News Archives: GPRC Fairview Hosts Mind Over Metal Welding Camp
Monday, July 11th, 2016
FAIRVIEW - The Canadian welding industry has many great career opportunities ranging from welder, welding inspector, welding researcher and even a welding engineer. To introduce students from ages 12-15 to the trade, the Canadian Welding Association Foundation (CWA Foundation) will be hosting a welding summer camp in Fairview, AB. The CWA Foundation hosted its first pilot welding camp in the summer of 2014 in Edmonton, AB and is now introducing the camps to all provinces across Canada for the months of June, July, and August. This summer the CWA Foundation will be funding over 35 camps in almost every province across the country.
The Fairview camp is hosted by CAREERS: The Next Generation and Grande Prairie Regional College. This free camp is funded by the CWA Foundation and will run from July 11 to 15.
“These camps are specifically designed to provide at risk youth with an introduction to the welding profession and the great career options that are available, while being supervised by professionals in a safe environment,” said Deborah Mates, Director of the CWA Foundation.
“A camp like this puts students on a path to a rewarding career at an early age,” said Jerry Heck, Senior Vice President, Growth, CAREERS: The Next Generation. “It’s great to see how excited the students are about the welding trade by the end of the week.”
Welding safety, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), introduction to weld symbols, and a brief overview of the impact welding has on our daily lives will be part of the camp. Once the theoretical part is completed, the students will practice on the welding simulator and then have fun with real arcs and sparks while they create their very own projects like cowbells, and business card holders.
“It’s going to open up a lot of possibilities to the students because this is such a unique opportunity. It’s going to be hands-on and fun so when they finish they’ll have great memories and hopefully feel inspired to pursue a career in the welding profession,” said Mates. “We are excited to be able to bring this opportunity to the Provinces and expose youth to something they may never have imagined.”
“The support from industry, parents and Grande Prairie Regional College for allowing us to use their facilities is quite remarkable,” said Mates. “This is just one of many outreach projects throughout the country the Foundation has planned for this year.”
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For More Information Contact:
Mike Lupien
Senior Advisor, Communications
780-292-0906
mlupien@nextgen.org
Deborah Mates
CWA Foundation Executive Director
1-800.844.6790 Ext. 241
Email: Deborah.mates@cwa-foundation.org