With demand for skilled welders rising across Canada, Okanagan College has partnered with the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Group to deliver the National Welder Competency Assessment and Skills Training (NWCAST) program a tuition-free initiative to help internationally trained welders and skilled trade professionals gain Canadian certification and connect to meaningful employment.
The need for certified skilled trade professionals far exceeds supply right across Canada, and additional welders and welding-related trade professionals will be required by 2030 to replace the numbers retiring and address growing industrial needs.
"Addressing the skilled trades shortage requires collaboration between industry, educators and government," said Mary Fuke, manager, government relations, CWB Group. "Through NWCAST and our partnership with Okanagan College, we're creating clear, inclusive pathways for internationally trained professionals to apply their experience, earn Canadian credentials and enter the workforce with confidence."
For many skilled newcomers, the journey into Canada's workforce can be fraught with difficulties. Differences in global training standards, limited access to testing facilities and a lack of information about certification requirements are just some of the barriers to finding work.
Specialized training at Okanagan College will help change that, as the College is guiding participants through every step from personalized skills assessments and tailored training to certification testing and career support.
"The NWCAST program represents a game-changing opportunity for welders in British Columbia and beyond," said Caitlin Hartigan, dean of trades and apprenticeship at Okanagan College. "By partnering with the CWB Group, we're breaking down barriers to certification and creating clear pathways into high-demand careers. This initiative addresses the critical labor shortage in the welding industry and supports newcomers and internationally trained professionals in building successful futures."
"Okanagan College is proud to be the exclusive B.C. delivery partner for NWCAST, bringing advanced, accessible training to our region and strengthening the skilled trades workforce for years to come," Hartigan added.
Funded in part by the Government of Canada's Foreign Credential Recognition Program, NWCAST blends online assessment and in-person instruction with hands-on learning at Okanagan College's Kelowna campus. Participants will build their technical skills, gain recognized microcredentials and take CWB certification testing tuition-free.
But the benefits extend well beyond the classroom. By providing greater access to industry-led training and certification, the NWCAST program will help to fill key labour gaps in British Columbia's construction, energy and advanced manufacturing sectors while building a stronger and more inclusive workforce.
Graduates will enter the workforce with recognized credentials, advanced skills and direct pathways to employment, supporting both regional economic growth and the long-term sustainability of BC's skilled trades workforce.
Okanagan College was chosen as a partner for NWCAST in B.C. because of its strong reputation in trades training, state-of-the-art welding facilities and commitment to industry collaboration.
"We have a long history of helping people build skills, confidence and careers through personalized, hands-on learning," said Samantha Lenci, provost and vice-president academic at Okanagan College. "This partnership is a true trifecta education that transforms lives, training that meets workforce needs and community connections that help strengthen the regions we serve."
The College aims to train 33 participants as part of the NWCAST program, which starts in January 2026. For information about the program and how to register, visit okanagan.bc.ca/wcast.
