FIRST SEMESTER BEGINS SEPT 2ND, 2025. 
LAST DAY OF CLASSES DEC.12TH , 2025  
FIRST DAY 2ND SEMESTER JAN 5TH, 2026 
FEBRUARY BREAK FEB 23RD-27TH, 2026  (NO CLASSES) 

LAST DAY OF CLASSES APR 24TH, 2026 
 
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF IMPORTANT DATES, CONSULT THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR. 

OJT DATE: MARCH 2ND – 27TH, 2026 

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE THEIR OWN MODE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING (OJT). 

PROVINCIAL TEST: MAY 1ST, 2026 (TENTATIVE) 

CWB TESTING: APRIL 27TH, 2026 (TENTATIVE) 

To Be Purchased at the Holland College Waterfront Campus Bookstore 

• Alberta/NAIT ILM Package for Welding Fabrication Year 1 

• IPT’s Metal Trades Handbook 

• Scientific Calculator 

Please keep in mind that with tools you get what you pay for. If you are wondering where to get tools, please send me a message for advice.

Materials & PPE

• 3”- 3 ring binder
• Lined and graph paper for binder
• Work Boots (CSA approved)
• FR Coveralls (Flame Resistant) or Carhartt
• Welding Jacket (FR cotton or leather)
• TIG welding gloves
• Gantlet style welding gloves
• Welding Helmet (fixed shade or auto-darkening)
• Grinding Face Shield

Required Tools

• Chipping Hammer
• MIG pliers
• Wire Brushes (1 stainless & 1 mild steel)
• 12” adjustable wrench
• 9R Vise Grips
• 11R Vice Grips
• 32oz. Ball Peen Hammer
• Center Punch set
• Cold Chisel set
• Tip Cleaner
• 9-piece wrench set (¼” to 1 ¼”)
• Flint Sparker
• 10” Half Round Bastard file
• 12” Flat Bastard file
• Combination Square
• 16ft Measuring Tape with metric & standard.
• 5” Grinder (Makita, DeWalt, or equivalent)
• Speed square
• Toolbox
• Lock for toolbox and locker

We will be doing hands-on training in 5 welding and 3 cutting/gouging processes, including SMAW (Stick), GMAW (MIG), FCAW (Flux core), MCAW (Metal core), OFW (Oxy-fuel), GTAW (TIG), PAC-A (Plasma) CAC-A (Carbon Arc) and OFC (Oxy-fuel cutting). 

You will be working with mild steel primarily, but you will also get some experience with different metals, such as aluminum and stainless steel. You will learn to use hand, power tools, and other equipment used in the fabrication industry. We also offer training in WHMIS, First Aid, CPR, and a Forklift course, all of which you can receive certification in upon successful completion. In addition to those courses, you will receive Lockout/Tagout, Fall-Arrest, and Rigging Safety awareness classes. 

In March, there is a one-month of on-the-job training (OJT) called “Practicum”, where you will gain some real-world work experience. This is a great chance to show a potential employer your skills, in hopes of
getting a job when the course is completed.

In past years, we have done some community outreach projects, field trips to welding shops, and at the end of the year, we get a CWB inspector in to do code quality weld testing. This will give you a chance to get nationally recognized Canadian Welding Bureau qualification tickets.