Canada’s welding industry invests in high school shops across the country
by CM Staff
The CWB Welding Foundation reports an increased need for students, educators, and the public to access resources and education on the proper uses and fit of PPE to improve safety in the labs and classrooms.
MILTON — The CWB Welding Foundation has launched WeldSAFE, a program designed to enhance educational resources at high school level welding shops.
The new program will provide classrooms with new personal protective equipment as well as learning resources to inform and promote best practices for students and their educators.
Through the WeldSAFE program and in collaboration with the CWB Welding Foundation and its partners, the program seeks to complement the secondary school curriculum while meeting the growing demand for technology programs as enrolments in this area continue to grow.
According to CWB’s announcement, there is an increased need for updated PPE that students can use for their education. Additionally, there is also an increased need for students, educators, and the public to access resources and education on the proper uses and fit of PPE to improve safety in the labs and classrooms.
“This new grant is a natural extension of our capital equipment and consumables grant,” said Susan Crowley, executive director for the CWB Welding Foundation in a statement.
“The advances in the quality of PPE have been significant in the past 10 years, as has knowledge in safety and injury prevention across all trades, including welding. Together with our partners, the foundation wishes to inform and support our secondary schools. The need in high schools has been growing exponentially with higher enrolments and due to new safety protocols activated during and post-pandemic, resulting in an increased demand.”
Several members of the welding industry have declared support for the CWB WeldSAFE program. The foundation announced plans to partner with 3M™ Canada in the provision of student kits that will include welding helmets, N95 welding particulate respirators, and eye/ear protection.
3M Canada has said it will provide learning resources that improve classroom safety by educating students on the proper use and fitting of PPE. Lincoln Electric and Weldready will also provide welding jackets, gloves and foot protection to the CWB WeldSAFE program.
