Heather Latter
The Rainy River District School Board and Seven Generations Education Institute celebrated the grand-opening of a welding program facility, featuring 12 new welding booths, at Fort Frances High School last week.
The project—made possible through a partnership between the two organizations—got underway just last summer.
“So it was really quick,” said Heather Campbell, director of eduction for the local public school board.
“It was in the spring of 2015 that we started talking,” she noted. “In the summer, we started measuring and trying to envision what to do.
“And then I have to give credit to Travis Enge [manager of plant operations and maintenance] because he did a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes in getting the specifications, sourcing the materials and equipment, and working closely with Seven Gens to make it happen as quickly as possible,” Campbell added.
Seven Gens CEO Brent Tookenay said William Perrault, co-ordinator of the welding technique program, worked with Enge on the project.
He noted SGEI offered the welding program, which was seeing plenty of interest, but it only could teach a handful of students at a time.
In thinking of ways to better the program, the idea of the partnership between the two organizations was developed.
“How we can work together and do what’s best for our communities that we serve, both First Nations and non-First Nation communities,” Tookenay remarked.
“It’s really important that we have those processes in place so we can do what’s best for the students and provide opportunities like this,” he stressed.
Tookenay noted the school board and SGEI had worked together previously—and it just made sense to pool their resources in this case.
“It’s difficult to do a project of this size alone,” he explained, adding the project invests in the students and the community.
While Campbell noted SGEI paid for a large share, she added the school board also put a significant amount of money into the project to ensure its success.
The board provided the location for the welding facility in the manufacturing area at Fort High, in addition to purchasing some welders, while SGEI provided the 12 welding booths.
“I think everyone is pretty happy with the end result,” Tookenay enthused. “A former student was here and said, ‘I wish we had this when I was here.’
“That speaks volumes right there.”
“This gives not just opportunities for secondary students, but leads the pathway to post-secondary, to the trades, and is a benefit not just for students but for adult learners throughout the district,” echoed Campbell.
Enge said the project was commissioned in December and students have been using it since then.
“Seven Generations is in here four days a week,” he noted.
The 12 booths feature a walkway with six stations on either side. Each station consists of a designated welder, lighting, and ventilation.
“It’s a great addition to our shop,” Enge enthused.
“It’s designed to meet today’s standards to ensure students and staff learn and work in a safe environment.”
Meanwhile, plans are in the works to have the new facility being a certified test centre for those wanting to obtain a certificate in welding.
Instructor Ryan Whalen said he and fellow instructor Bruce Whalen would have to take a certification course for that to happen.
“Then from that point on, we’d be able to certify everybody else and that is something we are working towards,” he noted.
“It would be great for the longevity of the course.”
“Currently, welders go to Winnipeg or Thunder Bay and it’s very costly, so we’re hoping to get certification done locally and that will really be a benefit for the trades in the area, as well,” said Campbell.
Both Tookenay and Campbell saluted the collaboration of both organizations in making the welding facility a reality.
“We have had a strong partnership for years,” Tookenay said, noting they work well together to ensure all voices were heard.
“This is just a start—we certainly hope to expand the partnership,” he added.
School board chair Dianne McCormack thanked everyone involved for making it possible.
“I don’t know a thing about welding but looking at it, it is very impressive,” she enthused.
“It’s very exciting that we can have this space designed and usable to the standard that it is.
“And [to] have it used more than just during the school day is really exciting because sharing facilities and partnerships are the way we can make things available for students of all ages,” she added.
