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Welding is one of the trades in the Okanagan that is showing signs of increased activity as Canada’s economy improves.
“I started to notice it about a month ago, as a growing number of employers started calling to ask about our graduates,” says Dean Nutter, who chairs Okanagan College’s Welding Department.
“It was quiet for several months, but now the companies are calling and talking about new projects and the fact that some of their regular clients are coming back with more work.”
A significant contributor to the business uptick is likely Canada’s oil patch – there are estimates that oil production from the Oil Sands will double by 2020.
“The message here is that this is a good time to be thinking about welding as an occupation,” says Nutter.
Justin Miller, Quality Control Manager at Enterprise Steel Fabricators Ltd. Of Kelowna, agrees. “We’re looking at hiring a number of welders in the months ahead. More projects are coming on line. Some of the work will be for experienced welders, but we’re also looking at projects that will be suited for students just out of school.”
“We’ve hired a number of welders in the last few months,” says Northside Industries’ Steve McKay, President for the West Kelowna company. “And with current customer demands along with upcoming projects in the fourth quarter, we are continuing to hire.”
“The other field we’re getting calls about is metal fabrication,” Nutter notes. “All you have to do is look at the job postings to know the demand for both welders and fabricators is increasing. It’s no surprise, the two fields are closely linked to each other.”
There are several opportunities to connect with a career in welding at Okanagan College, which trains about 230 students annually in the field. Welding Level C certification programs start Aug. 8 in Vernon, and on Aug. 23 and Sept. 6 in Kelowna. A metal fabricator program starts Sept. 12 in Kelowna.
If you’re interested in either of those fields, or in other trades offered by the College, the school also offers a try-a-trade-for-a-day program that will introduce you to the field and provide information on careers and pre-requisites.
