Business of Welding: The Labour Game

In the stands or on the field — there’s a place for everyone when it comes to what I call the labour game. Where you end up is really depends on what you personally want to get out of the experience. Sitting in the stands allows you to take everything in, see the big picture and analyze what is going on — but by doing so, you lose direct influence on the outcome. On the other hand, being on the field means taking control, contribut­ing as best you can and living with the results.

How does this apply to the welding and manufacturing industry in Canada? Simply put — within our industry there is no escaping the labour game. Everyone, from the welder, to the employer, to the educators and regulatory bodies have a position to play and contribute in their own way. In the game, the collective goal is to create a homegrown pool of talented skilled workers, and enough jobs for all of them right here in Canada. Unfortunately, the game is broken to the point where some work will be involved to fix it. So what are some of the issues?

We have standards, but we don’t collectively adopt them. We have common needs, but don’t always work together across provincial borders and businesses to achieve them. We know what we want, but wait for others to deliver it. We want quality and competency, but don’t want to invest time, dollars and effort to get it. Basically we don’t always pull in the same direction. Thankfully all these are issues that we as Canadians have control over… So please take some time to consider them and decide if you are a “player” or a “spectator”?

THINGS FOR PLAYERS TO DO:

Support your local Canadian trade associations. In the welding world that’s the Canadian Welding Association. Did you know that 100% of the time, money and activity within the association is reinvested back into Canada? As a player, ask yourself the following questions: “If I contribute does my contribution help my team - does it help grow Canada?”

Get involved, be heard. Go to meetings, express your opinions, send emails, post comments on Facebook, participate in surveys - do what you can to get your voice heard. If you say nothing, nothing will change.

THINGS FOR SPECTATORS TO DO:

Invest in your business, invest in your employees, invest in yourself. Look for and take advantage of grants and other opportunities to help strengthen your team. Get trained, get certified to Canadian standards, get the knowledge you need to succeed.

Express your opinions, leverage your ‘vote’. Let others in industry, government, education and associations know what you need them to do. Participate in the local BIA, sign-up for focus groups, complete industry surveys, call into talk shows, visit with local schools and ask questions. You pay taxes, you contribute to a local economy and you have a voice in how the ‘game’ will be played in the future.

THINGS WE ARE DOING TO HELP OUT:

Over the last month or so the CWA Foundation has been very active as a national sponsor for Skills Canada. These events are a combination of tradeshow and competition with everything from animation to welding being repre­sented. Although the number of skills being showcased is an eye opener, what is really impressive is the number of students attending. There are busloads after busloads of them and they are engaged, interested, and represent the future of trades in this country. Clearly there’s no pre-skilled worker shortage, we just need to do our collective best to get them to go to the next step — picking a trade they will excel at.

The CWA is also hosting another educator’s conference this year– this time in Nova Scotia. It’s the only time welding educators can get together and discuss issues at the national level. In these kind of events progress comes by listening and then acting on what you hear. So, the CWB Group is looking at a range of education programs and assessment tools that will help Canadian welding educators create Canada’s next crop of highly skilled welders. We will be reaching out for your help, are you willing to pitch in?

Player or spectator, student or educator — All are important to the future growth and prosperity of Can­ada’s welding industry. I encourage you to reach out if you want to help — you can find the CWA and the CWB on Facebook, the web, or by email or phone. As always — we are welding, we are 100% Canadian, we here to help.