Women get hands-on welding experience
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Providence (Feb 23/01) - Welding may not be thought of as a woman's occupation, but 15 women bucked the trend last week.
They enroled in a one-week introductory training course offered by Aurora College in Fort Providence.
"I wanted to see what it's all about," said participant Nancy Bonnetrouge.
"For us it's harder to get into a trade so this gives us an introduction into what it's all about... it will be easier to make a decision if we want to go into this trade."
Tanda Landry has already decided that she plans to pursue a welding vocation.
"I like doing it. It's something different," she said. "I enjoy it."
Colin Bradbury, welding instructor for Aurora College, brought the college's mobile welding unit to Fort Providence. Next week he will cart it down the highway to Fort Simpson.
"It's nice to bring the trade to them, to their home-town," said Bradbury. "They're getting a little bit of hands-on with everything, pretty well... there's a lot to learn in a week."
The introductory course taught the women how to operate oxy-acetylene welding and cutting torches, which can flame as high as 6,500 F.
In addition, they also learned about safety clothing for the job site.
Since the torches give off various types of harmful ultraviolet rays, as well as sparks when applied to metal, safety goggles or an industrial mask is required.
The students also practised cutting metal at various angles on flat bars.
Among the lessons that Bonnetrouge recounted was how to regulate the amounts of the acetylene and the oxygen gases required for cutting and welding.
"For cutting techniques you have to have really steady hands and concentrate on how far your flame is from the steel," she explained.
If the flame is too close there will be a popping noise.
"When it pops we jump. We're still edgy I guess," Bonnetrouge laughed.
Bradbury noted that Aurora College offers a 16-week welding program through its Fort Smith campus.
Many students who pass that course go on to a three-year apprenticeship program, he said.
