Albertan Welders help needed

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Bit of a long story but stay with me if you will.I did my first 2 years of apprenticeship schooling in Ontario. (Don't hold it against me.) I then moved to BC. I was told in Ontario that it wouldn't be a problem for me to do my last year of school in another province.I was lied to. BC actually has a different curriculum then the rest of Canada. Even though they will be changing it soon. I want to finish my schooling now.So I am trying to go to school in Alberta (SAIT to be precise) and the problem is I need an employer first to register as an alberta apprentice. Been looking for 3 months can't find one.Found out though I just need a company to sponsor me. Thats it. I don't need to have worked for them or anything.I know a few of you guys on here have your own rigs and your own companies. So I was wondering if anyone here would be willing to "SPONSOR" me. We could work out a fee in exchange. This is not illegal I talked to the Alberta apprenticeship program and they told me most out of province trades go this route because of the absolute cluster**** that the apprenticeship program is.If anyone here would be willing or know someone willing to "SPONSOR" me I would be extremely grateful.Thank you
Reply:Try one of the local unions in Alberta. Ironworkers local 720 in Edmonton, local 725 (I believe) in Calgary. UA Local 488 in Edmonton. IBEW local 424 in Edmonton. There is lots of work and upcoming work in the northern Alberta oil sands. All these unions require apprentices. They can help you and you can help them.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Might check with KBR- they have a lot of work up there.www.KBR.com
Reply:If you have a record of your work experience and what level of training you have taken you can ask for partial credit from ihe ITA here in BC.  The reason we do not have apprenticeships for welders normally is that employers are so reluctant to take them on.  Instead you  get a log book after your basic level C training.     In effect the log book is a record of your training, work experience and welding tests.  Once you have enough months in you are issued your C level then you can go back for a few months and do your B training and carry on.  In effect you run your own apprenticeship.  At B level certification you could test for interprovincial Red Seal.   In their great wisdom the ITA is chucking this system and going to apprenticeships.  It will be a disaster since we don't have very many large corporations wanting to take on apprentices and small shops could not be bothered.  There are some apprentice welders in BC but I have never met an apprentice welder nor even met one who got his journeyman's papers as a welder.   Apparently we will have level 1, 2, and 3 but from what I can see level three will barely touch the skill level required for A certification.   I am retired now but really feel for anyone young starting out in BC.  From what I can see they will be at the mercy of employers and in my experience employers do not want their welders improving themselves because then they become mobile and independent.  With the log book system you could tell any employer to kiss your butt and move on.  If it is the other way round it was still good because you had your log book.   I think your choice to train in Alberta is wise.  The present system here will be in turmoil for a few years.  Double check in Alberta since there are rumors that their system is going to change in the next year or so.
Reply:After welding for many years in Ontario and never being registered as an apprentice or completing an apprenticeship in Ontario, I lost my job after plant closure. This summer, I was taken in by one of the Alberta unions and they got me registered as a 3rd yr apprentice welder. I already had my all position CWB stick ticket and I have the hours and experience to challenge the red seal journeyman exam and that's my plan. The unions in Alberta are the way to go in my opinion. Lots of work in the oil industry.Last edited by snoeproe; 12-06-2013 at 04:27 PM.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720