Mentoring New Welders: From Apprentice to Journeyperson
The welding trade in Saskatchewan needs skilled journeypersons now more than ever. With an aging workforce and growing demand in agriculture, mining, and construction, mentoring the next generation is both a responsibility and an opportunity. Here's what I've learned from guiding apprentices through their journey to Red Seal certification.
The Importance of Foundation Skills
In the first year of apprenticeship, focus on fundamentals. Master striking an arc, maintaining a consistent travel speed, and achieving proper penetration before moving to advanced techniques. Too many apprentices want to jump to TIG welding aluminum without perfecting basic stick welding. The fundamentals transfer across all processes.
Encourage apprentices to practice during their own time. Set up simple projects at home—a welding table, tool rack, or garden gate. Repetition builds muscle memory. I've seen apprentices who weld just their required hours plateau, while those who practice evenings and weekends advance rapidly.
Understanding the "Why" Behind the "How"
Don't just teach procedures; explain the metallurgy and physics. Why do we preheat certain steels? How does shielding gas protect the weld pool? What causes hydrogen cracking in high-strength alloys? Apprentices who understand the science become better problem-solvers, capable of adapting when conditions change.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic and SIIT provide excellent technical training, but real-world application comes on the job. Connect classroom theory to field practice. When an apprentice asks why something failed, walk through the root cause together.
Safety Culture from Day One
Safety isn't just following rules—it's a mindset. Teach apprentices to assess hazards, use PPE properly, and never take shortcuts. In mobile welding, job sites vary wildly. A farm repair might involve working around fuel, chemicals, or livestock. An oilfield job presents hydrogen sulfide risks. Construction sites have fall hazards and heavy equipment.
Model safe behavior. If you're not wearing your helmet, gloves, or respirator, neither will they. Discuss near-misses openly. Foster an environment where asking "Is this safe?" is encouraged, not mocked.
Preparing for CWB Testing and Red Seal Certification
CWB certifications are prerequisites for most commercial welding in Canada. Help apprentices prepare for their first all-position tests. Set up practice plates in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. Review joint configurations and acceptance criteria. Mock testing reduces exam anxiety.
The Red Seal exam is comprehensive, covering safety, metallurgy, blueprint reading, welding processes, and trade calculations. Encourage consistent study throughout the apprenticeship, not just cramming before the exam. Form study groups—teaching concepts to peers reinforces learning.
Beyond Certification: Lifelong Learning
Earning your Red Seal isn't the finish line; it's the starting line for a professional career. Encourage continued education. Specialized certifications—pressure welding, pipe welding, aluminum, or exotic alloys—open doors to higher-paying, more interesting work.
Technology evolves. Robotic welding, laser welding, and advanced metallurgy are changing the trade. Stay current through industry publications, trade shows, and continuing education courses. The best welders I know are perpetual students.
Mentoring as a Two-Way Street
Finally, remember that mentoring benefits you too. Teaching forces you to articulate and refine your own knowledge. Apprentices bring fresh perspectives and questions that challenge assumptions. A thriving trade needs new ideas alongside traditional craftsmanship.
Invest time in mentoring. The apprentice you train today might be the journeyperson who saves your project tomorrow—or the business owner who hires you for a contract next year. We all stand on the shoulders of those who taught us. Pass it forward.
