b'FORGING STRONGER FUTURESForging Stronger Futures: How industry partnerships are powering the next generation of weldersBY::MATTHEW LEBLANCCommunications OfficerCWB FoundationI nthemetalindustries,strengthisempoweringthenextgenerationofPPE kits. Thats more than 430 students morethanameasureofmaterial.skilledtradespeople.Butbeyondtheeachmonthreceivingindustry-grade Itsareflectionofthepartnershipsnumbers, this story is about what happensprotection and support. Now in year four weforgewithoneanother.Asthewhen industry leaders unite with a sharedofthisinitiative,theCWBWeldSAFE sectorfacesevolvingchallenges,fromvision: building a safer, more inclusive andgranthassupportedsaferlearningfor workforceshortagestotechnologicalmore sustainable future for welding andover22,000studentsacrossCanadaas shifts, collaboration has never been morematerials joining in Canada. they explore career pathways in welding paramount than now.and joining and has provided over 125 Whether its strengthening the existingA shared commitment to safety safetyreviewstoweldingfacilitiesat workforcewithmicro-credentialsandand education recipient schools. upskillingopportunitiestoaddressTheCWBWeldSAFEprogramisFor many schools, especially those in immediateskillsneedsorcreatingthatdesigned to ensure that students enrolledunderfunded or rural areas, acquiring this spark with the future generation throughinwelding,manufacturingandrelatedequipmentcanbeasignificantbarrier. awarenessinitiativesandeducation,secondary school programs have accessThatswherepartnershipsliketheone everyone has a part to play to strengthento a safe learning environment, includingbetween Telco Steel Works and Pittsburgh industry and inspire excellence. quality and industry-relevant safety gear.Steel Group make a tangible difference. OnestandoutexampleisthejointEachPPEkitincludesessentialitemsTheirjointcontributionreflectsadeep $10,000 contribution by Telco Steel Workssuch as welding helmets, gloves, jacketscommitmenttotheircommunitiesand and Pittsburgh Steel Group to the CWBand safety glassesgear that not onlya shared belief in supporting students in Foundations WeldSAFE program. protects these students but also instills athe trades.Thisgiftenabledthefoundationculture of safety from day one. By coming together, we were able to toprovide15fullpersonalprotectiveIn2024-2025alone,theCWBmake a greater impact than we could have equipment(PPE)kitstoasecondaryWeldSAFE program equipped over 5,700individually,saidaspokespersonfrom schoolweldingprogram,directlystudentsat44schoolswithupgradedTelco Steel Works. Its about investing 14|WINTER 2025 ADVANTAGE STEEL'