News Archives: Women of Steel™ Coming to Fairview, Alberta
Monday, January 9th, 2023
Women of Steel™: Forging Forward Program Coming to Fairview, Alberta in Partnership With Northwestern Polytechnic and CWB Welding Foundation
Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) is excited to announce that they will be one of 14 hosts across Canada for CWB Welding Foundation’s initiative: The Women of Steel™: Forging Forward Program. The program provides learning opportunities that foster education, personal growth, confidence, and experiential learning for women interested in exploring welding and other welding-related skilled trades careers.
“NWP is honoured to be a part of this fantastic initiative for women and the skilled trades,” says Dr. Vanessa Sheane, NWP Provost and Vice-President Academic. “In addition to providing a thorough introduction to the welding profession, this program showcases the career possibilities that exist in our local communities.”
As more skilled tradespeople are looking to retire locally and across the country, the pending gap continues to grow, and opportunities for a career in the industry are countless. Welding, and welding fabrication provides a gateway to skilled trades and other related professions, and offers a well-paying, stable career choice with many options for women.
“The Women of Steel pre-employment program will provide an exciting and empowering opportunity for women within our region to explore a rewarding future in the skilled trades,” says Caitlin Hartigan, Dean, NWP School of Skilled Trades. “Additionally, this program will provide students with the confidence and the skillset to engage in meaningful pathways into welder apprenticeships post-completion.”
This pre-employment program includes practical theory, hands-on welding training, and skills development in a safe and supportive environment, with a flexible schedule to balance responsibilities. Short training periods will be used to train the participants in several welding processes, with the ability to obtain multiple CWB welding qualifications in various positions with multiple processes making graduates ready for apprenticeship, post-secondary, and employment.
The program is 12-weeks, running from February 27 to June 16, 2023. In-person training will be hosted at Northwestern Polytechnic’s Fairview campus.
All those who identify as a woman and/or non-binary, including those from racialized or marginalized groups such as Indigenous, Black, newcomers, LGBTQ2S, women with disabilities, or with a prolonged detachment from the labour force are encouraged to apply.
To find out more go to: NWP.me/WomenOfSteel
About the CWB Welding Foundation
The CWB Welding Foundation is a national registered charity that relies on the support of industry and community organizations to address the welding skilled trade shortage in Canada. Through education-based programs and initiatives, we continue to reduce barriers that affect key groups; elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students and educators, Indigenous People, women, and the underrepresented. We envision a future where all individuals are encouraged and provided the support needed to reach their true potential in a career in welding regardless of identity factors, social and financial status, and lived experiences including gender, age, ethnicity, language, literacy, culture, income, and geographical location.
The Women of Steel™: Forging Forward project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Adult Learning Literacy and Essential Skills - Women’s Employment Readiness Program.
The opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada.
About NWP
Northwestern Polytechnic (formerly Grande Prairie Regional College) reflects the entrepreneurial energy of the region it represents. Established as a college more than five decades ago, the institution received its polytechnic designation in 2021. With campuses in Grande Prairie and Fairview, the institution serves students from across Alberta, Canada and the world. Students pursue a wide variety of academic programs ranging from certificates and diplomas to degrees. For more information visit us at nwpolytech.ca.
Contact:
Northwestern Polytechnic
Danielle Smith
Communications and Marketing Manager
Phone number: 780-539-2954
Email: DSmith@nwpolytech.ca
CWB Welding Foundation
Media Contact: Sarah Williams
Rebel Office Inc.
Phone number: (705) 344-5862
Email: sarah.williams@cwbweldingfoundation.org
