Flux Core Welding
Build foundational Flux Cored Arc Welding skills through instructor-led classroom learning, demonstrations, and supervised welding shop practice.
Your Flux Core Welding Training at a Glance
Get an introduction to FCAW through technical instruction, instructor demonstrations, and extensive supervised welding practice.
Total Hours
A focused introductory workshop covering FCAW theory and practical skills.
Practical Hours
Supervised practical welding shop training.
Theory Hours
Theory, technical instruction, and instructor demonstrations.
In-Person
Classroom learning combined with welding shop training.
Beginner Level
No previous welding experience is required.
Locations
Brampton, Burlington and London.
Build Practical Flux Core Welding Skills
Flux Cored Arc Welding, commonly called flux core welding, is a wire-fed welding process used across many welding and fabrication applications.
During this 80-hour workshop, students learn through classroom instruction, instructor demonstrations, and supervised shop practice.
Training introduces students to safe work procedures, FCAW equipment setup, wire handling, material preparation, welding technique, slag removal, basic visual inspection, welding symbols, and the purpose of welder qualification testing.
- FCAW equipment and operation
- Welding safety
- Mild-steel preparation
- Wire selection and handling
- Machine settings
- Welding technique
- Slag removal
- Basic weld inspection
- Welding symbols
- Fabrication drawings
Understand the Two Types of Flux Core Welding
Students are introduced to two common approaches to Flux Cored Arc Welding.
Gas-Shielded Flux Cored Arc Welding
FCAW-G uses flux-cored electrode wire along with an external shielding gas.
Students learn the role shielding gas plays and how gas-shielded FCAW differs from self-shielded welding.
Self-Shielded Flux Cored Arc Welding
FCAW-S uses electrode wire designed to create the necessary shielding through the flux contained within the wire, eliminating the need for external shielding gas.
What You'll Be Able to Do
Upon successful completion, students should be able to demonstrate foundational FCAW knowledge, safe equipment operation, material preparation, welding technique, and introductory weld evaluation.
Safety & Equipment
- Identify common welding hazards.
- Apply appropriate safety controls.
- Inspect FCAW equipment before use.
- Set up, operate, and shut down FCAW equipment safely.
- Follow instructor procedures and manufacturer guidance.
FCAW Setup & Process Knowledge
- Explain the basic FCAW process.
- Compare gas-shielded and self-shielded wire.
- Select wire for assigned exercises.
- Select appropriate polarity.
- Select shielding gas where required.
- Adjust voltage and wire-feed speed.
Welding Technique
- Prepare mild-steel materials.
- Assemble basic welded joints.
- Control gun angle and travel speed.
- Control contact-tip-to-work distance.
- Remove slag and clean between passes.
- Produce basic fillet and groove welds.
- Weld in flat and horizontal positions.
- Practise introductory vertical and overhead welding where appropriate.
Inspection & Interpretation
- Identify common visible weld defects.
- Discuss possible causes of defects.
- Interpret basic welding symbols.
- Read simple fabrication drawings.
- Apply introductory visual weld-inspection principles.
What You'll Practise in the Welding Shop
Apply FCAW concepts through instructor-supervised exercises in a practical welding environment.
Equipment Setup
Inspect, prepare, operate, and shut down FCAW equipment safely.
Safety & PPE
Apply safe working practices and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
Wire & Settings
Work with wire, polarity, shielding gas where required, voltage, and wire-feed settings.
Material Preparation
Prepare mild-steel materials and assemble basic welded joints.
Welding Technique
Practise gun angle, travel speed, and contact-tip-to-work distance.
Flat Welding
Develop foundational FCAW technique in the flat position.
Horizontal Welding
Build experience completing assigned horizontal-position exercises.
Fillet & Groove Welds
Practise basic fillet and groove welding exercises.
Slag Removal
Remove slag and clean welds between passes.
Basic Inspection
Review weld appearance and identify common visible defects.
Vertical Welding
Practise introductory vertical welding where appropriate.
Overhead Welding
Explore introductory overhead welding as readiness, wire, and procedures permit.
More Time Welding. More Time Building Skills.
Move from understanding FCAW concepts to applying them through extensive supervised welding shop practice.
Theory Hours
Theory and instructor demonstrations.
Practical Hours
Supervised practical welding shop training.
75% of Instructional Time is Supervised Practical Training
Of the 80 instructional hours, 60 hours are dedicated to supervised practical training.
From Equipment Setup to Finished Weld
Flux core welding involves more than striking an arc. Students learn how multiple steps work together to influence the finished weld.
Inspect & Prepare
Inspect equipment, PPE, materials, and the work area.
Set Up the Machine
Select wire, polarity, shielding gas where required, voltage, and wire-feed speed.
Prepare the Joint
Prepare mild-steel material and assemble the required joint.
Establish Technique
Practise gun angle, contact-tip-to-work distance, and travel speed.
Weld
Complete assigned fillet or groove welding exercises.
Clean Between Passes
Remove slag and clean the weld as required.
Inspect
Review the completed weld and identify visible characteristics or defects.
Build Skills Across Common Welding Positions
Flat
Develop foundational FCAW technique while welding in the flat position.
Horizontal
Practise controlling the weld during assigned horizontal exercises.
Vertical
May be introduced as students demonstrate readiness and procedures permit.
Overhead
Students may explore introductory overhead exercises where appropriate.
Learn to Recognize What a Good Weld Looks Like
Students are introduced to basic visual weld inspection and learn to recognize characteristics that may indicate issues with technique, preparation, or machine settings.
- Weld appearance
- Bead consistency
- Weld profile
- Undercut
- Porosity
- Slag-related imperfections
- Irregular bead appearance
Learn the Language of Welding
Welding involves hands-on skill and the ability to understand basic technical information.
- Basic welding symbols
- Common welding terminology
- Simple fabrication drawings
- Joint identification
- Weld location
- Weld type information
Course Completion and Welder Qualification
Understand what successful course completion means and how it differs from formal welder qualification.
Certificate of Completion
Students who meet the school's approved completion requirements may receive a Certificate of Completion from North American Trade Schools.
What Course Completion Means
This course provides introductory skills training and preparation.
- Completion of the approved NATS course requirements.
- Introductory FCAW knowledge and practical skills training.
- Supervised welding shop experience.
- Completion of the learning outcomes described in the course.
What Course Completion Does Not Mean
Completion does not confer:
- CWB welder qualification.
- Trade certification.
- Authorization to perform every type of welding work.
Formal welder qualification testing is separate and must follow the requirements of the applicable standard and testing organization.
Additional training may be required before a student is ready to attempt a qualification test.
Is This Flux Core Welding Workshop Right for You?
Beginners
People interested in learning welding with little or no previous experience.
Skilled-Trades Explorers
Individuals considering skilled trades and looking for practical exposure to welding.
Workers
People who want introductory experience with Flux Cored Arc Welding.
Tradespeople
Individuals looking to expand their understanding of FCAW equipment and techniques.
Hands-On Learners
People who want substantial supervised welding-shop experience.
No Experience Required
The workshop is designed at an introductory level.
80 Hours of Instructor-Led Training
The workshop includes 80 instructional hours, excluding breaks.
8-Hour Sessions
A concentrated format spread across ten training sessions.
4-Hour Sessions
A shorter-session format spread across twenty training sessions.
Train at a NATS Campus
Ask about Flux Core Welding workshop availability at participating North American Trade Schools locations.
Brampton
Instructor-led technical learning combined with practical welding shop training.
Ask About Brampton ClassesBurlington
Develop foundational FCAW skills through classroom learning and supervised practical exercises.
Ask About Burlington ClassesLondon
Explore flux core welding through a practical introductory workshop combining theory and hands-on training.
Ask About London ClassesFlux Core Welding Skills Covered in the Workshop
FCAW Fundamentals
- FCAW principles
- FCAW-G
- FCAW-S
- Welding safety
- Welding hazards
Equipment & Setup
- Equipment inspection
- Equipment setup
- Wire selection
- Polarity
- Shielding gas where required
- Voltage
- Wire-feed speed
Welding Technique
- Mild-steel preparation
- Joint assembly
- Gun angle
- Travel speed
- Contact-tip-to-work distance
- Flat and horizontal welding
Weld Types & Finishing
- Fillet welds
- Groove welds
- Slag removal
- Cleaning between passes
Inspection & Interpretation
- Basic visual inspection
- Visible weld defects
- Welding terminology
- Welding symbols
- Simple fabrication drawings
Qualification Awareness
- Purpose of welder qualification testing
- Course completion vs. formal qualification
- CWB qualification distinction
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flux Cored Arc Welding?
Flux Cored Arc Welding, or FCAW, is a wire-fed arc welding process that uses a tubular electrode wire containing flux.
What does FCAW stand for?
FCAW stands for Flux Cored Arc Welding.
How long is the NATS Flux Core Welding workshop?
The workshop consists of 80 instructional hours, excluding breaks.
How much of the workshop is hands-on?
The workshop includes 60 hours of supervised practical training and 20 hours of theory and instructor demonstrations. This means 75% of instructional hours are allocated to supervised practical training.
Do I need previous welding experience?
No. The workshop is introductory and does not require previous welding experience.
Can I receive a Certificate of Completion?
Students who meet the school's approved completion requirements may receive a Certificate of Completion from North American Trade Schools.
Does completing the workshop make me CWB qualified?
No. Course completion does not confer CWB welder qualification, trade certification, or authorization to perform every type of welding work.
Is formal welder qualification testing included?
Formal welder qualification testing is separate and must follow the requirements of the applicable standard and testing organization. Additional training may be required before a student is ready to attempt a qualification test.
What welding positions will I practise?
Training focuses primarily on flat and horizontal welding. Introductory vertical and overhead exercises may be introduced as students demonstrate readiness and where the selected wire and procedures permit.
Will I learn both FCAW-G and FCAW-S?
Students learn about both gas-shielded FCAW-G and self-shielded FCAW-S. Practical training focuses on one instructor-selected process and wire, with demonstrations of the other where equipment is available.
Which NATS campuses offer the workshop?
The workshop information identifies Brampton, Burlington, and London. Contact NATS to confirm current availability and class dates.
Ready to Start Welding?
Build foundational Flux Cored Arc Welding skills through 80 hours of instructor-led classroom, demonstration, and practical shop training.
With 60 hours dedicated to supervised practical training, this introductory workshop gives students substantial time to develop FCAW skills in a welding shop environment.
