New bursary for Ontario welding students launched

The Nicole LeClair Welding Bursary Award set to help post-secondary welders

“There is a shortage of people in the welding trade right now, and I thought this would be a small way to give back and help close that gap,” said LeClair.

The Nicole LeClair Welding Bursary Award was recently created by welder and teacher Nicole LeClair using her securities through RBC to make grants in support of students who want to pursue welding at the post-secondary level within the province of Ontario.

LeClair decided to create this bursary program to give back for all that she has gained from her career in the industry and to create a legacy that she can see grow over time. LeClair is a Red Seal welder fitter, a welding engineering technologist, a level 1 weld inspector, and currently a welding teacher at Mohawk College.

“There is a shortage of people in the welding trade right now, and I thought this would be a small way to give back and help close that gap,” said LeClair. “Young people have to be shown that entering a trade is a really great opportunity. You can get good pay and benefits. I’m a welder, that’s my passion, which is why the bursary is strictly for welding at the post-secondary level.”

The first award will be presented in Fall 2019 while applications open this winter.

“I kept the bursary strictly in Ontario because I want to be involved in the process of reviewing candidates and be able to drive or fly to present the award to the winner,” said LeClair. “I myself was a recipient of a Canadian Welding Bureau bursary in 2001 and I never forgot that. Now I’m at the stage of my life and career that I can give back. I believe that if you can give back, you should. If this bursary can help inspire one or two more people to get involved in the welding trade, and help them afford the cost of attending classes, I’ll consider my efforts a success.”

The CWB Foundation was pleased to hear of the launch of this new source of welding education funding also.

“Nicole has been collaborating with and supporting the CWB Welding Foundation since it was launched in 2013, so we’ve been well connected with her throughout the years,” said Leanna Baldin, stewardship officer, CWB Welding Foundation. “Now that she has launched this initiative, which is closely aligned with what we provide students and aligns with our value and vision to support welding education in Canada and create sustainability in the welding industry, we are extremely happy to support her.”

The application form for the bursary will be hosted on the CWB Welding Foundation’s website.

“Our part in supporting this bursary is using our platform and existing relationships with the welding community, educators, and students to help promote it so that people are aware of this new source of support,” said Baldin. “Her website will direct applicants to the application on our site and there they will complete the application. Nicole takes over from there to make the decision on who the recipient will be.”

Baldin said the CWB Group is always pleased to see new sources of funding for welding education.

“Honestly, every bit counts,” Baldin said. “We have a set amount of funding every year we are able to provide to students for welding education, so if there is another individual or organization that is providing something similar that can benefit the community and the country as a whole, we are keen to see that happen. It goes back to benefiting students, that’s what is important for all of us: that students can get the funds to initiate and finish their studies.”

Individuals or companies that wish to make a tax-deductible donation to the bursary program to increase the funds available to deserving candidates can do so at www.easydonate.com/NicoleLeClair. Applications for the bursary will soon be accessible from this same site.

“I hope that the fund will grow over time with the addition of the donations of others so that the annual bursary can be bigger as time goes on,” said LeClair.

Charitable Gift Funds Canada will distribute the bursary annually at the direction of LeClair.

About the Author
Canadian Fabricating & Welding

Rob Colman

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Robert Colman has worked as a writer and editor for more than 25 years, covering the needs of a variety of trades. He has been dedicated to the metalworking industry for the past 13 years, serving as editor for Metalworking Production & Purchasing (MP&P) and, since January 2016, the editor of Canadian Fabricating & Welding. He graduated with a B.A. degree from McGill University and a Master’s degree from UBC.