In March 2021, the CWB Welding Foundation’s Technical Training and Education Specialist, Joshua Fortin, hosted a two-day “Train the Trainer” professional development workshop at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, Ontario. Six trades and technologies teachers from the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) participated in sessions designed to enhance their welding instruction skills.
This Train the Trainer workshop is part of a partnership between the CWB Welding Foundation, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), DCDSB, UA Canada and Black & McDonald to enhance welding education at four DCDSB schools, help students build skills to prepare them for good jobs in the welding trade, and develop the skilled welders required to fulfill OPG’s workforce needs.
A Train the Trainer workshop for Durham Catholic District School Board teachers
Day 1 of the workshop started with introductions, and the participants got a demonstration of the new Miller Multimatic 255 multi-process welding machine. This was followed by a shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) theory session using the CWBi Acorn curriculum, and then participants jumped into some welding exercises that will benefit their future students.
On day 2, Ray Lemieux, Training Specialist with UA Canada, joined the session. He provided some insight on a career in the piping trades and valuable one-on-one weld time with the educators. The afternoon featured presentations in celebration of the partnership. Speakers included: Helen Viveiros from OPG, Ray Lemieux and Alanna Marklund from UA Canada, Murray Hoggart from Black & McDonald, and Joe Saundercook from the CWB Welding Foundation. The day wrapped up with evaluation of a variety of welds on different joint types using the Acorn marking rubric.
“I hope to develop new teaching strategies that I can implement with my students,” said one of the participating teachers afterwards. “I have already applied lessons I learned to yesterday’s class here at school. The training day was very worthwhile.”
“It was great to be able to meet the instructors and for the partners to share our vision for this collaboration, which will enable apprenticeship and career pathways that did not previously exist for Durham Catholic secondary students,” said Joe Saundercook, Manager, Fund Development with the CWB Welding Foundation. “With new welding facilities and equipment installed and training provided, these dedicated and passionate instructors are prepared to develop students’ skills and inspire them to pursue careers in the skilled trades and welding.”
Applications are currently being accepted for future Train the Trainer sessions. Learn more and submit an expression of interest here.
Josh Fortin, Technical Training and Education Specialist, CWB Welding Foundation and workshop participants.
Stephen Hughes, Student Success Coordinator, DCDSB, with Ray Lemieux and Josh Fortin.
Bird\’s eye view of the Train the Trainer session.
