The Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) Welding Camp is successfully creating opportunities for Indigenous students who are looking to pursue the welding trade.
The Welding Camp, designed specifically for Indigenous students, was made possible because of the Mobile Welding Lab, which is currently located at the bus yard between Ponoka Secondary Campus (PSC) and the Wolf Creek Public Schools Division office.
The Welding Camp kicked off on October 5th with 12 students from the Brick Learning Centre and PSC.
The sounds of drills and saws echo through the bus yard as the students work away on creating welding art pieces, such as turtles and owls on October 7th.
As the week progresses at the Welding Camp, Shyla Baile, PSC Indigenous student success coach, says she is observing eager and engaged students.
"Even at 8:20 in the morning they are ready to start and jump into their projects," she said.
"Some of them are even working on their projects through lunch.
"The skills that they are learning are invaluable," she added.
Indigenous Red Seal welder and Instructor Quinton Potts says some of the students are already asking how they can get into the trade after they graduate.
"I think they will have a good foundation at the end of the day," he said of his students.
"I want them to have fun and realize that they can do these things, work with their hands, and it's great for them to see people like us in the trades."
Mentorship is important for Potts who also graduated from PSC.
"To give back to the community, to be a role model for these kids, but also help them realize that they are role models too; it's just fantastic," he said.
The Welding Camp teaches the students basic skills of welding, along with safety procedures. The students will become familiar with hand clamps, drill presses, small tacking techniques, and many different hand tools.
PSC Grade 9 student Zaiden Small, keenly saws away at a piece of metal for his welding project.
"I just love this," he exclaimed.
"I always liked using my hands and being artistic so welding feels like a mix of my two favourite hobbies," he said, also mentioning that he sees himself pursuing the trade after he graduates.
"Welding is fun and relaxing for me."
Following the Welding Camp at PSC, the Mobile Welding Lab will be relocated to Bentley School. It will return to Ponoka in the spring for an Advanced Welding Camp.
And Baile says the students are already asking about it.
"Seeing them be so excited and having something to connect to at school is just so great," she said.
