By Matthew Le Blanc
Oct 14, 2022
Algoma District School Board showed off what is being taught in its welding classes thanks to a generous donation from Tenaris.
Earlier this school year, Tenaris donated $88,500 to ADSB through the CWB Welding Foundation as an investment in “Sparking Success”.
This past March, the CWB Welding Foundation took its Educator Training program on the road and hosted its first Calgary workshop. The program also marked the first time it’s been offered to middle and junior high teachers. The Foundation’s efforts were elevated by the support given by the CWB Group Education and Learning Development team and by encouraging volunteers from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) Local 146.
The Educator Training program enhances the welding instruction skills of teachers who shape future generations of skilled tradespeople, given welding is a gateway to many skilled trades and professional engineering programs. A major highlight was SMAW and GMAW process training and heavy emphasis placed on health and safety. All 17 junior high school teachers in attendance have had nothing but great things to say about the workshop.
“It was an exciting and practical course,” said Cindy Littleton-Ross, one of the guest teachers in attendance. “Blending the safety and theory with a stick-in-hand made sense of the program. The instructors were very receptive to questions and problem-solving instead of rescuing. Having a variety of instructors and instruction guests was an excellent approach to addressing the individualistic nature of physical skills.”
Gary Thoreson, another guest teacher on site, said the workshop helped build his confidence in stick welding.
“Thanks to Keith’s, Brian’s, and Kayla’s instruction, I was able to master the art of stick and MIG welds,” he said. “Near the end of the program, Kayla brought us to their IBB training facility to practice our test welds, which was an awesome experience. Funny enough, I ran into a past student taking his certification testing. It’s like that saying where the student becomes the teacher.”
The 32-hour workshop was broken into nine days over three weeks and led by instructors Keith Routhier (from Our Lady of the Rockies High School) and Brian Scott (from Bishop McNally High School). The first seven sessions took place after hours at Our Lady of the Rockies High School, while the last two moved to the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers building 15 minutes down the road. The venue change allowed participants to familiarize themselves with the proper machines and equipment used during testing.
“I would like to thank our wonderful hosts at IBB Local 146, particularly the apprentices who donated their evening to help with training the night before their own CWB tests,” said Keith Routhier. “Also, a tremendous thank you to the CWB Foundation for providing the opportunity and funding for this incredibly productive workshop.”
The training and hands-on experience paid off as all 17 participants improved their skills and walked away with W 47.1 welder qualification ticket, if not more. And that’s a feat not easily achieved, as Keith jokes, “I always tell my students that people become doctors, lawyers, and administrators because they don’t know how to weld!”
A huge part of the workshop’s overall success was due to the experience and dedication of Kayla Vander Molen and Shawn Ouellette from IBB Local 146, who volunteered their time, expertise and the use of their training facility.
It’s been 11 years since IBB Local 146 began volunteering their equipment, consumables, and funds to junior and senior high schools across Calgary. Their efforts in the welding community have helped grow student interest in fabrication and welding programs in the area, seeing more success year after year.