A group of new welders is stepping confidently into the skilled trades pipeline after completing a summer program at the Nuclear Innovation Institute’s (NII) Advance Technology Campus.
The four-week program, run in collaboration with the Saugeen Sparks Training Centre and the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario – Tomorrow’s Trades, brought together 18 students from across Bruce, Grey, and Huron counties.
Through hands-on training with expert instructors, participants built the technical skills and confidence needed to launch trades careers. By the end, every student earned Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) certifications in flat and horizontal fillet welding — a 100 per cent success rate that resulted in 51 certificates in total.
For some students, the training opened the door to immediate opportunities. Two participants accepted apprenticeships with the Boilermakers Local 128 before the program had even ended, while four others are moving forward on employment pathways with another union.
Delilah, a participant who entered the program with little welding experience, said the course gave her a real sense of accomplishment.
“I went in with very little welding skill,” she said. “I didn’t think I would pass, but I did. I got two CWB tickets and am really proud of myself.”
Another student, Natu, first discovered welding through night school at the Saugeen Sparks Training Centre before enrolling in the summer program. Originally from Eritrea, Natu’s journey to Canada took him through six countries before settling in the Clean Energy Frontier region.
“I love it here,” he shared. “All the opportunities I’ve had have been way beyond what I expected. The fact that I could train right here makes it all feel real. I’m ready to keep working and build something for myself.”
For organizers, the success of the summer cohort underscores the importance of offering training close to home.
“We’re proud to host programs like this at the Campus because they create new opportunities for youth and help strengthen the local workforce,” said Stellina Williams, Vice President and CAO at NII. “By offering welding training close to home, we make it easier for students to gain real skills and industry certifications—and it’s inspiring to see how quickly participants built both their abilities and their confidence.”
Rob Stanley, Executive Director of the Saugeen Sparks Training Centre, highlighted the collaboration behind the initiative.
“This program is a testament to what can be achieved when industry, education and labour collaborate to invest in the next generation of skilled tradespeople,” he said. “We’re proud of our Centre’s instructors and the students’ successes and grateful to our partners for helping us build a stronger, more resilient workforce across the region.”
With its combination of state-of-the-art equipment, industry partnerships, and skilled instructors, the NII Advance Technology Campus is positioning itself as a launchpad for trades training in Bruce, Grey, and Huron counties.
By keeping opportunities local, programs like this welding course are making it possible for students to train, certify, and begin building careers — all without having to leave the region.