Indigenous Welder Apprentice (Indigenous Apprenticeship Program)

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.; Town of Athabasca; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan (company-paid)

Dental & extended health

Vacation 4 weeks

Relocation assistance

Team culture

Long-term non-permanent position

Job summary

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac) is seeking an Indigenous Welder Apprentice at the Mill Site near Athabasca, Alberta. The Indigenous Apprenticeship Program covers training costs, books, and mileage for training attendance.

Responsibilities include learning maintenance welding, following industry codes, reading drawings, and supporting piping repairs under safety guidelines in a real manufacturing setting. This long-term program emphasizes skill development and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Proof of Indigenous status required.
• High school diploma or GED; enrollment in welder trade program.
• Pass entrance exams and mechanical aptitude testing.
• Drug and alcohol testing and medicals may be required as pre-employment conditions.
• Valid driver’s license with satisfactory record.
• Ability to read and understand complex instructions; work independently.

Responsibilities

• Learn and perform welding and maintenance tasks per mill standards.
• Assist maintenance team with repairs and welding on piping and systems.
• Read engineering drawings, sketches, and specifications.
• Follow safety instructions and use PPE to protect workers and environment.
• Support to position and secure parts using jigs/fixtures; select welding equipment and electrodes.

Skills

Indigenous status awareness

Reading drawings

Teamwork

Safety consciousness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Welder trade program enrollment

Tools

Gas torches

Portable electric arc

Semi-automatic/automatic welding machines

Job description

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Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac) is seeking anIndigenous Welder Apprentice (Indigenous Apprenticeship Program) to work out of ourMill Site location near Athabasca, Alberta. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting, implementing and conducting Al-Pac site maintenance by following all applicable Alberta and national codes, regulations and accepted safety practices. The job is responsible for learning to perform a wide range of fabrication and maintenance welding and cutting in constructions, buildings, office, and plant areas using a variety of welding techniques. For us, it's not just about coming to work and doing a job - as soon as you walk through the door, your career has purpose.

Al-Pac’s Indigenous Apprenticeship Program covers technical training costs and contributes towards books, supplies, and mileage to attend training. Proof of Status is required for admission into the program.

Who Are We?

Al-Pac is the largest single-line kraft pulp producer in North America. Our mill is located near the communities of Athabasca, Boyle & Lac La Biche. We are leaders in our industry, from our quality products, mill operations and responsible forest management practices, to the way we grow and develop our team members and work with local communities. We are continuously exploring new and innovative ideas, while delivering premium products with a commitment to strong environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility – a commitment that is demonstrated by our long-standing Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification (FSC-C022642).

Responsibilities

• Acquire the necessary skills and technical training to become a competent journeyperson.
• Work with the maintenance team to learn and perform all required tasks in accordance with mill quality and mechanical standards.
• Follow a range of mandatory work instructions (including the use of PPE where relevant) to safeguard the environment and the wellbeing of oneself and others.
• Commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
• Read engineering drawings, sketches, and other specifications, plus verbal instructions.
• Support repairs to piping systems, work together with Steam/Pipefitters performing maintenance of manual valves, replace of gasketing, replacement of piping systems and sealing materials on operational system.
• Support to position and secure parts using jigs and fixtures as appropriate. Select appropriate welding equipment, such as gas torches, portable electric arcs, and semi-automatic and automatic machines, and selects appropriate electrode for material.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be able to provide proof of Indigenous status to be eligible for the Indigenous Apprenticeship program. Preference will be given to Indigenous candidates who reside in or near Al-Pac’s Forest Management Agreement (FMA) area.
• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED and currently registered or planning to register in a welder trade program.
• Successfully complete any required program entrance exams and mechanical aptitude testing.
• Completion of drug and and alcohol testing and a medical as pre-employment conditions.
• Valid driver’s license (GDL removed) with an acceptable driving history.
• Ability to prioritize, manage time well, multitask and troubleshoot.
• The ability to read and understand complex instructions.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work under pressure, changing priorities, deadlines, and adapt to change.

What We Offer

You may wonder what makes us unique. Why would you want to work with Al-Pac? You will experience firsthand that our team-based culture values safety, open communication, productivity and quality, as well as a variety of other great perks including:

• This is a Long-term, Non-Permanent position (4 years).
• A competitive annual salary including a company-paid pension at 7% and matching RRSP up to 3%.
• Company-paid dental and extended health benefits, including a health care and taxable spending account and supplemental life insurance.
• Four week’s annual vacation to start, increasing with years of service.
• Relocation Assistance Program, depending on eligibility.
• Team-based culture that encourages work-life balance.

Applications for this role will close on September 21, 2026. We encourage your prompt application.

Al-Pac is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We wish to express our thanks to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

CLOSING DATE: September 21, 2026
REQUISITION:543
POSITION TYPE: Non-Permanent Long Term
LOCATION:Mill Site