The students of Ardmore School are getting hands-on learning in a very unique way.
The Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) Mobile Trades Lab has made Ardmore School its home, and since Nov. 1, their students have been getting a first-hand look at the welding industry.
Daryl Heffernan, red seal journeyman welder, is teaching the students about the trade, by showing them how to use the tools while staying safe.
“The response has been great. They are excited to come everyday and they just can't wait to get into their booths and start welding,” Heffernan said. “It's amazing how creative the young kids can be. It gets them excited, and if they can get excited about anything, it's great.”
Students have utilized the Mobile Trades Lab across NLPS since 2010.The program was started using grant funding. Now, it runs solely on school division dollars and travels to three or four schools every school year.
Mark Centazzo, dual credits coordinator for NLPS, said this is an opportunity the school division is thrilled to offer their students, specifically those who attend rural schools such as Ardmore.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our kids because, as a small school, our kids aren't exposed to a lot of this. We have to send our students to BCHS for shop and music options,” noted Ken Pshyk, principal at Ardmore School. “Having the trades trailer come to our school is amazing.”
The mobile lab will stay at Ardmore School until Nov. 23, when it will be moved to Glendon. Although the stretch is short and sweet, Pshyk is happy that Ardmore students have a chance to experience welding first-hand at all.
“Even if the students don't become welders, they have an idea of what welding is about. It just adds to their life skills,” he expressed.
Centazzo explained how the Mobile Trades Lab works.
“The Mobile Trades Lab is a mobile semi-trailer set that opens up and expands to a mobile welding fabrication lab. We have eight welders and a plasma cutter in here, and the kids are exposed to the function and reality of what welding is. They also see the fun they can have with welding and fabricating,” he said.
The program is offered for students from Grades 5 to 9, however when it's at schools in Bonnyville, Cold Lake Middle School, or Lac La Biche, it's also available for students attending Outreach schools.
“The focus is for middle school kids so they can get exposure to the program, because all of our high schools have a welding factor in them already,” said Centazzo.
The Mobile Trades Lab even has a success story. One of the students who took part in the program years ago, continued with welding courses in high school, and eventually became a welder for a northwest Alberta company.
“We have seen the whole progression from junior high exposure, to employment in that field,” Centazzo stated. “We love to see the success. Not every student that comes in here is going to become a welder, but success for those kids is the creation of the projects in here. They take them home and they're very proud of those.”
Grade 6 students Bella Cory and Brooklyn Graham were taking part in the welding course while it was at Ardmore School.
They agreed that it was a skill that they were excited to learn.
Although it was for different reasons, the young welders reflected on why they were thrilled to be taking part.
“I have liked that you get to have hands-on experience with all of the tools, how you get to make your own projects, and work with others,” Cory said.
For Graham, the experience had a personal touch.
“My grandpa welds, and I help him all of the time. I just enjoy having the freedom to do all of those activities hands-on,” she said. “I really like the welding experience, because now maybe I can help my grandpa out.”
