Oct 23, 2023
In 2020, the CWB Foundation embarked on an inspiring mission to empower youth from the Durham Catholic District School Board with the skills needed to explore welding focused career paths in industries where welders are in high demand including the nuclear industry. This endeavor united organizations from the nuclear and construction industries, education, and organized labour, all with the shared goal of launching a transformative welding education program. Named Sparking Success, this program aimed to equip students for promising careers in the nuclear field while addressing the increasing demand for skilled workers.
Helen Viveiros, Director of HR, expressed Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) commitment, saying, “At OPG, we are well aware of the current and pending demand for skilled tradespeople. We are pleased to be part of a project to ensure students who might not otherwise have had an avenue to explore welding as a future employment path will now have that opportunity. We know welding is one of the highest-demand trades in the province, and that skilled welders will be needed for OPG projects now and in the future. That’s why it’s critical to support students as they learn more about this in-demand career.”
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, OPG’s commitment remained resolute. Their invaluable contributions, including funding critical welding shop upgrades, made it possible for students to access welding education for the first time and learn the basic skills involved in the trade. The dream of mastering this skill seemed distant for many aspiring welders until the support from various generous donors, including OPG, brought welding within reach. Furthermore, it opened doors to advanced training opportunities at UA Canada, setting the stage for promising welding careers.
The impact of the program was fully realized when 30 students embarked on a two-day training journey at UA Canada Local 46 in Scarborough, Ontario, earlier this year. Amazingly, 19 students boldly undertook the test for two CWB Certifications, and all 19 passed their tests, earning the CWB 47.1 Fillet Weld Qualification in the Flat & Horizontal Positions using the SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) & GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) Processes.
Stephen Hughes, the Student Success Coordinator at Durham Catholic District School Board, was equally impressed and said, “What a great thing that these students have progressed to the point where they have earned this recognition. And they love it. This has been a culmination of the welding education students have been receiving at their schools.”
This achievement was a testament to students’ determination and newfound passion for welding, as well as a shining example of what a public, private, not-for-profit collabouration can achieve. We would like to thank our generous supporters, including OPG, Black & McDonald, and UA Canada, Local 46, who, along with the CWB Foundation, have made this program possible.
Through Sparking Success partnerships, the CWB Foundation continues to lead the way in creating opportunities for Canadian youth in welding and related trades. The welding torch has been passed, and with the guidance of our generous supporters, it burns brighter than ever.
Photo courtesy of DurhamRegion.com ‘An art form’: Sparks are flying at St. Mary’s new welding program (durhamregion.com)