Charlene Morrisseau, Welder

Instant results

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"My personality is the type that I like to see results: instant results, instant gratification, and I get that when I'm welding.

"I can see immediately if I put a nice weld down or if it wasn't a nice weld. That part I like about my job."

Team environment

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"There are a lot of team players in this shop. We get along with everybody. Everybody's been here for so many years, so we know everybody.

"It's a very good work environment."

LPI testing

After a job is done it gets a Liquid Penetrant Inspection or LPI test to evaluate the quality of the welds. One other welder and I have been trained for this process.

LPI testing definitely makes you become a better welder because you're testing every single one of the welds that you lay, so you want to put a perfect weld down every time. Otherwise you'll have to bring it back and fix it.

Different projects

I have to know a lot about different things. My main job is to TIG weld aluminium boxes.

If we have enough of those, I MIG weld bungalows of thick steel. I weld stainless steel as well.

If there is no welding, they ask me to mill, drill holes or go to grinding. I also have the option of working with the maintenance dept. to help out with things like building or painting.

Welding terms

With tungsten inert gas (TIG), I have a torch in one hand to direct the heat and a rod in the other to put into the puddle to make a weld. I have a foot pedal to control the heat. It's a clean weld with no fumes or spatter.

With metal inert gas (MIG), I use a gun. I pull the trigger and a wire comes out so I can lay a weld. MIG is a bit easier, but it's messier.

Most aviation welding is TIG but MIG is also used quite a bit. In this shop, there's more TIG.

Manitoba because...

Because I grew up in Winnipeg and my family is all in Manitoba, the prairies are home for me.

I love the land, which is perfect for camping and fishing.

Young family

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"My family keeps me rather busy. I have young kids. My son is four and my daughter is seven. So I'm always doing something with them on the weekends."

Different days

Sometimes I work alone and other times I work on a job with four other people. Depending on what time of the year it is, we can be really busy.

It can be high pressure if there's an order and they want so many parts out by a certain date. When it's like that, sometimes overtime or working on Saturday is required.

At other times, the shop can be very slow.

Important job

The things I weld are used for pretty important things, like the military, aerospace and rail industries. They need to work well under pressure.

Testing is one way I can make sure they don't fail.

Quality assurance

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"The first piece that you weld is always taken to the Quality Assurance department and they'll let you know whether it's done correct.

"If it's done correct they'll stamp off your work order and you continue on with your pieces. If there's a problem then you have to fix it."

Work is separate

I leave my work at work. I don't have a job where it stresses me out or I have to take it home and think about it.

I leave my job behind here at 3:25. That's a really great benefit to doing this kind of work.

Working conditions

When it's hot in the summertime, it's very hot in the welding shop.

At other times during the year, it's more comfortable to work in the shop, even considering the protective gear we have to wear.

Always improving

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"I see the improvement that I've made in my welding. I can see the improvements. My ability to read blueprints have improved.

"There is always something to learn about when you're welding, and constantly, constantly learning something either about the material or my machine or anything."

Job risk

I don't really MIG weld that much because I'm mainly a TIG welder, but MIG is a messier, dirtier weld and you have to be more careful with it.

Because there are sparks and spatter, you can get burned, so you need to follow safety procedures.

Career switch

I started off working as a nursery teacher in a day care centre. Then I worked in a deli and bakery and took cake-decorating courses.

I was in retail and was getting tired of it. When I was approached to take a welding course, I did. That's what got me going.

Advice

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"Somebody just starting out to become a welder I would say, in high school take a welding course, and to do it right out of high school.

"There's lots of schools here in the city that offer training for welders, and I know for myself, if I was to do it again I would have done it right out of high school."

Welder's ticket

Welders need 'tickets' to show they can weld different materials and use certain techniques. I have several tickets because the Canadian Welding Bureau tested me on different things.

For each test, they asked me to weld a certain thickness on aluminium, steel or stainless steel, using a certain type of weld. When I was done, they bent the welded piece and tried to break it and checked it for cracks and pinholes.

I got my tickets when I passed the tests.

People skills

You need to be a team player to get along with coworkers. Each has to do their part to get the job done.

I'm good at working with people. Even before I started welding, I always worked with people in one way or another, so it's not hard for me.

Learning the trade

When I first started welding, I didn't have any technical skills. I learned them in the shop and in school.

I took a training program through Manitoba Aerospace. It was at Tec Voc High School in Winnipeg.

I also got on-the-job training here. Since I started working at Enduron, I've taken courses on blueprint reading, Liquid Penetrant Inspection testing and one called Human Factors.

Welding inspector

There's a lot of schooling to become a Canadian Welding Bureau inspector. It's all about metal, metallurgy, I believe, and I would have to write 24 tests.

All the welders here are tested by CWB and we all have our tickets with aluminium, steel, stainless steel, TIG weld and MIG.

I would have to learn all about all the materials and different kinds of welds.

Welding teacher?

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"When I first took my welding program, they opened up a trade school near Portage la Prairie, which is on a reserve.

"And being a native woman, I think my chances of being at that trade school to teach a welding program would be something that I can look forward to."

Robots need people

I know that right now, there are companies that have robots that do some of their welding.

You still need a human to fix up whatever the robot does, so I really can't see technology changing welding all that much in the future.

A shop of our own

My husband is also a welder and we've discussed opening up a shop. He does mostly MIG welding and I do TIG welding, so we'd make a good team.

We'd have to look at the business end of things, like finding a location, getting clients. It's something we're talking about down the road.

For now, we both want some more experience and a chance to get even better at what we do.

Job market info

The links below take you to federal and regional government information on employment, education, salary ranges and long-range prospects for this career.

The official name for Charlene's occupation is "Welders and Related Machine Operators" and its *NOC code is 7265.

Manitoba Job Futures

Who Hires - Manitoba Labour Market Information

*Each occupation has an official name and unique number called the 'National Occupational Classification' code or 'NOC'.

Education

High School

Useful high school subjects*

- Industrial Arts
- Business
- English

*Source: Job Futures.ca

For those out of school, Adult Learning Centres can help you get or upgrade your high school diploma, including adding subjects that are required for work or further education. All Manitobans are normally entitled to 4 free courses.

After high school

Red River College 

Welding
Introduction to Trades

Winnipeg Technical College

Industrial Welding

Assiniboine Community College - Brandon

Industrial Metals Fabrication
Industrial Welder Apprenticeship

University College of the North - The Pas/Thompson

All Programs (PDF)
Industrial Welding - Page 41
Welder Training - Page 44

Essential Skills

The most important Essential Skills* for Welders and Related Machine Operators are:

- Numeracy
- Problem Solving

*Essential Skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change. For more detail about forthis occupation, go to: Essential Skills NOC 7265

Professional resources

Manitoba Aerospace Human Resources
Works with industry leaders, educational institutions and governments to provide a trained workforce for Manitoba's aerospace sector, developing courses, apprenticeship programs and ongoing training for those currently working in the industry and to promote careers in aerospace to Manitoba's youth

Manitoba Aviation Council
A provincial organization that promotes, facilitates and protects the development of all facets of aviation in Manitoba

Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council
A national, not-for-profit organization responsible for the human resources strategy for aerospace manufacturing

The Canadian Welding Bureau
Administers certification programs for welders

The Canadian Welding Association
Professional organization for welders that builds networks and offers up-to-date information about the industry

Related careers

Contractors and Supervisors, Metal Forming, Shaping and Erecting Trades (NOC 7214)

Underwater Welder (NOC 7382)