Mind over Metal – High school students learn to weld

A group of Burnaby high school students had an unusual spring break. While their classmates relaxed, they had a chance to forge their future.

Thanks to the Canadian Welding Association Foundation (CWA- Foundation), Burnaby School District 41, and the BCIT School of Construction and the Environment, they spent their week welding. The Mind over Metal camp took place over spring break, March 14-18.

“We’re used to dealing with adults, so having kids in here is a different dynamic,” says Laurie McAvoy, BCIT’s Manager of Corporate Training and Industry Services, “but this is also the age when you can hopefully make a positive impact on decisions they might make about their future. We work hard to let them know the Trades are a conscious choice, not an ‘instead of something else.'”

The 15 lucky students ranged in age from 14 through 16, coming from grades 8 through 10.

“I think it was interesting seeing them all come in, a little uncertain, on day one,” says McAvoy. “And then there they are, in full personal protective equipment and welding boots, all proud of the new skills and knowledge.”

The students picked up some hard skills, from the use of hand and power tools to the basics of welding. They also learned the important soft skills of individual responsibility and teamwork.

Participant Jakeob Keller, who walked away with the Top Student prize, says, “It’s an amazing opportunity, yeah. We learned how to carry the weld. I had a fun time and learned a lot. ”

When asked if he regrets skipping his spring break, Keller says, “Nah. It made my spring break better.”

BCIT’s Welding Department was the driving force behind the project. Instructors brought the idea to the Institute, and saw it through to the graduation ceremony. The camp was taught by two highly-experienced BCIT Welding instructors, Dave Helman and Rod Walters.

Walters first heard about the idea last year. “I thought it was a fantastic idea,” he says. “It all grew from there. This gives the kids a chance to see alternate paths other than regular academia.”

As for what he got out of the experience, Walters smiled. “Huge satisfaction. Huge workload, but huge satisfaction.”

Student Jakeob Keller is grateful. “The instructors were really great. They helped with one-on-one time, helped me to get it down.”

Instructors didn’t just give their time and expertise. They approached BCIT contractors to help make the experience amazing. The CWA-Foundation was the main sponsor, but several local companies stepped up to help out. Chartwell’s kept the teenagers fed, while Mark’s Work Warehouse provided highly discounted PPE (personal protection equipment) for use in the program. Acklands-Grainger provided safety glasses, welding caps and gloves; and other industry partners provided metal to weld.

All in, it costs more than $1000 for each student that participates. It’s an investment in the future of welding in the country.

“Oftentimes, these young people aren’t given the opportunity to try metalwork. By the time they’re eighteen, they’re figuring out what they want to do. If they’ve never tried it, they’ll never weld,” says Trent Konrad, the CWA-Foundation’s Technical Outreach Officer for western Canada.

He sees some future colleagues among the teens. “The amount of professionalism the instructors brought to this was impressive,” says Konrad. “The students responded in spades. I mean, they’re 14, 15-year olds and they’re acting like they go to this institute. They appreciate the shop. They appreciate the world-class instruction. It was so great to see teenagers showing up, not only on-time, but early, and acting like adults. It was fantastic.”

There are 35 such camps planned across Canada this year. The long-term goal for BCIT is to host it on an annual basis.