A new age in podcasting for CWB

Educational podcasts are on the rise as a convenient way to share information and keep listeners engaged. They fit seamlessly into any given routine because the option to “listen whenever, and wherever” has revolutionized the learning process. Listeners can download and listen to a podcast while commuting, doing chores around the house, or whenever they have time to spare. This accessibility is integral to the learning process, paving the way to innovation as never before.

Growth Statistics

Podcasts have seen a steady increase in listenership over the past 15 years, with more than 2 million in circulation today and over 48 million episodes recorded as of April 2021.

In a Podcast Insights survey of more than 60 million homes, over 50 per cent were podcast fans, and over 55 per cent of the population has listened to a podcast at some point. In terms of genre, comedy is the most popular for podcast listeners, with education coming in at a close second.

As podcast adoption continues to grow, the statistics show the speed at which the listener base has grown over the past couple of years. Given the ability of a podcast platform to reach a larger audience, organizations have begun investing more time and effort to increase their exposure.

The CWBA Welding Podcast Supports the Industry

The pandemic forced countless organizations to adapt to a new way of life quickly. Remote learning and innovative ways to share organizational messaging became the norm, and, as a society, we successfully adjusted to new corporate demands. When the CWB Group was first faced with the challenge of engaging our audiences, whether they be clients, students, or readers, we needed something that would build interest in the trades and educate our audiences on the different facets of welding.

Knowing what we knew about podcasting, and through thorough research, we reached the same conclusion as many other companies last year—we needed to ensure that our audiences continued to benefit from our resources without compromising their safety and well-being in the process. With the future of our networking events and conferences unknown, we needed something stimulating to connect with our clients and students. We knew that learning needed to shift to online platforms.

This is how the CWB Association Welding Podcast was born. Max Ceron, the director of the CWB Association, began interviewing notable names within the industry, and what started as an experiment has become one of our most valued educational platforms. The podcast has been renewed for a second season through popular demand.

Ceron noted that the new season will feature interviews with “students, teachers, technical experts, influencers, business owners, and celebrities from here in Canada and around the world. Stay tuned for some special series that we are planning that include Spanish-language episodes and event-specific episodes that will support the great programs and events we have at the CWB Association.”

It’s important to note that the growing popularity of podcasts can also be attributed to a youthful audience base. Podcasts have a median age of 34, and according to a Forbes article from Feb. 11, 2021 “the percentage of monthly podcast listeners 12 to 34 years old has grown from 27% in 2017 to 49% in 2020.”

One of the CWB Association’s major goals is to enhance the welding skills and knowledge of today’s youth and provide experiences that nurture their learning process. By accessing this niche audience, we can provide tips and industry information for listeners to stay on top of what’s going on in the world of welding.

Season Two Guests

The CWBA Welding Podcast continues to gain momentum in the industry. Season two will include Rae Ripple, a Texas native and well-known name in the industry today, who shares the story of how she found her love for welding. Carving a path for herself was no easy feat for Ripple, but she kept fighting and found success doing what she loves.

Another guest this season is Ivan Iller from St. John’s, Michigan, an artist specializing in kinetic metal sculptures. A competitor on Netflix’s “Metal Shop Masters,” his talents include metal fabrication, sculpting, and blacksmithing. Iller also holds the record for the world’s largest brown trout sculpture, which stands at an impressive 25 ft. tall in Baldwin, Michigan.

As we make our way out of the challenges of the pandemic, we can be thankful for all we have learned over the past year and a half. We were forced to become agile, embrace innovation and change in a way that has never been done before, and discover new ways to connect with our audiences.

Rhea Gill is communications lead at CWB Group, 8260 Parkhill Drive, Milton, Ont. L9T 5V7, 800-844-6790, rhea.gill@cwbgroup.org, www.cwbgroup.org.