Arcs and Sparks: Trades Start Welding Program Bonds Youth to a Career Pathway

Like a spark from a welding torch, Trades Start has ignited Jacob Ostrom’s passion and direction in life. The 17-year-old Owen Sound high school student is learning how to weld through Trades Start, a 12-week education and life skills program funded by The Salvation Army Community Church in Wiarton.

The welding instruction takes place at Launch Pad in Hanover, a training centre for youth established in 2015. Launch Pad recently received certification from the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB), which is a welding oversight and certification body in Canada.

There are four young adults currently enrolled in the welding program. For Jacob, he learned about the program through his mother, and he plans to follow in the footsteps of his father, also a career welder.

“I’m not the kind of person that can be in an office and sit at a desk all day. I like to be active, and I work better on my feet instead of sitting around. And I have always wanted to be a welder,” Jacob said.

In just two weeks, Launch Pad welding instructor Tom Cordick can teach the students essential basic welding skills so they can spark a new career pathway, and once completed, students can then take a CWB test to become a qualified welder in a specific welding process. This January, the first cohort of the welding program at Launch Pad received their CWB welding qualifications.

“I am so proud of these students, they worked so hard at achieving something great and that my knowledge has helped them get a solid start in the field,” Tom said. “This is a wonderful partnership with The Salvation Army as it equips individuals with an opportunity to pursue a career while they build personal goals to succeed in the long-term.”

Max Ceron, Director of the CWB Association, the membership and training arm of the CWB, said when aspiring welders obtain their CWB welding qualifications, it’s a clear indicator of their abilities and dedication to excellence that will help secure employment.

“Congratulations to all the students participating in the Trades Start program, I truly hope it inspires them to pursue a rewarding career in the welding profession,” said Ceron. “Having CWB qualifications is like a passport into the trades to show you are able to not only weld, but also learn and commit to excellence. The CWB Association has made it our mandate to support all welders in the steel industry with free training, networking opportunities and our expanding online presence,” said Ceron.

After the hands-on welding training, participants are also supported with personal case management through ‘Pre-Pathway,’ which is embraced within The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program.

Wiarton Community Church Major Mary Millar said the student participants receive guidance and support with setting realistic and appropriate goals, assistance with resume writing, job search techniques and essential life skills instruction.

“These students have experienced many barriers to success in high school. This new initiative has ignited the spark that has been dormant for too long,” said Major Millar.

“There is a long-term commitment to these students to ensure they see the bigger picture of what they can accomplish. They need the flexibility of individualized supports to help them be successful, and the Trades Start program has the potential to be that bridge.”

Pursuing a career in the skilled trades can lead students down a path to an in-demand and secure well-paying job in Grey Bruce, said Emily Morrison, Executive Director of Launch Pad.

“We’re eager to develop partnerships with organizations like The Salvation Army to improve on opportunities for young people in this community. This is a program that encourages skilled young people to stay local and to ensure our rural community remains successful,” Morrison said.

For more information on the Trades Start program, visit https://wiartonsalvationarmy.ca/youth-programs/trades-start.