C.JDiscover the steps one will go through to get welding jobs in Canada with visa sponsorship, along with describing the role one will be playing and salary scale.
The trade of welding is considered very important in Canada, for which there is always a high demand from construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and oil and gas industries. Since these industries are still growing, Canada has always had demand for skilled welders. International candidates, especially those looking for visa sponsorship, find various opportunities open to work as welders in Canada.
In this guide, we will discuss welder job roles, requirements, how one can apply for visa sponsorship, and salary expectations.
Overview of Welding Jobs in Canada
Welding is a technique of joining pieces of metals using high heat; the technique is indispensable in construction, manufacture, and infrastructural development. Welders use various methods, including MIG-arc welding, TIG-arc welding, arc welding, and gas welding.
The operations require technical skills, precision, and attention to detail. Among other skilled trades, welders are in demand in Canada due to continuous infrastructural projects, higher manufacturing activity, and general labor force shortages.
In general, welding jobs in Canada are found in the following sectors:
Construction: Infrastructure constructions, building construction, and home construction
Manufacturing: Metal fabrication, machinery, and equipment manufacturing are some of the major fields where welders find a place.
Shipbuilding: In the maritime industry, welders are involved in constructing or repairing ships and platforms.
Oil and Gas: Pipe-laying, refineries, and other energy-related projects also demand welders.
Job Requirements for Welders in Canada
To be a welder in Canada, there are qualifications and certifications that one needs to obtain. The general qualification for international candidates is as follows:
Formal Education: Many employers require a high school diploma, while others require post-secondary welding technology training or a relevant related field.
Experience: Many employers would want welders with at least 1-3 years of experience. Thus, higher managerial and specialized jobs require more years of experience.
Certification: There are some certifications that a welder in Canada can have, such as;
Red Seal Certification: nationally recognized credential of having the competencies in this trade. It is taken by those individuals who want an added advantage in job employment.
Canadian Welding Bureau Certification: The certification from CWB ensures that a welder meets the standard level required by the Canadian industry. It is a prerequisite for many jobs.
Technical Skills: Knowledge of a variety of welding processes is particularly relevant-MIG, TIG, and arc welding. He should develop the skills to read blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings, which the employer may ask him to undertake.
Language Proficiency: Compliance with the requirement on language proficiency, generally English or French, is crucial to effective communication on the job.
Visa Sponsorship and Immigration Pathways
Of course, skilled workers like welders have a number of visa options for sponsorship into Canada. The available immigration routes for welders vary greatly depending on the province or specific job offer. A list of the most viable options is presented below.
1. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
The TFWP is a program that allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers temporarily. It’s for employers who can’t find a citizen or permanent resident to do the job. Here’s how it works:
LMIA: To hire a foreign worker, employers must first obtain an LMIA, proving that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact the Canadian labor market. When Service Canada approves an LMIA, the worker can apply for a work permit.
Work Permit: After receiving the LMIA, foreign workers apply for a work permit with the aim of working legally in Canada. It is usually temporary, though quite often such cases turn into permanent resident status.
2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Most of the provinces within Canada run their own immigration programs, which are called the Provincial Nominee Programs. These programs allow each province to choose a candidate for immigration based on their specific needs within their labor market. And most of the time, provinces have streams targeting skilled trades such as welding. Some of the provinces that highly need welders include the following:
Alberta: The oil and gas industry in Alberta develops and raises huge demand in welders. Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, AINP, may also be considered for immigrants who have a job offer in the province.
British Columbia: Having a thriving shipbuilding and construction sector, the demand for skilled welders is great. Foreign workers with a job offer may receive options under the British Columbia PNP.
Ontario is a manufacturing and automotive hub and, therefore, is considered one of the hotspots for welders. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, which is called OINP, may be the ideal way to permanent residency for welders.
3. Express Entry Program
Another avenue of immigration to permanent residency in Canada, even for skilled workers like welders, is the Express Entry program. The said program is a point-based system that researches candidate characteristics such as age, education, work experience, and proficiency in language. It is possible for welders to qualify in one of the streams for Express Entry, namely the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Federal Skilled Trades Program: The program is open to applicants with work experience in a skilled trade, such as welding. They must have at least two continuous years of work experience in their respective skilled trades within the last five years. They also need to meet the language requirements and either get a valid job offer or obtain a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade issued by a provincial or territorial authority in Canada.
4. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The Atlantic provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick do have a high demand for skilled labour such as welders. An example would be the AIP, or Atlantic Immigration Program, which allows employers in these provinces to hire foreign workers and support their immigration application. In this case, offering permanent residency to welders who may have job offers from employers in the Atlantic region.
Salary Expectations for Welders in Canada
A welder working in Canada receives differential pay depending on the province, industry, experience, or level of certification. The average salary for a welder in Canada goes this way:
Salaries of Welders Average in Canada: The national average in Canada goes to about $42,000 to $70,000 annually. Entry-level positions typically start at around $35,000, while experienced welders can earn upwards of $80,000 annually.
Hourly Wages: Generally, welders are paid by the hour; rates vary from $20 to $40 per hour. The specific wages depend upon the location, industry, and how involved the work is.
Better-paying provinces include Alberta and British Columbia, where welding is in demand for both the oil and gas and construction industries. In these provinces, accomplished welders are able to take home as much as $90,000 or more annually.
How to Apply for Visa Sponsorship Welder Jobs
Following are the steps to apply for welder jobs in Canada with visa sponsorship.
Research employers in Canada offering a position for a welder, especially those willing to sponsor a visa. The positions can be found on job boards such as Job Bank, Indeed, and LinkedIn, which usually indicate whether there is an option for visa sponsorship.
Create a Resume: Create a Canadian-style resume that reflects experience in welding, along with the certifications and technical skills.
Apply for Jobs: Based on this, apply for jobs, showing interest in visa sponsorship to employers. It would be best to target areas where the demand for welders is most current.
Obtain Certifications: As necessary, at proper times, seek out certifications such as the Red Seal or CWB in order to enhance one’s chances of securing a good job.
Immigration Consultants: Immigration consultants or recruitment agencies that deal particularly with the skilled trades may be utilized to assist in the visa process.
Visa Process: An employer will apply for an LMIA if one is offered a job. Once approved, the process for visa application can be initiated.
Conclusion
Being one of the best countries for living quality, work opportunities, and visa sponsorship, Canada opens wide avenues for every welder. Due to increased labor market demand for skilled trades and a number of immigration programs, international welders have very bright prospects for getting hired and finding their way up the ladder to establishing a secure career in the country.
It could be through the obtaining of a temporary work permit, a provincial nominee program, or permanent residency; in any case, welders will find an exceptionally promising and well-rewarded career waiting for them among the leading sectors of Canada.
C.J