October 28, 2021
Milton, ON: Secondary school students in the Thunder Bay area will be learning welding skills on new equipment in enhanced school facilities, thanks to a three-year, $300,000 donation from Scotiabank to the CWB Welding Foundation. Scotiabank’s commitment to the program is part of ScotiaRISE, the Bank’s 10-year $500 million initiative to promote economic resilience among disadvantaged groups.
In the first year of the pledge, $100,000 of the donation is being invested in equipment and infrastructure that will support the goals of the Foundation’s Sparking Success program that is being delivered by the Superior-Greenstone District School Board (SGDSB). More than 200 secondary school students will benefit from the investment during the current school year, and in subsequent years, Scotiabank’s investment will help fund similar projects supporting students across the City of Thunder Bay.
The new equipment includes 32 industry-grade multiprocess welding machines at four SGDSB schools: Geraldton Composite High School, Lake Superior High School, Marathon High School, and Nipigon-Red Rock District High School. The equipment was purchased in consultation with Confederation College to ensure alignment with post-secondary programs. Other enhancements included infrastructure upgrades and new ventilation and booths, along with increased materials and consumables budgets and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Before the end of the school year, a select number of students enrolled in Sparking Success will participate in a 30-hour training program—delivered by trainers from UA Local 628—to help them establish pathways to pursue further education in welding or apprenticeships in the skilled trades.
The Sparking Success program is designed to create awareness and career opportunity pathways in the skilled trades and welding. The program encompasses capital and equipment investment, teacher training, curriculum development and student support. The program also benefits from the involvement of organized labour where local groups help develop student welding skills and connect students to apprenticeship opportunities with industry partners. Considered a best practice for student success, this framework is already in practice with other school boards and partners in Ontario.
The Canadian welding and fabrication industry is experiencing a shortage of welding professionals, due to an aging Canadian population, a lack of young people being attracted to the skilled trades, and the reduced focus on skilled trades training in secondary and post-secondary institutions. Recent labour market surveys indicate strong growth for the welding and joining industry and for the key sectors including construction, transportation and shipbuilding over the next decade and beyond. Enabling access to welding and related trades and professions for underrepresented groups will support the workforce development needs of industry.
The CWB Welding Foundation welcomes other industry partners who wish to support the welding workforce of the future by partnering for Sparking Success program delivery, providing welding consumables and PPE for programs, or funding welding camps for youth or assisting with travel costs for camp participants. Learn more about Foundation programs and partnership opportunities at www.cwbweldingfoundation.org.
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“We are thrilled to be working with Scotiabank through their ScotiaRISE program to ignite interest in the skilled trades and build career possibilities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in the Thunder Bay area,” said Susan Crowley, Executive Director of the CWB Welding Foundation. “This is the largest donation the Foundation has received from an organization outside the welding industry, and we thank Scotiabank for their commitment to the goals of Sparking Success—and for helping young people progress towards a bright future.”
“We are proud to support CWB Welding Foundation’s Sparking Success program to enhance the delivery of trades education programs in Ontario helping secondary school students graduate with the skills and connections they need for successful careers,” said Sandra Odendahl, Scotiabank’s Vice President of Social Impact & Sustainability. “Through ScotiaRISE we are partnering with programs and organizations across our footprint that provide students with the skills and tools they need to improve their education and employment prospects.”
“Programs such as Sparking Success truly demonstrate the impact that a group of organizations can have on student outcomes, teacher learning, facility development, and ultimately on the local economies,” said Nicole Morden Cormier, Director of Education, Superior-Greenstone District School Board. “Superior-Greenstone District School Board is thrilled to be a partner in this initiative and has already seen a positive impact within our organization. Our students and staff are extremely grateful.”
“Showing youth what a career in welding is like from an early age helps to harness skills, knowledge and love of the trade,” said Alanna Marklund, National Manager for Youth, Diversity and Indigenous Relations with UA Canada. “It’s about creating that spark early on, to show students the amazing opportunities and potential that comes along with a career in the skilled trades. Welding shouldn’t be a second-choice career, but one to be proud of. There are incredible amounts of opportunity in the world of welding and being able to earn while you learn through apprenticeship sets students up with a career for life.”
“UA Canada and Local 628 are incredibly proud to contribute to the Sparking Success Program, helping gear youth towards a rewarding career in the skilled trades, and setting them on the path to success,” said Ray Lemieux, Welding Specialist with UA Canada.
“Local 628 is proud and very excited to take part in this program to bring awareness of the welding trade to the youth of the Thunder Bay Region,” said Pat Dool, UA Local 628 Business Manager.
About the CWB Welding Foundation: The CWB Welding Foundation is a national registered charity, established in 2013, that relies on the support of industry and community organizations to address the welding skilled trade shortage in Canada. Through education-based programs and initiatives, we reduce barriers that affect key groups: elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students and educators; Indigenous; women; and the underrepresented. We envision a future where all individuals are encouraged and given the support they need to reach their true potential in a career in welding. Learn more: www.cwbweldingfoundation.org
Location: Geraldton Composite High School
Featured: Terry Burke, Tech Teacher & Student, working on hummingbird feeder holder project
Status of Geraldton Composite High School:
Construction to begin soon. Project includes 8 Industry grade multi-process welding machines, personal protective equipment, and consumables and materials
Location: Lake Superior High School
Featured: Chris Martin, Principal & Maurice Thiboutot, Tech Teacher
Status of Lake Superior High School:
Construction has commenced. Project includes 8 Industry grade multi-process welding machines, personal protective equipment, and consumables and materials
Location: Marathon High School
Featured: Stefan Rohner, Tech Teacher & Students
Status of Marathon Hight School:
Project completed including 8 Industry grade multi-process welding machines, personal protective equipment, and consumables and materials
Location: Marathon High School
Featured: Ken McIntyre, Dual Credit Teacher
Status of Marathon Hight School:
Project completed including 8 Industry grade multi-process welding machines, personal protective equipment, and consumables and materials
Location: Nipigon Red-Rock High School
Featured: Jennifer Rissanen, Principal & David Cain, Tech Teacher
Status of Nipigon Red Rock District High School:
Project has commenced including 8 industry-grade multi-process welding machines, personal protective equipment, consumables, and materials.
Location: Manitouwadge High School
Featured: Courtney Soos, NEW Tech Teacher beginning November 8th, 2021
Location: Manitouwadge High School
Featured: Stan Kuczynski, Tech Teacher & Students
Status of Project at Manitouwadge High School:
Project includes personal protective equipment, consumables, and materials.