Welder Apprenticeship in British Columbia
Required hours, technical training levels and the Red Seal exam — plus a progress tracker that estimates your time to certification.
Requirements as of June 28, 2026 — official requirements vary by province and change. Always confirm with SkilledTradesBC.
Verify with SkilledTradesBCOn-the-job hours required
4,620
In-school technical levels
3
780 in-school hours
Certifying exam
Red Seal
Certificate of Qualification — Interprovincial Red Seal exam (min. 70%)
Red Seal trade
Yes
Interprovincial endorsement
Welder in British Columbia — level breakdown
| Level / period | On-the-job hours | In-school training |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 1,540 | 240 hrs |
| Level 2 | 1,540 | 240 hrs |
| Level 3 | 1,540 | 300 hrs |
| Total | 4,620 | 780 hrs |
Voluntary Red Seal trade in BC (no STC designation). Apprenticeship is 3 levels; per-level technical-training hours (240/240/300 = 780 total) are officially published. The commonly-cited 840 hrs / 28 weeks figure refers to the Welder Foundation pre-apprenticeship program, not this apprenticeship. Per-level work-based hours are not published; the split shown is an even distribution of the verified 4,620 total.
Track your progress
Enter what you have completed. Saved on this device only — no account needed.
You appear to be in Level 1 of 3 based on hours logged.
On-the-job hours remaining
4,620
- Percent complete
- 0%
- Hours logged
- 0
- Estimated completion
- October 2028
Red Seal readiness
- On-the-job hours met (4,620 required)
- In-school technical training complete (3 levels)
- Eligible to write the Certificate of Qualification — Interprovincial Red Seal exam (min. 70%) (Red Seal)
Keep logging hours and completing levels. When all items are checked, you can apply to write the Certificate of Qualification — Interprovincial Red Seal exam (min. 70%).
Next step at SkilledTradesBCTrack your certifications on your Tradesppl profile
This tracker saves to this device only. With a free account, your certifications live on your profile and show up when you apply to jobs.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours to become a welder in British Columbia?+
In British Columbia, the welder apprenticeship requires about 4,620 on-the-job hours plus 3 levels of in-school technical training (780 in-school hours), then the Certificate of Qualification — Interprovincial Red Seal exam (min. 70%). Verified June 28, 2026 with SkilledTradesBC — confirm current requirements there.
Is Welder a Red Seal trade in British Columbia?+
Yes. Welder is a Red Seal designated trade, so passing the Interprovincial Red Seal exam adds a Red Seal endorsement recognized across participating provinces.
How many hours do you need to become a Red Seal tradesperson?+
It varies by trade and province. Most Red Seal apprenticeships run about 6,000–9,000 on-the-job hours over roughly four to five years, plus three to four levels of in-school technical training, then the Interprovincial Red Seal exam. Always confirm the current hours with your provincial apprenticeship authority.
What is a Red Seal endorsement?+
The Red Seal is the national standard for skilled trades in Canada. Passing the Interprovincial Red Seal exam in a designated trade adds a Red Seal endorsement to your provincial certificate, letting you work in that trade across participating provinces and territories without re-certifying.
Do apprenticeship requirements change?+
Yes. Required hours, technical-training levels and exam rules are set by each provincial authority and are updated periodically. The figures here were verified on their effective date, but you must confirm the current requirements with the official authority linked on every page before relying on them.
Does the tracker need an account?+
No. Your logged hours, completed levels and weekly average are saved in your browser on this device only — there is no sign-up and nothing is sent to a server.
Methodology & sources
Figures for the welder apprenticeship in British Columbia were verified against SkilledTradesBC on June 28, 2026 (SkilledTradesBC — Welder program profile (harmonized, April 2022)). The Red Seal exam is administered under the national Interprovincial Standards program.
Requirements vary by province and route and change over time. Confirm the current hours, levels and exam eligibility with SkilledTradesBC before relying on them.
- Provincial/territorial apprenticeship authorities and the Interprovincial Red Seal Program (Canada); state licensing boards (United States) — verified June 28, 2026
- SkilledTradesBC — verified June 28, 2026
Last reviewed June 28, 2026. Estimates are indicative — verify against current product specs and local requirements before ordering.
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