job-ready skills inspire confidence and optimism
Students in Fleming College’s welding programs can enter a dynamic industry with confidence. supplied
By 2031, Canada expects to see 17,700 new job openings for welders – part of a nationwide growth in demand for skilled tradespeople that’s driven by two key trends: the continued increase in construction and infrastructure projects in the country, and the impending retirement in the next few years of an estimated 700,000 workers across different trades.
Fleming College, an Ontario college well known for offering practical, career-oriented courses, is helping to meet Canada’s growing demand for this specialized trade by educating the next generation of welders.
"At Fleming, we don’t just teach welding—we build careers,” says Dr. Theresa Knott, acting co-president and EVP, Academic at Fleming College, which offers its welding program at its Peterborough campus and has additional campuses in Lindsay and Haliburton. “With industry-driven training and hands-on experience, our students graduate ready to tackle the demands of a high-growth field and shape the future of manufacturing, construction and energy."
Through its Welding and Fabrication Technician program, Fleming equips students with the skills and certifications needed to excel in a field with strong job prospects and competitive wages. According to Statistics Canada, salaries for welders typically range anywhere from $43,000 to $92,000 annually. Experienced welders can earn significantly more as they progress in their careers.
Fleming’s two-year program packs a lot of practical and theoretical learning into four semesters. In addition to learning about fundamental techniques such as stick welding, students gain a diverse range of job-ready skills, such as fabrication, reading blueprints, calculating dimensions and creating pressure vessels.
“I had never touched a welding tool before, but at Fleming, they train you from the ground up, and the instructors are all so enthusiastic and supportive,” says Ocean Kalledat, a second-year welding student who decided to enroll in the program after almost a decade of working in retail management. “The scope of projects I’ve worked on so far and all the skills I’ve gained – it’s been incredibly challenging but also so rewarding.”
Ms. Kalledat’s experience reflects the inclusive nature of the program, which welcomes students from diverse backgrounds. Some come to Fleming straight out of high school, while others, like Ms. Kalledat, pivot from other careers.
Beyond its curriculum, the program hosts an industry showcase, where students present their final projects – for example, pressure vessels fabricated to industry specifications and standards – to potential employers from across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.
“This showcase is a golden opportunity for students,” Dr. Knott notes. “It provides a platform for networking and can open many doors for future employment and career growth.”
With just a few months left before graduation, Ms. Kalledat is optimistic about her career prospects. “I’d like to become either a boilermaker or an ironworker, which both offer steady work and the chance to do something different every day,” she says. “I’m excited about the opportunities ahead.”
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