CWB Welding Foundation celebrate 10th anniversary as a national not-for-profit charity

The CWB Welding Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a national not-for-profit charity focused on breaking barriers and bridging skill gaps in welding and welding-related industries.

Since its inception in 2013, the CWB Foundation has been committed to raising awareness, advocating for the welding industry, delivering hands-on educational programs, and investing in educational infrastructure to address the shortage of skilled professionals in Canada.

“I am thrilled to say that over the past ten years, the CWB Welding Foundation has established partnerships and programs that are now positively impacting workforce development and skills-based recruitment and retention objectives within welding and welding-related industries," said Susan Crowley, executive director, CWB Welding Foundation. "We are proud of our collective efforts to drive awareness and change perceptions to promote, develop and future proof skilled trades and technology employment opportunities. Our mission has always been to empower the next generation of skilled workers and we will continue to find new and innovative ways to achieve that goal."

Alongside the generous and committed support of partners, sponsors, and industry leaders, the CWB Foundation has achieved their goals by:

Supporting welding education and training: The CWB Foundation provides financial support, such as grants to schools and programs across Canada to enhance the quality of education and training available. They also offer resources and support to educators to help them better prepare students for the welding industry.

Addressing the skilled worker shortage in Canada: The CWB Foundation has launched several initiatives to encourage people of all ages to explore welding or welding related careers, including Mind Over Metal™ welding youth camps and adult workshops, Women of Steel™ pre-employment programs to encourage women to enter the welding profession, and the Educator Training programs.

Removing barriers: The CWB Foundation is a driving force behind providing access to welding education and certification for underrepresented groups, including women, Indigenous peoples, and newcomers to Canada. By reducing financial, social, and cultural barriers to education, the CWB Foundation has helped thousands of Canadians enter the welding industry, further addressing the skilled worker shortage.

Promoting Safety and Innovation: The CWB Foundation promotes safety and innovation in the welding industry to improve welding safety through initiatives such as the CWB WeldSAFE™ program in partnership with the International Brother of Boilermakers, AltaGas, and industry leaders 3M Canada, Lincoln Electric and Weldready.

Encouraging industry collaboration: The CWB Foundation brings together industry leaders, educators, and other stakeholders to collaborate and share best practices in the welding industry. Together, they host conferences, workshops, and other events to promote knowledge-sharing and collaboration within welding and welding-related industries.

“I've had the privilege of being directly involved with the CWB Welding Foundation and watching it grow from a small initiative to a dynamic national organization making a real difference in the lives of aspiring welders across Canada,” says Doug Luciani, president and CEO, CWB Group. “It’s remarkable to see how far we’ve come in only a decade, and I’m excited to see how the organization continues to grow its impact for years to come.”

The CWB Foundation will move forward and address existing and new opportunities while continuing to inspire individuals to explore welding and welding-related careers in safe and collaborative environments.