Welder / Steel Fabricator — Apprentices & Journeypersons
West Manufacturing Ltd. — West Kelowna, BC
Full-time | 4-day week | Custom steel and aluminum fabrication.
West Manufacturing Ltd. is looking for welders, fabricators, fitters, apprentices, and journeypersons to join our team in West Kelowna.
We are a busy custom welding and fabrication shop serving customers across Western Canada and beyond. Our work includes structural steel, sawmill and forestry equipment, industrial repairs, custom fabrication, aluminum, and general steel and aluminum projects.
Applicants must have hands-on welding, fabrication, metal shop, or related trade/industrial experience. This is not a no-experience entry-level posting.
This is a good fit if you are reliable, practical, coachable, safety-minded, and take pride in accurate work.
Schedule
Our regular shift is:
Monday to Thursday, 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Four 10-hour shifts
This gives employees a regular 3-day weekend. Optional overtime may be available on Fridays depending on workload and due dates.
Most work is day shift. Night shift may occasionally be required if workload dictates, and night shift includes a $1.50/hr shift premium.
Wages
Wages are based on skill, experience, productivity, quality, reliability, safety, and ability to work independently.
- Welders: $22–$30/hr
- Fitters / Fabricators: $24–$34/hr
- Advanced fabricator roles: $35–$38/hr
- Night shift premium: +$1.50/hr when applicable
Wage level is not based on years served alone. We look at overall value to the shop, including drawing comprehension, weld/fabrication quality, problem solving, work ethic, rework created, and ability to keep jobs moving.
Starting wage will be based on experience and proven ability, with a wage review after the probation period.
Benefits and Support
We offer:
- Extended health
- Dental
- Vision benefits
- Life/disability coverage
- Boot allowance
- Tool replacement
- CWB ticket support
- Apprenticeship and school support
Employees provide their own basic hand tools.
Long-Term Work
We prefer to hire for the long term, workload permitting. Many of our employees have been with West MFG for more than 10 years, and we do not currently have short-term employees.
We encourage a healthy work-life balance. Time off is supported where practical, and the 4-day schedule gives employees a regular long weekend.
Apprenticeship and Training
We support apprentices who are serious about learning the trade. You will have the opportunity to build real shop skills, work around experienced tradespeople, and progress toward higher wage levels as your ability grows.
This is a good opportunity for mid-level tradespeople or apprentices who want to keep developing. A lot of our work is practical custom fabrication, so attitude, reliability, accuracy, and willingness to learn matter as much as having every ticket or credential.
What You’ll Do
Depending on your skill level, you may be involved in:
- MIG, TIG, stick, welding on both steel and aluminum.
- Fitting and fabricating structural and custom steel assemblies
- Reading shop drawings, weld symbols, cut lists, and job notes
- Cutting, drilling, grinding, tacking, layout, and material prep
- Working with saws, ironworker, brake, shear, CNC plasma, cranes, forklifts, and other shop equipment
- Checking square, fit-up, dimensions, weld quality, and final finish
- Helping reduce rework and keeping jobs moving through the shop
This is primarily a shop-based position. Site work is rare.
What We’re Looking For
We are open to apprentices and journeypersons, but successful applicants must already have hands-on experience in welding, fabrication, fitting, metal work, or a related trade/industrial setting.
This is not intended as a first step into the trades for someone with no shop or tool experience. We are looking for people who can contribute in a busy custom fabrication environment while continuing to learn and improve.
Strong candidates must have most or all of the following qualities:
- Welding, fabricating, fitting, or metal shop experience
- Apprenticeship training, Red Seal, CWB tickets, or related trade experience
- Experience using grinders, drills, saws, ironworker, brake, shear, plasma, or similar shop equipment
- Ability to read drawings, weld symbols, cut lists, or job notes
- Safe work habits around grinders, cranes, forklifts, and heavy material
- Good attendance and steady effort
- Pride in workmanship
- Coachable attitude
- Ability to work independently as skill level grows
- Willingness to help the team and take ownership of work
You will do well here if you are reliable, practical, coachable, safety-minded, and take pride in accurate work.
You may not enjoy this role if you need the same task every day, do not like custom work, or are not interested in improving.
How to Apply
Please apply through Indeed with your resume. Qualified applicants may be contacted for a phone or in-person interview.
Please include:
- Your relevant work experience
- Apprenticeship level, if applicable
- CWB tickets or trade certifications, if applicable
- Whether you are stronger as a welder, fabricator/fitter, or both
- Your wage expectation for your role
- Your earliest available start date
Pay: $22.00-$38.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
