The next time you need surgical stitches, don’t be surprised if the surgeon uses laser welding and gold-based solder.
This recent development by the American Chemical Society is an example of advancements in welding and one reason why Dan Tadic, executive director of the Canadian Welding Association, a division of the Canadian Welding Bureau, is excited about the launch of the CWA Foundation, geared to educating the next generation of welders.
“This is going to engage students like they’ve never been engaged before and it will help industry by creating a much broader labour pool. Our vision is to engage public school students, high school students, indigenous children, children with disabilities and even those in prison. We’ll be doing a combination of presentations in the field and having students come to our Technology Centre and the idea is to gear them towards continuing their education in the welding industry, whether it’s becoming a welder, an inspector, a supervisor or an engineer.”
He says one of the challenges CWA Foundation will face as it ramps up activity in 2014 is combating the perception about jobs in the welding industry.
“Many parents and teachers are not aware of how broad the welding industry is; they see the three or four welding processes most are familiar with but they don’t see the more than 40 welding processes in use today, and the majority of these processes don’t generate welding fumes, dirt or grime; they’re clean welding processes. We need to promote this to a new generation of people.”
Tadic announced the formation of the CWA Foundation at the CanWeld Conference, held October 28-29 in Niagara Falls, ON. CWA plans to partner with different organizations, and initiate fundraising efforts. It also in the midst of establishing a Board for the foundation.
“We also plan to have an industry advisory group that will provide input and ideas that we can consider to help move the Foundation’s worker further,” adds Tadic.
