Since the start of the school year, Cascadia Metals (Delta branch) has generously donated more than 10,000lb of various types of steel to Seaquam Secondary School to help students in the Machining and Welding program.
"Without this donation, I don't think we would have been able to offer the Machining and Welding senior program to students. Thanks to Cascadia Metals providing the steel, we were able to spend our budget for the program on buying 16 new welding helmets and enough hand tools to equip eight welding booths. With their donations, we have also been able to build eight new welding tables for students to work on in each of the booths," said Graeme Bossons, teacher at Seaquam Secondary.
"Last year, we only had one welding booth, so can you imagine how impactful it is for students to have more space, and the materials necessary to learn and practice their skills. The introduction of the Machining and Welding senior program is also giving students a valuable opportunity to get a taste of the welding and fabrication trades to help them in their decisions on what to pursue in post-secondary."
Some of the thicker metal that was donated is enabling students to practice welding different joints similar to what BCIT students learn in the Welders' Foundation program. With the thinner metal, Grade 8 students are making sheet metal pencil cases, while Grade 9 and 10 students are making sheet metal toolboxes.
"As you can imagine, having enough raw materials for classes to work on a variety of different projects to hone their skills becomes expensive fast. We are extremely grateful to Cascadia Metals for their donations over the last few months. Not only have they donated such a large amount of material to us, but they have been kind enough to deliver it directly to our school."
"What I enjoy about the new machining and welding senior program is the opportunity to learn the skills that will help me prepare for my future in trades. I plan on pursuing a career in metal fabrication and this course helps me get a head start. Opportunities like this make me glad I am a student at Seaquam because not every school offers programs like this," Logan, grade 11 student.
"At Cascadia Metals, we are committed to investing in the future of our communities," said James Gregoire, Assistant Operations Manager, Cascadia Metals. "By donating materials to Seaquam Secondary School's metal shop, we're helping students explore their passion for craftsmanship while developing valuable, hands-on skills. We're proud to play a part in shaping the next generation of metalworkers and innovators."
