Ontario Construction News staff writer
Collège Boréal in Timmins is one of 14 hosts across Canada to host a new training program for women seeking to enter the welding trade.
Women of Steel: Forging Forward, a partnership with the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB), is a pre-employment program that includes a theoretical component, practical training, and a workplace internship.
The program is offered free of charge for women interested in exploring welding and other welding-related skilled trades careers.
“As more skilled tradespeople are looking to retire locally and across the country, the pending gap continues to grow, and opportunities for a career in the industry are countless,” the college said in a news release. “Welding and fabrication provide a pathway to skilled trades and other related professions, and offers a well-paying, stable career choice for women.”
Participants complete a theoretical component, practical training and an internship in the workplace.
“During this intensive program participants have the chance to be trained in a variety of positions and processes with the possibility of obtaining multiple welding certifications from the CWB,” said Mélanie Dufresne, director of the Timmins campus. “This will prepare them for apprenticeship, post-secondary education, and meaningful employment in high demand fields.”
The program includes 12 weeks of training starting June 12 at the Collège Boréal campus in Timmins, followed by four weeks of internship in the workplace.
The CWB Welding Foundation is a national registered charity that relies on the support of industry and community organizations to address the welding skilled trade shortage in Canada.