Constructing Partnerships

Lakehead Public Schools technology students are the fortunate beneficiaries of a relationship with the Canadian Welding Association Foundation (CWAF). The CWAF has launched its secondary school welding helmet initiative and will distribute a number of the helmets to the technology programs in each of the four secondary schools.

The fully welding helmet funded program was developed to assist schools by providing their welding students with proper personal protective gear so they could hone their skills safely.

“We are very fortunate to have partners in industry like Canadian Welding Association Foundation,” says Jeremy Noel, Student Success Resource Teacher for Technology, Lakehead Public Schools. “Not only does this association provide safety and learning opportunities and resources for students, they also provide professional development opportunities for our staff.”

For the first year of this program, and first of its kind in Canada, 1,800 auto-darkening helmets were distributed to high schools with full time welding programs across the country at no cost to secondary schools. The CWAF is currently providing professional development sessions for Lakehead Public Schools technology teaching staff.

“Safety in secondary school welding shops is paramount,” said Deborah Mates, Executive Director of the CWA Foundation. “Promoting public safety is one of our key mandates, and we want to ensure students work with the best personal protective equipment. We’re proud and committed to make sure this program is successful, and we’re looking forward to working with high schools across Canada to update their welding helmets.”

The Canadian Welding Association Foundation’s key mandates are to support public safety awareness, and to address the skilled welding labour shortage in Canada. It will also focus on creating access to educational opportunities for all levels of education from elementary through to post- secondary, as well as aboriginal peoples, women, those with disabilities and visible minorities.

If secondary school welding instructors are interested in learning more about the program, visit https://www.cwa-foundation.org/cwa-foundation-helmets or directly contact Leanna Marcin, Communications Coordinator with the CWA Foundation atleanna.marcin@cwbgroup.org.