Vancouver Shipyards is recruiting for Welding Apprentices.

A qualified welder operates welding equipment to weld ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Welders are required to specialize in certain types of welding such as custom fabrication, shipbuilding and repair, pressure vessel welding, pipeline construction welding, structural construction welding, or machinery and equipment repair welding.

As a Welding Apprentice, you will be expected to practice and build on your knowledge of basic welding principles while ensuring that you are compliant with the Seaspan’s health, safety, and environmental standards. Support and direction will be provided by Supervisors, Chargehands, Journeypersons, and Mentors. The primary goal of this position is to achieve excellence in all facets of the trade which will allow you to succeed in your education and progress throughout the Welding Apprenticeship and achieve Red Seal Certification. Welding Apprentices who uphold Seaspan’s Core Values and demonstrate initiative, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn will be successful in this role.

Duties/Accountabilities:

• Read and interpret blueprints and relevant welding procedure specifications in a proficient manner. Complete & pass required practical and written examinations as per the ITA.
• Operate manual or semi-automatic welding equipment using processes such as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), plasma arc cutting, shielding metal arc welding (SMAW) and submerged arc welding (SAW).
• Operate manual or semi-automatic flame-cutting & plasma cutting equipment, including hand tools (i.e. grinder/chipping gun).
• Meet all requirements of Seaspan’s core values of Safety/Efficiency/Care/Accountability.

Education and Experience:

• Knowledge, skill and ability to use basic hand tools
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and weld procedures
• Ability to set-up and troubleshoot welding/burning equipment
• Minimum Grade 12 Education
• Successfully passed Welder Foundation Program in B.C.
• CWB FCAW All Position M Class (Marine Annex) – valid ticket required. S - Class accepted with at least 6 months validity.
• CWB SMAW All Position – valid ticket required considered an asset.
• Marine Construction Welder Level 1 is considered an asset
• If hired, any pre-registered schooling may be re-scheduled at the discretion of the Steel Trades Manager

Skills, Knowledge and Required Competencies:

• Comprehend and follow written and spoken directions and work in a safe & efficient manner
• Good communication skills both written and verbal in the English language
• Ability to work in enclosed/confined spaces in awkward positions and at high elevations
• Good judgment and reasoning skills
• Perseverance and ambition
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity and integrity
• Ability to work in a team environment or individually with a positive attitude.

Based on the current Collective Agreement, starting apprentice wage rates are between 60% - 75% of the full journeyperson rate ($54.29 before deductions).  Relevant experience, most recent level of apprentice schooling completed and number of hours recorded with Skilled Trades BC will be considered. We are happy to discuss further with candidates during the interview process.

Please note, NO follow up CALLS PERMITTED.  Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be responding to direct inquiries regarding apprentice positions. We ask for your patience during the recruitment process. You will be contacted by Seaspan directly if you are successfully shortlisted for a position.

If you are experiencing IT issues, email recruit@seaspan.com  with a copy of your resume.