What defines “a good job?” A good job should have prospects for steady work, room to advance in a profession, and a livable wage. Structural welding is one of the most in-demand jobs in Calgary and the rest of Alberta due to the region’s wealth of oil and natural gas industries. It’s a physically demanding job that requires handling weights of up to and over 23 kg in equipment or materials. Welding and pipefitting are often mistaken for the same thing, but they’re not.
What’s the Difference?
Structural welders create the structure – framework – for structures such as buildings and bridges, as well as ships and vehicles, and work in some trades such as mining, aerospace, and manufacturing. Pipefitters work with a wider range of materials used in piping such as copper, steel, plastic, and even ceramic. Compensation is well above average, with starting wages in Alberta coming in as high as $50,000 per year.
How Do I Get Started?
The Canadian Welding Bureau is a worldwide leader in setting standards for certification and education. Attending a welding program that offers CWB certification is the first step to getting the training you need for a solid career in structural welding. Whether your school is in Calgary or elsewhere in Canada, or even in the United States, the educational standard that CWB sets guarantees that future employers can be assured that you have been trained to a high standard. Even if you’re a welder from outside of Canada, you can still find a high paying job in Alberta under the Skilled Worker Visa Program for technical jobs and skilled trades.
Skilled welders are in demand, and the oil and gas industry pays well with steady work all year round. Build a career and the life you want as a professional structural welder.