least two years of full-time work experience as a welder in the last five years.
- Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in either English or French, which are the two official languages of Canada. To prove your proficiency, you will need to take a language proficiency test.
- Age: There is no specific age requirement for immigrating to Canada as a welder. However, if you are a younger applicant, you may have an advantage in the application process.
- Health and Security: You must pass a medical examination and security check to ensure that you are not a form of risk to the health or security of Canadians.
