Our world is changing and the demand for skilled workers is continuing to increase. We must address these challenges head on, and this program creates opportunities for workers across Canada to succeed.
The Canadian federal government releases $6.6 million to fund unmet demand for highly skilled pressure welders.
The Canadian federal government announced $6.6 million in funding for training to meet the need for highly skilled pressure welders, helping to alleviate a growing shortage throughout Canada. The Boilermakers union, in partnership with the CWB Welding Foundation, is the recipient of the substantial grant from the Union Training and Innovation Program, UTIP, through Employment and Social Development Canada.
At the announcement for the UTIP funding, Adam van Koeverden, a member of parliament, said that skilled tradespeople have been critical during the pandemic and continue to play an important role.
“The reality is, Canada needs more skilled trades workers,” he said. “Great countries don’t get built by accident. We need to make this investment to create the change we want. I’m very proud of the investments our government is making.”
Boilermakers are stepping up to the challenge of training skilled trades workers, according to Canadian Director of National Training at Boilermakers’ National Trust Fund j’Amey Bevan. The Boilermakers’ new collaboration will help to meet that goal.
“This new partnership with the CWB Group and the CWB Welding Foundation, with the support of the federal government, has the potential to transform welder training across Canada and meet the needs of Canadians as our industries continue to grow and evolve,” Bevan said.
Currently there are unemployed or underemployed welders and apprentices who need specific skills to gain better employment. Bevan said they’ve identified a gap where work can be done to improve outcomes and availability of highly trained welders.
“Our world is changing and the demand for skilled workers is continuing to increase,” she said. “We must address these challenges head on, and this program creates opportunities for workers across Canada to succeed.”
Participants will also engage in hands-on learning at one of the Boilermakers’ 15 state-of-the-art training facilities throughout Canada.
IVP-Canada Arnie Stadnick said that receiving the funding will offer “tremendous benefit to program participants and to the industries that rely on the specialized training and skill set of Boilermaker pressure welders.”
Once graduated, participants will be able to access employment opportunities with reputable contractors. This program is unique because its funding focuses on areas where the demand for skilled pressure welders is critical.
“With the CWB Group, CWB Welding Foundation, and our other key partners working together on this program, we will offer a program that provides training and expertise in pressure welding through a personalized learning model for both new apprentices and journeypersons looking to upgrade their existing skills,” Stadnick said.
