Three Routes Start
Apprenticeship

Welder

Certificate of Qualification + Red Seal (SkilledTradesBC); Level 4 optional

24 of 30 verified for BC; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify
Trades go through SkilledTradesBC (4 levels, Youth Train in Trades lets you start Level 1 in high school). Numbers from WorkBC and Job Bank BC, BCIT, VCC and UBC.
Years to credential3
First real paycheque~a month
Time in a classroom20%
Total cost$4,300
Typical debt after$0
Demand in BCSteady

The first ten years

earnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearn
Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

What's in "net by year 10"
Earnings, years 1 to 10$677k$48,360 rising to $72,800 by year five, flat after
Program cost−$4ktuition and fees
Typical (medians)$673kthe number on the card
Low to high$571k to $775kpay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the British Columbia median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isFabrication shops, construction, manufacturing. Skill is visible and testable, so good welders move up fast.
What actually stops peopleCertifications (CWB tickets) matter more than the apprenticeship itself.
The downsideFumes, heat and eye strain; wages vary hugely by sector. Pipeline and shipyard pay is high but means travel.
If you're the parentA shorter apprenticeship with a portable skill. Pay depends on where your child is willing to work.
Local opportunities in British Columbia

Ready to explore this for real?

Eight quick questions about whether this route fits your life, not just your grades. You'll get a readiness check, and if you want, we'll introduce you to employers, unions or programs in your region.

Check my readiness

How to enter

What you need
  • No specific courses or average; Grade 12 (or equivalent) and a willingness to show up
Deadlines in BC
  • No deadline: find a sponsor, register with SkilledTradesBC
  • Grade 10 to 12: Youth Train in Trades (Level 1 in school) and Youth Work in Trades

Next steps in British Columbia

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3

Save or share this pathway

Email it to yourself or someone who should see it.

In British Columbia3 levels (26 weeks in school) for the C of Q; Level 4 is an optional endorsement.
www.workbc.ca · www.bcit.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for BC Sources: WorkBC NOC 72106 (Job Bank BC wages 2025); BCIT Welder Apprenticeship

← Back