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Caleb Matthews, a Red Seal Welder currently living in Lake Country, BC with his wife and dogs, cats, geckos, and frogs.
My path in welding started in 2007 when I applied for a job with North American Construction up in Fort McMurray Alberta. I was getting married and needed a job with a bit more pay and more of a future. I worked hard and spent some time labouring, then steaming equipment, and then doing PMs on the equipment. During my time there, I saw the opportunity to start a welding apprenticeship and never looked back.
I spent 8 years working with North American Construction both in Fort McMurray and in their shop near Edmonton. During this time, I got the opportunity to use almost every welding process and do everything from crack repairs to fabrication. I am thankful for the time I got to spend there and the mentors I had through that time.
I knew it was the trade I wanted to complete to improve my skill and knowledge and have that certification to ensure that my career could continue, and I could support my family.
Welding was my pathway to where I am now, and my various experiences of different companies, sites, and projects have given me a strong foundation to move forward in my career.
Each session has 2 parts. The first part will be some high-level review of the competencies from the Red Seal Occupational Outline, which is what the questions on the Red Seal are based on. By reviewing those competencies, it will help students determine which areas they are confident in, or which they may need to study more. The second part of each session will be centered around learning techniques and study help. Everyone learns differently and we will discuss different tools that are available or how to study efficiently.
While the timeline of 16 hours is too short to go into all the details of all the information, we will spend time on the items that are typically a focus on the Red Seal, or that people often struggle with the most. Students must be prepared to put in the study time on their own to make themselves successful, but this course would help set them up with a good plan and knowledge of where they stand.
All students should go and look at the resources available on Red-Seal.ca. They provide information on the skills and knowledge necessary to write the Red Seal exams in Canada. Students should also be familiar with the Red Seal requirements in their province.
Whether students are completing an apprenticeship, have done the foundations program and work experience, are an experienced worker challenging, or coming to gain certification from another country, it is crucial they are familiar with the whole process. Then we can assist in preparing them for the exam through this course.
Being a Red Seal Welder can give a lot of work security. There is always somewhere looking for welders. It also gives you the opportunity to work between various industries. While details may be different, the welding processes used from Mining to Aviation and everywhere in between are the same… Or as in my case, I was able to work in a leadership role and start to manage people and work. I have seen other welders go into planning roles, managerial roles, or even consulting.
You also could work for yourself if you desire. Find a market somewhere and fabricate or do the work that they need. This can give you the freedom to work when you want or all the time depending on your circumstances.
I don’t see the need for many of the heavy industries to change drastically. With mines, mills and ships running, there is always the need for making and repairing steel.
Technology is of course one thing that continues to change. Welding machines have better designs to make our lives easier. They are smaller and easier to transport.
Thank you Caleb Matthews, a Red Seal Welder, for your insights.
Ashton College’s Red Seal Welder Exam Preparation Course will prepare you! Register here to become and succeed in your future as a Red Seal Welder.
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