Vancouver/Fraser Valley (Enbridge) – According to a recent CWB Group Welding Industry Report, Canada faces a shortage of over 25,000 welders in the next 5 years. But there’s a spark of hope in Fraser Valley, B.C., as secondary schools are taking initiative to potentially address this manpower shortage.
On Friday January 26,, ten high school students from the district are set to take their final test to become certified welders. These students completed a six-month welding program offered by the School District 78, through Thompson Rivers University (TRU)’s mobile training unit (MTU).
The MTU is a 12 welding-bay expandable trailer used in delivering welding foundation program and other industry contract training in communities. TRU has been providing welding training for certification in Hope every 2 years since 2015.
In the alternate years when TRU is not in Hope, Hope Secondary School and Agassiz Secondary School continue to offer metal and welding programs. This not only allows the students to gain valuable welding skills, but also exposes them to potential careers. The popularity of these programs led Boston Bar Secondary School to hire a shop teacher during their career exposure camp weeks. But limited budgets pose challenges for materials and equipment for these programs.
Enbridge, an energy transportation company which runs a natural gas pipeline system and compressor station near Hope, stepped in by donating two portable welding units worth a combined $8,000. These units are now being used in the school welding programs for various purposes, from fabrication to art projects.
The donated welding unit at Hope Secondary has been used to help train the ten soon-to-be-certified welders. Upon passing their test this Friday, they will join over 45 certified welders produced locally under TRU’s program in the district.
You can also find more information on the Enbridge blog.
Karl Kosslowsky, Hope Secondary School Vice Principal
“Having students work on and learn from modern equipment allows for greater exposure to the metal industry. It gives students an opportunity to picture themselves in one of many career paths in the field.”
“This donation means that students have access to more current industry standard equipment—we’ll ultimately be able to increase the capacity of the program.”
Marcio Neitzke, Enbridge Compressor Station Operator
“In our line of work, welding stands out as a critical task to ensure our pipelines can safely and reliably deliver energy to every home, school and business we serve. It’s rewarding to pass the torch and see our welding units continue to contribute to the training of the high school students in our community.”
