The Saugeen Sparks Training Centre in collaboration with the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB), recently conducted a one-week ‘Mind Over Metal’ welding workshop where 20 participants honed their welding skills under the guidance of the Welding Bureau’s instructors and the Training Centre’s lead welding instructor.
At the conclusion of the workshop, 20 participants would be tested for their CSA W47.1 flat and horizontal fillet weld qualifications using the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process.
On July 12th 2024, the last day of the one-week ‘Mind Over Metal’ workshop, CWB weld inspection was conducted and Saugeen Sparks Training Centre was thrilled to announce that the class received a 100% pass rate with 18 participants obtaining their flat and horizontal fillet weld qualifications, while two participants who had previously received those two qualifications, successfully upgraded to the vertical and overhead welding qualifications.
According to Brian Lieske the CWB welding inspector, “The workshop 100% pass rate is an outstanding accomplishment that reflects the effectiveness of the training and the commitment of both instructors and participants from across the region.”
Thirteen of the workshop participants received their training at the Training Centre’s Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 Night School programs, while the other participants were students from the Bluewater and Bruce-Grey Catholic School Boards who had recently participated in the Training Centre’s sponsored Support Ontario Youth – Tools In The Trades Welding Boot Camp on June 7th 2024.
Saugeen Sparks Training Centre would like to recognize and congratulate the following CWB Mind Over Metal workshop graduates: Brent Sparrow, Mathew Blacklock, Emma Graham, Natasha Holder, Greg Stroeder, Carter Fry, Joey Bramma, Tristan Jones, Kody Cook, Emma Stade, Natasha Smethurst, Logan Kestner, Talan Hope, Cohen Wettlaufer, AJ Cohen, Asadal Mitchell Park, Maverick Solomon, Edward Ladd, Jake Shepstone and David Zimmerman.
Provincial Building and Construction Trades – Tomorrow’s Trades program
On July 15th, 16 students including 11 graduates of the recently concluded CWB ‘Mind Over Metal’ workshop, as well as five Georgian College graduates of the Welding Techniques program, participated in an intensive four-week Saugeen Sparks Training Centre/Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario – Tomorrow’s Trades welding program. Saugeen Sparks Training Center welding instructors Kenny Kilday, Bob Kahgee and Steve Roote provided the welding instruction for this four-week program.
The aim of the program was to better prepare students for apprenticeship opportunities as they would receive instruction and be tested for two more CWB fillet weld certificates in the vertical and overhead positions. To further enhance their employability skills, students would individually receive an educational assessment, receive Health and Safety, Working at Heights, Confined Space and Diversity/Inclusivity Training and would interact with several labour unions and regional employers.
At the conclusion of the four-week educational and skill training program, the Canadian Welding Bureau tested the students and, for the second time in a five-week period, the Saugeen Sparks Training Centre was pleased to report that all students received their certifications.
CWB Welding inspector Brian Lieske provided a program testimonial saying that, “This is something that does not happen often and speaks to the level of instruction that these new welders have received. The instructors are top-tier tradespeople with a unique knack of passing down what they know to our younger (and older) new welders.”
The Provincial Building and Construction Trades – Tomorrow’s Trades and Saugeen Sparks Training Centre would like to recognize and congratulate a total of 17 graduating students who participated in the Ignite Your Future 2024 programs on achieving all four position CWB-W47.1 fillet weld qualifications using the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process: Brent Sparrow, Mathew Blacklock, Emma Graham, Natasha Holder, Greg Stroeder, Carter Fry, Tristan Jones, Emma Stade, Natasha Smethurst, Maverick Solomon, Jake Shepstone, David Zimmerman, Taye Dickinson, Katelyn Dodgson, Ian Saunders, Liam Laporte and Sham Habteab Yousef.
