Mobile welding unit picks up where schools leave off
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 24/01) - The territorial-wide demand for skilled tradespeople is being thwarted by a lack of industrial education programs in high schools, say college educators and industry insiders.
Which is why Aurora College partnered with Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. to build a mobile welding unit last year.
The rumbling 7,000-pound shop-on-wheels rolled out drillers, grinders, cutting torches and safety goggles for Saint Patrick high school students this week.
The five-year old, multi-million dollar school does not house any type of welding, woodworking or automotive shop.
"You can't mind the noise or getting dirty," said Grade 11 student Kathryne Casement.
Casement registered with 15 other students for one of the two five-day introductory class. She's more likely to consider Aurora College's 16-week pre-employment welding class having experienced the sights, sounds and safety associated with the industry. Robert Ward, college mine training coordinator, said Northern communities are often cut off from high school trades programs.
"The time is right to get students interested in the trades. There's a country-wide need," Ward said.
Nearby Sir John Franklin high school has a industrial education wing -- perhaps one of the last fully operational student-served welding, woodworking and automotive shops in Yellowknife. The mobile welding unit belongs to Aurora College's Fort Smith campus and receives funding from the Education, Culture and Employment department.
The unit has already travelled to Rae-Edzo and Lutselk'e. By June, the travelling trade show will visit Wha Ti, Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Hay River and Inuvik. Mobile welding instructor Colin Bradbury remembers his school's industrial arts program in Fort Smith. Today's teens, he said, should have similar opportunities.
"This gives students a hands-on chance to see if they want to get into the field," Bradbury said.
"There doesn't seem to be as many tradespeople for the amount of work available."
Participant Adam Gordon likes the idea stepping into a well-paying job.
"I've heard a lot of work is coming up in the next four years," the St. Pat Grade 12 student said.
Bruce Christensen took the class for practical, rather professional reasons.
"I want to be able to fix my snowmobile," he said.
The class is not without downfalls.
"You have to get used to the popping and sparks," Christensen said.
The public is welcome to attend a welding wrap-up party on Friday, Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. St. Patrick high school.
