Welding Field Placement Partnership Information

Posted: October 5, 2026

Looking to connect with future welding talent? Partner with RRC Polytech to host a Welding Certificate student for an unpaid, two-week field placement and help prepare the next generation of skilled trades professionals. The placement occurs at the end of the program; offering students the opportunity to develop practical welding experience and exposure while building industry connections before entering the workforce full-time.

To get started, contact the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Coordinator, WeldingWIL@rrc.ca

Benefits: Why partner?

By hosting a Welding student, your organization can:

Strengthen your recruitment pipeline for current or future hiring needs.

Increase productivity through support with entry-level tasks and projects.

Provide feedback that helps shape the future of the Welding program.

Develop internal leadership skills through supervision and mentorship.

Gain fresh perspectives and new ideas.

Support the growth of Manitoba’s skilled trades workforce.

Costs

Unpaid WIL opportunities involve no labour costs for industry partners, and students are covered by the college’s WCB coverage throughout the placement.

Training/Certification: Industry partners are responsible for any worksite-specific training or certifications required by the company.

PPE: Students supply their basic PPE as listed below. Employers provide any additional worksite specific PPE.

Steel-toed boots

Welding helmet

Welding gloves

Welding jacket

Safety glasses

Respirator/PAPR (Powered Air-Purifying Respirator)

Field Placement Dates and Student Number Estimates

Dates are tentative and subject to change.

Winter 2027
- January 5 -15, 2027
- Placement coordination begins as early as October 2026
- ~15 students expected

Spring 2027
- May 3 -14, 2027 and/or May 17 – 28, 2027
- Employers may host students during one or both placement periods. Students participate in only one placement period.
- ~66 students expected

Fall 2027
- First 2 weeks of Sept. 2027 and/or last 2 weeks of Sept. 2027 (dates TBA)
- Employers may host students during one or both placement periods. Students participate in only one placement period.
- ~48 students expected

Time Commitment

Pre-partnership (new partners):
- Discuss and confirm placement details with the WIL Coordinator.
- Review and sign the Unpaid or Paid WIL Agreement Document.
- An instructor or coordinator may request a pre-placement visit or video call.

During placement:
- Provide students with supervised welding related tasks and mentorship for 2 weeks.
- Provide workplace orientation and any required safety training.
- Participate in an instructor visit: ~15-30 minutes. This check-in may be in-person or online and includes the student and a supervisor.
- Complete a student performance evaluation and review your feedback with the student when possible (~15-30 minutes).

Placement Process

WIL Coordinator collects and confirms company/organization field placement details (e.g. description of duties, hours of work, skill and other requirements, etc). These details are shared with students for their review.

Students identify their placement preferences with the WIL Coordinator.

The WIL Coordinator and Welding Instructor(s) collaborate to match students and employers while considering company requirements and student strengths and career goals.

The WIL Coordinator introduces you to the student(s) and provides you with confirmation details.

Optional: Some partners may choose to meet with the student or provide an interview opportunity prior to the field placement dates.

After the Placement

The field placement is the last course of this program. Most students are actively seeking employment after graduation.

There is no obligation to do so, but many employers offer employment to the students following their successful completion of the experience.

Note about Hiring International Students: If you hire an international student after placement, additional work authorization timelines may apply. This information is general guidance only. Immigration policies may change. Employers should confirm individual circumstances directly with the student. Typically:
- After placement, students may work up to 24 hours per week under their study permit.
- Once they receive a program completion letter (approximately 3 to 6 weeks after program completion), they must stop working until they submit their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application.
- After submitting a PGWP application while holding a valid study permit, they can begin working full-time if their study permit has a printed condition allowing them to work.
- For more information visit: Information for Employers : RRC Polytech: International Education or contact/request a meeting with an International Student and Immigration Advisor at iesupport@RRC.ca.

Welding Program Information

32-week pre-employment program covering basic welding skills in Oxy Acetylene (mild steel), SMAW (mild steel), GMAW (mild steel, stainless steel & aluminum), MCAW (mild steel) and GTAW (mild steel).

Students may graduate with all or some of the following CWB tickets: All Position SMAW, Flat & Horizontal GMAW, Flat & Horizontal MCAW/FCAW.

Graduates who meet the requirements outlined by Apprenticeship Manitoba will receive an accreditation number on their transcript, allowing them to apply for credit towards their Welding apprenticeship within 2 years of graduation from RRC Polytech.

For more general information: Welding : RRC Polytech: Program Explorer

Courses and Descriptions: Welding – Courses and Descriptions

Career Bridge: RRC Polytech’s Job Platform

Hosting a field placement student is a great way to meet a potential future employee; however, it may not be the right fit for you.

If you have roles to fill outside of the scope or dates of a WIL experience, we invite you to post your full-time/part-time/seasonal job opportunities on Career Bridge, RRC Polytech’s free job platform. Jobs posted are viewable by all students from all programs, new graduates, and alumni.